A Touch of Sunshine (gxg)

Part 26

When I walked into the hospital room with Luca and Chester, Valerie's father was pacing around the room, and her mother was sitting in a chair by the bed.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Valerie laying in the bed. I could see the dried blood on her face and her lip was swollen and cracked open. I could see scrapes on her body, and her eyes were closed. She was sleeping, and I could see her chest moving up and down slightly from her breathing.

Seeing her in this state was devastating. Knowing someone did this to her was maddening. I felt tears spring to my eyes as I looked at her.

"She's going to be okay, right?" I heard Luca ask no one in particular.

"The Doctor's are confident she will be." Chuck said, "It seems as though there is no internal trauma, but they have to observe her overnight at least."

I looked at Chuck. "What the hell happened?" I asked him, blinking back tears.

"She was walking out of therapy and she was jumped by two people wearing masks. They did this to her and then just left her lying on the ground, injured." Chuck said, "Whoever did this is going to regret it. They fucked with the wrong person. I am sure that Headley Short had something to do with it, I know she threatened you."

At that moment a nurse came walking in.

"Mr. Maddow?" she said, "There is a call for you on the phone down the hallway."

"Thank you." Chuck said, "I'll be back."

He then walked out quickly, following the nurse.

Chester and Luca were both staring at Valerie, like they didn't know what to do.

"Chester, Luca. Why don't you tell Chauncey to bring you home?" Corrine suggested, "We will call with updates. Valerie is going to be okay."

Chester and Luca seemed relieved to have an out. I could imagine that this was uncomfortable for two teenage boys. They both said goodbye to me, but I saw Lica avoiding my eyes.

"Lucy, come sit." Corrine said, patting the chair next to her.

I sat down next to her, without keeping my eyes off Valerie.

"Did they give Valerie something to help her sleep?" I asked Corrine.

She nodded. "The pain medicine made her tired. She was in a lot of pain when she got here, and was having trouble calming down."

The thought of that broke me. I could feel tears start to run down my cheeks, and Corrine reached into her bag and handed me a tissue.

"It's going to be okay, Lucy." She said gently, "This is extremely tough for me as well, seeing her like this. But thankfully, the Doctor's predict a full recovery."

"It's just really difficult seeing the person you love in this state." I said, wiping my eyes, "Especially since Valerie is the toughest person I know."

Corrine chuckled softly, "She always has been a tough cookie. Ever since she was a little girl. I always used to tell her that the world was not out to get her. But if she cares about you, which I know she cares about very much Lucy, she is fiercely loyal. She has a good heart and will do anything for the people she loves. My eldest daughter Naomi got pregnant and the father of her son, Nicolas, is not present in his life. Valerie went with her to every single Doctor's appointment, and stayed with her in the hospital while she had the baby. All while threatening to kick her son's father's ass."

I couldn't help but to laugh, "That sounds like her."

Chuck then came back into the room, walking at full speed. "I'll be back." he said, "I am going down to the police station. Headley Short is pretty bad at lying."