Sad Songs and Waltzes [Evan Buckley]

Chapter Three: Emergency Rooms and X-Rays

Hallie:

The blonde heavy-set nurse was getting Hallie's vitals when Buck came back into the emergency room. It was weird the nurse was getting her vitals in the lobby. However, she had informed Hallie it was because the emergency room was very busy that night.

"Hey." Buck whispered, taking a seat beside Hallie.

Hallie smiled at him; her arm propped up. The nurse was getting her blood pressure.

"Your pressure is a little high, baby." The nurse said. "I think your hand looks broken too, which can cause a spike."

Hallie nodded at her. "I don't feel any pain."

"You may not from the adrenaline." Buck said.

His presence made her skin feel on fire. It was absolutely insane she invited him to stay with her. It was even more insane he had agreed to stay.

"Are you on any medications Ms.Hallie?" The nurse asked.

"Celexa 40mg for anxiety." Hallie said, mentally taking a note she forgot to bring it.

"Any chance of pregnancy?"

Hallie nervously looked to Buck. He was staring at her; his face had no expression.

"I suppose the chance is never zero."

The nurse nodded, charting the information Hallie had provided.

"OK, just go have a seat in the center and someone will be out to get you here soon."

The lobby was basically empty. An older man sat on the edge of the seats won his phone. There were two rows of seats, Hallie chose to sit in the back. Buck followed, sitting beside her.

"Why did you leave your fiancé at the alter?" Buck whispered.

Hallie met his gaze.

"Normally I would lie and come up with a less sad story." Hallie spoke.

Buck shook his head. "I want the real reason."

"It was domestic violence." Hallie spoke, her voice shaky. "We were together for three years. Teo of those years he hit me almost every day. He had me beat down so low that I thought I deserved nothing. He made fun of my family, of my dreams, who I was. He wanted me to be a cookie cutter version of myself. He wanted me to be a trophy wife he could show off."

Buck looked too stunned to speak.

"Do you want to know why I stayed?" Buck asked.

Hallie nodded.

"I have a date waiting on me. She invited herself to dinner with my friends. She is a great person. However, she doesn't have the spark I'm looking for. I'm avoiding her so I don't have to do the inevitable and break her heart."

"You should tell her." Hallie said, "She deserves to find someone who does see the spark in her."

Buck nodded. "I plan to when I get back."

"You don't have to stay with me, Buck. We just met. You don't even know me."

Buck shrugged. "Maybe I want to know you."

Hallie smiled. "You can stay then if you want to."

"Why did you stay?"

"Hm?"

"Why did you stay if he hurt you?" Buck asked, his eyes trailing down to her feet.

That's the question of the century, Hallie thought.

"We didn't always have bad moments. Max was kind, a hard worker, and loved his family. He made sure I had everything I needed and would take care of me. He just didn't want me to be Hallie. He was embarrassed by my parents and the way the spoke."