A New Hope

by M. L. Ray

  Michelle thought about all of the things she needed to do and frowned, “What about crutches? That would allow me to keep my weight off my foot.” She broke off as the young doctor shook his head.

  “Something tells me that if you have crutches, you’ll be up doing way too much for the next three days. I’ll send some crutches home with you, but with him.” He looked at Tyler and winked for added emphasis. “He’s going to keep them until your three days are up and then you can start getting up and around. But you’ll still need to elevate this ankle whenever possible.”

  Michelle watched the smug smile on Tyler’s face and didn’t like where this was going at all. If Tyler told Trey what the doctor had said, she’d have not one, but two overbearing men telling her what to do for the next three days.”

  “…I really don’t think you’re going to have too many problems with her wanting to get up. The pain killers I’m sending home with her are going to make her sleepy. She’ll probably sleep most of the next three days would be my guess. And looking at the dark circles beneath her eyes, I would say that’s a good thing all around. She looks like she’s been pushing herself too hard for too long.”

  Tyler had thought the same thing, but he hadn’t had an opportunity to even scratch the surface on what might have caused her to come running home looking like that. If their fight had been the cause, she would have come home months ago. No, something else happened and I aim to find out what it was that hurt her so badly!

  Chapter 27

  Trey’s cell phone rang just as he was entering the men’s locker room at the hot springs. Glancing at the caller I.D., he picked it up, “Tyler, everything okay?”

  “Trey, yeah everything’s fine. Michelle just has a nasty sprain. They took x-rays to be sure, and then the doctor put her into an air cast and gave her some pain meds. We’re just getting ready to pull out of the hospital parking lot now.”

  “I’m glad it wasn’t broken. Jenna and I are at the hot springs with my parents. We’re going to soak for a little while and then we’ll head home. Do you mind hanging out with Michelle at the house until we get back? If you’ve got other things to do, I can call one of the girls…”

  “No problem. I’m happy to stick around. She’s almost asleep now anyway. The pain meds they gave her make her pretty sleepy.”

  Trey chuckled, “She’s a lightweight in the med department. I remember when she had her wisdom teeth out her sophomore year. Mom took her down to Montrose Friday morning and they put her completely out for the procedure. They had to physically put her back into the car, and I had to carry her into her room when they got home. She was mostly out of it until late Sunday night.”

  “Well, the doctor seems to think she’s nearing exhaustion so some forced rest is a good thing in this case.”

  Trey sobered and softly replied, “I have to agree. Something sent her running home, but she won’t talk to any of us. You said you didn’t think it had to do with you, so what happened over there?”

  “I don’t know, man. But I promise you this, if it can be fixed, I’m going to make sure it happens. I’ll get her to talk to me, I just need some time with her.”

  “You’ve got it. As much as you need until she gets well enough to physically toss you out of the house. Give her our best and we’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Trey hung up the phone and grabbed his towel. He quickly changed into his swimming trunks and exited the locker room to see Jenna standing nervously just outside the women’s locker room door, “Ready to go soak?”

  Jenna nodded and then fidgeted at the neckline of the rented suit. They had stopped by her old house, but all of her suits had broken down over the years and were unwearable. Trey looked at her in the black one piece suit she had chosen from the rental pool, and thought she looked absolutely stunning. She was a little too thin in his opinion, but he knew that would correct itself as she got used to being around friends once again.

  Trey stepped next to her and then slowly laid his hand on her bare shoulder. He didn’t miss the shivers of reaction that went through her body, or the tingles that traveled up his own arm. Taking a deep breath, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You are gorgeous. Let’s go relax for a bit.”

  Jenna relaxed slightly upon hearing Trey’s words. She was so self-conscious about her body, which was unusual for her. It’s because you don’t want to see disappointment in Trey’s eyes. Admit it! You’ve fallen for him in a big way and there’s no getting away from it! Jenna lifted her head and kissed his cheek, “Thanks.”

  His resolved weakened at the feel of her soft lips against his cheek. He’d promised her they were going to take things slowly, but he decided he would need to revisit what that looked like because he couldn’t stay away from her. Trey accepted her kiss, and then turned her head and tenderly placed a chaste kiss on her lips, “You’re very welcome.” Slowly, man. Keep it nice and easy, nothing that would scare her away.

  The sound of kids yelling as they came around the pool had him putting a few more inches between them. He swallowed and looked out over the pool, seeing his parents sitting in the larger pool watching his and Jenna’s interaction with soft smiles on their faces. Busted! Guess I don’t need to tell them where I hope things between her and I are headed now!

  “Your parents are sitting over there watching us,” Jenna whispered, a blush starting to steal across her face.

  “Yep! I see them. Don’t worry, it’s not like them to pry.” Trey grabbed her hand and kept ahold of it as they stepped down into the warm water and made their way over to the bench his parents sat on. “This was a good idea, mom.”

  Mary Cottrell beamed at her son and the young woman standing beside him, “Well, I’m glad I could help facilitate things so you two could join us.”

  “Try asking them beforehand next time,” Pastor Cottrell suggested smoothly.

  Jenna laughed at the look on his wife’s face and then bit her lip. It was so easy! Trey’s parents and her friends had made her feel so welcome. Trey’s words a few hours earlier came back to her …

  “…I want a chance to get to know you better. I know I only asked for a few days, until the paperwork arrived from Denver, but would you consider sticking around a bit longer?”

  As she settled herself on the bench next to him, her hand still held in his own, she watched him from beneath her eyelashes as he settled back against the concrete edge of the pool and closed his eyes. She appreciated the fact that he was being so careful with their emotions. Scooting closer to him, she felt his body stiffen when she brushed up against his side and leaned over to whisper in his ear, “Yes.”

  He opened his eyes and turned his head to meet her gaze, “Yes?”

  Jenna smiled at him, “Yes, I would love to go to the harvest party with you next weekend. And…if it’s okay, I’d like to stick around a little while longer.”

  Trey wanted to whoop for joy, but he controlled his reaction, instead giving her a tender smile and then brushing a damp tendril of hair off her cheek, “That’s good, Jenna. Real good.”

  She watched him for another moment, and then slowly lowered her head until it rested against his shoulder. She waited until she felt his body relax before she allowed her own to do the same. Something was happening between them, and after all of the years of heartache and disappointment, she would be crazy to not see where these feelings were headed.

  She closed her eyes and silent offered up a prayer of thanks –

  “God, thank you for bringing me back to Cathedral Hills. Thank you for showing me that I’m not unwanted or unloved. I know I haven’t really talked to you in a while, but I know you can hear me now. Guide me as I try to figure out what’s next for me. Help me figure out if Trey’s a part of that equation or not. And help me know what to say to Michelle to help take away the pain I can see in her eyes.”

  She kept her eyes closed as Trey filled his parents in on Michelle’s accident and Tyler’s return. She heard them question whether or not Tyler
had anything to do with the sadness Michelle had been dealing with, but Jenna mentally shook her head. A man might have been part of the reason she’d come running home, but not all of it.

  Michelle was fighting herself and Jenna intended to find out why. There was a hint of fear still lurking in her eyes, and a sorrow that reached into her soul and had stolen some of her identity. Jenna was determined to help Michelle find herself once again and she smiled as she realized that she actually had a purpose in Cathedral Hills right now. Help Michelle heal from whatever had hurt her!

  Chapter 28

  Tyler had driven Michelle home and then carried her into the house she shared with Trey. He’d easily located the small family room and comfortable looking couch and settled her there. She’d tried to argue with him, and it had taken a lot for him to bite his tongue and not laugh outright at her attempt.

  Michelle was completely under the spell of the drugs they’d given her, and most of what she said made no sense at all. Tyler had arranged her so that her ankle was propped up on the chaise portion of the couch, and then grabbed a fresh bag of ice.

  He’d settled himself on the couch next to her, unable to keep himself from touching her and trying to soothe her back into sleep. When he’d run a tender hand across her hair, she’d leaned towards him and snuggled his way so that she was half lying against his chest.

  Tyler had thought of moving her, but having her in his arms had felt so good! Over the year they’d spent time together, they had grown closer to one another, and had even exchanged kisses and cuddles a time or two towards the end. Having her back in his arms was like heaven. He smelled her lemon shampoo, and let his fingertips brush against her cheek and the side of her neck.

  Michelle was such a beautiful person, inside and out, and he’d always felt special because she’d wanted to spend time with him. He wanted her to feel that way again. Not because she was drugged, but because she felt the same way about him, and wanted to be in his arms. She’d given him all of the signs indicating that she loved him in the weeks leading up to their final fight. He’d known that, but instead of cherishing it, he’d thrown it back in her face accusing her of trying to manipulate him. He had so many things to ask forgiveness for!

  Michelle stirred and he shushed her, but she wouldn’t be shushed. She started talking and he could only sit there and listen in shock.

  “…there was so much blood. I’ve never seen so much blood.”

  What?! “Michelle, honey, you’re dreaming…”

  Michelle shook her head vehemently, “No dream! She killed herself because I couldn’t help her. I left her alone…”

  Whoa! “Michelle, honey, you need to open your eyes and wake up. Come on, now. Open your beautiful blue eyes and look at me.”

  Michelle slowly lifted her eyes and then looked around her, “Where am I?”

  “On the couch. We’re back in Cathedral Hills.” Tyler let the silence hang for a moment and then asked, “What were you dreaming about? You were talking about blood, and someone killing themselves?”

  Michelle looked at him in horror. Oh please, tell me I didn’t! I can’t talk about that. I can’t open up those emotions again. I don’t know what to do with them! “You must have…I must have been having a terrible nightmare.”

  Tyler shook his head at her. She had been reliving something that had happened, and given what he’d learned from Trey, this could be his only chance to break through whatever walls she’d put in place to protect herself. “Not buying it, sweetheart. Talk to me. Who killed themselves?”

  Michelle sighed and tried to push herself away from him, but he held firm. “Tyler…just let it rest, okay?”

  “No. Everyone’s worried about you, and you need to talk about it. Talk to me. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere and I won’t say a word to anyone else if you don’t want me to. Whatever happened is eating you up inside. Let me shoulder some of the burden for a while.”

  Michelle felt tears spill over the edges of her eyes. I don’t want to feel like this anymore, but I don’t know what else to do. She felt Tyler wrap his arms around her once more and lean his chin atop her head. She cried until there were no more tears left, and then she still lay against his chest, listening to his heart beat in rhythm with her own.

  A handful of tissues were pressed into her hands, and she dried her eyes, realizing she’d soaked Tyler’s t-shirt with her tears. “Sorry,” she whispered, pushing herself up to a sitting position once more.

  “Don’t ever be sorry for feeling strongly about things. It’s one of the things that made you so good at your job. You actually cared for the people you were trying to help.” Tyler knew that whatever had sent her running home had to do with her job as a social worker. He wasn’t completely discounting the fact that their breakup, or whatever she wanted to call it, had played a part in her emotional state, but this hurt was fresh and new. Now if he could only get her to talk about what had caused her tearful outburst.

  “Caring doesn’t do much,” Michelle softly told him.

  “Sure it does. Talk to me. Did one of your clients kill themselves?”

  Michelle was so tired of hiding all of her pain inside, she slowly started talking, letting bits and pieces out into the light, “Yes. Her name was Celia.”

  “How old was she?” Tyler asked, reaching over and clasping her hand in his own.

  Michelle looked at their hands and squeezed his tightly, “She was twenty-five when I first met her.”

  “How long ago was that?” Tyler asked, hoping she would soon start offering up information and he wouldn’t have to ask for each little bit. She’d always been reluctant to discuss her clients and cases with him, not wanting to bring such negative things into their limited time together. Now, he wished he had been more insistent on getting her to talk about her job.

  “A few months before the State rodeo finals.” Michelle turned her head and looked at him, “She was a wife and a mother.”

  Was? The State finals had been the beginning of their ending. No wonder she’d been acting different. “What happened to change that?”

  “Her husband was a closet adrenaline junky. And a cheater. He and his girlfriend took his son out for a day of boat racing. He told Celia they were going to the amusement park. He lied.”

  Tyler racked his brain back to that time, trying to place any incidents that had involved speedboat racing. He remembered there had been a devastating accident at one of the reservoirs… Suddenly, he knew that the little boy who had drowned had been Celia’s son. “They died.”

  Michelle nodded her head, “Yes. She lost both son and husband that afternoon.”

  “So, how did you two meet?” Tyler asked, knowing that while working in the Denver office her focus had been primarily troubled kids. Not adults.

  “The new office was smaller, and there were only two of us to handle all of the clients. Celia tried to kill herself and they called us to see what kind of help we could get her.” Michelle shrugged her shoulders, the futility of everything the State had been able to offer the grieving woman hadn’t been clearly shown in the outcome.

  “It wasn’t enough. She tried counseling, but that didn’t work. I gave her my number, and she called me several times a week, just needing someone to listen while she vented. I prayed for her, and listened. There didn’t seem like much else I could do. I mean, she not only lost her husband and son, but she also found out her marriage was a sham. And it was spread across the front pages of the newspaper for all to see.”

  “That’s horrible!” Tyler couldn’t imagine facing that kind of loss all at once.

  “It’s the worst case I’ve ever dealt with. I mean, she was doing everything right! She didn’t have a clue that her husband was cheating on her. And she knew he liked to take risks, but he’d never done so with their son around. Her entire life came crashing down around her ankles that day and she couldn’t figure out how to pull it back together.

  “When she tried to commit suicide a second tim
e, they wanted to send her down to the State psychiatric facility for a few months. She begged me to intervene, but I was so afraid she would try again…I moved her in with me. It was only supposed to be for a few days while I found a halfway house for her to move into.”

  “How long ago was this?” Tyler asked.

  “A little over a month before I came home. A few days turned into a few weeks. She seemed to be doing better. She was attending these grief sessions for parents who had lost their children and I thought maybe things were going to turn the corner for her. It had been over a year since the accident.”

  “What happened?”

  Michelle shook her head, “I got comfortable. I’d fallen behind on some reports and I stayed late one night to finish up the paperwork. She was supposed to have gone to a meeting and I figured I was good to work late.” Michelle felt a shudder go through her body as the images of what she’d found when she’d arrived home filled her mind. “She slit her wrists in the bathtub.”

  Chapter 29

  An awkward silence invaded the living room. Tyler was at a loss for words. He could see the toll her client’s death had taken on her, but there was still something else there – something beyond the mere loss of a client. Before he could figure out what to say or what to ask, she took a shuddering breath and continued speaking.

  “She’d tried that method once before, but hadn’t done it correctly. I just happened to have come to the hospital after that second attempt; as I approached her room, I overheard several of the hospital employees talking about how she should have made the cuts if she really wanted to kill herself. I’d been livid! I made sure those employees paid for that lack of judgment.”

  “I take it she was listening?” Tyler asked, amazed that anyone who worked with suicidal patients would be so dumb as to enable them with the information needed to complete the job the next time they tried!

  “They were standing right outside her room, so I guess so. She was gone by the time I got there. A life completely wasted. I should have…”