“Oh fuck. I’m so sorry, Lanie. Are you okay?” Missy shouts.
“Um. No,” Lanie responds touching her head and coming away with blood. So much blood.
The sheriff who I didn’t realize had come in lifts Lanie out of the booth and they exit. I turn and look at Missy who has slid to the floor and is sobbing and struggling to breathe. The manager Missy recently hired, Lisa, is already cleaning up the mess.
“I’ll send a repairman to fix the window today. I am going to get Missy home now.”
“Of course. Let me know how she’s doing,” Lisa says.
“Will do.” I head over to the heap on the floor that is Missy and lift her up into my arms. I carry her out to my truck and put her in the passenger seat.
“Hagen. Oh my God. Do you think she’ll be okay?” She asks. “We have to go to the hospital.”
“Yeah. I am sure she’ll be fine,” I say heading for the hospital. We get out and walk into the ER. “Nephew! How is she?” I shout as soon as I see him in the hallway.
“I don’t know yet,” he responds looking shaken up.
“I’m so sorry, Erik. I don’t know what happened. I picked up a container and was about to fling at your uncle when it flew out of my hand. I would never hurt her or anyone in your family,” Missy says.
“I know, Missy,” Erik says offering a tight smile.
Missy begins to cry leaning against the wall. I walk over to her and though she is tense in my arms initially, she eventually burrows into my chest and sobs. A doctor comes out and scans the room settling on Erik.
“Morris. Is she ok? Can I see her?” Erik asks. He must know this guy or something.
“She is ok. She has suffered a severe concussion and as a result lost consciousness. She is awake but groggy. And she is going to have a migraine for at least a week. I wouldn’t leave her alone during that time. Nor would I leave her with the baby. She has ten stitches, which will need to be removed in about ten days. If all else checks out, she can go home in the morning. You can see her now.” Erik takes off and leaves us in the waiting room.
“Oh my god,” Missy mumbles, feeling like shit. “She’s gonna hate me.” I shake my head, but I know she’s not hearing me right now.
“Let’s get you home and into bed.” Her tearstained face is red and splotchy. Once we’re home, she puts on actual pajamas and climbs into bed. I have never seen her wear pajamas.
“Will you hold me?”
“Of course,” I say stripping down to my boxers and I get into bed beside her.
Tomorrow I will go over to Erik and Lanie’s and make sure everything is okay, but I am sure it will be.
Chapter Ten
Missy
I feel horrible. There is no way I would have hurt Lanie on purpose. I have no clue what has gotten into me. I am inclined to think that maybe Hagen is right. Maybe my hormones have gone defcon 30. Right now, though, I just want to stop crying. Usually being in his arms is the remedy, but it’s not working right now.
“Baby, please can we stop the medication for a bit? I know how much you want this, but it is destroying the woman I love. To be honest, our marriage is suffering. I want us to get back to us, reevaluate in a little while, and decide together.” I hear what he is saying and the rational part of me agrees. But the emotional, woman part of me is not trying to hear it.
“Have you changed your mind now?” I would die.
“Fuck no, baby. I want a family with you so much. But there are other ways we can go about it. Look at Brand and Jaymes. We don’t have to decide that right now. Right now, I want you to get your body back and for us to get…us back. OK?”
What else can I say to that? He is right. Plus, adoption is another alternative. I can’t deny that he would be a great dad. Blood or no blood. I think it is time to wave the flag for right now.
“Ok Hagen. I will make an appointment with the doctor in the morning. I love you so much.” I say, wrapping my arms around him and holding on for dear life.
“Love you to Missy.”
We are sitting in the doctor’s office and although I know we went over this, I feel like we are giving up too soon. But if it will somehow save my marriage, I am willing to try. One thing is for sure, it would be nice to not feel like a pincushion hopped up on bipolar meds.