Man of Mystery (25 page)

“Oh Brandy”, he kisses her hand,” You had a really bad car accident and someone t boned you.  Luckily it was the passenger side so it didn’t hit you as hard as it could.” He grimaces at the thought and shakes his head, “We are all lucky.” And he takes her hand placing it on his face cheek.  She smiles at his warmth.

“How long have I been here?’ she asks

“Just going on 2 days, it happened Monday afternoon.  Tiffany has been by and she just went to meet up with your mother to bring her here.” He tells her.

“Oh boy” wincing with the pain, Nathan notices and frowns.  He pushes the button again for the nurse obviously displeased that she has to deal with this, “It’s Ok, I can handle it.” taking a deep breath she asks, “How long have you been here?”

“Monday when it happened I was the first one here.  The police saw I was the last person you spoke to and called me.” Looking into his eyes she tears up wishing so desperately to hold him.

“Thank you” is all she gets out before the doctor and nurse are back to check on her.  The doctor changes her meds to help with the pain.  Checking her over since she is awake and doing whatever they do since at this point
she is totally clueless.  Just wanting to go home is all that is in her head.  They finish telling Nathan she needs her rest, he nods in understanding as they leave.

The new meds kick in and she is very tired.  The pain has eased up but she can’t keep her eyes open.  Looking at Nathan with a small smile, “Thank you for being here, I woke and thought I died and went to heaven when I saw your face.” Her eyes are not staying open and the last thing
she sees now is his sweet smile as he kisses her lips.  Whispering in her ear “I love you Brandy” Feeling a soft tear drop that is not mine touch her face with a slight smile before she drifts off.

Waking up and having no idea what time it is, looking around in a haze.  Nathan isn’t here anymore but Brandy sees her mom.  She is holding her right hand and looking intently at her with her motherly concern.  “Hi Honey, how are you feeling?” she asks softly.  “I’m really thirsty mom, did they leave anything to drink?” asking in a whisper.

She gives her some more ice chips and a little bit of water that is melted helps soothing her dry throat.  She sighs, much better and her head isn’t hurting as bad.  Brandy looks back at her mom seeing a tear in her eye.  “It is going to be ok mom, I’ll be ok!” she says.

Biting her lip she stifles the tears, “Oh sweetie I don’t know what I would have done if I lost you.  The doctors said you will fine, you just need time to heal.”  Seeing she is fighting her emotions to not start to cry really not wanting to make her cry.

“I’m feeling better already mom, did you see Nathan?” trying to change the subject since she would rather talk to him or Tiffany to get the details because knowing her mother she will just start to bubbler over every details. She lights up when she says his name and she assumes they have met already while she was sleeping.

“Oh what a handsome boy he is.  My goodness darling you never mentioned how attractive he is!” she proclaims.  “He is so sweet too; he has been by your side for the past 2 days until you woke up earlier today.  He waited for me to get here and then we made him to leave to get some rest.  The poor dear looked exhausted; I don’t think he has slept since the accident.” And she is fading back again.

“Mom?” trying to bring her back not wanting to cross that path of what ifs right now, I’ll get the details later. “So have you seen Tiffany?”

“Oh yes she is here now, she just ran to the cafeteria to get a bite to eat.” She says matter of fact.

“Well, have you eaten?” Brandy asks speaking of which when was the last time she has had any solid food?  “When am I going to be able to eat, I’m starving?”  She asks.

“Let me get the nurse to let her know you are awake.” hitting the call button.  “I’m so glad you are going to be ok.” She states “Your father and sister are very worried about you.  I’ve been keeping them updated daily on you progress.”

Brandy takes another sip of water her stomach growls.  Feeling much better that her body isn’t feeling as sluggish as before wishing Nathan was here now.  The nurse comes in and is happy to see she is awake.  My mom states that she is hungry and she should get her something to eat.  The nurse does a quick check up on her then uses the phone to order her a very bland dinner.   She explains to Brandy and her mother that since hasn’t eaten in a few days we need to keep it simple.  My mother agrees since she is a mom and the nurse heads back out of the room.

Tiffany comes back in and is ecstatic to see she is awake.  She insists on Brandy’s mother to go to the cafeteria to get something to eat and call home to let them know she is doing fine.  Tiffany will stay here until she returns.  As always thanking her lucky stars she has Tiffany.  Don’t get her wrong she loves her mother but this is too emotional for her to handle right now and she needs some answers.

After her mother leaves, looking at Tiffany with the, tell me what happened look, we both know so well!  She knows, “Are you really ready to hear everything?” She asks knowing Brandy is still not completely well but her mind is finally feeling solid.  Just before she starts an attendant comes in with some lame meal of jello, broth, and a juice.  How lame she thinks but he explains since she hasn’t eaten in days and we need to see if you can hold anything down before you can have a ‘solid’ meal.  She nods slightly as he leaves.

As she looks at Tiffany
, “So how bad am I?”  Knowing her left arm is in a sling although her head doesn’t hurt as bad as earlier.  She begins to eat her meal slowly so she will hopefully get some decent food.

“Ok” She starts “You were hit by some jack ass running a red light and he had a big ass truck.  It hit the passenger side of your precious ‘lud’ and crushed it but not enough to crush you thank God.” As a tear slips from her eye and she wipes it away. “From what I have been told of the accident report it slammed you into the driver’s side door which cracked your head right there” as she points to a spot below her hair line and she reaches up with her right arm to feel the stitch mark she now has right at the hairline above her left eye.  Oh shit that is going to leave a mark. 
Assuring Tiffany she wants her to continue with a nod.

“Well, you also hit really hard on the door which is why your shoulder was dislocated but it is better than a break from what I have been told.  You suffered a concussion also and that really sums up in lay men’s terms of why you are here today.”  She stifles a tear too because she cares and had to retell the story.

Grabbing her hand thanking her as she nods while tears fall from her face “Brandy, I am just so happy you’re going to be ok, we were all so worried when you came in unconscious and we saw the damage to “lud’ we thought the worst.” she hugs her with such warmth of close friendship.  Feeling Tiffany’s tears fall on her cheek Brandy tears up too.  Trying to lighten up since she feels ok
pain medication obviously helps
, she pouts slightly, “So is my baby gone? Did ‘lud’ make it too?’

“No, your baby took the worst of the hit. I don’t think she can be saved but think of it this way, she did save you by taking the hit and not letting you get crushed.” She sighs but quickly brightens up to tell her more. “You should know that Nathan has been by your side since the accident.  He has stayed here every day while I took care of your mom coming in and everything.  He refused to leave your side until you woke up.  Since you woke up this morning I finally got him to leave to go home and get some sleep!  He really adores you Br
andy.” She states the obvious with affection.

“Tiffany” Brandy sighs “He told me he loves me this morning.” looking at her not sure what she should do or say since she passed out right after he said it.

“Really!” She exclaims, “I knew it! What did you tell him?” she asks excitedly.  “I was really drugged up and I fell back to sleep when the nurse came in.”  Frowning which hurts as she touches her head.

Tiffany can see
her discomfort, “It’s OK, but look on the bright side, he said it first!” as she smiles at her “You will have your chance to express how you feel when it’s right.” Taking her hand she rubs it comforting herself as well as herself knowing Brandy is alive which makes her feel better that she didn’t say what she felt when drugged up.  She would rather say it when she is coherently able to acknowledging the words so to speak.

Finishing her meeker meal drifting off again as Tiffany holds her hand, gazing at her tearing up knowing that she is the best friend ever.

His whole life felt like it was hanging in the balance when he received the call from the paramedics.  He couldn’t believe it, it wasn’t real and when he showed up at the hospital seeing her unconscious it hit him like a rock.  He almost lost her today and how life can be so short.  Never again will he think less of living for what is here and now.  She has given him life willing her to not let go, wanting her forever to be his.  He loves her more than anything in this world.  She isn’t only his soul mate but the love he has been looking for.

Chapter
18

Awaking to what she thinks now is Thursday morning with her room flooded with flowers.  If they were there before she never noticed but she does notice Nathan by her side again holding her hand.  “Hey sweet heart, how are you feeling?” He asks softly

“Much better now that you are here.” smiling warmly finally not having a parched throat.  “What time is it?” asking not really caring but trying to get back to reality.

“Its 5 am” as he checks his watch, “Are you hungry?” he asks

“Extremely, they only gave me jello and broth, seriously I am famished!” she says.  He hits the call button for the nurse.  “How long have you been here?”

“Since midnight, I went home to sleep for a little while since your mom and Tiffany where her to stay with you.  I’m sorry.” And his look of concern melts her heart like he feels bad for leaving her. 

“Oh Nathan, you are only human, you need to sleep, I’m ok. Tiffany filled me in on what happened somewhat and my ‘lud’ is gone.  I wanted to ask her but I was tired, is the other person ok? The one who hit me?” concern now showing on her face grasping the whole situation.

“That son of a bitch deserves to be thrown in jail for what he has done!” anger she has never seen before coming out of him her look of surprise softens his anger. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable but really his excuse of running that light put you here today.  It’s just not right.  He says he was running late to work but seriously that’s no excuse in my eyes to do what he did.  You are lucky to be alive!”  He sighs understanding his frustration.

The nurse comes in and Nathan asks about breakfast for her.  Really wanting to go to the bathroom but she seems very intent on what Nathan is asking. Yes she knows her boyfriend is gorgeous but seriously she needs to take care of the patient which is her. HELLO!  Clearing her throat loudly glaring at her, “I need to use the bathroom!” she blushes to excuse Nathan out of the room.

She helps her up feeling good to be back on her legs.  It’s awkward to have someone assist her into the bathroom but still having an IV in her arm.  She politely turns as while she sits on the toilet, “So, is that your boyfriend if you don’t’ mind me asking?”  “Yes” Brandy snaps back at her. Here she is sitting in on a toilet relieving herself and seriously you’re asking!  She doesn’t like this new nurse thinking she won’t tell Nathan but her mom or rather Tiffany.  That is just not right.  As she stands with wobbly legs finally see herself in the mirror look like she was run over by a Mack truck.   Trying splash water over her face as her supposed nurse final gets out of her day dream about her boyfriend to tell her to stop.  Having stitches on her forehead the nurse expresses she shouldn’t use water on them yet.  Scowling at her and ask for at least a comb to get the tangles out of her hair.

“My apologies Ms. Swine, I’m really sorry for saying that; here let me help you.” she sits her back down brushing out her hair out making sure not to come near her stitches.  “Here” as she hands her a mirror, “You look much better and I think your hair will hide any signs of stitches for now.  Just be careful with them until they heal.  The plastic surgeon did them very nicely so the scar should be minimal and if you are not happy once it heals you can always have more plastic surgery done to remove any scar tissue.”   Looking in the mirror she does look a little better but she would love to be able to wash her hair along with her body.  You just feel yucky when you haven’t cleaned up in days!  Warming up to her knowing that she didn’t ignore her intentionally, Nathan can be distracting so she forgives her in her mind.  She is being very sweet trying to make up for her innocent admiration of him.  Brandy finally gets to brush her crusty teeth feeling better she helps her back to the bed.

Nathan comes back in with a tray of food.  Oh it’s more solid not caring how it tastes because she is so hungry.  The nurse tells her that she will be back in a little bit to check on her as she nods politely at Nathan.  It is much better behavior in Brandy’s eyes, so she lets her mishap of giving too much attention to Nathan slide.

“So when can I go home?” asking Nathan between mouthfuls of food. 

“They said you seem to be recovering just fine and you should be able to go home tomorrow.  Speaking of which, I have Grace staying at my apartment since I have enough room while you have been here.  We discussed it with Tiffany and until you are Ok it was an easier plan so she doesn’t have to sleep on the couch or anything at your apartment when you come home.  Is that Ok with you?” he checks for her response.