The Boots My Mother Gave Me by Brooklyn James

Author:Brooklyn James
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 1461054397
Publisher: Arena Books
Published: 2010-08-08T14:00:00+00:00

My memory ended when the last warm ray of color disappeared from the sky, as I sat in the hospital at his bedside. I stretched my arms over my head, accompanied by a yawn, momentarily closing my eyes, when all of the sudden the bed started rattling. I jumped up and went to him, realizing he was fighting against his restraints.

“Miah,” I spoke soft, controlled, approaching the head of his bed. “Be still love. You’ve got to quit fighting.” I gently ran my fingers through his hair. He listened, relaxing his body. His skin instantly wet with sweat from exertion.

His eyes searched mine in disbelief. “Where am I?” he whispered, his voice raspy.

“You’re in the hospital. They sent you home, Georgia, PA baby.” I smiled, trying to ease the anxiety in his expression, as well as my own.

He reached for me, unable to find me as the restraints held him down. He banged his fists and kicked his legs against the bed. “Why am I tied down? Am I crazy or something? Get me out of here, Harley, please.”

I put my hand in his. He squeezed firmly, settling. “You’re pretty banged up.” I grinned, looking at his bruised flesh, holding back the urge to cry—again. “You fractured your back in a few places. Even broke some ribs. And you won’t stay still. That’s why they’ve got you tied down,” I explained, kissing a small spot on his forehead, one of the only areas left unscathed.

“What time is it? What day is it?”

“It’s quarter after nine in the evening. And you better put your earplugs in because it’s the Fourth of July. I have a feeling we’re in for some fireworks. I got caught behind the parade today,” I warned casually.

“It’s the Fourth of July? I’m in the hospital on the Fourth of July?” Making an attempt to smile, he winced. “Does my face look as bad as it feels?”

I shook my head, taking him in with my eyes. “Still handsome as ever.” It was good to see him, to be near him.

“Why do I feel so out of it? I could fall asleep talking to you right now.” The pain pump sounded. “And there goes that damn beep again. What is that? I’ve listened to that all day.”

I chuckled lightly. “Morphine.”

“No wonder I feel like I’m doped up.”

“From what I hear, dealing with the grogginess is a walk in the park compared to the pain.” The morphine must have taken effect, as his eyes grew heavy.

“Do you think since its Independence Day, they’d let me free of these things?” He pulled against the restraints.

“Maybe. If you’d promise to be vewy, vewy quiet, and still as Elmer Fudd when he’s hunting wabbits,” I mocked. We loved Looney Tunes as kids.

He attempted to smile, catching himself as the pain shot through his bruised cheekbone. He squeezed my hand. “I’m glad you’re here.” His eyes closed, he was out again, asleep.

I pulled my chair closer to his bed so I could hold his hand as he slept, a reminder I was there.

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