by Y. M. Sheree
“We had a really bad argument a few weeks ago. I haven’t spoken to her since then. When I saw her lifeless on the gurney, it did something to me.”
“ Whatever the disagreement was about can wait. You know all too well her road to recovery will be a long one.”
“Yea, I know. I appreciate the talk. Let me go tell her family that she’s out of surgery.”
Michael placed a hand on Tristan’s shoulder before they went their separate ways. Once he reached the crowded waiting room, he searched for the members of Billi’s club. After locating them, he walked over to give an update. Tristan noticed an elder couple sitting amongst the group and knew it was Billi’s parents.
The older gentleman stood up as Tristan approached. “Doctor, please tell me my baby girl is good?”
“Yes, Mr. Madison she’s in recovery right now. There is no serious head trauma, but she does have a few broken bones. After she comes out of recovery, I’ll make sure the nurses take you to her room.” Glancing around at the bikers, he added, “She can’t be overwhelmed with a lot of visitors tonight, but you all can come back during visiting hours.”
Everyone nodded their understanding and proceeded to wait until she came out of recovery. A few hours had passed as Tristan continued his shift. The nurses on duty gave him continuous updates on Billi. The latest one he received before his shift ended informed him that her family left.
Tristan walked to Billi’s room to check on her. He wanted to all night but seeing her hurt like she was wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. Bruises on her face were prominent now. Her lip still had a cut on it which probably came when she went down. Both her arm and leg were in casts. The monitor beeped in the corner as it administered medicine into her IV.
Before taking a seat, he took her chart and reviewed it. Still dressed in his scrubs he took a seat in the chair by her bed and slowly dozed off. A few hours passed before Billi began to stir in her sleep. As she moved, it felt as if she had been hit by a Mack truck. Her head throbbed something terrible, and the overhead light caused it to ache even more. Looking around the room, she noticed she was in a hospital room. Turning her head slowly to her left, she noticed Tristan long form sleeping uncomfortably in the chair. A nurse came into the room to check her vitals while she watched him stir in the chair.
"How are we feeling today Ms. Madison?" The nurse asked as she placed the blood pressure cuff around her arm.
"I feel terrible what happened?"
"You were hit by a car, Billi." Tristan said groggily. He moved slowly to sit up in the chair trying to work out some of his stiffness.
"Good morning Dr. Ramsey. Can I get you anything?" The nurse asked while pumping the cuff.
"No thank you, Bernice, I will be alright after I have some coffee. How is our patient doing?"
"Her blood pressure is still a little elevated, and her pulse is a little fast as well. I am about to take her temperature right now,” Nurse Bernice stated as she stuck the thermometer in Billi's mouth. Billi hadn't said another word since Tristan had spoken. To her surprise, he was even in her hospital room let alone asleep in the chair.
He stood and stretched before walking to the side of the bed. After the nurse finished checking her vitals, she wrote her findings down on her chart at the end of the bed. "Your breakfast should be here within the hour Ms. Madison. Is there anything that you need?"
"Yes, please. May I have something for my head it is killing me."
"I will check with the doctor, but I don't see any problem of getting you something for your headache. I will be back shortly, Dr. Ramsey." Tristan nodded his head in her direction as she left the room. Walking over to the nightstand by the bed, he poured a glass of water into a plastic cup.
"Can you sit up on your own or do you need my help?"
"I think I can sit up." With a little struggle, Billi was able to sit up against her pillows. He handed her the cup of water after he placed a straw in it. Watching her drink the water he tried to gauge how much pain she truly was in."Thank you." She said as she passed him the cup back and laid her head back against the pillow.
"Billi, do you remember what happened to you last night?"
"I remember we were all leaving the clubhouse in our formation like we always do as we headed to the interstate. There was a car swerving trying to get over in the same lane as us. The last time it tried to come over as I tried to move over the car hit the back of my bike. Phoenix had slowed down so I could get over in front of her but I still didn't have enough room to move. Basically, I braced for impact because I felt I was going down. Now look at me. How bad are my injuries? I see the casts on my arm and leg. That's broken bones I presume."
"Unfortunately, you broke your arm and leg. You have scrapes and bruises and a concussion of course. It could have been so much worse Billi."
"Don't you think I know that? I am the one who is laid up here in this hospital."
"I don't need you getting upset. Just relax and get some rest. You will have a lot of people wanting to see you today. Your parents were here last night along with the members of your club."
"Thank you for being here."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I didn't think that you would be here when I woke up."
"Why wouldn't I be here? Where else would I be, knowing you were hurt as seriously as you were?"
"Because of the last time we spoke to one another."
"None of that matters right now. All that matters is for you to get better."
"You don' t want to talk about it. We didn't leave things good between us."
"Get some rest Billi and stop thinking about other things that don't matter right now. I need to go home and get some rest. See you later on." Tristan leaned in and placed a tender kiss on her forehead before walking toward the door. On her way in Nurse Bernice came in with a tray and a medicine cup. "Make sure she rests please Bernice. Call me if you need me. I am headed home for a while."
"Dr. Ramsey, go home. You need your rest. We can handle this on our end. She is in good hands."
"Yes ma'am I know this." Tristan glanced in Billi's direction one last time before he left the room. Nurse Bernice walked over to the bed, handed the medicine cup to her, and then placed her breakfast on the tray. Billi popped the medicine into her mouth and washed it down with the rest of the water in the cup.
"Make sure that you try to eat something with the medicine you just took. Your headache should subside shortly. Do you need anything else?"
"How long was Tristan here?"
"Well from what the other nurses told me was he had a fourteen-hour shift yesterday and then stayed all night here with you."
"Really?"
"Yes, ma'am seems he cares about you." Bernice winked at Billi. "If you need anything don't hesitate to press the button on the remote right beside you on the bed. Get your rest, and I'll be back to check on you later."
"Thank you." Billi removed the cover to the breakfast that she'd left for her. Her appetite was nowhere to be found, but she knew she needed to try to eat something especially with all the medicine being pumped into her system. The pain coursing through her reminded her of how lucky she had been because she'd known of individuals who never made it through. "Thank you, Lord God," Billi whispered under her breath.
How am I going to run the shop being down like this? My father is counting on me. My club needs me, and I won't be able to ride for awhile. Do I even want to get back on my bike? My poor bike she is probably totaled.
So many different thoughts were rattling around in her head. Trying to calm her thoughts, she decided to turn on the television, watch a marathon of SVU, and nibble on some of her food. After a few episodes she felt herself become groggy and instead of trying to fight it she let sleep take over.
13
Throughout the day, Billi received visits from the members of her club, Malcolm, and her parents. She also had received a call from Justice the National President of the Lady Guardians. Billi opened up about how
she felt about letting her club down, and Justice talked her through what she could do to still feel productive in her club, which eased her mind.
Everyone stopped by except the one person she thought that would be back to see her but he hadn't shown all day. She hadn't received any calls on the hospital phone from him. No one mentioned whether not he was on call that day. Here it was early evening, and she felt that he wouldn't probably show.
Their conversation a few weeks ago hadn't ended well. Neither of them reached out to one another, so that is why she had been surprised that he sat with her all night. There was a sense of comfort to wake up to him being so close to her after what she endured. Not ready to fall asleep just yet she flipped through the channels trying to settle on a show to watch.
"You know that you should be getting some rest." Billi looked towards her door to see Tristan standing holding a colorful bouquet of flowers and a bag. He looked handsome in his pair of jeans and polo shirt.
"I am not sleepy right now. I am surprised to see you back here."
"You didn't think I would be back? Sorry to disappoint you I brought you something to put a smile on your beautiful face." He placed the flowers on the side of the bed and the bag on her tray that he rolled in front of her. Removing the item from the bag, he placed it in front of her and watched the smile form on her busted lips. "Do you approve?"
"Yes thank you. Am I allowed to eat it?"
"Of course you can. I will sign off on it. How are you feeling?"
Taking a mouthful of the cheesecake, she chewed and swallowed before responding. "My whole body hurts, and I can't stand this catheter. I swear it is a contraption from hell. How much longer will I have to stay in the hospital?"
"Just give it a few more days, and then they will probably release you. Your recovery time will depend on you and your bones. It may be up to six to eight weeks for your leg and even longer with your arm. I'll make sure that I have you set up with a great physical therapist."
"It is going to be that long for real? How am I supposed to take care of my shop and my club?"
"You have more than capable people in your life to help you out with everything. The main concern you should have right now is to recover, and everything else will fall into place. Just trust me on this ok."
"Yea, I hear you, but it's easier said than done."
"Billi just give yourself time to heal and take it from there."
"Believe me I understand what you are saying it will just be hard that's all."
Tristan stood still and looked at her. He knew he wasn't going to win the battle, so the best thing for him was to be silent. The pain she was feeling he could only imagine what she was coping with.
"Tristan, can we talk about the elephant in the room?"
"What elephant would that be?"
"The last conversation we had a few weeks ago. You know the one that caused us to not be on speaking terms."
"This isn't the time or place for that discussion."
"I don't see why it isn't. Does it look like I am going anywhere?"
Sighing, he took a seat in the chair by the bed. "I see that you aren't going to let this go."
"Nope, not at all." Billi was about to cross her arms but remembered that the other was in a full arm cast.
"By all means, you can begin."
"I just want to apologize for mentioning anything about your brother. The things that I heard I should have kept them to myself. "
"You're right you should have, but I understand that you were trying to be helpful now. I actually reached out to the club my brother was a member. The truth about him and his role in the club was revealed to me by the biker from the picnic that day." Tristan paused to glance in her direction before continuing. "Seems that what you told me was the same as what he clarified. He stated Tommy wanted so bad to be part of the group he did anything for the president. As far as I knew, my brother never dealt with any drugs let alone transport them for someone. Goes to show I didn't know everything about him. Truthfully, I don't know how to feel about any of this."
"Tristan it isn't expected for you to know everything about him. We all have secrets that we keep close to us. Maybe he never talked to you because he would have felt he let you down."
"More than likely he felt that way. It doesn’t make me feel any better knowing now. Tommy didn’t feel comfortable enough to come to me, and I’m his big brother. “
“Maybe he felt you would judge him and besides you didn’t and still don’t agree with the lifestyle.” Tristan raised his eyebrows at her statement. “Ok I can see why you don’t but as I explained before. You can’t let a couple of bad examples taint the rest of us.”
“Billi look at you laying up in that bed.”
“This has nothing to do with my club. It’s the ignorant and non-concern for those of us who ride. It comes with the risk of riding a motorcycle. I can be the most responsible rider out there, but it doesn’t help when others are not careful or watch for us.”
“Point taken.”
“Are we good? Or are we still mad with one another?”
“No, we aren’t good just yet.”
“What’s the problem now?”
Getting up from the chair, he went to stand by her. He leaned in to softly kiss her mouth making sure he didn’t hurt her cut. “ I will accept your apology only if you will accept mine for being an ass to you.”
Billi smiled at him. “ The only reason I’m accepting is because of the beautiful flowers, cheesecake, and such a sweet kiss.”
“Good thing I came prepared. Have you worked it out on who’s going to help you while you recover?” He asked as he stroked her hair.
“My mother said she would sit with me during the day because my Dad is well enough to go back to the shop to work with Malcolm's help of course. At night I should be alright by myself."
"Would it be alright if I check on you when my shift is over? Just in case you need something plus I want to know that you are alright."
"I think that we can manage that Dr. Ramsey."
"As long as you know that I am in this with you all the way. Don't fight me on anything. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir."
"Let's see what is on the television. I am going to sit with you awhile before I head back home."
Tristan pulled the chair to the side of the bed so he could hold her uninjured hand in his to stroke it while watching tv. Billi was out after the first half hour of the movie they began to watch. He waited until he knew she was in a deep sleep before he reluctantly left her side. Unbeknownst to her, she would be stuck with him for a long time. His feelings for her had grown more since she came into the hospital injured. Just the thought that he could have lost her still tugged at his heart. Billi Madison was going to be a permanent fixture in his life she just didn’t know it yet.
14
Over the past few months, Billi went through extensive physical therapy after both her casts were removed. True to his word Tristan made sure that, he was there if she needed him. He also attended some of her physical therapy sessions to show his support. After her accident, their relationship had been established as they were dating since neither spoke about them being in one.
Justice from her National Chapter came to visit her at home to make sure everything was well with her and also to check on the club. Billi still attended the meetings but didn't attend too many of the functions while she went through recovery. Her officers made sure they showed support but kept her in the loop. Phoenix stood in her place when it came to meetings with the Thunderguards. Least to say she has seen growth within in their club and they had at least six new prospects over the last few months.
As far as the person that hit her bike never was found. There was no one other than one of her members who witnessed it or would come forward to say that they did. No one would show her Cotton Candy after her accident everyone thought it was best. Billi still hadn't scheduled for her bike to go to the body shop to be fixed. It just wasn't in h
er to do so for now. To be honest, she felt a little nervous about being hit again. Something she knew would leave her as soon as she was riding on the open road again.
Tristan called her today telling her he would be stopping by the garage after work and he had a surprise for her and wanted her to meet him there. Billi arrived at the garage around five p.m. to see her dad working on a car. She walked slowly over to him and pulled a chair over so she could take pressure off her recuperating leg.
"Hey, old man. How are you feeling?"
"Hey, pumpkin." William placed a quick peck on her forehead. "How are you feeling everything getting better with your physical therapy?"
"Yea I am slowly getting better. I am ready to get back to work I miss working on cars."
"You will get back to it soon enough just don't rush your recovery process."
"It's just that I feel I am missing out on a lot since my accident. All the club venues that I've missed out on. I just feel out of the loop on everything in my life right now."
Her dad stopped working on the car to turn and face her."Baby girl you need to stop thinking like that. Do you know that I have gone down on my bike a few times? It took a lot out of me as if it has done to you but I dusted myself off and got back on my bike. Now of course since I am older with arthritis I move slowly now. "
"You never mentioned to me that you laid your bike down. How did you get back on afterward?"
"It took me awhile as well, but I enjoyed riding more so I hopped back on. You will get over it in your own time and if not then who is to blame you."
"True but the club scene is an important part of my life. I don't know what I would do without riding or my club. Do you know I haven't even wanted to see my bike after the accident? Just the thought of seeing how she'd look would just bring back memories on how close I could have lost my life."
"Well baby girl you can lose your life getting out of bed in the morning, but I hear what you are saying. Enough of the depressing talks, what is going on with you and the good doctor? He seems like a good fella and seems like he cares about you."
