by Jill Downey
“Did you catch that?” Ella said.
“Which part?”
“The part about rest.”
“Oh, I thought you were talking about where he agreed with me, the beautiful part,” his lips turned up slightly, but his eyes remained closed.
She ignored this last comment. “I’ll increase your morphine drip to see if we can get ahead of your pain.”
“Get some rest,” Dr. Thompson ordered as he left the room.
Kyle opened one eye to peer at Ella as she pushed buttons on the IV drip dispenser, increasing his pain medication. He noticed her thick glossy brown, almost black, hair, which she currently wore pulled back from her face, accentuating her delicate features and large hazel eyes.
“Are your eyes green or brown?” he asked drowsily.
Ella smiled, knowing that morphine was kicking in, “Depends on the day Mr. Bennett.”
“Green with shards of amber mixed in,” he continued, his speech slow and slurred.
“Enough about my eyes, on a scale of one to ten what is your pain level right now?”
“Six. Progress, down from a twelve.”
“That’s good then. I’ll be back in a few minutes; I’m going to check on those details for you. You heard the doc, get some rest.”
“Ella?”
“Yes?”
“You’ll find out about my son?”
“Yes.”
“That’s good then,” he said closing his eyes.
2
Pain. Stabbing searing, throbbing unbearable... Oh Jesus…My head. My leg…thrumming ache, I can’t avoid the pain…It’s engulfing me…get me out of here…where am I… is this hell?
Ella walked in to check on Kyle Bennett the following day and discovered him moaning with his bed covers thrown off and beads of perspiration on his brow. Ella put her cool palm against his forehead. He felt warm to her touch. Without thinking she brushed back a stray lock of hair from his forehead. Swiping her thermometer confirmed a slight fever. Infection was always of great concern.
Ella gently gripped his shoulder and leaned in close to his ear, “Mr. Bennett wake up. Talk to me. You were crying out,” Ella said quietly.
Kyle opened eyes that were glazed with pain. “I’m dying here. The pain is unbearable.”
After increasing his morphine drip, she pulled the sheet back further and removed the bandage from his upper thigh to check the wound. She wrangled her curious eyes away from the large bulge brushing against her hands as she cleaned and redressed the leg. Honestly Ella get a grip.
“What can I get for you? How about something to drink besides water?”
“I could use some juice or ginger ale, or a shot of your best bourbon,” he replied weakly.
Her smile lit up her entire face. “Ah, a bourbon man. Sorry I can’t help you out with that, but we have two out of the three. Must be your lucky day, so what’s it going to be?”
“Soda,” he croaked out through his parched throat, the corners of his lips turning up slightly.
“I’ll be right back with that.”
Despite Kyle’s pain, he watched as she walked out the door. Even in scrubs, he could see she had a killer body. Runner maybe? Great ass, long legs, curvy hips, full breasts, and today her eyes were almost brown with flecks of amber sprinkled in. The morphine had to be kicking in because five minutes ago he couldn’t focus on anything but his pain and now he was undressing his nurse. The miracle of drugs. He could still feel where her hand had been resting on his forehead.
“Here ya go,” Kyle watched as Ella punched a straw through the lid of the Styrofoam cup. She leaned over as she held the drink close to his mouth. He was just about eye level with her chest. As his lips closed around the straw he glanced up and their eyes met…he knew she’d caught him staring at her breasts. Had he been imagining her eyes lingering on his mouth? She quickly looked away, breaking contact, but not before a current of awareness ran between them. She had felt it too. He might be high, but he wasn’t delusional.
“You sure you want to bring a wretch like me back to life?”
“It comes with the job,” she said, smiling.
Wide toothy smile, tiny gap between her two front teeth. Damn this drug was going to make him start saying things better left unsaid.
“Your assistant is here to see you; I’ll send her in if you feel up to it.”
“Yes, I need to talk to her. Thanks.”
“I’ll give her five minutes tops and then I’m kicking her out.”
“Gotta love a dominatrix.”
“I’m glad we understand each other,” she said.
“Wow, you look like hell,” Elenore said by way of greeting. “Could you try not scaring the shit out of us ever again?”
Voice weak but determined he said, “Hello to you too. Where’s Finn?”
“Your in-laws came to get him this morning and they took him back to their house for the time being. Your sister is flying back early from Fiji she’ll be home by the end of the week. Your little brother is MIA. Your sister said she’ll be happy to help out with Finn.”
“Did the nanny say she’d stay on considering this new development?”
“She can’t. She already committed to her new job which starts in three weeks. She needs at least a week to pack and put her affairs in order. She is expected in Rome, by the first.”
“Damn.”
“Your in-laws are happy to keep him as long as they’re needed. Between them and your sister Faye, you have nothing to worry about except getting better. We’ll all make sure he gets dropped off and picked up from school. As long as you find someone before school lets out for summer, we’ll be in good shape. They told me to tell you to focus on yourself. They’ll bring Finn for a visit soon. We all thought it best to wait until you look less, um, scary.”
More bruises were starting to appear, and he was sporting a couple of very colorful black eyes. The lump on his forehead was now about the size of a pool ball.
Shifting uncomfortably on her feet, Elenore hesitantly continued, “Your parents are flying in by the end of the week.”
“God damn it! Why the hell did you call them?”
“Maybe because they’re your parents?”
“Fuck me! That’s all I need.”
“Kyle, they had to be notified.”
“Why, so my father could come here and bust my balls?”
“Maybe he’s changed.”
“Yeah and maybe pigs can fly.”
“Just try not to think about it. You have a few days before they get here.”
“Maybe they’ll reconsider and stay in Palm Springs.”
“Doubtful. Your mom was pretty freaked out.”
“What a nightmare. Mother is always freaked out. So dear ole Dad decided to let Mom come visit their good-for-nothing son.”
“See maybe he has changed,” she said smiling.
“Whatever.”
He grimaced as he tried to move, “How are things at the office?”
“Things are being handled. The staff are all picking up the slack and Pete will be going over your case load to make sure he stays on top of everything…in other words let it go.”
“What about the class action suit?”
“Covered.”
“The Encino files?”
“Assigned to April Jones.”
“The affordable housing development?”
“We now have two groups opposing the development. The environmentalists and now the community abutting the land are getting in on the mix. They don’t want low income houses so close to their million-dollar homes.”
“Great. My father will be thrilled to hear about this.”
“Kyle you are going to have to let go of control here for the time being. You’ll be missed but things are being handled. You have a partner and a great group of lawyers to take up the slack while you’re mending.”
Kyle blew out his breath, leaning his head back against the pillow in defeat. His pallor combined with t
he dark circles under his eyes clearly gave away his pain and exhaustion.
“You are lucky to be alive.”
“That’s what they keep telling me.”
“It was touch and go but the doc thinks you’ve turned a corner. You’ve got a long road to recovery, but at least you’re almost out of the woods. Just focus on getting stronger.”
“Whatever,” he said.
“How old are you? Don’t be so recalcitrant. And be cooperative with the medical staff, you need them on your side. If you behave like an asshat it will come back to haunt you.”
“Go away. I hear you loud and clear,” he said, eyes closed as if trying to shut out what his assistant was saying.
“I promise to keep you updated, on a need-to-know basis,” she said, bracing for his rebuttal, surprised when he didn’t respond.
“Kyle?”
“I heard you.”
“Get some rest. You need your beauty sleep,” she said.
He lifted his good arm and wiggled his fingers at her in response without bothering to open his eyes.
Elenore sighed, knowing her boss all too well. The nurses would be in for a real treat with this patient, especially when he began to feel better. He was brilliant, stubborn and demanding without an ounce of patience. That virtue had completely bypassed Kyle Bennett. She was glad she wasn’t the one in charge of his rehab.
“I’m leaving now. I’ll check back in a few days.” She left the room without any acknowledgement from him, typical Kyle, but after working for him for the last six years it hardly registered. He didn’t have time for the niceties of social behavior. He was much too driven for that.
“It was absolutely the best snorkeling I’ve ever done!” Several days later, Faye, Kyle’s sister, was regaling them with tales from her Fijian experience. “Part of the day was spent on the island of Modriki, where Tom Hanks filmed Cast Away. It was so exotic. I could live there…as long as I had a boy toy to share it with,” she grinned.
Ella was struck by how different she appeared from her brother. From what she could tell, almost complete opposites. Faye had a cheerful disposition that was contagious. She was the farthest thing from cynical Ella had ever encountered in an adult. Kyle seemed just as taken with his sister’s charm as she was, and they appeared to have a strong sibling bond.
Suddenly, a tall elegant woman rushed into the room exclaiming, “My chéri! Oh mon Dieu! You could be dead! Look at you, you’re all broken.”
“Mom,” Kyle said weakly.
“Kyle, my baby.” She leaned down and kissed her son on his cheek, her large brown eyes misty with unshed tears.
“Ella, my mom Giselle Bennett, Mother meet my nurse, Ella Palmer,” Kyle said.
In a heavy French accent his Mother said, “My pleasure, tu es belle.”
Ella blinked and Kyle said, “She just called you beautiful.”
Giselle said, “Now, chéri, tell me, how is my son?”
They all turned as a male voice said, “Yes, how is our son?”
An older version of Kyle with graying hair stood in the doorway, not approaching the bed.
“Father so glad you could make it to my funeral,” Kyle said.
“Glad to see the accident didn’t affect your caustic wit,” James Bennett replied to his son.
“Mon amour, my angel is hurting. Stop right this minute with your bickering.”
“Ella this is my Father, James Bennett.”
Ella noticed that her patient seemed distressed. The room which had been full of joy and laughter a moment before was suddenly filled with tension. “Pleased to meet you all. I will leave a message with the doctor that you’re here. He can fill you in on your son’s progress. Overall, he is improving daily. It’s just going to take time. I do think you should limit your visit to a half-hour at a time. He needs lots of rest and no stress.”
Turning toward Kyle she said, “I’m leaving for the day. Deb is next on shift. Enjoy visiting with your family.” His dark expression told her how that was going to play out.
“Nice meeting you,” Faye called out.
“Faye it was my pleasure. You are a wonderful storyteller,” Ella said warmly. She liked Faye and would have loved to hang out with her longer. She was intriguing and someone Ella could picture as a friend.
“A bientot,” Giselle said.
Nodding his head stiffly James Bennett said, “Good day.”
“Working tomorrow?” Kyle asked.
“Yes, see you tomorrow.”
Giselle had quickly sized up the interaction between her son and the beautiful nurse and immediately began matchmaking.
“Kyle, your nurse is beautiful and kind. You need a maman for little Finn. Enough time has passed chéri it is time to settle down again.”
“Don’t start maman.”
“Those tarts you bed are a waste of time. You’re no better than your brother.”
Kyle’s eyebrows rose, “How would you know that? Have you been checking up on me maman?”
“I have my ways.”
Kyle’s forehead furrowed with pain as he moved to find a more comfortable position.
“Oh, my baby, you are in pain. I must call for your doctor immediately!” she exclaimed.
James Bennett interrupted his wife before she could make good on her threat, “Giselle enough! Quit coddling your son. He is a big boy and under excellent care. His nurse was just in here for God’s sake!”
“But…”
“No but’s. He’s fine. I’m sure Kyle brought this on himself. Racing around recklessly like an irresponsible playboy.”
Giselle gasped at her husband’s callousness as she placed a hand on her heart. “How could you say such a thing? Our son could have been killed. Have you no heart?”
Kyle said nothing but his eyes burned with anger. Faye, seeing this, said, “Listen, Mom, Dad, let’s give my dear brother here a break and go get a bite to eat. He’s tired and in pain. You heard Ella. No stress! Bickering will not help him one bit.”
Kyle had closed his eyes attempting to shut out his family. “Yes please, go. Father no need for you to return. No reason to pretend you give a shit.”
“Suit yourself.”
“Mon bébé, we shall return. Of course, your papa loves you. You are too alike. What am I to do with you both?”
Faye tried herding her mother out the door before more damage could be done. She had witnessed the look of hurt in her brother’s eyes before it had been concealed behind his insolence. Her father had always been hardest on Kyle, the first born.
Somehow, she and Griffin had managed to escape their father’s harsh criticism growing up. She had always felt guilty about that. She had gotten away with everything. Compounding her guilt was the relief she often felt at being spared. As the only daughter, she had rarely been denied anything and had flown under her father’s hypervigilant radar. She knew this was in part due to Kyle running interference in order to spare his younger sister and brother. She in turn had always idolized her older brother. In her mind he was nothing short of a hero.
“See ya in a bit,” she called out to Kyle.
“Take your time. And come back alone.”
3
The family had all agreed that it was time to let Finn visit with his father. He had been hospitalized for almost a week and the insecurities arising from keeping him away were becoming more harmful than any possible reaction to Kyle’s appearance.
“Finn this is Ella. Can you say hello?” Faye asked.
Eyes downcast, Finn nodded his head shyly, “Hi.” The dark smudges under his eyes tugged at Ella’s heartstrings. He looked so small and lost standing in the long hospital corridor that she wanted to gather him up into her arms and protect him. All of her dormant maternal instincts suddenly kicked in.
Crouching down so she could meet him at eye level she said, “I’m your daddy’s nurse. I’m here to help him get better. He is very strong and even though he might look scary bad to you right now he is doing really wel
l.”
Peering into his father’s room he said, “Why is he groaning?”
“He has some pain, but we gave him more medicine to help and he is already feeling better. Would you like to go in and see him?”
“Yes please,” he replied. His large blue eyes framed with dark lashes looked like mini versions of his dad’s.
Faye held up her phone and said, “I’m going back to the waiting area. I have to call Mom and give her an update, if that’s all right with you?”
“That’s fine, I’ll take it from here.” Standing Ella held out her hand and he slipped his tiny palm into hers. “I’ll be right here with you okay? You don’t have to worry about anything. It’s up to me and his doc to take care of him. Just seeing you will help him feel better,” Ella said.
“I’ll be right back little man. Ella will take good care of you,” Faye said.
Looking up at Ella as they entered Kyle’s room, Finn said matter-of-factly, “My mom’s in heaven.”
“That means you’ve got an angel looking out for you.”
He nodded, then said earnestly, “She must be busy ’cause my dad can’t be with me much account of he has to work all the time. I’ve got a nanny.”
“You do? You are so lucky you have someone there just for you. That means your daddy loves you very much.”
“Yeah. ’Cept she’s leaving.”
“Aww that’s too bad. I’m sure there’re a gazillion nannies out there that will love taking care of you.”
He shrugged.
Kyle hearing their conversation met Ella’s gaze, eyes shuttered. Ella observing the scene through Finn’s perspective knew how fragile his father must appear to him. Tubes everywhere, a cast on one arm, bandages on his head, cuts, scrapes and bruises. Had to be frightening for the little guy.
“Daddy?”
“Hey buddy, come over here. I’ve missed you!”
Finn stood frozen. Ella suddenly had an idea, “Finn, you won’t hurt him as long as you’re gentle.”
“Are you sure?” His slight frame shook as he began to cry, “I don’t want you to die, Daddy!”
“Finn I’m not going anywhere. Come over here,” Kyle said, his voice gruff with emotion.
