“Of course, naturally.” I say, though it’s anything but. If my child were on the brink of death, had his SKULL cut open, I certainly wouldn’t be anywhere but by his side.
“Thanks, honey. Let us know if anything happens.”
I watch, stunned silent, as he waltzes back out of the PICU without a backward glance at his son. I barely make it to the bathroom in time to purge my body of this encounter.
Ephraim 16.
“Bastard screamed like a little girl. Apparently, he can dish it out, but he can’t take it.” Zeb snarls at the lifeless body in front of us.
“Prospect.” Ash bellows. Benji comes running down the stairs from the garage above us.
“Yes, sir.”
“Take out the trash, then get yourself a drink.” Benji nods his understanding to Ash, as we all make our way upstairs and outside.
“I can’t believe he shit himself. I mean, I’ve seen guys piss themselves, but no one has ever defecated.” Levi says disgustedly.
“I’m marking another square on my BINGO card.”
“What the fuck, man?” I choke out, staring at Zeb. “BINGO? When did you become a 70-year-old church lady?”
“I got bored last week, so I was making a list of interesting things that have happened to me while on the job. Then, I was talking to a friend of mine in Beachwood and we were swapping war stories. Guy has seen some fucked up shit, so we came up with this BINGO idea. Winner has to shave his head and super glue the hair to his balls…like a merkin.” He laughs to himself while Ash, Levi and I just stare at him.
“What is a merkin?” Ash asks, then shakes his head rapidly, “Never mind, I don’t want to know.”
“It’s a pubic wig.” Levi states.
“I said ‘never mind’!” Ash yells then walks inside the clubhouse.
My phone ringing saves me from continuing this enlightening and disturbing conversation.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Garrett.” Priscilla breathes out and it sets me on edge.
“You ok? Are you done at work?”
“I’m done. Do you think…I’m sorry, would you mind if I come over?”
“Anytime, baby. Are you alright to drive?”
She breathes a sigh of relief that is palpable through the phone. “Yeah. I’ll be there in about a half-hour. Thank you.” She whispers out before hanging up. My heart races, not liking how she sounded, though I’m happy to see her.
About 40 minutes later she pulls into the parking lot. Jumping out of her car and running towards me where I stand at the entrance. I pick her up when she wraps herself around me and sobs into my neck. Without a word, I carry her to my suite and sit down on the couch with her in my lap.
We sit for a while, as she gets whatever she needs to out of her system. Her tears soaking my shirt, her hands digging into my skin, but I don’t want to let her go. I don’t like that she is upset, and I can’t do anything about it.
“God, I’m so sorry. Tonight, was just…it was bad.” I run my hands up and down her back.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I need to. But I need to sit here while I do it. Is that ok?”
“I will never be upset that you are in my arms, sweetheart.” I kiss her temple, “When you are ready.”
Taking a deep breath, she tells me about the little boy and her concerns about abuse. “I called the police and CPS, looking through his hospital chart I was flabbergasted by how many trips to the ER he has had, how many x-rays his pediatrician has ordered. But no notes about intervention. I don’t understand how nobody has delved deeper. This boy has lived all his life like this.” She shakes her head, sitting up in my lap. Her hands forming fists and her jaw clenched.
“The father said his wife was at home, distraught. Distraught? At home?” She screeches, getting mad. It’s not the right time, but damn she is sexy when enraged. “If our child were injured, you wouldn’t find me sitting at home! I’d be there and I certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to harm a hair on their head!”
“Our child?” I ask, smiling.
“Well, yeah. I kissed you and licked your tongue, so you’re mine. Playground rules apply.” She crosses her arms across her chest, giving me a stern raised eyebrow in challenge. As if I would challenge playground rules.
“Just checking it wasn’t a slip.” I kiss her on her lips, just a reassurance that I’m here for her.
“I might blurt things out without thinking first, but I don’t lie or say things I don’t mean.”
“Good to know.” She deflates suddenly at my words, resting her head back on my shoulder and snuggling close.
“I stopped to check on Elead. I couldn’t leave the hospital without holding him. Are you…are you mad?”
“B’shert.” I say sternly, upset that she would think that. “Of course, I’m not mad, you visit Elead whenever you want or need.”
“Thank you.” She says, her voice small. “I’ve seen mothers and fathers weep at their child’s side for hours, days. I’ve seen parents shut down emotionally because it was the only way for them to deal. I’ve seen parents drop their kids off like the hospital runs a babysitting service. But, Gar, he might have said some of the right things, his eyes, though, his eyes were cold, dead. There was nothing there. I have seen the destruction man can cause, but I’ve never felt like I was in the presence of true evil. Until that man looked me in the eye.” She shivers in my arms, so I hold her tighter, fighting off my own anger that someone who calls himself a man can treat his child in such a way.
“What’s his name, Priscilla.” I ask, my voice hard.
“Garrett, I can’t tell you that, you know I can’t. I reported it to the police and CPS, they will look
