Music of the Soul 1, 2, & 3 Starter Bundle

by Erik Schubach

  Before she could react I remembered what had happened. I was so scared! My shoulder shrugged involuntarily up to my cheek and I screamed as the movement of my chest caused searing pain. “I never got to have her.” I blurted as my shoulder shrugged again. I was seeing white from the pain as I heard Valla yelling, “Nurse!” I twitched again and yelled, “I never got her.” in agony. Other voices were now there, saying something I couldn't understand. I was reeling. Thankfully I passed out a couple twitches later whispering, “Never had her.”

  I don't know how long I was out again when my eyes opened. It was mostly dark, just a single overhead near the door dimly lit the room. I knew I hurt every time I moved so I took stock of myself. I wiggled my fingers, my left arm ached. I wiggled my toes. So far so good. I tried to sit up, but the pain in my chest prevented it. I looked to my right and Valla stirred from her sleep in the chair beside my bed.

  Her eyes lazily opened, meeting mine and she sat up suddenly, fully awake and smiling gently at me. “There she is.” she spoke softly, grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers. “Valhalla.” I whispered. I tried to sit up again, but she held me down. “No baby, don't try to get up. You had me scared Mia.” She tenderly kissed my lips, which hurt, but it was worth it to have her lips on mine again. “Hang on a second, they told me to page if you woke up.” she said as she grabbed the call button laying on the bed beside me and pressed it, never releasing my hand with her other.

  She gently moved some hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear as I heard something rolling in the hall up to my door. I studied Valla's face as a nurse wheeled in a computer on a little cart through the door. Valla's face was so gaunt, with hollow cheeks and dark circles under her eyes like she hadn't eaten or slept in a long time. But she was still beautiful, still my Valla. I smiled.

  A hand was placed on Valla's shoulder and she looked back. The nurse motioned to the chair with her eyes. My girl whispered to me, “I'll be right here, I'm not going anywhere.” She kissed my forehead and released my hand and sat in the chair. I missed the contact already. I looked at the older nurse. She smiled at me as she read my chart. “How are we feeling Miss Jacobs? Is your pain manageable, or would you like me to up your meds a bit?”

  “I d-don't know. I just w-w-woke up. Am I okay?” She looked at me with a touch of concern and asked, “Did you have this stutter before the... injures?” I nodded and Valla added, “It's normal, she's just a little nervous.” The nurse smiled at both of us. “Good. Okay. I'm going to look over your bandages and take some vitals. The doctor will be in soon to talk with you and give you a thorough checkup.”

  She gently pulled down the sheet and opened my gown. I looked down and gasped. There were bandages taped on my chest below my breasts with a tube sticking out. What skin I saw was covered in multicolored bruises in various stages of healing and heart monitor pads. I finally noticed the cast on my left arm as she peeled up the chest bandage.

  She prodded at some stitches and checked the bloody looking liquid in the bag at the side of the bed that was connected to the tube. She placed a fresh bandage over the stitches and closed up my gown. She smiled at me, “That's looking much better. I'm sure the doctor will remove that soon.” She reached for my head and I flinched back. She moved her hands toward me again, slower. “It's okay hon. I'm just checking your bandages.”

  I watched timidly as she peeled a bandage from the side of my head at the hairline and she just put it back in place without replacing it. “That's coming along nicely.” Then after prodding my cheek and lip, she pulled the sheet down further and checked the catheter I didn't realize was there. “The doc should let you start getting up in a couple days and we can get this thing out. I know how uncomfortable these can be.” She offered a sympathetic smile as she pulled the sheet back up under my arms.

  She typed a few things on the computer cart then walked to my right side and pulled up my sleeve to check my IV and take my pulse and blood pressure. After entering that information and the readings from the various pieces of equipment she asked, “I'm sure you are thirsty, we can start you out on ice chips to see if you can keep stuff down if you'd like.” I nodded and she grabbed a little plastic cup of ice chips off the cart and placed them on a napkin on the table that swung from the bed with a little plastic spoon.

  “I'll be back later to check in on you.” she looked over at Valla then said to me with a smile, “You got a hell of a girl there.” I just smiled and nodded enthusiastically, “I do.” She assured me that the doctor would be in soon and then I should get some sleep, and told the same to Valla.

  The moment she left Valla was back by my side grasping my hand, feeding me her strength and warmth. I felt a tear rolling down my cheek. “I was so scared I wasn't going to see you again when they were attacking me last night.”

  She gently wiped the tear from my cheek with the thumb of her free hand. “Shhh... It's okay. I'm right here. Nobody is taking you away from me. Ever. And baby, it was seven days ago. You were in a coma for four days, then after your Tourette episode they put you in a medically induced coma for anther two days to let your body recover more without you doing more damage.”

  “You've been here the whole time?” I asked quietly. She smiled, “Every day until they kick me out at night. But Nurse Carol there has started letting me sneak in and spend the night.” She grinned at her own conspiracy. I chuckled and gasped, it hurt. Valla winced at my gasp. “I was so scared baby. I'm so glad you are going to be okay. I really couldn't live without you.” I smiled weakly, it was my turn to reassure her. “You are never going to lose me Valla.”

  I looked at our hands and then scowled as I raised our hands up to look at her's. Her knuckles were all bruised and scabbed. “What happened?” I rasped out as she held a spoon of ice chips in front of me with her other hand. I took them in my mouth, they felt divine melting and moistening my mouth. “It's nothing Mia.” she whispered.

  I opened my mouth like a baby bird and she delivered another spoonful of ice. I let them melt in my mouth. Swallowing the resulting water hurt a little, but the cool sensation going down my throat felt good. Just then a balding, portly doctor walked in followed by a very buff looking police officer.

  The kindly looking doctor smiled at me. “Nice to have you with us finally Miss Jacobs. I'm Dr. Tanner. You had us worried for a bit. I'm going to do a quick checkup then this officer would like to ask you a few questions if you are feeling up to it.” He smiled again as I nodded.

  Valla moved out of his way but being sure to stand where I could see her. She grounded me. He went to work checking everything the nurse did, and wrote some stuff on my chart and slid the drain out of my chest. “We won't be needing that anymore.”

  After finally shining his penlight in my eyes he said, “Do you remember what happened? I nodded, and he said, “Good. Now would you like to know about your injuries?” I nodded again as Valla moved back to my side, grasping my hand as he spoke. “In the attack, you suffered five broken ribs. A punctured lung, multiple contusions to around 40% of your body. A broken left ulna. A dislocated left shoulder. A swollen ankle. And a hairline fracture of the skull.”

  I'm sure I looked appalled. He smiled compassionately. “But the good news is you will be out of here in a few days and after about eight weeks of recovery you should be able to play the piano again.” I looked at him, “B-but I d-don't play the piano.” He looked amused, “Drat, I thought I was just THAT good of a doctor.” I couldn't help but smile.

  He wrapped up telling me to get some rest after the officer was done with me and looked back and forth between Valla and I. “Goodnight Miss Jacobs, Miss Taylor.” We both bid him good night then the officer stepped up to the bed and visibly winced when he looked at me.

  “Hello Miss Jacobs, you feel up to answering a few questions?” he asked. Then looked at Valla “Alone?” I grabbed Valla's hand hard. “Can she p-please stay?” I almost whispered. He looked between us then said “Okay but...” he turned to Valla, “
No coaching.” She nodded and remained silent.

  “Can you tell me in your own words the events that led up to your attack?” I nodded and began as Valla rubbed her thumb on the back of my hand. “Valla, Vicky a-and I were at a Halloween p-party at the Steam Plant Club and Vicky got a little s-sick. So we left to t-t-take her home. I had forgot my gloves at the t-table so Valla went b-back in to get them while we waited at th-the car.”

  I closed my eyes fighting off tears at the next part. “S-someone started yelling bigoted things at Vicky and I. It was two g-guys and a girl. One was Molly's b-boyfriend. He had a bat.” The officer stopped me and held up three photographs. “Are these the people?” I nodded “Y-yeah. The middle one is Molly's boyfriend. The other t-two I don't know, but that is them.”

  He nodded and wrote something down and looked at me to continue. I took a deep breath and released it quickly from the sharp pain in my chest from taking it. I took shallower breaths. “He hit Vicky w-with the bat!” I was crying now then my eyes shot wide. “Vicky! I-is she okay!?” I looked at Valla urgently. She nodded “She's fine baby.”

  I sighed in relief. “She d-didn't move after she hit the ground. I was s-so scared I t-tried to protect her... they all just kept hitting me and kicking me and hitting me.” I was almost yelling. Valla squeezed my hand and I squeezed my eyes shut. “Then I woke up here.” I whispered.

  He finished writing and then looked at me with a gentle smile. “Thanks Miss Jacobs, I got all we need. We have the guy with the bat in another room here, almost in as bad of shape as you and bystanders helped detain the girl. But the third guy is in the wind. We know who he is and will grab him when he resurfaces. We will be treating this as a hate crime. The ignorance of people never ceases to astound me. Hopefully more activists like that Anabella West girl down in Vancouver can start educating people. We'll be in touch.” Then his voice softened, “Get better soon okay?” I nodded as he left.

  I looked at Valla and she placed a gentle kiss on my lips. “Get some sleep now baby.” I smiled at her, “What did he mean Molly's boyfriend is in another room in as bad of shape as me?” She just shook her head, “Nothing Mia, it's not important. Get some sleep.”

  She sat there holding my hand as sleep crept up on me, my last thought was of how warm and safe her hand made me feel.

  Chapter 8 – Home To The Dorm

  The next morning I sent Valla to the cafeteria to get something to eat, she looked positively anorexic! I was getting worried. She couldn't tell me the last time she had eaten.

  A couple minutes after she left the room I was already feeling a little anxious. Then I heard a gentle knocking at the door. “Come in.” I said quietly. In walked a tiny smiling blonde with a pink cast on her arm and a pink bandage over her eye.

  “Vicky!” I said enthusiastically. I was so glad she really was okay! She winced when she looked at me. I looked at her, “Why does everyone do that? Do I look that bad?” I asked as I shoveled some ice chips in my mouth. I was getting so hungry.

  She smiled brightly at me and almost skipped up to the bed and grabbed my hand between hers. “No, even beat up and bruised you make it look good.” she grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. I chuckled “Ow, ow, ow.” She mouthed, “I'm sorry.” I shrugged a little, smiling at her.

  “So, like, you are officially my hero. What the hell were you thinking shielding me like that?” She shot an accusatory glare at me. I looked at her sheepishly. “Nobody hurts my friends. All two of them.” I tried not to laugh as she giggled.

  She got a conspiratorial look on her face and leaned in, “Well, old bat puss won't try that again for a very long time after the hurt Vee put on him.” I was a little confused. “What do you mean?” Her eyes widened “You don't know? Well when Vee returned with your gloves to see those... those... people... attacking you while you covered me, she cut down Molly's ex, Max, like she was was a lumberjack. She was wailing on him and kicking him so violently on the ground that it took three bystanders to pull her off of him. She was screaming about Max not touching 'her girl'. She fucked him up bad.”

  She smiled with pride at that, I was amazed that the love of my life could take on a big guy like that. That seemed so... I don't know, sexy? Vicky continued. “Some girl, Missy Hannigan, was on her way into the Plant when she saw what was going on and jumped the girl that was kicking you. She beat the shit out of her, and held her till the police showed up.” I was in shock. Missy Hannigan? Of all the people in the world, she helped me?

  “Oh!” she exclaimed as she pulled a red permanent marker out of her pocket. “Can you sign my cast? I'll sign yours! It's like we are twins! 'Cept yours is white and mine is pink. Oh my gawd, I'd make a friggin' awesome twin. We could be all...” I interrupted, “Vickster! Slow down. Breathe.” I grinned and took the marker from her as she smiled and held her arm out to me.

  Her pink cast was covered in red hearts and signatures, a large one caught my eye, 'Get better soon! XOXO Molly', with a heart surrounding it. I quirked an eyebrow, pointing the marker at it and Vicky wiggled her eyebrows. I laughed, I hurt, and I signed. She took the marker and ran around the bed and started working on signing mine as she spoke.

  “So when do you get to go home and junk? We miss you and Vee around. She's all obsessively here all the time, all protect-y and stuff. I'm surprised she's not here right now.” She raised an eyebrow and winced since it was by her bandage. I chuckled softly so I wouldn't cause myself pain. “They say I can go home in a few days. I sent Valla to the cafeteria to eat. It looks like she has been starving herself. Promise you will help to fatten her up.”

  She brightened up at the request. “You got it! Can I ask a weird question?” I looked at her and squinted a little. “Ummm... sure?” She leaned in a bit as she continued working on my cast. “I've always meant to ask. Why do you keep calling her Valla when her name is Vee? And like why have I NEVER heard you call her Vee? She snapped at me, saying that only you could call her Valla when I said it once. Is like, Vee short for something?”

  Remembering my first conversation with Valla, I nodded and crooked my finger at her to come in closer. She leaned in with an excited look, like I was going to share a secret with her. Then I whispered, “It's short for her name.” and then I chuckled, “Ow.” She slapped my shoulder. “Oh she's so right! You ARE a tease!”

  We shared a smile just as Valla wandered in shoveling chocolate pudding into her mouth. She put it down on my swivel table. “Hi Vic!” she said cheerily as she pulled a sealed cup of lime jello out of her pocket and put it on the table with a spoon and opened it. “The nurse said you could try some jello and see if it stays down Mia. I had to track your favorite down. Finally found lime!” I smiled at the fact she remembered one of our late night conversations where I had mentioned it.

  Vicky finished with what she was doing on my cast and put the marker in her pocket, then swiped a finger through Valla's pudding. “Hey!” Valla exclaimed, “Thief! Now you'll get Vee germs.” Vicky laughed at that. “Oooo, so it's like we kissed then! My first Vee kiss! Mmmm... Your kisses are like chocolate!” We all laughed at that. “Ow.”

  I slowly raised my arm, suffering pain in the shoulder and chest but couldn't see what she put on the underside of the cast very well. “What's it say?” Valla stood and walked around to look as I started shoveling lime jello into my mouth. Oh my gawd, real food!

  I stopped pigging out when Valla snorted. I looked over “What?” She grinned at me. “Well in a plethora of little hearts it says 'Get better soon Mia, the 'three lez-migos' miss you! Victoria Davenport', followed by some hugs and kisses.” They both laughed as the blood drained from my face. “I'll be stuck with that for weeks until I can take it off!” I was stressing for a second until Valla slipped Little Vee into my hand with a wink.

  ***

  The next couple days went the same way. I was on solid food finally and the catheter was out. I painfully had to be helped up to standing five times a day and shuffled over to the restroom in my room
on a crutch to relive myself. Did I mention painfully?

  Finally the doctor came in and told me I was ready to be released. He went through all the instructions for home recovery and care for the wounds. He prescribed pain medication, antibiotics, and at least five days more of bed rest as well as weekly office visits to asses my recovery from my surgery and mending bones. Valla swore she would dutifully take care of all of it.

  It was at this point that I asked the doctor quietly, “Umm... I'm not sure my student health insurance will cover everything. Can the hospital set me up with a payment plan or an assistance program to help out with the bill?” I wasn't quiet enough because before he could speak, Valla chimed in, “Nonsense, I'll handle it. It won't even put a dent in my inheritance.” Dr. Tanner flipped through some pages. “Actually, your care, including all followups, has been paid in full by Frank and Maira Davenport, the parents of the girl you protected.”

  Valla and I exchanged shocked glances. Valla helped me get dressed and a nurse came after we got a call from Vicky saying she was downstairs. I was loaded up into a wheelchair and wheeled out to the waiting Range Rover. After throwing the crutch in it was a comedy of errors between the three of us to get me loaded up into the car without too much pain.

  Valla coughed a couple times before getting in beside me. Then it was off to “Home”, or in my case Valla and Vicky's dorm room or the VV Lair as we all started calling it.

  We sat down, ordered pizza, and relaxed finally. Time suddenly slowed to a normal pace after the whirlwind of my hospital days. Valla coughed, then cleared her throat and we all sat on her bed to wait for the food. I carefully laid down to get more comfortable, my head in Valla's lap with her stroking my hair.

  Vicky was the first to break the three way smiling contest, for once her voice held a serious tone. “It's so great to see you home and safe Mia.” Valla smiled down on me and gave me a tender upside down kiss on my lips. “I second that.” she grinned, causing me to parrot her grin.