The Dysfunctional Affair

Home Again, Home Again

Zeke was snoring quietly in a chair when I opened my eyes. His head had dropped down, his chin nearly touching his chest. The room was mostly dark, the lights from outside filtered through the windows, giving it a strange glowing look. There was too much light pollution to show any stars, and I had a moment of sadness. I was obviously not at home. The sky at my house was only somewhat polluted, you could see the bright stars.

I listened to Zeke snore. I knew where I was and why I was there. Funny what the brain remembers even when it doesn't want to. The threat was obviously real now, the panic I'd been feeling earlier was quiet, leaving my mind available to think. My inane chatter had probably saved my life. He might not have been really sure about killing me, but the need to cover his tracks would have eventually won out over his desire not to kill. Knowing this calmed me even more. I would definitely have to take more caution next time. The clock on the wall said it was just after midnight, I hoped that meant it was Thursday. The Chiefs had the Thursday night game. Football would be good at removing the stupidity I felt about letting myself get kidnapped.

"You're awake." Zeke's voice was soft. I jumped at the sound. I had been lost in thought and hadn't realized he'd stopped snoring.

"So are you."

"Nadine, I'm sorry."

A nurse bustled into the room. She was about 5'4" tall with graying brown hair pulled tightly into a ponytail. Smile lines creased her face as she flipped on the light.

"So she is." She came in close to me. "How do you feel?"

"Not bad. Look, I want to get out of here as soon as possible."

"I think the doctors are going to release you late today or Monday."

"That doesn't exactly work for me." I smiled as she frowned at me. "See, the Chiefs play football in about twelve hours. That means in twelve hours I want to be at home, sitting on my couch, eating junk food and screaming at my TV." Her frown deepened. "Just bring in the waiver, let me sign it and I'll be on my way."

"Humph," she took my blood pressure.

"If it's not here in twenty minutes, I'll unhook my IV and walk out without signing the waiver." My smile widened. Zeke was hanging his head, trying not to laugh. A man wearing street clothes walked past the door. His face was lined and care worn, his hand clutched a cup of coffee in a death grip. I looked back at Zeke as a thought entered my head. "On second thought, I don't care who you have to wake up, I want that waiver now." I yanked the I.V. out of my arm, letting it fall to the floor.

The nurse let out a squeak as Zeke stood up. I swung my legs over the edge of the bed. The nurse nearly ran from the room as Zeke grabbed my shoulders.

"Nadine, what are you doing?"

"You can't protect me here, Zeke." I whispered, glancing back at the door.

"Check your hand."

I looked down and noticed a gold band on one of my fingers. I started to pull it off when Zeke grabbed my hand.

"They wouldn't let anyone stay, so I told them you were my wife. We didn't want you here alone."

"That's fine for tonight, but what happens at seven a.m. when they start letting in visitors? Anyone can just walk in here."

"They can't kidnap you from the hospital."

"No, they can't, but they sure as hell can walk in with a gun and silencer, and put a bullet in both our brains. Then they could just waltz back out the front door. How long do you think it would take someone to notice us? They'd think we were both asleep because the nurse is marking down in my chart what time I awoke." I shook my head. "This is an insecure location, Zeke, I have got to get out of here. What if that guy was just a warm up for the real thing?" I stole another glance at the door. "We can't talk here, but I want an escort out of this place. How long before a couple more people can get here?"