Broken: The sequel to THE PREACHER'S SON

by B. D. Anderson

  “Maxine—”

  “I’m fine, Dr. Nelson. What about Matthew? Have you heard anything?”

  “He’s still in surgery, Maxine.” She replied. “But I promise you that I will find out all I can and get back to you, OK?”

  “OK,” Max sighed.

  “I’m admitting you for observation, Maxine.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, young lady. You’ve had a harrowing experience. I need to make sure that you’re all right.”

  “Fine.” Max sighed knowing that there was no use arguing with her.

  “I’m prescribed something to help you relax and we’ll talk in the morning.”

  “But I want to know about Matthew,” Max complained. “I don’t want to be asleep.”

  “I’ll see what I can find out and then you can take the meds, how about that?” Dr. Nelson suggested.

  “OK,” Max said, nodding.

  Dr. Nelson left the room, and then Nadine and Eric returned with their parents.

  “He’s going to be all right. He lost a good amount of blood, but no vital organs were hit with the bullet and they got the bullet out,” Eric said.

  “Can I see him?” Max asked.

  “Well, he’s still sedated and he won’t know you’re there,” Rachel said, walking into the room.

  “I’m not leaving here,” Max insisted “I want to see him.”

  “Max, you need to rest,” her mother insisted.

  “Only his immediate family can see him, but I’ll see what I can do,” Rachel said.

  Max nodded and sat back down with relief Matthew was going to be fine. He was going to live. She was so thankful and closed her eyes and then looked at her sister who was talking to her father.”

  “Where are the babies?” she asked.

  “With Charlotte.” Nadine took her hand.

  “Go home,” Max said. “I’ll be fine. They’re just keeping me for observation.”

  “I’ll stay with you,” her mother said, wiping her eyes.

  “Me too,” her father said.

  “We’re not leaving you.” Nadine insisted, putting her arms around her sister.

  Max closed her eyes. “It’s happening all over again, Deeny. I’ve got to go to court and face Rogers.”

  “You’re stronger now than you were then, Max. He’ll never get out now. He’ll never be able to hurt you again.”

  Max nodded. She did feel stronger. She should be a mess right now, but all she could think of was Matthew. She had been strong for him in that shed.

  She hadn’t been thinking about Rogers raping her, she had been more concerned about him killing Matthew. She had felt stronger when she was helping Matthew loosen the ropes without Roger’s knowledge. She had felt somewhat powerful, not fearful like she had before. No, Rogers didn’t win this time. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t destroy me makes me stronger.” She would survive this. She was sure of that. She refused to go back to being the scared helpless girl she was before. Never again would he have that kind of power over her. Yes she was afraid of going to court, but this time it was different. She was a woman who had beat him at his own game.

  Max opened her eyes and was surprised to see her father leaning over the bed looking at her.

  “Max, are you all right?” He asked with her mother standing close beside him.

  “I’m fine. Matthew-”

  “Dr. Nelson says you’re not fine, Max,” her mother insisted. “She thinks you may need to stay a couple of days and not just for overnight observation.”

  “What?” Max exclaimed surprised. “I’m fine.”

  “We need to be sure,” her father insisted.

  Max felt as if they were ganging up on her. She went along with it because her parents were so upset and she figured that at least she’d be in the hospital with Matthew even though she was on the Psych ward while he was in ICU.

  It was bad enough that they had her submit to a complete checkup, but to be put on the Psych ward! Still she couldn’t argue with Dr. Nelson about it. After all, she had come face to face with Rogers once again so she understood their concern.

  It wasn’t long before the nurse bought the medicine that Dr. Nelson prescribed and Max found herself slipping into a restless sleep.

  CHAPTER 24

  Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 2Timothy 2:23

  Weeks passed before Max was allowed to see Matthew since she wasn’t immediate family. She returned to the hospital every day after being discharged hoping that they’d bend the rules. It was frustrating, but Rachel or Matthew’s father always came back with a report while she sat in the waiting area. Most of the time they reported that he was sedated and sleeping. It was only after his condition improved that the doctor gave his consent for a non family member to be allowed to visit him.

  Now she sat by his side not wanting to leave. He was pale and he looked weak, his blond hair stuck to his head. The room was warm and she made a mental note to say something to Rachel. She held his hand not wanting to let it go.

  She found out from Rachel that they had to remove a small part of his intestine. He was recovering, but it would still be at least another week or so before he could go home and even then he’d be on bed rest. Max was grateful that he was alive. He had almost lost his life trying to protect her.

  “How are you feeling?” Max asked looking worried as he sat up in the bed.

  The nurse had wanted to move him to a chair, but the move had been too painful for him and the doctor had settled for him sitting up in the bed reminding him that he had to move around a bit even though it was painful. She could sense his discomfort from his sitting position, even though he was putting on a brave front for her.

  “For the one hundredth time, I am all right Max. I have meds that helps with the pain even though it makes me sleepy,” he said, giving her a weak smile. Even now he was groggy and his voice sounded scratchy. “They want me to sit up and I want to go home, but I can’t go home until I can least show them that I can walk around a bit. I guess I’m pretty lucky and the doctor says that I’m healing fine so stop being such a worrywart.” He smiled and winked at her.

  She held his hand looking at it. She rubbed his knuckles with her thumb. Max felt that he must really love her to have put his life on the line like this. She could see that he was frustrated even though he was trying to play it off.

  “I just want you better. Even when you get out, you’ll need care,” Max said cheerfully. “You’re sitting up and who knows tomorrow you may be able to walk down the hall a bit.”

  “I hope so,” Matt sighed. “I know I’m being a bear, but I’m not used to being on my butt for days on end. I need to move around, but right now it hurts to do so.” She watched as he pushed the meds button.

  Just then a nurse walked in. “Mr. Ferguson, what number would you say your pain is right now?”

  Max looked toward the white board she pointed to. There were an array of smiley faces there numbered one through ten with number one having a small smile on it’s face to number ten which was red instead of yellow looking as if was about to burst into tears.

  “I’m about a six,” he grumbled.

  “That’s to be expected,” the nurse said. “You aren’t going to be pain free, but the meds will help control your pain.”

  “When will I get out of here?” He snapped.

  “When you can walk and when we are certain that your bowel functions are normal.” The nurse replied calmly.

  “How can I have normal bowel functions if you won’t let me eat?” he grumbled.

  “All in due time,” the nurse said with a smile in spite of his outburst. “You’ll probably get something soft today in fact.”

  She walked out of the room without further comment and Max turned back to Matthew.

  “Mom has already told me that I’m coming back home with her and Pop until I’m better. I guess I don’t have any say so in the matter,” he said, sipping water through a s
traw. “I guess now I’ll be eating mushy baby food. I can’t wait to have a hamburger.”

  “Yes, well at least you have something to look forward to,” Max said smiling. He almost sounded like the old Matthew.

  He looked at her seriously. “I need to ask you something, Max.”

  “Sure.”

  “Will you marry me?” he asked looking at her. “I almost lost my life while I was fighting the inevitable. You and I were meant to be together. I don’t want to waste any more time. If we were married I would be going home with you and not have my mother fussing over me and getting on my nerves.”

  Max was shocked. His proposal was totally unexpected. She looked at his face to see if he was joking, but he was deadly serious. Why in the world would he want to marry her? She felt that maybe it was the drugs talking.

  “What? What are you talking about Matthew?” she said, jumping up. “Marriage?”

  “I think we should get married. I want you to marry me,” he said, looking at her shocked face. “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life!”

  “Why? Why do you want to get married now?” asked shaking her head. “Where is this coming from?”

  “Why do people get married? Obviously because I love you, and I think the time is right. I’ve wasted enough time already!”

  “Don’t you think you’re rushing things a bit? I mean, we’ve only been together seriously as a couple since Thanksgiving, and now weeks after you’ve been shot you want to get married? It doesn’t make sense!”

  Matthew looked out the window. “You know how you just know some things? I knew that day I saw you at the hospital when Eric’s twins were born and dragged you outside to have it out with you that you were the one. I denied that fact to myself, but I knew it from the very beginning. I fought it all the way and if you are honest you know you did too. When you come close to death, you realize just how short and uncertain life can be. I love my Mom with all my heart, but I wanted you in here with me. If you had been my wife, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. I want to go home with you, our home. I know that I’m only happy when I’m with you. We belong together.”

  Max stared at him for a moment and didn’t say anything. She couldn’t deny anything he had said. She had been attracted to him from the very beginning. However marriage was a serious thing. Besides she still had her own issues and rushing into marriage would not help those issues.

  “Matthew, this is a shock. I don’t know what to say,” she said, looking at him. “I don’t want to say no, but I can’t say yes either. I still have a lot of issues to work through.”

  “Do you love me?” He looked at her, his brown eyes fixed on hers.

  “You know I do,” she said. “It’s just that-”

  “Then let’s get married, he insisted. “So much time has been wasted already. Life is short. I realize that now. I’ve been working myself to death to make money, but I was never really happy until I met you. I mean nothing is guaranteed. I see no reason why we shouldn’t get married.”

  Max looked at him and realized that he was deadly serious and was not going to drop the issue. How could he just expect her to marry him all of a sudden? Maybe he wanted a long engagement.

  “When?” she asked. “When did you want to get married?”

  “Before the election in November,” he replied looking at her. “If we get married right away, then I can turn my focus back on my campaign. Let’s get married in July maybe around the holiday and we can plan a long weekend together and do our honeymoon later if you can’t get someone to mind the gym while we’re away.”

  “What? Matthew, I can’t possibly marry you before by July! That’s three months away! What will our parents say? I’ve moved into a house with Eric and Nadine. We have a year’s lease!” she protested. She could not believe that he just expected her to drop everything and marry him, even though the thought of it was appealing because a part of her did want to do what he was asking.

  “You’re making excuses, Max. Even though you’ve moved, we have two choices. Either we all move in together or I will just pay your portion of the rent and you live with me in the condo.” He replied.

  “I can’t let you do that!” she insisted. “I’m not sure that Nadine and Eric would even agree to either of those options. We can’t just make that type of decision; it involves them too.”

  “Well, get them over here and we will talk about it.” Matthew said, picking up the hospital phone that was on his bed.

  Max grabbed the phone from him. He was moving way too fast for her and she felt dizzy.

  “Wait! We’ve got to talk about this some more. What is all the hurry about anyway?” she snapped. She couldn’t get over the fact that he wanted to rush into marriage. Maybe it was the effect of the sedatives he was given.

  “Tell me the truth Max.” Matthew said, looking away. “Are you turning me down because of what Rogers made you do to me? Have you gone back to hating men again? I know it must have been-”

  “Stop!” she snapped. “This is not about Rogers. He has no power over me anymore.” She leaned forward and kissed him. “I do love you and what Rogers made me do to you has nothing to do with anything. I was just glad it was you and not him.”

  “I won’t rush you, I mean right now sex is the furthest thing from my mind. It’ll be a while anyway before I can be a husband for you,” he replied looking away. “We can wait for sex until you’re ready.”

  “There’s more to being a husband or wife than sex.” Max replied.

  “I know that, but it is an important part, at least to me,” he said, looking at her. “I mean if you don’t think you will want to be a wife to me in that way, we can talk about it. I understand if that’s the reason why you don’t want to get married.”

  Max looked at him and she could see the apprehension on his face. She couldn’t do that to him. It wouldn’t be fair. When she got married she wanted to be his wife in every way. Why was he rushing things? She let out a deep breath slowly.

  “Matthew, the main reason I’m hesitant is because of the amount of time we have been together, nothing else. July is a little quick,” she reasoned. What was wrong with him? Maybe it was his near death experience!

  “So your answer is no, right?” he said, looking at her.

  “I haven’t given you my answer, Matthew. You can’t ask the question and give the answer too,” she replied trying to be patient with him.

  “All right then. What’s your answer?” he persisted.

  Max could see that he wasn’t going to let this go. She loved him and she wanted to be with him, and yes, a part of her wanted to marry him. She needed to talk to Dr. Nelson.

  Matthew turned away from her on his side. “I see you need to think about it. I’m tired Max. I think I will rest awhile.”

  Max knew that he was hurt because of her hesitation, but this was all so sudden. Why didn’t he understand? She made up her mind to speak to Eric and Rachel about this so that they could question his doctors. Maybe the meds he was on were affecting his thinking.

  “Matthew, I just need to think and reason out a few things,” she said. “I’m not saying no, I’m just not saying yes at the moment either.”

  “Of course,” he said, not looking at her. “Take all the time you need.”

  Max looked at him as she stood up, but he did not turn back over.

  “Goodbye Matthew,” she said and left the room.

  Of all the things he could have said, this was the most unexpected. Max punched the button to the elevator and pondered over her feelings. She didn’t know at that moment what she was going to do. She couldn’t marry him now could she? What would her family think? In fact what would his family think?

  She thought about sex with Matthew and even though it wasn’t terrifying to her, she was nervous just thinking about it. If he was upset because he had to go to his Mom’s then maybe she could work something out with Rachel.

  Max shook her head unsure what to do next.r />
  Matthew heard the door close and sighed. He knew that he was rushing things with Max, but it was all he could think about since he regained consciousness.

  His life had flashed before him when he was in that shed and he realized just how much time he’d wasted fighting his attraction to Max. He thought about his conversation with Eric that day he showed up in his office. He’d been such a fool! He was now ready to move forward with his life.

  He thought about the ordeal with Rogers. She had been so brave and had stood proud and unashamed before that psycho even though she had been naked. He could see her mind working then and he knew that she was hatching some plan. She’d kept a level head while trying to free him from the ropes and she’d kept Rogers distracted. He had expected to die any minute!

  He asked himself if that was why he wanted to marry her and knew that the ordeal they’d gone through was part of it, but he also felt that no other woman would have put her life on the line for him. He wanted Max to be his wife, plain and simple!

  Yet, a part of him knew that was being a bit irrational. After all, they hadn’t even been a couple that long, but what difference did that make? Yes, she had her issues, but he felt that they could work through them. He made up his mind that he would even go to her sessions with her if that would help.

  It had bothered him that Max wasn’t able to be by his side after the shooting. If she had been his wife, then she would have been the one making decisions. He loved his mother, he really did, but he realized that it was Max that he wanted to be the one to take care of him.

  Matthew pushed the button for more pain meds and closed his eyes. He didn’t know what her response would be to his proposal, but he made up his mind that even if she said no, that he would convince her at least to agree to an engagement.

  He wanted to be by her side when she faced Rogers in court. He wanted to see the man get life in prison so that Max could relax and know that he’d never hurt anyone ever again. He knew however that in order to do any of that, he had to get well. He had to focus on showing her that he was a strong man that could look after her.