The Knowing by Kimberly Patton

Author:Kimberly Patton [Patton, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Highlander Press

When Ramona finally came out from visiting with Charles, it was noticeable to Lottie that she had been crying. Her stomach knotted. What would she see when she went into his room? She couldn’t bear the thought of Charles being in a fragile state. He was so strong and carried her through all of her weak moments. Now, she had to be strong for him. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

Charles lay there motionless, wires attached to his chest amidst the angry red and purple splotches covering his skin. She noticed the IV in his hand, along with deep cuts and bruises. Her eyes followed the injuries up his arm, pausing at his neck, also severely cut and bruised. Fear of what else she might see kept her gaze fixed on his throat. She closed her eyes briefly before willing herself to look at his face. She couldn’t help the gasp that escaped. The entire left side of his face was swollen with black and purple bruises. There was a gash under his eye that had been stitched. She felt the tears coming but stopped them.

Settling into the chair by the bed, Lottie took his hand. She held it to her face and kissed it.

“Charles, I’m so sorry.”

At her voice, the heart monitor beeped a bit faster.

“Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can.”

He didn’t respond.

A nurse came into the room. She looked into Charles’s eyes with a light.

“Why isn’t he awake?” Lottie asked.

“He has a concussion. He’ll come out of it,” the nurse assured, checking the fluids and making her notes.

Mathilda knocked on the door and stepped in. “Your mother is here. She’s asking for you.”

Lottie nodded and followed her out into the hall.

“Would it be okay if I stay with you? Just until Charles can come home. Your house is closer to the hospital.”

“It’s okay with me. You and your mother will have to hash out that request.”

Her mother stood quietly talking to Regina when Lottie entered the waiting room. Her features were taut with emotion as she rushed over and embraced Lottie tightly.

“I’ve been so worried. What happened?”

“Something happened to Charles’s brakes, and we crashed through some trees,” Lottie said, sparing her mother the worst of the details. “I called 911. He’s been unconscious since it happened.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she recalled the accident.

“Oh, my God. When I think of what could have happened….”

“I’m fine, Mom,” Lottie said, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “That’s Charles’s mom, Ramona, over by the nurses’ desk.”

“He looks very much like her, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. Mom, would it be okay with you if I stay with Mathilda for a few days—or however long it takes for Charles to get out of the hospital? Her house is so close to here, and I can visit him longer.”

Her mother’s hesitation sent her into a near panic. “Please, Mom? I can’t be away from him. Not like this,” she broke off in a sob.

“Oh, honey, you must be so scared for Charles.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.