Sky checked and double checked her medical chart.
Bella had finally shown up after being MIA for the past couple of weeks. She hissed loud enough for Sky to hear her from the other side of the door. “What am I supposed to do, REMI!? Am I supposed to wait forever? Charlie might not ever regain consciousness! And, if she does, she’ll need around the clock medical care. Kane and I are in no position to give her what she needs.”
Another argument—round one or maybe a thousand. Every time they were in the same room there were fireworks. Sky tried to ignore them.
“You’re her goddamned mother! Charlie can feel your presence. Or, in this case, your absence. You’re supposed to be here. Charlie’s not a pet. You can’t just come around when it’s convenient!”
You have a point there, Sky thought.
“I’m being realistic. Kane and I can’t abandon all of our other responsibilities!”
“What other responsibilities? It’s not like you’re promoting a movie. You are living off my dime! What’s the difference between living off of my money from the comfort of the home I pay for or this hospital? Charlie needs you here, not chasing Kane all over the goddamned world.”
Sky saw movement on Charlie’s face. Although her eyes were closed, they twitched, which wasn’t all that unusual. Only, it looked more like a blink, as if she were reacting to her parents arguing. When a slight crease formed across her forehead, Sky started to wonder if Charlie was still under.
She remained quiet as she observed the girl’s reactions.
Bella couldn’t contain her anger. “Why does it always come back to money?”
“Because it’s my money!”
“Regardless. Kane is none of your concern. But if he has to leave the country, I’m going with him. He has obligations.”
Sarcasm dripped from his lips. “For argument sake, let’s pretend he has a real job. If I can run a billion-dollar corporation from this hospital, then so can he.”
Sky wanted Kane to leave. Something in her gut told her he was the cause of Charlie injuries. Then the guilt hit her. It was actually never too far away considering she and Remington were in this weird sexual place—almost like they were in a holding pattern—waiting. Sky had never told Remington about the bruises or her suspicions. What if I were wrong? But what if you were right? The thought turned her stomach.
Bella was still putting on an award-winning performance. “Like I said, what Kane does or doesn’t do is none of your business! You should be happy, singing from the rooftops even, that I’ve made this decision. So, I don’t understand why you are fighting me. You’ve always wanted custody of Charlie. I’m giving it to you.”
“Physical custody. Not legal, but I plan to change that.”
Those words caused Charlie’s face to scrunch up as if she were in pain.
Sky saw it. Slowly, she placed the metal chart back into the holder on the wall above the bed. Charlie was awake. She was pretending to be unconscious. Sky wasn’t 100% sure and decided to test her theory. “I had parents like them. They drove me nuts.”
Charlie didn’t respond. She didn’t move at all.
Sky continued. “I know it might seem easier, but you can’t hide forever.” Moments of silence ticked by. Sky didn’t think she would answer. She didn’t know if it were even possible for her to respond, but then Charlie spoke. However, she didn’t open her eyes. Her voice was hoarse, a raspy whisper from not using it over the past few weeks. “They wouldn’t care.”
Excellent. She remembers her parent’s fighting in the past and how it makes her feel. A positive sign for her cognitive responses. Sky made a mental note to write that down in her chart before sitting on the edge of Charlie’s bed. She continued to watch her intently. “It might not seem like it, but that’s not true. I’m sure both of your parents love and care about you very much.”
Charlie didn’t respond.
Sky pushed a little harder. “What do you remember about them?”
Moments passed. “They hate each other, and sometimes they hate me.” Charlie said it matter-of-factly. Then she asked. “Can I have some water?”
Sky’s heart went out to her. She knew that I don’t care routine all too well. “How about some ice-chips instead?”
Slowly, Charlie nodded.
Sky went over to the table that had the ice in a little bucket. She scooped some up in a cup and walked it back to Charlie’s bed. She placed an ice-chip on her lips and rubbed it across before allowing her to take a small one inside her mouth. “We’re going to have to take even the ice chips slow, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good. Where was
