Anna was confused. “What are you talking about?”
“Tele-Screen. It’s basically a second set of eyes. Similar to air traffic control; only, the blips on their radar are patients. He thought it best given your celebrity. It’s a new monitoring system that some hospitals are using now.”
Anna nodded. “That’s good to know though I doubt anyone knows we’re here,” she told the nurse.
The nurse was probably her age, maybe a bit older. She had her blond hair in a French braid and wore light blue scrubs. Most importantly, she had a caring smile. “You haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?” Anna asked, warning bells blasting in her head, causing her heart rate to increase, a knot in her stomach. “What are you referring to?”
“Your daughter’s accident; it’s been on the news.”
Mandy pushed through the heavy door, carrying a small paper sack. Seeing the nurse, she stuffed the sack inside her tote bag. “How’s she doing?”
“Christina’s accident made the evening news. Do you know anything about this?”
“What? Of course not. Who told you this?” Mandy asked.
Anna nodded toward the nurse.
Mandy directed her words to the nurse. “How did this information get out to the public? Aren’t patients supposed to have a right to privacy? I need to speak to your public-information officer. Right now.”
“Mandy, slow down. I’ll call Ed, let him know what’s happened,” Anna said, then spoke to the nurse. “Could we have a moment?”
“Of course,” the nurse said, stepping out of the room. Anna motioned for Mandy to go into the small bathroom. “Here, give me that test. I want to know what I’m dealing with; then we’ll focus on the idiot who’s made my daughter’s accident public knowledge.”
“There’s three to a box. Just in case,” she said, taking the paper sack from her purse. “Do your thing; I’ll keep an eye on Christina.”
Mandy closed the door, leaving Anna to do what she should have done weeks ago. Hands shaking, she opened the Quick Results pregnancy test box. She read through the instructions, reminding her of the years she and Wade had tried to get pregnant. Not much had changed other than the waiting period. This test said sixty seconds.
She washed her trembling hands, removed the foil wrapping, and took out the pink-and-white stick that held the power to change her life forever. Before she could change her mind, she followed the instructions. When she finished, she placed the stick on the side of the sink, and counted to sixty. Twice, then once again just to make sure.
Before she viewed her results, she sent up a silent prayer that whatever they were, she would have the courage to deal with them.
With the stick in her hand, she opened her eyes and saw two words, not one pink line or two pink lines like the tests she’d used years ago. No, this test actually gave you the words.
Not pregnant.
Tears filled her eyes. “Thank God,” she said out loud. What if it was wrong? Quickly, she used the second test stick.
Not pregnant.
Anna smiled, overwhelmed at the relief she felt. Then, just because she could, she used the third stick.
Again, not pregnant.
In her mind, three was a charm. She accepted the results and prayed her period would come when she wasn’t so stressed. Though that could be forever, given the mess she’d made of her life. She’d make an appointment with her gynecologist soon in order to make sure there wasn’t anything medically wrong.
When there was a slight knock on the door, Anna opened it and showed Mandy all three sticks.
“Thank heavens,” Mandy said, embracing her. “I bet you wished you had done this sooner,” she said.
“I was afraid of the results, but yeah, I should’ve. Mandy, what is wrong with me? I’m so screwed up right now.” She thought of the Xanax in her purse. She might pop one later, just to take the edge off.
“Nothing is wrong with you. Now that we’re sure there’s just one of you, call Ed, tell him I need to speak to the hospital’s public-information officer, tonight. I’ll contact the local media, explain their airing the story is a violation of Christina’s rights, her being a minor. I think we can wrap this up pretty quickly. Now, go call the doctor.” Mandy smiled at her. “I know, I know, I am bossy, but you love it. Now go.” She gave her a slight push toward the door.
Anna used her cell phone to call Ed Laird. She explained the situation, and he gave her a name and number. “Before I forget,” she brought up the NOTES app on her phone and typed in the information Ed had given her. “Here,” she said, and handed her phone to Mandy. “Do your thing.”
Anna returned to her daughter’s bedside, saw she was sleeping and that her breathing seemed deeper, probably from the medications. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Christina. Her worst fear, one she’d gone through years of therapy trying to overcome. After today’s accident, if it really was an accident, she knew she couldn’t let it slide. As soon as Christina could speak without the effects of the drugs, she would ask her what happened, and if she was pushed.
Mandy returned to the room. “All done. Apparently one of the admitting nurses recognized you. Her husband is the six o’clock news anchor at KCBD. She thought your trip newsworthy and called him. Not sure what’s going to happen to either, but I promise you, we’ll keep this as quiet as we can.” Mandy motioned for her to sit. “However, if this wasn’t an accident, we won’t be able to keep it out of the news,” Mandy said. “It won’t matter who you are.”
Nodding in agreement, Anna knew that Mandy spoke the truth. “What now?” she asked, needing direction about where to go from here.
“Let’s wait and see what Christina says. Then, depending on that, we’ll decide. I still think that little snot had something to do with this. If not, she is one coldhearted bitch. Sorry, I know you don’t like name-calling when a kid’s involved, but riddle me this. Would your daughter have watched one of her friends if they fell down a flight of steps and not called nine-one-one when she was told to? Would any of her friends?” Mandy walked across the small room to the sofa and sat down.
Anna sat beside her. “Of course not.”
“I don’t have kids, but I know a bad egg when I smell one. Renée Robertson is as rotten as they come.”
Anna sighed. “I think she’s mixed up, and that’s about all I can say at this point. She was hot and cold at dinner at the restaurant, but I attributed that to her being a typical thirteen-year-old girl. She was mad at Ryan because he told her she couldn’t get a sleeve tattoo. I get that kids get pissed at their parents. I’m hoping that’s all that’s going on.”
“Screw that, Anna. Open your eyes and stop being so damned defensive. The girl is weird; she’s probably the reason we’re sitting here now. How many times has anyone fallen down those stairs? Christina runs up and down them all the time. I’ve never even seen her trip, let alone take a flying leap and land in a heap at the bottom of the steps. It makes sense; at least it does to me.”
“I know.”
Anna needed to think. Dozens of “what-ifs” plagued her.
“I should call Ryan, at least let him know how Christina’s doing,” Anna said.
Mandy bounced off the sofa like she had springs on her feet. In a harsh whisper, she asked, “Are you nuts? Who cares what he thinks? If he were all that concerned, he would’ve called by now. Anna, what the hell has this guy done to you? It’s like you’ve let him drain you of all the spunk I know you have. He doesn’t deserve to know, if you want my opinion, which I know you don’t.”
“But you’re giving it anyway, free of charge,” Anna completed.
“Always.”
“Did anyone check on Mr. Waffles?” Anna asked. “I totally forgot about him. Shit, I’m going to call Mona.” She dialed Mona’s cell, and Mona answered on the first ring.
“Mona, it’s me. Listen, could you check on Mr. Waffles? I don’t remember seeing him around today. Christina is going to be all
right. She’s got a bad fracture and a slight concussion, but if all goes well, we’ll be home tomorrow.” Anna listened to Mona, holding the phone away as a string of cuss words filled her ear.
“Call me as soon as you find him,” she said, and ended the call. She set her cell phone so that it would buzz instead of ring. She didn’t want to disturb her daughter.
“Mona said she hasn’t seen him since this morning.”
Other than the sound of Christina’s breathing, and the bleeping of the heart monitor, the room was silent.
Anna chewed her bottom lip. “I hope he’s okay. Probably hiding somewhere. With all the confusion today, he must’ve been scared.”
“Or something’s happened to him,” Mandy interjected, voicing the thoughts Anna didn’t want to admit to having, too.
“He’s probably holed up in a closet somewhere. You know how sneaky cats are.”
“I do, but Mr. Waffles isn’t just your everyday ordinary house cat. He’s more like a dog. He doesn’t usually hide, does he?” Mandy asked.
“I showed Ryan the studio earlier. He may have followed me downstairs, so he could be trapped there. I’m pretty sure I didn’t see him, but I’ll call Mona, ask her to look.”
Anna called again, told Mona, who was not a happy camper at the moment, to look in the studio, and again, call her as soon as she found him.
“Christina will be crushed if something’s happened to him,” Mandy said. “I will, too.”
Again, all Anna did was nod.
“Mom,” Christina called, her voice a hoarse whisper.
Anna hurried to her bedside. She pushed a stray hair away from her daughter’s face. “Hey, sweetie, I’m right here. Mandy’s here, too.”
Mandy stood on the opposite side of the bed. “Hey there.”
Anna saw tears in Mandy’s eyes, saw how she was struggling to contain them.
“Mandy”—Christina turned to her—“thanks for being here.”
She sniffed. “I wouldn’t be anyplace else in the world. I want you to rest, okay? I’ll stay with you if you want me to.”
Christina nodded. “I’m thirsty,” she said, turning back to Anna.
Anna poured a couple inches of water in her cup. “Let’s raise you up a little bit, okay? Tell me if I’m causing you any pain.” Anna adjusted the bed, though this time Christina was able to hold the glass and drink on her own. “All better?” She reached for the cup.
“A little more,” Christina said. “So thirsty.”
“It’s all the drugs in your system,” Mandy explained to her. “Which for now is a good thing. I don’t know if your mom explained your injuries.” Mandy caught Anna’s eye. She shook her head from left to right.
“You broke your leg in two places, and you’ve got a bump on the head. Ed took good care of you, said we can go home in the morning. He wanted you to stay tonight, just as a precaution,” Anna explained, rushing through her injuries as fast as she could.
Christina’s breathing became a bit labored, her eyes widening. “No! I don’t want to go home! No!” She was full on screaming now.
“I’ll get the nurse,” Mandy said, whipping out the door.
“Calm down, sweetie. It’s okay, you’re going to be just fine.” Anna tried to soothe her daughter, but she refused to relax.
“Hey there, girl with the broken leg,” said the nurse with the braid. “What’s going on? What’s your pain level? One being a wee bit, ten being you can’t stand it.” The nurse watched the numbers on the monitor and placed the tips of her fingers on Christina’s neck.
“I don’t know, maybe a six. I don’t have to go home if the pain gets really bad?” More of a question than a statement, and alarm bells were ringing so loudly, Anna felt as if she needed to cover her ears.
“I’ll be right back,” the nurse said. “It’s about time for her medication.”
“Mom, I don’t think I’ll feel like going home tomorrow.” Christina squeezed her eyes, closing them so tightly, they crinkled.
“I’m sure if Ed feels you need to stay an extra day, he’ll tell us.”
The nurse returned with a small white paper cup and a fresh pitcher of ice water. She filled the cup she’d been using, then handed Christina a small white pill. “This will help the pain; it’ll make you sleepy, too, which is just what the doctor ordered.”
Christina swallowed the pill, then relaxed a bit.
The nurse typed a password in the built-in computer on the wall opposite the bed, her fingers clicking across the keyboard, then closed down the program, leaving a screen saver with the name of the hospital jumping across the screen in small blue letters. “I’ll leave you girls; if you need me, just push this,” and she showed them the button built into the bed. “I’m just a buzz away if you need anything. If the pain is too much, we can give her another dose. Dr. Laird doesn’t like to see his patients suffer.”
“Thanks,” Anna said.
As soon as the nurse left the room, Mandy spoke to Christina. “Before that pill sends you to never-never land, can you tell me what happened? How you managed to tumble down stairs like a Slinky?”
“What’s a Slinky?” Christina asked, her words already sluggish.
“Never mind; it was before your time. Mine, too. Just rest,” Mandy said, and sighed.
They both hovered over Christina like two mother hens. Anna was so grateful to have a friend who cared about her daughter almost as much as she did. “I know what you’re trying to do, and I appreciate it. I just don’t think now is the time. She’s so heavily medicated, who knows what she’ll say? Let’s be patient, Mandy. Please, because if you’re thinking what I know you’re thinking, this could turn into a three-ring circus.”
“I know. Listen, I’m dying for some caffeine, and I know that you must be as well. There’s a cafeteria somewhere. I’ll go find it.” Mandy took her tote bag and left the room, careful not to disturb Christina.
With her daughter zonked out, Anna returned to the sofa, the events of the day finally catching up with her. Her eyes felt like they had lead weights on them. She closed them, just for a minute.
“Hey, sleepyhead,” came a male voice. “Time to rise and shine.”
Anna jerked awake, stunned when she saw the room pooled in early-morning shadows, the sun rising, casting rays of soft golden light through the slats in the blinds.
“Christina.” She pushed herself off the sofa and leapt across the small room, where she saw that her daughter was still sleeping soundly. Pushing herself as close to the bed as possible, trying to put as much distance as she could between her and him, she quickly assessed the room. The only way out was through the door, and she couldn’t lift Christina from the bed with her entire leg encased in plaster. No, she needed to face this son of a bitch. Once and for all.
“What are you doing here?” Surprise, shock, and anger siphoned the blood from her face.
“I was concerned. I tried calling you, but you didn’t answer. So here I am.”
Protective instinct kicked in, and Anna positioned herself as close to her daughter as she could without actually crawling in the bed with her.
“Where is Mandy?” she asked.
“That I couldn’t tell you, but there are many other things I can tell you if you want to know.”
“She went for coffee,” Anna said. She felt her heart pumping, prayed that the drugs in Christina’s system would keep her knocked out. She eyed the call button on the bed, slowly inching her hand over the bed’s heavy, plasticlike railing, ready to push it when suddenly, the door opened.
“Excuse me,” said a woman, glancing at the hospital bed. “Wrong room.”
He ignored the interruption. “She must have gone to Seattle for it, huh?” he suggested, tossing his head back and laughing maniacally. “Get it? Seattle? Starbucks?”
Anna scanned the room for her cell phone. It was on the sofa, wedged in between the cushions. She couldn’t get to it without leaving Christina’s bedside.
“What
the hell do you want?” She spat out the words contemptuously. “How did you find me?”
He moved closer, inches away from the foot of the bed. Anna took a step back, her left hand searching for the call button. She had to distract him. Keep him as far away from her daughter as she could.
“You made the news,” he explained, enunciating each word as if he were speaking to a toddler. “You like being on the news. Don’t you? All of your fans, or viewers, isn’t that how you refer to them? They’ll feel sorry for poor little, rich Anna and her daughter. Boo fucking hoo.” His tone was mocking, yet there was also something else.
Her heart thumped, and anger burned in the pit of her stomach. “Where is Mandy? If you hurt her”—she swallowed, her throat tight and dry—“I’ll kill you!”
Tossing his head back, insane laughter spewing from him, he shook his head. “You’ll kill me? I. Don’t. Think. So.” Blue eyes she’d once found attractive were now reduced to evil slits.
Anna darted a glance at the door. Wasn’t it time for a nurse, the doctor, someone to come in and check on Christina? Full morning sun filtered in through the slats on the blinds above the sofa. How long had she slept? Didn’t matter. She needed to take control. Suddenly, Christina moaned in pain, then settled back into her drug-induced sleep.
“What do you want from me?” Seething with rage, Anna had to keep him away from her daughter. “Tell me!” Her voice broke. “What?” she hissed between gritted teeth, wanting to scream, but fearing that doing so would only add to his insanity, and who knew what he’d try? And he was truly insane. How she’d missed that was beyond her, and now it was too late. No, she was not giving up. This bastard was not going to ruin her life any more than he had already.
She eased her left hand to the call button, her eyes never leaving his.
“Anna, Anna, Anna! I see what you’re doing. Go ahead,” he encouraged. “Call the nurse. Go on,” he said, pointing to her hand. “Push that call button. I dare you,” he taunted. “No, I double-dare you.”
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