I’ve been able to sort more out in my head and determine what was real, and what wasn’t. I still can’t remember how I ended up in the hospital the first time, but Dr. Blake says it takes time to remember sometimes. Warren’s been by once, but security stopped him. I decided to press charges, so a police officer is supposed to be coming by later to take my statement. Donna says it’s a long process, but she’ll stay with me as long as I want.
“Mrs. Ellis?” I looked up to see a man in a suit knocking on the doorway to my room. “I’m Detective Douglas. I’m here to take your statement.” He smiled softly and I could see the family resemblance.
“You’re Dr. Blake’s brother.” I smiled back. It was the first time I’d smiled in a long time.
“Yes.” He chuckled. “I hope he hasn’t been talking about me too much. Mind if I come in?”
“Sure.” I pushed a few buttons to make the bed sit up a little straighter. I was still pretty sore, but I’d been getting up and walking since last night.
“You can call me Cal.” He held out his hand for me to shake.
“Ok, Cal.” I nodded as I shifted on the bed. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do. “What’s next?”
“Well, the first thing we’re going to do is press charges for battery. We can’t really prove that he was trying to kill you, but he was trying to hurt you. The most important thing that you need to remember is, we’re on your side. He may try to intimidate you once we move forward, but you need to stay your ground. We’re going to use this as evidence when we file the order of protection. The fact that this fall caused you to have to deliver early, and the baby was premature is going to work in our favor. I’ve got reports from your doctor, the emergency room staff, and the nurses in the NICU. I have a good feeling that you’ll be granted the order.”
“How am I going to keep him away?” I twisted the sheets in my hand.
“Once the order is granted, he’ll be served. If he doesn’t comply, he can be arrested. If he breaks the order, you call the police.” Cal jotted a few things down on a piece of paper before looking back over at me. “Do you have a place to go when you’re discharged? A family member or friend’s house?”
“No. Warren made sure I didn’t have any friends, and my parents died years ago. I’m an only child.” I shook my head as I looked away. “He picked me because of that, didn’t he? I’m weak,” I growled.
“You’re not weak. He is.” Cal’s eyes were sad as he watched me. “Men like him are the weak ones, that’s why they beat women. It makes them feel powerful.”
“I should have left a long time ago.” I punched the mattress beside me.
“You’re leaving now. That’s what matters. Here,” he handed me a card, “this is the number for a local women’s shelter. They take women and children. They’ll help you get back on your feet until you find a place to live on your own.”
“I don’t know how to thank you.” I took the paper and squeezed it in my hand.
“Survive. That’s thanks enough.” He smiled. “I’m going to get a few more things from your doctors and then I’m going to head over to drop it all off with the DA. You should have that protection order by tomorrow night.”
“Thanks, Cal.” I waved as he left. It was the first time I ever felt like someone was really on my side. He believed me, and offered me support. I hadn’t had that in a man since I was little and my dad helped me.ooooooooo
I spent most of the afternoon and all of that night in the NICU. Ava was still doing well, but I missed being with her. I was going to be discharged the next day, but Ava had to stay. She’d be here for at least four more weeks. She had to gain weight, and start eating before she could leave.
“You wanna hold her?” Maggie smiled as she opened the door on the side of the incubator.
“Can I?” I was hopeful. I’d been bonding with my daughter solely on touches and talking.
“She’s been breathing on her own; you just need to be careful with supporting her head. Skin to skin contact helps preemies.” I watched as Maggie lifted Ava from the incubator. She turned in my direction, and I sat in a nearby rocker. I tugged my gown out the way, and Maggie placed Ava against my chest. “Just support her head,” she whispered as she removed her hands.
I leaned back in the rocker as my tiny daughter stayed cuddled against my chest. She was so little, barely the size of a small doll. The breathing tube had been replaced by a smaller oxygen tube. She still had some wires monitoring her heart rate and other bodily functions, but for the most part we were almost normal. She’d gained a few ounces over the last week, and I was hopeful she’d be moved out of the NICU in the next week.
“We’ve been offering her bottles, but she gets too tired to suck. I don’t think it’ll be long though.” Maggie wrote some things
