Celina's Lover

18- Phone call

'Hello.' She said as soon as the two lines got connected. 'Hi, how is Sara doing? Is she still having those panic attacks?' Tim asked. 'She's doing well. She got released today around 4 PM. She seems way more relaxed here at home than in the hospital and she hasn't had one yet, so we're praying it stays like that overnight.' She explained, as she sat down on the edge of her bed. 'That's good to hear.' There was a short pause. Lucy caught herself thinking about things to ask to keep the conversation going. She couldn't help it. She couldn't help but desire to hear his voice. She needed to just hear his voice talking normally to her like nothing ever happened. 'Now I think about it. I don't think I've ever seen you this concerned for a rookie.' She tried to keep the conversation going. 'Well my other rookies didn't get shot. It's my job to check in on them.' He lied.

'Bull! That's not why. This is something personal, what is it?' She asked, not planning on letting this slide. All that time, he was laying on his bed, but now it had become serious. He sat up right and let his fingers glide through his hair. The easiest thing to do was to lie, again. Saying she was wrong and that it had nothing to do with him, but then he would disappoint her again. 'Okay, maybe I'm just trying to look after her a little more like I did before.' He sighed, slowly giving in. Lucy smiled to herself. She knew how hard this was for him. Talking about his feelings and letting that high protective wall crumble to the ground wasn't something he did with ease.

'I don't really know. I just want to be there for her.' He added. 'Can I take a wild guess.' Lucy asked. She began to wander through her bedroom, thinking about it. 'Go ahead.' 'Can it be that you're feeling guilty of her getting shot? You saw her getting shot right in front of your eyes, because you let her go first. You've been thinking about it over and over again. About what would've happened if you went up front instead of her. If you would've gone first and been the one to open that bedroom, you would've been the one to catch that bullet instead of her. You couldn't stop thinking about it, so you keep visiting her, trying to make up for the times you didn't.' Tim was dumbfounded. It was like she was writing his biography. She had just put words to everything that had been spinning around in his head for the past days. After a moment he responded.

'Wauw... Leslie said the same thing.' The shock could be heard in his voice. Lucy frowned. 'Wait, who's Leslie? Are... Are you dating someone?' She asked, trying as hard as possible to keep the jealousy and anger under control. 'Oh no. No, not at all. Leslie is...' He tried to find the right words. 'Do you remember that morning you had to ride with Sara because I had a doctor's appointment?' 'Yes...' Lucy was still confused. 'That was the first time I went to see Doctor June Leslie. She's my therapist.' He explained, scratching his neck. Lucy could hear in his tone how uncomfortable this conversation was for him.

'Wait, you're in therapy.' Now Lucy was even more shocked. 'Yes, I thought with everything that is going on-' He tried to explain, but Lucy cut him off. 'Finally... I mean, it was about time. You're clearly going through a big upheaval right now and I think studying your character and finding your inner self would do you really good in terms of cleaning your mind. Maybe even making some emotional growth. You can really benefit with a new and fresh perspective on your psyche and life choices.' She was now slowly pacing through her bedroom while she heard Tim laugh over the phone. 'I really hope that wasn't offensive, because you really know how to make me feel dumb, don't you. I didn't get a word of what you just said.' Lucy stopped walking. 'Right, sorry. What I'm trying to say is: you made a good decision starting therapy and I really hope it helps you in finding yourself again.' Tim smiled relieved. He had been talking to Lucy, scared he was going to mess it all up again, but that slowly faded with time. 'Thanks...' he said, but then it became quiet. Both wanted to keep talking, but had no idea what about.

'How are you by the way?' Tim asked, breaking the awkward silence. 'I'm fine, just a bit tired by everything that's going on, but I'll be fine. Did you get the copy of Jess Harold's report? You still need to put in your statement.' She said. 'No, I haven't seen it yet, but I'll check it out later.' Tim answered. At that moment he heard a hard thumb followed by shattering sounds coming from the other line. 'What was that?' He asked. 'I don't know. Hold on.' She answered. With the phone to her ear, she made her way to the living room. When she opened the door, she saw Sara on the ground next to her wheelchair. The floor around her was filled with shattered glass. 'Sorry, I have to go.' Lucy said to Tim, slightly panicked. She put her phone in her pocket and rushed over to her.

'Sara, are you okay? What happened?' Lucy asked, kneeling down next to her to help her up. Sara stuck her hand out and Lucy pulled her up slowly. 'Ahhh.' Sarah growled when she felt the pain running through her leg. Lucy held her up and lowered her back into the wheelchair. 'I fell.' She answered Lucy's question. Her answer was true, but not very helpful. 'Yes, I can see that, but why? Where is Celina?' Lucy continued asking as she pulled the wheelchair a little back, so she could check Sara out. A big piece of glass had made a cut on her arm. 'Celina was taking out the trash and I got thirty. I went to grab a glass, but I couldn't reach it. I just stood up and the next thing I knew I was falling to the ground and the glass too.' She explained while Lucy got the first aid kit from under the kitchen sink. 'I didn't even lean on my right leg.'

As Lucy addressed the wound Celina came through the door. 'I'm back. Oh, what happened?' She asked just as shocked als Lucy was a minute ago. 'Your girlfriend here decided to get herself a glass of water by getting out of her wheelchair.' Lucy explained like she was talking about a little girl. Celina walked over and looked at her wound. 'You are so stubborn. I was gone for three minutes. I asked you if you needed anything beforehand.' Celina shook her head. 'I'm sorry, I thought it wouldn't be such a big deal.' Sarah apologised. 'Not good enough. You heard what the doctor said. That medication you're taking for your anxiety, it messes with your balance and concentration. She also said that you weren't allowed to stand for one week.' Celina argued. 'I know, but I just want to be able to do things by myself.' 'And you will once that week is over.' Lucy merged herself into the conversation. Trying to prevent a bigger argument. 'Celina, can you take over for me? I'm gonna go clean the kitchen.' She added. Celina nodded and finished cleaning the wound. 'I'm sorry about the glass.' Sara apologised in an attempt to make things right again. 'Don't worry about that. Just worry about yourself. Clearly it isn't enough if only me and Lucy worry about you. You're gonna kill yourself one day.' Celina joked.

'I'm done.' Celina cleaned up the stuff she used and when she looked up she saw Sarah yawning. She smiled and took the hand she just treated to her mouth and gave it a small kiss.. 'Alright, that's enough for today. Let's put you to bed.' Sara was tired and didn't argue with her. Lucy finished vacuuming the kitchen and looked at the clock. It was 10:30 and she had a shift tomorrow, so she needed to be up early. She knocked on Celina's bedroom door. 'Come in.' Someone shouted and that was what she did. She saw Sara lying in bed with her head on Celina's lap. 'I just wanted to say goodnight.' She explained. 'Goodnight.' Sara said back. 'Goodnight and don't forget to talk to Grey tomorrow.' She said to Celina. 'I won't, good night. Lucy closed the door and went to bed as well.

Next part: November 14th 2024