“Thank you, I’d appreciate that.”
She makes her way outside, and a few minutes later Mom comes in. “Sweetie, the nurse says you need some time to rest.” She takes my hand. “We’re going to go home and have some, too. But if you need us, we’re only a phone call away.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She looks like she’s going to cry as she leans in and rests her forehead against mine. “I love you, baby girl.”
I smile as best I can through the pain to try and ease her concern. “I love you, too, Mom.”
She kisses my cheek and leaves me alone in the hospital room, where I hope to try and regroup my feelings and emotions.
I spend the night dozing in and out, trying to watch television and attempting to eat solid food. The nurse comes in to help me to my feet for the first time since the incident. She takes my catheter out, and I am able to use the bathroom for the first time. I’m starting to feel more human and less like an invalid as the night turns to day.
The feel of someone holding my hand, wakes me from sleep. I open my eyes before panic sets in to see Sarah standing next to me. She looks at me with a frown on her face and tears in her eyes.
“Hey,” I whisper.
“Hi.” I pull her in for a hug, flinching as she holds me oh so lightly. “Sorry, didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s fine. I feel much better than I did. I mean… I’m still sore obviously, but I know I’ll be all better soon.”
She looks like she’s hesitating to say something, so I say, “What’s wrong?”
“I heard what happened with Aiden. Do you know he’s still waiting outside? He stayed all night, hoping you’d call him in,” Sarah informs me, gauging my reaction.
“Sarah, I can’t see him,” I mumble under my breath.
“Can I ask why?”
“It’s complicated,” I snap.
“I’ve got all day. No lectures. No judgment. I’m free for at least twelve hours. Is that long enough?” she asks.
I chuckle and then wince in pain as I clutch at my stomach which seems to hurt with any sort of movement. “It’s like this… I don’t… you see… ahh, I don’t know…” I mumble back at her.
She sits on the edge of the bed. “Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on in that crazy head of yours,” she says, tapping my head lightly.
I figure if there’s anyone who can help me with this, it’s Sarah. She knows me better than anyone.
“You know when you think you know someone, but then something happens that raises alarm bells, but you put it to the back of your mind because you think it’s a one-time thing and it won’t get worse…”
“Yeah…”
“I feel that way about Aiden now, and I have no idea why. I saw a side of Aiden that reminded me of Jason in his early days, but Aiden swore to me he’d never be that man again, and now, I find out Aiden’s exactly that man after all.”
She looks at me, tilting her head to the side. “What do you mean?”
“Sarah, he has a different side to him.”
Her eyes widen. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, nothing like that. But he did assault Jason, and by the looks of Aiden…” I pause, trying to get my thoughts together because they are completely scrambled. “Aiden’s knuckles are cut up and so is his face. Are all men the same? Aiden’s father had no qualms about pulling me off a ladder,” I lay everything on the line.
She looks at me. “Honestly, all men are not the same. Look at Chris, you adore him like a brother, and he’s not violent.” Her face crinkles with worry lines. “Wait! What do you mean Niall pulled you off a ladder?”
“I didn’t tell you at the time, and Aiden has no idea, but Niall pulled me off the ladder when I fell and lost the baby.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me? We’re best friends. We’re supposed to tell each other everything. I’d have helped you get through it, and I know Aiden would have as well.”