Tough Love

Chapter Forty-Two

Important Author's Note at the end. 

Chapter Forty-Two

I'm suddenly woken up by someone tossing and turning beside me. My brain is a little foggy and it takes me a few seconds to process what's going on. I don't know how long I've been asleep, but it doesn't feel long enough. I remember laying on the bed with Dani and tucking her into my side. I take a glance to my side and check to see if she's still asleep. Thankfully, she is. I don't want her to wake up in my arms and freak out, especially if I am not awake.

Dani's sobbing and she's very distressed. My heart aches at the sight and there's nothing I can do to make it better. I hate putting her through this but there was no other way. She wouldn't have rested if my dad didn't sedate her and then she would have been in the hospital. I hold her hand and trace circles on the back of her hand with the pad of my thumb. Her sobs subside a little and turn into whimpers. I'm just ready to drift back to sleep when my cell starts to vibrate in my pocket. I groan as I reach for it and answer before even checking to see who it is.

“Ramirez...”

I hear my dad's voice say, “Hey son, I'm just checking in. How is everything?”

I groan and ask, “What's the time?”

“4pm.”

“Seriously? It's Saturday, right?”

“Yes, it's Saturday. What's happening? How's everything going?”

“She's still asleep.”

“I expected that. How's she been?”

“Honestly? The nightmares have been intense. I have no idea how she's going to be when she wakes up...”

“She'll probably be too groggy to be freaked out at first. Once she comes out of the sedation better, then she'll probably freak out. Do you want me to come over? I can make sure she's doing ok and give her something to take the edge off when she wakes up.”

“No sir, it's ok at the moment. I can handle this. I may need that offer later on though. I'll have to see how everything goes.”

“Sure thing. Just give me a call when you need me. How are you doing?”

“I'm tired. Just tired of all this stuff. I want it to be over. I want Dani to be ok. I so desperately want her to have a good life, a life that she deserves. Only I don't see that happening any time soon.”

“It'll get better son. It has to. If Dani will agree to a drug regime, then I'm sure we can address some of these issues.”

“Will that be for the rest of her life?”

“I don't know, Eli. I honestly can't give you an answer on that one. We'll just play it by ear and see what happens. Get some sleep and I'll speak to you later.”

We say our goodbyes and I hang up. I try to close my eyes again, but my phone vibrates as soon as I do.

“Hey Ash.”

“Hey. How you guys doing?”

“She's still asleep.”

“Geez. Can pops give me some of that stuff? It sounds awesome.”

Trust Ash to want something to make him sleep for 24 hours. I smile a little and say, “I highly doubt that, Ash. I'm sure Dani is a special case.”

“In more ways than one, huh? How you holding up?”

“I don't even know, man.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I've just woken up.”