by Jaye McCloud
“William, what are you doing here?” Mrs. Bentini asks surprised to see her son. “He gave me a ride, mom,” Gabby quickly volunteers.
“How is Kathy?” Mr. Bentini inquires, sincere concern etched in every line of his face. “Yes, how is she?” Mrs. Bentini adds.
“Still unconscious, I’m afraid. They kicked us out of the room while the doctors examine her again. But I have Dr. Phillips in there with her this time; he’ll tell me exactly what’s going on.” William frowns as he stares out the window, missing the perplexed looks passing between Mr. and Mrs. Bentini.
Once again, Gabby quickly intercedes to distract their parents. “Mom, do you know how to get in touch with Kathy’s family? No one seems to have any contact information for her parents, not even Ms. Carlito.”
“I’ll take care of that. I’m sure Antonio will be able to get me their contact information,” Will offers adamantly as he turns from the window.
Mrs. Bentini stiffens at the mention of Antonio’s name, vividly recalling his cool reception yesterday here in this very room.
“William?” Mrs. Bentini begins hesitantly. “The way you two work so hard to avoid each other’s company, I was under the impression that you and Katherine didn’t care for one another.”
Looking directly at his mother, he tells her the truth, “No mom, as a matter of fact just the opposite.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mom, dad, you should hear this directly from me. Kathy and I…well, we are involved…”
“What do you mean?”
“We are involved with each other and we have been for a long time now.”
“William what are you saying,” Mrs. Bentini snaps, fearing she knows exactly what he’s admitting to.
“I’m trying to tell you that Kathy and I have been seeing each other, off and on, for years.”
When the full impact of what he is saying hits her, she responds, incredulous. “But William, that’s not possible. You and Alison are engaged to be married.”
“I’m breaking the engagement as soon as Alison gets back from Europe.”
“William Leonardo Bentini. How could you!” Mrs. Bentini demands furiously.
“Marella, don’t berate the boy. This is not the time nor the place. Can’t you see he’s hurting?” Without saying another word, Mrs. Bentini turns to leave the waiting room, practically running into Antonio and Tiressa as they are entering.
After a slight pause, Tiressa and Antonio move further into the room. “Mother,” Antonio allows his cool gray eyes to rest on her indifferently. “Hello Mrs. Bentini,” Tiressa greets warily. Distressed by Mrs. Bentini’s contemptuous stare, she attempts to loosen her entwined fingers from Antonio’s, but he holds her hand securely, giving a little squeeze of reassurance.
With narrowed angry eyes, Mrs. Bentini goes on the attack. “I suppose you two knew all about this!” she storms at the couple—one standing tall and resolute, the other uncertain and unsettled.
“Leave them alone mom, this has nothing to do with them,” William immediately comes to their defense.
“Oh, doesn’t it?! You were happily engaged to Alison until these two started carrying on!”
“I told you that Kathy and I were seeing each other years before Tiressa ever came into the picture, so you can just stop it!”
Dr. Phillips clears his throat as he enters the waiting room, effectively putting an end to the family quarrel. Everyone gathers around him anxious to hear what he has to report. “Ms. Walters has suffered significant brain trauma that has produced a diffuse cerebral edema.”
“What does that mean in English?” Will asks tersely.
“The impact caused bruising and swelling of the brain. Which in turn has caused increased pressure on the brain.”
“So, is Kathy in a coma?” Gabby rush to ask.
“She’s unresponsive. That’s not a completely bad thing—to a certain degree—it can be the body’s way of healing itself.”
“Is there brain damage?” Mr. Bentini asks.
“We won’t know if there is permanent brain damage until the swelling comes down.”
“What are you doing to reduce the swelling?” Will questions impatiently.
“Nothing at this point—”
“What the hell do you mean nothing?!” Will demands looking like he wants to grab the doctor by his heavily starched lapels and shake a more acceptable answer from him.
“Will take it easy, let the doc explain,” Antonio says with a supportive hand on his brother’s shoulder.
“Any attempt at direct treatment can make matters worse,” Dr. Phillips, explains calmly, having been through this unfortunate scenario numerous times in his profession.
“So we stand around and wait?!” Will’s anger bounces off the walls, but the experienced doctor remains unfazed.
“In time the swelling will go down on its own and we’ll have a better idea of how severe the damage is.”
“Look Dr. Phillips, I need to know…is Kathy going to be okay? Is she going to wake up?” Although the doctor sympathizes with the grief stricken man, he can not, will not, give false hope or lie about the young woman’s dire situation. “The outcome of Miss Walter’s comatose state will depend on the cause, location, severity, and the extent of neurological damage. I’m sorry William, but the truth is, we don’t know what we are dealing with right now, and we won’t until we give it more time.”
“How much time? A few hours, a day, a week? What kind of time are you talking about?” Tiressa exclaims, leaning into Antonio’s solid strength.
“Comas can last anywhere from several days to several weeks. In more severe cases, a patient can be in a comatose state well over five or six months…years even. We will work towards a speedy recovery, while keeping in mind other probable outcomes.”
“Shit!” Will growls, turning away so that no one sees him blinking away the moisture springing to his eyes.
“I’m scheduling another MRI and that should give us more information. We will continue to monitor brain activity,” Dr. Phillips apprises them and then asks, “Has Ms. Walters’s family been contacted yet?”
“We will get them here as soon as possible,” Mr. Bentini assures. “Thank you Dr. Phillips, for taking time to speak with us. We appreciate all you are doing for Katherine.” Mr. Bentini and the doctor shake hands. “Kathy is very important to our family,” he states capturing his wife’s attention. “Isn’t she Marella?”
“Yes. Yes, she is.” Mrs. Bentini agrees, her remorseful gaze resting on William.
***
“She looks so peaceful…like she’s sleeping.” Tiressa whispers, stroking Kathy’s arm. As she sits down in the chair at her bedside, she prays for the tiniest sign that her friend is conscious.
“Yes,” is the whispered reply from William on the other side of the hospital bed. They both stare at Kathy’s still form hooked up to all manner of devices monitoring her every breath and body’s function.
“Mr. Bentini—”
He gently interrupts her, “No, Tiressa, please call me William. You are my brother’s girl, pardon me—you are my brother’s lady.” His lips lift in a tiny smile. “You know that’s what he calls you—his lady.”
Although his words please her, she can’t seem to find a smile as she glances over at the man who has always been so fiercely intimidating to her. “I have to know…” her hesitant voice trails off. Not quite brave enough to look him full in the face, she nevertheless asks, “Do you hate me too? I know now is not the time to talk about…” her voice trails off again, but she finishes before he can answer and she loses her nerve, “I never meant to come between Antonio and your mother or cause disharmony in your family…”
“Tiressa, you know my brother, he will let no one direct his life, and that includes our mother.”
“Yes, he can be very determined.”
“Which is a nice way of saying that he is as bullheaded as an ornery old Billy goat,” William says with fondness and
they share understanding smiles.
“Ah, I see you are amusing my lady with your wit. Here is the contact information for Kathy’s parents,” Antonio says handing an index card to his brother.
“I can call them, if you like,” Tiressa offers, wanting to do something for Kathy.
“No thank you, this is something I need to do.”
“I understand.”
They both watch as Antonio place a kiss on Kathy’s forehead, whispering to her, “It’s time to wake up Kathy-girl, you’ve punished him long enough.” Standing up next to Antonio, Tiressa whispers to Kathy, “Yeah Kathy, we need you. Please wake up!” her voice wobbles and Antonio takes her in his arms as she quietly sob. “Come on Ti, none of that,” he whispers rocking her gently, “Kathy wouldn’t want you upset like this and it’s not good for the baby.”
“Tony,” she gasp, turning big embarrassed eyes to the man standing quietly observing them.
“Well big brother, you’re the first to hear our happy news,” Antonio announces, unable to contain his excitement.
“Congratulations,” Will reaches out to shake his brother’s hand, but his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Thanks,” Tiressa adds quietly, unable to meet the other man’s scrutiny.
“Let’s get you home. Will call me if anything changes or if you need me—you know I’ll be here for you.” Will nods in acknowledgement of his brother’s support. “You take Tiressa home, make sure she gets some rest,” his glance slips down to her belly, “I’ll call if I need to. Before leaving, Ti places a kiss on Kathy’s forehead.
Chapter 3
“Mr. Bentini, Mrs. Bentini,” their accommodating chauffer greets as he opens the limousine door for them.
“We are going to head on home Jake,” Mr. Bentini says, ushering his wife into the luxurious vehicle.
“Yes, sir.”
Mr. and Mrs. Bentini ride in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until Mr. Bentini decides to speak what is on his mind.
“Marella you’ve got to put a stop to this.”
“I can’t help how I feel Dominic. Is it so wrong for a mother to want the best for her children?”
“No Marella, of course it isn’t, but you are hurting the boys. They can not help how they feel. Is it wrong for them to want to be with the women they love?”
“Yes! If they are the wrong women! And they are Dom. Oh, I don’t have anything against Katherine or Tiressa, I think they are wonderful girls. However, I want my sons to have wives who bring something substantial to their marriage…who can elevate them. I want my children to have what we have.”
“They do have what we have Marella! They have love! And that is everything! If you refuse to accept that, you will destroy our family. You will rip asunder all that we have nurtured and built together. You know that I speak the truth. We raised our boys to be strong and independent.” Taking his wife’s chin in his hand, he tilts her face up to his, speaking softly, but resolutely, “You know you will lose if you force them to choose between a mother’s love and their woman’s love.”
The limousine comes to a smooth stop and the door swings open almost immediately. Jake patiently wait for his employers to exit the vehicle, dutifully pretending that he is not aware of the strain between them and the cause. Indeed, all of the mansion staff knows about the family drama and has long since taken sides.
As soon as Mr. and Mrs. Bentini enter the mansion, they go their separate ways. Mr. Bentini thinking that no matter how long it takes he will continue to help his beloved wife see the error of her ways. Mrs. Bentini contemplates how awful it has been to have one son estranged from her and how much she doesn’t want another son refusing to be in the same room with her. But mostly, she’s afraid that her husband is right…she will lose both of them if she persist in throwing down edicts and trying to force them to live their lives according to her wishes.
***
William quickly gets to his feet as the nurse enters the waiting room with an anxious looking couple following closely behind her. “Mr. Bentini, this is Mr. and Mrs. Walters.” As they shake hands and exchange stiff greetings, the nurse hastens to continue, “I’ve informed Mr. and Mrs. Walters that the doctors are examining their daughter and will be with you all shortly.”
“Thank you Nurse.” He can’t remember her name, but he appreciates her kindness—she was one of the few people in the Intensive Care Unit who didn’t give him a hard time when Kathy was first brought up.
“Mr. Bentini, how is Katherine? Have there been any change since the last time we talked? The nurse wouldn’t say,” an overwrought Mrs. Walters clings to her husband’s arm.
Seeing that she looks to be on the verge of collapsing, Will urges her to have a seat. “No, I’m afraid there has been no change. She has been unconscious since the accident. As the nurse said, the doctors are examining her and when they finish hopefully we’ll know more.” It suddenly hits Will that these people are Kathy’s parents—his future in-laws. Looking into their worried faces, he wonders if they know about his relationship with their daughter.
Dr. Phillips and Dr. Campbell walk into the waiting room with similar solemn expressions. Not giving the doctors a chance to speak first, Will quickly introduces Kathy’s parents and then, between one breath and the next, pounces, “Well? Is she awake? Are there any changes?!”
Dr. Phillips takes the lead, “I’m sorry William, Mr. and Mrs. Walters, although it appears that some of the swelling and pressure on the brain has decreased, there have been no significant changes. Kathy hasn’t regained consciousness.”
While the Walters comfort each other, Will explodes, “What the hell is going on Dr. Phillips, you said we would know something in twenty-fours. Damnit, it’s been at least forty-eight hours and nothing has changed, she’s laying there—no eye movement, no twitches, nothing!”
“Mr. Bentini, this is not uncommon. Sometimes the contusion is so severe that the nerves are sheared—”
“You keep throwing all these fancy medical words at me and I want it plain and simple! Is she in a coma or not!”
Dr. Campbell takes over, “It’s not a matter of simple words, Mr. Bentini,” he says with a trace of impatience in his tone. “Sheared is a term used to describe how severe the damage is to nerve cells in the brain. I’m sure we don’t have to tell you that brain tissue is very delicate, it doesn’t take much too potentially cause disruption of neural pathways—”
“I don’t need to know all that, I just want to know when she’s going to wake up and I want to know now!” The tension between the two men is palpable. “I know this is difficult, but we simply don’t have enough information,” Dr. Campbell states undaunted.
Observing the antagonism between the two headstrong younger men, Dr. Phillips intervenes, regaining control of the discussion. “Mr. Bentini, you brought me here for my medical expertise in this field. I assure you that if there was anything more that could be done to improve Ms. Walter’s condition, we would do it. But, I’m sorry, there is not. We must continue to do exactly what we are doing. Katherine being unconscious is the body’s way of helping to heal what can be healed. We’ve got to give it time and pray for the best.” His optimistic gaze encompasses Kathy’s parents as well.
“Doctor, may we see our daughter now?” Mrs. Walters asks, not caring which person replies as long as someone takes them to see their child.
Dr. Campbell immediately escorts the Walters to Kathy’s room. William considers accompanying them, but then decides to give the anguished parents time alone with their beloved youngest daughter.
***
“I’m sorry that we meet under such horrible circumstances,” Mrs. Walters quietly address the big man staring so intensely at her unmoving daughter—her breathing so slight that the rise and fall of her chest is barely discernible. He holds her small lifeless hand as if by his touch he could will her to regain consciousness. Although the Walters pondered his exact relationship to their daughter, neither could bring t
hemselves to question the reserved, imposing figure.
Will glances away from Kathy long enough to acknowledge her mother’s softly spoken words. “Yes. I wish this had not happened. So many things have changed.” Wanting his to be the first face Kathy sees when she wakes up, Will selfishly remain in the chair by her side.
Mr. Walters turns from the window. “Kathy doesn’t speak about her job much, well, not anymore,” he says, not sure if he is trying to fill the void or searching for answers. “When she began working for your mother, it was Mrs. Bentini this and Mrs. Bentini that. She always spoke very highly of your mother.”
“Yes…and then one day she just stopped. No more talks about the Bentinis,” Mrs. Walters adds. “Kathy just clamed up,” she says eyeing the younger man suspiciously. “Kathy works for your mother, but you are here with her. Do you mind telling us why?”
“Mom, how is she?!” Kathy’s sister, Emily, burst into the room, but comes to a halt the instant she notices Will sitting in the bedside chair holding her sister’s hand. “Who the hell are you?” Emily demands antagonistically—who does he think he is, her mother should be sitting there!
Will slowly gets to his feet, facing the titan-haired, highly polished, slightly older version of Kathy.
“Emily!” Mr. and Mrs. Walters are quick to admonish.
“I’m William Bentini. Kathy and I…” his words falter, “Kathy works for my mother—”
Emily cuts him off, “We know. But that doesn’t explain why you are sitting there holding her hand.”
“Emily, please, stop this at once. Now is not the time.”
