by Taryn Plendl
Tom wasn’t like the guys I usually dated. Physically, he was incredible, but it was who he was as a person that was different. He was so kind and thoughtful—always doing little things for those around him. He always made sure I had a drink or was comfortable. He appreciated my sarcasm, and he always seemed to be looking out for me. Hell, he even punched out Ava’s ex boyfriend Kyle for calling me a bitch. I had to admit, that was awesome. But in the end, we were just friends. He had never taken it further, and even though I was interested in him, I didn’t want to ruin the friendship we had developed.
“Oh, Tom.” I ran my hand over his leg before I covered it back up. “You need to pull through this, okay?” I lifted his cold hand and kissed it before tucking it back under the blanket. I looked over the readings on the machines before settling down on the bed and trying to get some sleep. I was going to work a half shift in the morning and then take a nap before pulling a full shift at night. I wanted to be close, and by working, I would be available to run up here should anything change. Ava and the guys were going to come by after work and stay through the evening. Most likely, I would be the only one sleeping here during the day, but it was just how it needed to be.
“Goodnight, Tom,” I whispered before turning over and letting sleep consume me.
Chapter 4
Tom
I could hear muffled sounds, like I was wearing earmuffs. There was a strange smell—cleaner maybe? My eyes were so heavy—so incredibly heavy—I couldn’t seem to open them. I tried to turn my head, but it felt like it weighed a ton.
The pain. Wow, I hurt—bad. It was almost like a burning down my legs—like they were on fire. I couldn’t lift my arms or my legs, and I was so damn tired. I finally just let the fogginess consume me.
***
Voices. I could hear them, but it didn’t seem like they were talking to me. I wiggled my fingers. I tried to swallow, but it felt like my throat was on fire. I blinked my eyes open. The lights were so bright, to the point of nearly hurting my eyes.
I turned my head to the right, continuing to blink—trying to focus. The blonde hair reflected the sunlight coming through the window. Talia? She looked beautiful standing there at the window—like an angel. I wanted to call to her, but I couldn’t find my voice, so I reached for her instead. The second she turned around and locked eyes on me, I felt a peace come over me. Her crystal blue eyes captivated me, sending warmth through my body. I heard her gasp.
“Tom?” She rushed over, taking my out reached hand into hers. “Tom, you had a breathing tube in your throat. I know it probably feels sore, but just try to relax, okay?” She reached over me and grabbed the bed remote.
“Yes?” a voice sounded through it.
“Tom is awake,” Talia responded before setting it back down and running her fingers over my forehead. I focused on her eyes, trying to make sense of what was going on.
It was almost like she read my mind. “Tom, you are in the hospital. You were in a car accident. Don’t be scared. Everything is going to be fine.” Her voice was like balm to my wounds. I wasn’t sure if this was a dream, but either way, she was my angel right now—the one thing that was keeping me calm. Her warm touch. Her calm voice. All of her.
I knew there were others in the room, but I didn’t want to look away from Talia. I gripped her hand so tightly—afraid they would make me let go of her.
“Tom, my name is Dr. Burk. I’m going to examine you. Try to relax, okay?”
“I’m going to let go of your hand to call Trevor and Nick, okay?” I nodded again and watched her walk over to the window. I didn’t want her to leave me, but I did my best to focus on the doctor, knowing that she wouldn’t be far.
“He’s awake,” I heard her say into the phone and then hang up, walking back over to my side as the doctor continued to check me out.
“Tom? Do you know where you are?” Dr. Burk asked.
I nodded. “Hospital,” I managed to croak out through my burning throat.
“Good. Do you remember what happened?” he asked, watching me closely as he took out his pen light, shining it in my eyes.
Did I? I remembered leaving soccer practice to go home. Things were so fuzzy. I closed my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. Shit! A van hit me. “Accident?” It sounded more like a question than an answer.
“Good.” He smiled. “Do you remember this woman?” He pointed to Talia. She stood over me, quietly waiting for my answer. Of course I remembered her. She had become someone I genuinely cared for in the short time that I’d known her. I don’t know exactly what happened to me, but the idea that she was here made my heart swell.
I smiled weakly. “She’s my angel, Talia.”
She giggled, and I noticed her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. “Wow, Tom, maybe you hit your head harder than we thought. I don’t think I’ve ever been referred to as an angel.” I smiled. She truly was beautiful.
The doctor finished his checks and told us he would be back. Before I could say anything to Talia, Trevor, Ava, and Nick came barreling through the door.
“Is he going to be okay?” Trevor asked Talia as he stood over me, still not looking at me.
“He is awake you know,” I said in my hoarse voice. Trevor looked at me for a few seconds before breaking out into a huge grin.
“Holy shit, Tom! You scared us, you bastard. Please, for God’s sake, don’t ever do this shit again.” Trevor looked at me, and I could see the relief in his eyes. I looked over at Nick who was smiling, too. They both looked so tired. They had dark circles under their eyes, and their faces were pale.
“I don’t mean any harm, but you all look like shit,” I said in all seriousness. They all gaped at me for a moment before erupting in laughter. I started to laugh, too, but quickly realized that it hurt like crazy. What the hell happened to my stomach?
“Are you in pain, Tom?” Talia stepped closer, watching my face with concern.
“Yeah, a little bit.” I tried to smile, but it felt almost forced. I took a look at myself for the first time. Holy shit! My left arm was in a cast and had some type of metal contraption attached to it through the plaster. I reached up and felt my head where it hurt, noticing the soft gauze bandage that was taped to the side of my head. I wasn’t sure what was wrong with my stomach, but it felt like my insides were being stretched every time I took a deep breath. “What happened to me?” I asked, looking at my friends for answers.
“Tom, you were in a car accident. It was pretty bad, man.” Trevor pulled a chair up next to the bed. “Talia was in the ER when they brought you in.”
I looked over to Talia, and my heart broke when I saw her face. Whatever had happened had not been easy for her. It was obvious. “It was bad, Tom. You didn’t even look like yourself. I didn’t recognize you.” She looked away.
“Shit,” I mumbled, reaching for her hand and tucking it inside mine. I didn’t know what to say to that.
“You had your spleen removed, because it was lacerated and bleeding, so you have an incision on your stomach,” Trevor continued, “Obviously, your arm is broken. You had a collapsed lung, and Tom …” he paused and looked at everyone in the room before looking back to me. They all walked next to the bed, and immediately I got nervous. “Tom, your left leg was hurt pretty bad. It kills me to tell you this, buddy, but they couldn’t save it.”
I didn’t understand. I could feel my legs. They were there. They were burning. “I don’t understand. I feel them.”
Talia took my hand. “Tom, that isn’t unusual. A lot of people have what is called phantom limb. You might feel itching, pain, or burning. I don’t know why, I just know it happens.”
I shook my head. This was so weird. “It feels like it’s there. Is my whole leg gone?” I asked, trying to see the outline of my legs under the covers.
“No, just below the knee on your left leg.” Talia squeezed my hand.
“Okay.” I wasn’t sure what else to say about it, I couldn’t even begin to process it, so I just
changed the subject. “Who are the balloons and flowers from?” I looked around the room at all of the cards, flowers, and balloons.
Nick smiled. “It appears you’re actually liked at that school of yours. Go figure. Although, I think it probably has something to do with the fact that you teach sex ed.” He winked.
I smiled back, shaking my head. “They are all from school?” Wow, I was amazed at the amount of cards and flowers that were there.
“Yes; teachers, students, your soccer team. They all love and miss you.” Ava rubbed my shoulder.
“Miss me? How long have I been here?” I couldn’t imagine that it had been too long.
“Six days,” Trevor answered.
“Really?” I asked, having trouble believing that.
“Yes, really. Quite frankly, you had us all climbing the walls.” Trevor shook his head. I don’t remember ever seeing him this out of sorts. He looked like he’d aged ten years.
“I’m sorry, guys,” I whispered.
“Tom, we’re just happy you’re okay.” Talia grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Her touch made me warm. “I’m sorry to leave, but I need to get downstairs for my shift.”
“No time for a sponge bath, Talia?” Nick wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“Be nice to me, Nick; I may be your nurse one day. Needles and catheters come in sizes that I choose!” Talia countered. Nick’s jaw dropped at the thought. If I didn’t know it would hurt so badly, I would have laughed.
“Tom, you need to get some rest. Push the red button right here for your pain medicine. You look like you need it.” She handed me a little remote with a button on it.
I did just that, feeling the warmth of the medication almost immediately coursing through my veins. My eyes were beginning to droop. “Thank you, my angel,” I whispered before letting the medicine take me under.
Chapter 5
Talia
Two weeks. That is how long Tom was in the hospital after his accident. I was thoroughly amazed at how well he was doing. He was still in pain, but it was getting better every day.
We had just gotten him settled in his apartment, and he was sleeping. He had his stitches removed from his head and also the staples from his stomach before we left the hospital. So far, he had been able to avoid any type of infection, and he was dealing surprisingly well with the fact that he had a portion of his leg amputated. So well that it worried me, almost like he was in denial.
Trevor, Nick, Ava, and I were sitting in Tom’s living room trying to figure out how we were going to take care of him. With our schedules, it was going to be tough to have someone around all the time. Tom seemed to think he’d be fine, but I don’t think any of us wanted to take that chance.
Ava brought over a plate of cookies that someone had dropped by, and we decided to have a much-needed sugar pick me up.
“Well shit! Nothing is more disappointing than when your cookie won't fit in your glass of milk.” Nick shook his head as he tried to dip his cookie in his glass.
“Seriously Nick? There you go again, opening your mouth and letting the stupid come pouring out.” I shook my head and laughed at his mock-hurt expression. Sometimes I honestly wondered about him. If common sense was money, Nick couldn’t even afford a free lunch.
As I was reaching for a cookie of my own, we heard a large crash come from the bedroom. We all jumped and ran toward the noise.
Upon entering Tom’s room, we saw him lying on the floor next to his bed, trying to get up using his one good leg and arm on the right side.
“What the hell happened?” Trevor and Nick went over and lent him a hand, pulling him up gently and getting him back in bed. Tom’s face flushed red, obviously embarrassed by us all standing there.
“It was so weird. I could have sworn it was still there. Shit!” Tom shook his head. “What the fuck is wrong with me?”
“It’s fine, Tom. You’ve been through a lot of shit in a short amount of time. There’s nothing wrong with you,” Nick reassured him.
“Whatever.” Tom waved his hand. “I need to go to the damn bathroom,” he barked, clearly annoyed and embarrassed.
I motioned for Ava to follow me. We stepped back into the living room, leaving the guys to handle the situation. “Holy shit, Talia, is this normal?” Ava whispered when we got far enough away.
“Shit, I don’t know.” I needed to do something. I had made up my mind and needed to see if I could get things to work. “I need to run a couple of errands. Please tell the guys I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I gave her a hug and headed out.
***
“Are you sure you want to do this?” My nursing director looked at me from across the desk.
“Positive,” I said, looking her in the eyes.
She nodded. “Okay, Talia; let me know if you need anything.” I smiled and thanked her as I left her office. That had gone better than I’d hoped. I needed to make another stop before I left the hospital.
I knocked softly on the door of Dr. Conner’s office. “Come in,” he hollered.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Dr. Conner, but I could really use some help,” I said as I walked in. Dr. Conner was one of the hospital psychologists. He was in his mid-thirties and extremely personable. We worked with him several times during situations with patients in the ER. I really needed to get some insight from him regarding Tom. I was so out of my comfort level with all of this.
“Come in, Talia. What can I help with?” He smiled, and I instantly felt good about my decision to seek his counsel.
I sat down and told him all about Tom and the accident. I left nothing out and was surprised to find myself wiping away tears by the time I was finished. I don’t think I actually realized how much it all had taken a toll on me until I laid it all out.
“Well, Talia, I admire your decision to help in this situation. You know the stages of the grieving process right?” he asked. I certainly knew them, both in my own life when I lost my brother, with what I had learned in nursing school, and with my patients. I told him just that.
“Well, people who have lost a limb, especially in a traumatic way, tend to go through the same type of stages of grief. This may manifest in denial, anger, depression, and so on. In addition to that, it is not unusual to have phantom pain or sensation where the leg used to be.” I nodded. I wasn’t sure if that is what caused Tom to fall today or not, but it might explain it. Dr. Conner told me to contact him if I needed to as I stood to leave.
I thanked him and headed back to my apartment to pick up some things before returning to Tom’s.
I walked through the door and dropped my bag. I was pleasantly surprised to see Tom sitting in the recliner. All eyes were on me as I made my way across the room.
“Everything okay?” Ava asked raising her eyebrows.
“Yes.” I smiled and took a seat next to her.
“We were just talking with Tom about how we could be here to help him,” Trevor mentioned, bringing me up to date with the conversation.
“I don’t think it will be a problem. My schedule has opened up completely, and I’m staying here,” I said, giggling at the shocked looks before settling on Tom’s mad face.
Chapter 6
Tom
“The hell you are!” I shouted louder than I meant to. Everyone turned and looked at me with the same shocked expression, and Talia recoiled, almost like she’d been hit. Shit. I’m an ass!
“Wow, and the asshole award goes to …” Nick said as he shook his head at me.
“Talia, I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I don’t want you to stop your life to stay here with me, that’s all.” I closed my eyes, trying to get myself together. The thought of having her here with me sent so many emotions through my head and my body. I wanted her here; God knows I did, but I didn’t want to be a burden. I couldn’t let her do this.
“Can I have a minute with Tom, please?” Talia asked everyone. If the tension wasn’t so thick in the room, I would have laughed at how quickly they all jumped up, scattering
like roaches when the light comes on.
“We’ll go pick up a pizza,” Trevor said as he ushered Ava and Nick out the door, leaving Talia and I alone.
I watched as she stood up and came over to me, kneeling next to my chair and leaning her arms on the arm of the chair. I couldn’t help but close my eyes and bathe my senses in her sweet smell—a cross between raspberries and vanilla.
“Tom, a couple of weeks ago I went to work just like every other day. I ran a trauma like I do all the time, but my patient was in pretty bad shape,” she paused, taking a deep breath, “It didn’t look good, and I wouldn’t have been surprised if he didn’t make it. We got him to the OR before I ever heard his name. That man was you Tom.” Her breathing was choppy, and when I finally looked at her, I realized she was crying.
“Shit, Talia, don’t cry,” I pleaded, grabbing her hand.
“Tom, I thought I lost you. I was so scared because in the short time that I’ve known you, you have become a very special to me. I am taking the next three weeks off of work to be here for you because I want to. If you really don’t want me here, I won’t stay, but just know that I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to.” She tried to pull her hand out of my grip, but I wouldn’t let her go.
“Thank you,” I managed to get out. I was overwhelmed. I hadn’t had anyone other than Trevor and Nick since my parents died. It warmed my heart to know that she cared enough to put herself out there like this.
I’m not going to lie. Talia was someone I had spent a lot of time thinking about. The girl was a walking wet dream. The nights I’d spent dancing with her were both amazing and torture at the same time—the feel of her warm skin, smoother than silk—pressing against me as we moved together to the music. Trust me when I say that I have had many cold showers in the past month because of this woman.
I guess that was something of the past. I couldn’t dance anymore without my fucking leg. Shit, I couldn’t even get my own ass to the bathroom. I obviously needed some help, but it killed me to think that Talia was going to see me at my worst.
