Monkey Wrench

Chapter 17

I inform Dax about the rest of the PT eval that they weren't there for along with answering all their questions. It's kind of relieving talking about all of it. But, maybe that's because I don't have to deal with this alone.

With bright green eyes staring into my soul, "Are you okay?"

My hazel eyes grow dark and my hair falls into my face, "I said I'm not doing that with you."

"I'm not doing it. I'm concerned. With everything that's happened and going on, you've been completely fine this whole time."

"I think that question should be turned on you. What's really going on Dax?"

With green eyes growing distant, "How is this so easy for you: being here, surrounded by doctors and nurses with your past? Acting like nothing's happened and just going with the punches?"

"Because that's exactly what's going on: going with the punches. I can't do anything about what's happened to me. It's not easy, you saw that when I woke up, but what good is it going to do me? I need to get out of here, but I can't. I'm not acting like nothing's happened. My father is just blocked from my brain. I refuse to let him get to me. Dax, what else is there?"

Dakota is completely defeated as they lower their head into my lap. I instantly ask, "Hon, what is it?" while stroking their hair.

"Remember when I said I wasn't planning on any of this when I pulled you from the house?"

"Mmhm"

"Well now, it's a constant reminder of my mother and the fear I had of telling you about any of this."

"Your mother?"

"Yeah. She ended up in the middle of something and something didn't go as planned and she was caught in an explosion. She was on the outskirts of it so she wasn't dead right away, but she was shortly after arriving at the hospital."

"So, you don't like hospitals either?"

"Not exactly. It's situational, and we're in a fucked up situation. I didn't tell you about the mafia because I didn't want something similar to happen to you. Even though my mother knew the life, something bad still happened. I didn't want to bring you into this world knowing that I could hurt you by doing so. But now that we're in this spot, that's exactly what's happened."

I can sense someone's coming, so I don't respond. I keep stroking Dakota's hair trying to soothe them. It's just the physical therapist bringing some stuff in. We exchange pleasantries and he leaves. I think he could sense that we were in a conversation because he leaves without looking back.

I lean down and whisper to Dax, "Wanna go outside?" Dax nods their head yes, so I press the call button so we don't have to go scout someone out. And, wheelchair transfers aren't that urgent. They already come in here like clockwork checking on different things so who knows if that time is close by too. After some time the medical assistant, Mary, comes in. I explain what's going on and she gladly agrees to help us out.

As Dax starts to sit up, I eagerly ask, "You ready to go on an adventure?"

"No, but you are."

"Help me up?"

"Always."

Dakota helps me out of the bed and into the wheelchair and hands me a blanket. Not long after, Mary comes in to take us outside. As soon as we leave my room, we take the quickest route off the unit to the left. I'm just paying attention to my surroundings as this is the first time I've been out of that room since I got here and I don't remember being in this hospital before. It's definitely a nicer hospital. One that has money or a lot of charity and donations. It doesn't fit in this location, but knowing the underworld of crime now, that kinda makes sense. Mary has to use her badge and a pin number to get into the next section. The lab people look up at us then continue going back to work.