Unpolished

Learning to Trust

Chapter Ten

Learning to Trust

(Playlist – Crash Test Dummy [Broken] by Reed Deming)

Marco's POV:

One of the nurses began speaking to Jade in a very calm voice. "Okay, Jade. On the count of three we are going to remove the tube. 1, 2, 3." Very quickly and efficiently the tube was removed, and the other nurse and I had her sitting up to help open up her passageways. I grabbed the cup of water and lifted it to her lips. "Just little sips." I told her. The nurses finished up and left the room. I didn't know what to say to her right now, so I gave her more sips of water. Having a tube down your throat was a terrifying experience, and made your throat dry and scratchy.

"Everyone out please." I looked up to see Doctor Roberts. I was relieved. "You stay." He pointed at me. "Besides, I don't think she is going to let go of your hand anytime soon."

"Good afternoon Dr. Roberts." Greeting him with a smile.

"Same to you, Marco." Doctor Roberts smiled, but it was very quickly back to business. "Jade?" She gave him a quick look with her eyes, then looked back down at the blanket, her grip tightening on my hand once more. "I need you to look at me. I won't hurt you. I just want to check you over, and ask you a few questions. Okay?"

This time, instead of looking at Doctor Roberts at all, she only looked at me. Looking into her eyes, I didn't see the crazy drugged up girl I met the first time. No, this time I saw a scared seventeen year old that had been through too much and was in way over her head. She had trust issues, and was hurting. I felt a connection. A true connection. My other hand automatically wrapped around hers, this time for protection. And as I gazed back into her swollen eyes, I hoped she could see everything I was trying to tell her; to trust me and to trust Doctor Roberts. We would be there for her. She must have seen it. She wheezed out a sighed and nodded her head before turning back to him. I felt so bad for her. I hoped we were going to be able to figure this case out quickly.

"Thank you, Jade. First let me give a quick examination, then we'll talk a bit. Marco, why don't you text a few people." Doctor Roberts never even looked at me. I knew what he was referring to. I started a group text between both of our teams:

Me: Jade woke up

Vance: Does she remember anything

Me: I don't know yet

Owen: We'll be on our way shortly

Isaac: I can't leave until my last class

Kota: Don't worry about it, it will get covered

Isaac: I'll be by the hospital after school

Me: Dr. Roberts is checking her over right now

Sean: I will want to check her over also. My patient. I ask the questions.

Luke: What about Sang?

Me: Who is Sang?

Vance: Their bird, cute little thing. Isaac, our classes end soon.

Owen: Again, we will all be down shortly. Thirty minutes. Good work, Marco.

North: All of us?

Gabriel: Quit fucking whining, North. A-L-L of us!

Owen: Mr. Coleman. Language, please.

Vance: See you soon, Marco.

"They said they all would be here in about thirty minutes. They have one more class to finish up. Dr. Green said he would ask the questions, please." Dr. Roberts chuckled and mumbled something about understanding. He was very gentle in opening her eyes so he could wave the pen light in front of them. We worked together on changing the bandages, although Jade wouldn't let go of my one hand, so I mainly held things in place with my free hand, and he did the rest. By the time we were finished, it was nearing time for everyone to arrive.