Compass (Siren Songs Book 2)

by Stephie Walls

  “Cooper. Moby Cooper.”

  “May I speak to Piper?” I hear when I answer my phone.

  “This is she.” I don’t recognize the voice on the other end, nor the number on the caller ID.

  “This is Renee. I work with Moby except I’m at the Greer facility. I don’t think we’ve ever formally been introduced.”

  “Hi, Renee. Moby’s mentioned you before. He thought I should get together with you to work on kickboxing.” I’m an idiot; this girl isn’t calling to hear about Moby’s work out ideas for me. “I’m sorry. What can I do for you, Renee?”

  “I hate calling so early in the morning, but I’m a couple hours from Charleston and was hoping I could meet you. I won’t take but a minute of your time. I have a seminar I have to be at before noon.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Absolutely, just want to give you a card for Moby from the guys at the gym.”

  It warms my heart to know they thought enough to get him a card. I realize she was already coming, but men just don’t think about these things. I know it’s going to do wonders for Moby’s mindset.

  “That would be great. I’m sure he’ll love getting it.”

  “Great! I’ll call you when I get close. Would you mind meeting me at the front door? I’m behind and am afraid I’m going to be late if I come in and start running my mouth.” She seems like a sweet girl.

  “Sure. See you then.”

  Returning to Moby’s room, it’s after eight o’clock and he’s nowhere around. A nurse informs me he moved to another room down the hall. Pointing me in the direction, I find him propped up in bed, eating what the hospital might describe as breakfast, watching television.

  “Hey, babe,” he calls out in much better spirits than I’ve seen him in the last couple of days.

  “Hey! They gave you food. That’s great.”

  “I don’t know if you can call soup for breakfast food, but it’s not coming through an IV so I’ll take what I can get.” I look at the liquid cautiously. “They’re still afraid I’m going to choke, so we’re starting with liquids. I was told there’s noodles in here too but someone lied.”

  “Did you sleep well?” I inquire, hoping he had a better night than I did.

  “I’m not sure you can call it sleep so much as napping since there’s a nurse in here every hour checking my vitals. Every time the blood pressure cuff inflates it wakes me up. But I did the best I could with what I had. What about you?”

  “Not bad, all things considered.” I’m hoping in typical male fashion, he won’t realize I’m wearing the same clothes and haven’t washed my hair. “When did they move you?”

  “Last night. The nurse was in right before you got here and said a team of doctors will be in shortly.” As if he summoned them, the door opens to a herd of people. His speech isn’t perfect but it’s now intelligible to most.

  Dr. Ryan is leading the pack. She introduces her entourage, including a neurologist, and several interns. She explains the teaching aspect of the hospital although I had already heard it from Will. Dr. Tau, the neurologist, appears to be of Hawaiian descent, I would never have pegged him for a doctor with his jovial cheeks and robust belly. His skin is sun-kissed as if he just stepped off the beach, his dialect more of a surfer than an MD. I instantly take a liking to him and I can tell Moby does as well.

  Dr. Ryan will be working closely with Dr. Tau on Moby’s case. They need to do another MRI but not before tomorrow. The contrast dye used is very hard for the kidneys to process. Having a third MRI in as many days could be catastrophic. His kidney function isn’t good; we already knew that. After consulting, they believe the stent may cause more damage if there’s a tear in the artery.

  “Well keep an eye on him today and do the MRI first thing in the morning. In the meantime, he’ll keep getting the Heparin twice a day to prevent potential clotting, and we’re working on a prescription cocktail to lower his BP. Right now we have him on some pretty powerful medications but aren’t seeing much of a result. Unfortunately, with hereditary hypertension, it’s a guessing game.”

  “What’s hereditary hypertension?” Moby garbles. Thankfully, the doctors don’t miss a beat and understand every word.

  “Essentially, there’s no cause for your blood pressure issues that we can find. You’re not morbidly obese, you’re in excellent physical condition, you don’t smoke—all usual culprits for someone your age to be sitting here. The only explanation is it exists in your genes. Does anyone in your family have blood pressure issues?”

  “I think my mom takes something, but it’s not for anything severe like this.”

  “If it exists in you, it exists somewhere in the family. If no one else has it, then it might be silently lurking like it did with you. I would strongly encourage all of your immediate family to have their blood pressure checked regularly.” Dr. Tau pauses briefly. “Do you have children?”

  “No,” I answer quickly. “Not yet.”

  “If you decide to, you need to make sure their pediatrician is aware of their father’s condition so they can watch for early signs. I’m guessing looking at your husband’s scans, this could have been caught in his early teens if anyone had been looking for it.”

  “Seriously? His teens?” Shock stuns me. Moby had this for years, and no one ever caught it. Our children can have this affliction.

  “Yes. His brain matter appears to be much older than it should for a man his age. I would estimate the other strokes took place in the last ten to twelve years. It’s not something to be alarmed about; I just want to make you aware. Early detection is critical.”

  I nod before Dr. Ryan asks if we have any additional questions. Moby replies with a shake of the head.

  “So it’s just a waiting game right now?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. We don’t want to start therapy until we know exactly what we’re dealing with, and I’m not willing to compromise his kidney’s any more than has already been done to get that answer today.”

  The thoughts racing through my mind start to freak me out. Our children. His brothers. Kidney damage. How much of this is permanent? Can they fix any of it?

  “Stop, Piper,” Moby scolds me.

  “Stop what?”

  “I know what you’re doing. You can’t change any of it. We just have to deal with it as it comes.”

  My eyes swell with tears. “Our kids, Moby…” my voice trails off with the pain. I go to him, again climbing into his bed, on his right side where he can hold me. Burying my face in the crook of his neck, I begin to cry tears I promised myself I wouldn’t shed; tears for the man next to me, tears for our unborn children, and tears for what I fear the future will bring. He lets me cry until there’s nothing left to release. I don’t cry often, but he knows, he just needs to let me get it out so I can move forward.

  When Renee texts me, I jump up to make sure I don’t look as bad as I feel in the bathroom mirror. Sadly, it’s worse than expected. Not having showered since yesterday morning, very little food, and a sob fest has me looking like a total disaster.

  I inform Moby I’ll be right back but his parents and Brooks are walking in the door, so I don’t worry about him missing my presence. I race down to the first floor, stepping onto the sidewalk in front of the hospital. Renee pulls up in her yellow Volkswagen Bug grinning from ear to ear.

  She rolls down her window and calls my name in question. I confirm walking toward her. She leans out of the car to hug my neck. I’m not much of a hugger, but this girl is infectious. She’s young, cute as hell, and obviously a naturally happy person. I see why Moby thought I would like working with her.

  “I hate to have to run off so fast, but maybe I can stop back by before I go home on Sunday. Do you think you guys will still be here?”

  “I hope not, but likely so.”

  “It’s gonna be okay, Piper. Moby’s a strong guy. He won’t let anything get him down. I’ll call you Sunday to see if I can come by.” I smile at her as she pulls off wavin
g out the window.

  Envelope in hand, I return to my man and his crazy family. The moment I walk in the room, I want to slap the shit out of his mother.

  “Piper, why haven’t you showered or changed clothes?” Her insensitivity baffles me.

  Moby, Brooks, and Nate all look to me. Realization reaches Moby’s face. I don’t know how to respond without upsetting him, and Patty isn’t going to let it go.

  “Just because your husband is in the hospital doesn’t mean you can let yourself go. In my day, women cared—”

  Moby interrupts her, loudly. “Mom, shut up and let her answer the question.”

  Patty’s face flushes with embarrassment and her mouth snaps closed.

  “It’s not a big deal, Moby.”

  “Piper…” His tone issues me a warning I heed.

  Biting my lip, grinding it between my teeth, I stare intently at the floor, embarrassed by what I’m about to admit. “I had to sleep in the car last night.” No one responds. The silence is deafening.

  “Get out! Everyone get the fuck out!” Moby roars. I stand stock-still knowing his instruction was not for me. I note how much better his speech is getting but figure it’s not the time to address it. Brooks leaves immediately, his mother and father linger a moment too long. “Did you not understand? I said get the fuck out of my room so I can talk to my wife!” Looking at Patty and Nate, I see her eyes brimmed ready to turn on the water works, but Nate quickly whisks her away.

  “Tell me now.” I’ve never heard Moby talk this way before. His tone is harsh leaving little room for negotiation. Anything but the truth will piss him off even more, and I’ve watched as his blood pressure has gone up on the machine next to his head in the last two minutes.

  So, if he wants the truth, I’ll give it to him. “I didn’t have any money, Moby.”

  “Huh?” I hate when men don’t connect the damn dots and need a line-by-line detail.

  “I didn’t know we’d be leaving town yesterday. I didn’t even have my purse with me when I got to Regional. We left thirty minutes later. The parking garage costs money, I couldn’t pay the fee last night, not that I had anywhere to go if I could. I couldn’t stay here in that tiny little waiting room; there wasn’t even a chair in there. None of my friends or family are coming until tomorrow. They’re going to bring me clothes and my purse, but I was stuck. I didn’t want to upset you.”

  “If you didn’t have money for parking or a hotel, when is the last time you ate?”

  “A doctor bought me a cup of coffee and a muffin this morning. That’s why I was late getting in here.”

  “Before that?”

  “I don’t know, Moby. It doesn’t matter.”

  “It fucking matters to me! My wife does not sleep in a goddamn car and go days without eating. Damn it, Piper! If you had told me I could’ve gotten money from my parents.” I wait for it to dawn on him, knowing it will, and it does. “My parents didn’t bother helping you.”

  I can’t bear to look him in the eye. I can’t see the pain I know will be lurking there. “They went to dinner; they brought Brooks food back. They went to a nice warm hotel where Brooks had a room. Look at me, Piper.” I do as he tells me and see exactly what I was trying to avoid; but it’s more than pain, there’s fury. “None of them offered you anything or asked you if you needed anything? Not even Brooks?”

  I shake my head. “Please don’t be mad, Moby. There was a lot going on.”

  “Don’t defend them. My mom remembered her damn swimsuit but didn’t think to ask my wife if she needed a place to stay? Hell fuck no. It doesn’t work that way. If she thinks she’s pulling some power trip, she just lost the battle. I don’t care if she gave birth to me or not, you’re my wife. If she doesn’t like that, she has a problem she needs to deal with. On her own.”

  “Moby, please calm down. This isn’t good for you. It’s not worth getting this upset over. I’m fine.”

  “You slept in a car in a parking garage, Piper and haven’t eaten in days. Not one part of that is okay with me. Open the door and get the three of them in here.”

  I hesitate a moment too long, trying to avoid the confrontation I know is about to ensue. “Now! Piper.” My entire body jerks in response.

  Opening the door, I reluctantly invite Patty, Nate, and Brooks back in the room. Still holding the card Renee dropped off, thinking I’ll hang on to it for now.

  “Brooks, do you have your wallet on you?” Moby asks him, clearly not as irritated with his brother as his parents.

  “Yeah, man, whatcha need?”

  “I need you to take my wife”—he puts heavy emphasis on the word—”down to the cafeteria and buy her something to eat. Then I want you to take her to a department store and buy her some clothes and Wal-Mart to get whatever she needs to get by until her friends bring her stuff tomorrow. When you’ve done those things, take her to your hotel room so she can shower and change clothes. Then bring her back to me. I’ll give you the money back tomorrow when her purse gets here. Are we clear?”

  Brooks looks to me, sheepishly, knowing he’s just as guilty as his parents. “Yeah, crystal. Come on, Piper. Let’s get you something to eat.”

  When I turn to walk out the door, my husband calls to me. “Piper.” Looking back to him, he smiles at me, still only half a smile. His azure eyes burn with intensity. “I love you, baby.” I touch my heart. He knows what I mean.

  “Now, Moby, before you get yourself worked up into a tizzy, this is all a misunderstanding.” My mom has no clue. She is sorely mistaken if she thinks she’s going to manipulate her way out of this one.

  “What were you thinking?” I snarl in my parents’ direction.

  “Son, calm down.” My dad will forever defend that woman. It doesn’t matter if she’s right or wrong he’s going down with her. He would have ridden the Titanic to the bottom of the ocean with her. Maybe that’s why their attitude toward Piper surprises me so much.

  “Don’t tell me to calm down, Dad. You would be irate if one of us let mom sleep in her car.” I hear the beeping on the machine monitoring my blood pressure, and I know my pulse is rising, but I can’t stop the anger.

  “Why didn’t Piper speak up?”

  “I don’t know, Mom. Maybe she didn’t feel like she could when you basically threatened to leave her behind yesterday. Or maybe her only priority was me and not her fucking swimsuit or her impromptu vacation.” I hope the words sting. I want her to feel the slap in the face I felt finding out my wife hadn’t eaten and slept in a public garage.

  “I’m not taking the blame for this, Moby. She’s an adult. She should’ve asked for help.” Her tone continues to piss me off. Dismissing me is not the way to go on this.

  “Yeah, she is an adult. She is also a family member. My wife. You don’t seem to want to get that through your thick head. So you have two options, the first is to leave, go back to Greenville and I’ll let you know when we get home. The other is to genuinely apologize to Piper when she gets back and recognize if you ever pull a stunt like this again, I won’t be as forgiving. I love you both, but you taught me you stand by your spouse, no matter what. You both seem to keep forgetting, Piper and I are married.”

  “Moby, you have to remember your mother and I have had years being your parents. You’ve never been serious about a girl before her and then in less than a year the two of you are married. It takes time to let go of the reins. It isn’t because we don’t love Piper, it’s because we love you.”

  “I get it, Dad. I’m just not willing to tolerate it. Deal with it on your own terms.”

  I see the look on my mom’s face; she’s not at all sorry for any of it, but my dad is.

  “We’ll make sure Piper understands how sorry we are.” He nudges my mom’s side as if to coerce her to agree but she remains stoic. “Both of us,” he adds.

  They both take seats in my room, making small talk, asking about my night, what the doctor plans for today. Not long after I tell them I’m waiting on an MRI, the nurs
e comes in to give me the contrast dye. She’ll be back in a bit to take me for the actual test but before she goes she plants a needle in the skin of my stomach, just below my belly button. Morning and night. Two shots of Heparin a day and they hurt like a son of a bitch. I already have bruises marking my lower abdomen from previous injections. I wince but say nothing. She’s better than the others have been. As soon as she pulls the needle out, she rubs small circles over the injection.

  “It helps a little if you massage the spot. I know they suck. Sorry.” She’s young and cute—she obviously works out. Her arms are lean like a runner. I imagine she’s just out of nursing school. “I’m Alyssa.” She extends her hand in greeting when she finishes rubbing the soreness away.

  “Moby. Nice to meet you.”

  “I have to admit, I was shocked when I came in. I actually double checked the chart to make sure I didn’t miss something.”

  “Why?”

  She shrugs. “You’re not the typical thirty-two-year-old stroke patient.” She doesn’t elaborate before moving on to another subject. “Moby’s an unusual name. Where did it come from?”

  “Who knows.” I point over toward my mom. “She gave us all weird names. My brothers are Dax, Brooks, and Landis.”

  She smiles but doesn’t ask my mom for any details on her choices. I’m sure she heard the argument taking place in the room before she came in.

  She finishes whatever she is typing on her little mobile computer cart before she tells me she’ll be back shortly.

  By the time Piper returns, the MRI is complete, I’ve been poked and prodded a few too many times, and my parents have gone to get lunch. She looks beautiful when she comes in, her demeanor content.

  “Feel better?” I ask as she walks in the door.

  “Much. Thank you.” Brooks trails behind her, obviously afraid I’m going to chew his ass. I don’t expect the same thing from my little brother I do from my parents, so I let him off the hook. He took care of her today, and that’s all that matters.