“Nurse Donna said something about you being in trouble.” His face turned serious. “Do you need help? If you need help, you can tell me.”
I glanced at the yellow flowers in the corner of the room, mocking me. “I’m fine. It must have been the meds.”
“Are you sure? She said you seemed really upset.” He patted my arm.
“I’m sure.” I pulled away. I knew if Warren happened to come in, he’d accuse me of cheating. I’d been there too many times before. Innocent friendships had cost me broken bones, cuts, and more insults than I care to remember.
“Well, you should be out of here in a few days. I’m sending your OB down to do your monthly exam this afternoon.” He stood and placed my chart back in its holder.
“Thanks.” I shifted, and it hurt. He must have seen me grimace because he stepped closer.
“Do you need something for the pain? Broken ribs can take a while to heal.”
“I’m fine.” I groaned. I’d been down this road before. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“Call me Blake.” He waved as he left.
Broken ribs? A brain injury? What else was I dealing with, and why couldn’t I remember how this happened? oooooooo
I managed to stay awake for most of the afternoon. It felt like an accomplishment since I’d been sleeping so much lately. When Dr. McGee came walking in, it was the first time I felt like I wasn’t going crazy. She’d been my doctor for years, and I remember her telling me I was pregnant.
“Hi, Brooke. It’s good to see you awake.” She closed the door as she stepped closer to the bed.
“Hi.” I smiled back. “I’m so happy to see you.” I reached for her hand. “I think I’m going crazy,” I whispered. “Where’s Ava?”
“Ava?” Dr. McGee’s brow furrowed as she stared at me. “Who’s Ava?”
“My daughter. She’s five. You told me I was going to have her six years ago. Where is she?”
“Brooke,” Dr. McGee lowered her voice, “this is the first baby that I’ve helped you with.” She placed her hand on my swollen belly. “Are you ok? Did Warren do this?”
“Do what?” I started to panic. It was happening again.
“The last time I saw you, you told me he was hurting you. I gave you the name of a shelter you could go to. I was trying to help you. Did you try to leave?” She held my hand with genuine concern, but all I felt was anger. Was everyone here trying to make me believe that I was crazy?
“I did leave. Five years ago. I left. I went on the run. I had the baby. I was happy. Finally getting my life back, and he showed up.” The words were flying out of my mouth so fast that I wasn’t sure even I believed them anymore.
“I saw you six months ago, Brooke. That’s when we discovered this little one was coming. You were here six months ago.” She rubbed my arm, but I pulled away.
“No, I wasn’t. I was on the other side of the country. He showed up and hurt me. He brought me back. Why doesn’t anyone believe this?” The beeping on the machines began to speed up.
“You need to calm down. This isn’t good for the baby,” Dr. McGee soothed.
“I can’t calm down. Nobody believes me.” I began gasping for air. The room seemed to shrink, and as my eyes scanned the area, he showed up.
“Everything ok?” Warren stepped into the room, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Fine.” I kept my answer short. I didn’t need to give him any ammunition for convincing the doctors to lock me in the looney bin.
“I just need to measure her stomach, then I’ll be all finished.” Dr. McGee smiled, but I could tell she was trying to hide my outburst. She removed a soft tape measure from her lab coat pocket, and stretched it across my stomach. “Everything looks great. I’ll be back by to check on you before you’re discharged but I expect to see you in my office next month.”
“I’ll make sure she gets there.” Warren smiled but I could tell it was forced. I watched Dr. McGee leave, and Warren take over the chair she was sitting in. He didn’t say anything at first, just scooted impossibly close. “I see what you’re doing,” he whispered in my ear. “You’re hoping one of them will save you. I don’t know how many times I have to show you that I’m in charge,” he growled. “This thing lived because I let it.” He placed his hand on my stomach, causing me to flinch. “Whether it does next time depends on you.” He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Like the flowers?” He lifted his chin and smiled. To anyone walking by, he would appear to be the loving husband. He played the role well, but I knew better. Warren was the nightmare that I couldn’t seem to escape from no matter how hard I tried. I thought I’d put all of this behind me, but now I’m beginning to wonder if any of it was real.
Chapter 2
Brooke
The next five days went faster than I would have liked. Dr. Douglas was satisfied with my progress, so I was given the ok to leave. Fear gripped me when Warren was handed my discharge papers.
He’d shown up that morning, playing the role of loving husband. He’d pretty much demanded that I be released. Since my care was manageable, the doctors ok’d it. A nurse wheeled me down to the drop-off door where Warren was waiting with his car.
He smiled as he opened the door and I slowly lowered myself inside. After buckling up, he jogged around to his door and climbed in. I waved to the
