Free Thirty Happens by Elizabeth Butts Page B

nodded miserably, fat tears pouring down my face.
    “Who is he?”
    “His name is James. I don’t know his last name. We are b- both interns at the Beacon.”
    “Thank you, Karyn. We’re going to take you to the ER to get checked out. We’re going to need to take a full statement once you get an all clear, okay?”
    I nodded again. My head was starting to pound with pain. I was suddenly aware of the metallic taste of blood on my lips and in my mouth.
    I looked behind me and saw James face down with cuffs being secured on his wrists.
    “Sir, you have the right to remain silent…”
    That was the last thing I heard before everything went dark.

chapter ten .
     
     
    I t was quiet.
    That was the first conscious thought I had after everything went dark.
    Quiet.
    Slowly sounds started to creep into my mind.
    Footsteps.
    Beeping.
    Hushed voices
    My mind opened up a little bit more and allowed me to be aware of more of my surroundings, sensing that I was safe.
    I hadn’t opened up my eyes yet, but I knew that it was light out. I was bundled tight in a bed, apparently, and the slight smell of disinfectant cleaner wafted up from the sheets and tickled my nose.
    I heard a small whoosh next to me and felt a tightening on my arm.
    The last tightening on my arm was…
    I shot up in bed, clawing at the mysterious thing on my arm, squeezing me. Trapping me.
    “Karyn?”
    My mother’s nervous voice spoke to me.
    I looked around the room wildly, but not seeing.
    “Breathe, baby girl.”
    I took a shuddering breath, trying to calm my head, my heart, and my nerves.
    The room around me slowly took focus. I saw flowers and teddy bears stacked up on the window. I took in the machines that were plugged both into me and into the wall. Looking at my arm, I realized that my new attacker was just a blood pressure cuff. Finally, I looked toward the end of the bed and at the concerned face looking back at me.
    “Mom.”
    My voice was hoarse, the single word cracked as it fell out of my lips.
    “Hey, sweetie.”
    My mom’s tear stained face was the most beautiful sight I’d ever seen at that point in my life. I thought I’d never see her again.
    “Karyn, sweetheart, don’t cry. You’re safe. You’re going to be okay.”
    I hadn’t even noticed the tears falling down my face until they dropped onto my arm.
    “Mom, I can’t feel my face. Why can’t I feel my face?”
    “Probably all the pain medication. Or the swelling. The doctor should be here shortly, now that you’re awake. He’ll be able to explain everything, I’m sure.”
    I leaned back in bed, suddenly exhausted.
    Ow.
    I reached back and touched the back of my head, shocked to realize that I was somehow missing a bunch of hair. I didn’t recall getting the back of my head shaved recently. I looked to mom with confusion.
    “You needed some stitches. The back of your head was split open so they had to shave you to get to the skin.”
    “The car.”
    I started shaking a little as the image of a fist coming towards my face quickly flashed through my head.
    “The what, sweetie?” Mom leaned forward to be able to hear me better.
    “There was a car. When he hit me, my head kept hitting the car.”
    Tears formed in my mom’s eyes at the words spoken, but she didn’t let them fall. She was trying to be strong for me. Trying to hold it together for me.
    Thank God.
    A sign of sympathy right now would tear me down and I couldn’t do that right now.
    The staccato of purposeful footsteps sounded like they were getting closer and then stopped outside the room as I heard a light tapping on the door.
    “I understand that someone has decided to join us.”
    A short, rounded woman in bright pink pants with a Strawberry Shortcake scrub top walked in with a smile on her face. I couldn’t help but smile at the image she presented. It was like visiting an older, country grandma. All she was missing was an apron and some apple pie.
    “Just a short time ago, Cindy.”
    Mom and this