I slowly open my eyes and tried to look around but the light was too bright.
"Turn... Turn light off."
I tried my best to speak, my throat feels irritated.
"Don't speak too much babe, you had a tube in your throat."
The light went off and I tried to look around again.
Moms, Trell, Keisha, Laysia, Mon, Taj, and Ray.
"Bout time you got up boy. Had a nigga worried for a minute man but I know you strong."
I wanted to chuckle but it just came out in a strong cough.
Someone grabbed my right hand as they kissed my forehead.
"Get better so we can get you out of here son."
A nurse walked in and flipped that bright ass light back on.
"I know the light will mess with your eyes but I have some questions for you Mr. Smith."
"What I want you to do is hold someone's hand. I'll ask you yes and no questions. 1 squeeze is yes, two squeezes is no. Understand?"
My mother grabbed my hand again and I squeezed it one time.
"Yes."
The nurse did some stuff on her laptop.
"Are you in any pain Mr. Smith?"
I squeezed my mothers hand one time.
"Yes he is."
"Pain scale 1-5 or 5-10"
I squeezed moms hand 4 times.
"He squeezed 4 times."
"Your at a level 4 Mr. Smith?"
I squeezed one time.
"Yes he is."
"Now your throat Mr. Smith. You had a tube in it, so I'm sure its a lil irritated. I need you to take small sips of water and you'll instantly but slowly feel it getting better. And I also need you to eat something. Baked potato or mashed potatoes?"
"I know that answer, mashed potatoes."
My mother was right. I'll take mashed potatoes over a bake potato any day.
"I'll be right back Mr. Smith."
I tried to slowly nod my head.
Everyone sat around me quietly.
"In case you wondering bro but I know you can probably feel it. You got hit in your chest, your stomach, and your shoulder."
My thoughts went back to Ray and I sitting in the car and gunshots ringing out not even 5 minutes after we pulled up.
I turned my head slowly and looked at Ray.
Her expression said it all, she got news for me.
"Babe I have to get to work, I get off at 11 tonight. I'll be back to spend the night and I'll be here tomorrow. I love you. Ford tough, let's get you home."
Keisha kissed me with her soft lips as she scratched my head as she always does.
Its crazy when I first asked her to do it in high school she thought I was crazy.
Now its a habit of hers, I love getting my head scratched.
She flipped the light off as she left.
The nurse came back and put medicine through my IV then gave me some water to sip on.
Taj held the cup as I slowly raised my head to take small sips and Laysia slowly fed me mashed potatoes.
Before I knew it the meds kicked in and I dozed back off.
Shot 3 times?
Somebody wanted me dead.
YOU ARE READING
What Doesn't Kill Me...
General Fiction19 year old Tajanae has been in and out of trouble since her younger years. She has a drug dealing brother who has no respect for anyone and will protect her with no regret. Her mother and stepdad try their hardest to keep her step brother and siste...
