Loves Chemical Deception

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

After Drake drops off Charlene's things at the front desk he decides to go past the office on his way home. Unlocking the front entrance door to the office he thinks to himself how everything still feels so unreal. Moving pass Charlene's office refusing to take a peak he goes straight to his and takes a seat at his desk. Picking up the phone he makes a call to the local police station.

"Good day is it possible to speak to Officer Johnson?"

"Officer Johnson is not available at the moment is there something I can help you with sir?" The voice on the other side is that of a woman and sounds way to friendly to be answering the phone at a police station.

"I don't know I need to speak to him about the Stanley case." Drake gives a sigh of irritation. Now that he feels ready to speak to the damn officer, his not available!

"Oh ok, I will put you through to Inspector Jenson. He is the person now handling the case." Without warning she dials him through to the inspector.

"Inspector Jenson how may I help you?" The voice comes through a bit groggy from the other side.

"Yes, hi I'm Mr Black I'm phoning in connection with the Stanley case."

"Oh Mr Black I was wanting to talk to you, Officer Johnson told me that you refused to speak to him yesterday and was quiet rude towards him." Inspector Jenson clears his throat and continues. "Well that was yesterday and I'm thinking it is to be expected for someone in your situation to be acting out a bit, don't you think?"

"Well I'm sorry Inspector Jenson but I'm ready to give my statement now so when can I come down to the station and meet with you?" Drake waits for the Inspector.

"I think bout one this afternoon will do just fine."

"Ok I will meet you at one this afternoon."

"Good day Mr Black." And with that the Inspector puts down the phone leaving Drake hanging on the other side, receiver still in hand.

I need to get out these clothes and into something more comfortable Drake thinks to himself as he unlocks the front door to his apartment. First a shower and a cup of coffee, yes that's what I need or even something bit stronger? No wait, can't meet with the Inspector smelling like alcohol because if I start now I might not be able to stop! Drake stands in front of his bathroom mirror staring at himself. Dark circles around his eyes from the lack of sleep and worry. "I do look worn out." He says out loud as to confirm his thoughts. Unbuttoning his shirt and removing his belt and letting it all fall to the floor he stares up at his reflection in the mirror. How Charlene use to tease him about his infatuation with his body and looks. "Who are you trying to impress Drake, because if they get to know you for the real you no muscles or gorgeous eyes will want to make them stay? They would run for the hills!" And she will give off her evil witch laugh just to justify her comment. "Oh and why haven't you run yet?" He would ask. "Everyone does need a friend in this world, Drake." She always had a perfect comeback ready. Thinking of the fun and playful Charlene makes Drake smile and suddenly he gets this urgency to rush back to the hospital and be by her side. Taking off his pants and jocks he jumps into the shower. A quick shower, I can get coffee on the way to the hospital. I need to get back to her. Drake thinks as he starts rubbing soap onto his body.

"You must be Mr Black?" The nurse at reception looks up at him with a smile that can light up the darkest room. She looks so much younger then the nurse at reception from the previous night and way to friendly.

"Yes I am." Drake gives her a quizzical smile. "I'm here to see Miss Stanley."

"Yes I know." She answers back as she gets up from her chair. "Please follow me Mr Black. We moved her to a different room, one with a better view and also closer to the entrance of the ward. You know, for when someone gets the idée of sneaking in, to sit with her and be able to sneak out without anyone noticing." She gives him a wink as he follows her to Charlene's new room. "You do know that we have visiting hour's sir?"

"Yes I do." Confused Drake looks at her as they stopped in front of Charlene's room.

"Well try to stick to them as much as possible, not all the nurses are as friendly as the ones on call during the day." She gives him a nudge with her head towards the room and leaves to go back to the front desk.

"What a strange woman?" Drake asks himself as he enters the room.

Everything still looks the same except for the view. From here you can see the mountain covered with white clouds and the ocean with small specks of ships waiting to enter the harbour scattered all over. She will love this view when she wakes up. This was a good idée to move her here. Drake stands in front of the window taking in the view. He turns around looking down to where Charlene is lying still hooked up to pipes and wires running from the machines. Taking the chair next to her bed he sits down and takes her right hand into his.

"Your hands are so cold my dear Charlene." Drake lifts up her hand and places a kiss on the inside of her palm, holding it against his lips.

"I really need you to get better Charlene."

"How do you expect me to go on without you?" Drake looks up from where he was sitting and spots the bag that Mary brought with Charlene's belongings still inside. Getting up he moves over to the bag and starts unpacking. Inside he finds a fluffy pink and white teddy bear, Mr. Biggs! I gave her this for Valentines Day the one year in high school! "You kept it all this time?" He looks up from the teddy bear to Charlene as if waiting for her to respond to his question. No responds. "We really need to discuss this one man conversation thing, Charlene!" She knows how he hates it if he is having a conversation with her and she on purpose ignores him just for the fun of it. Smiling he puts his hand back into the bag and takes out a photo of the two of them. He dressed as a clown with a big curly orange wig and a red nose two times the size of his own. Charlene is wearing a bright blue shoulder length wig with her cheeks painted blood red in perfect circles. This was a wig party that she arranged on behalf of her neighbours little boy who had leukaemia. On the photo Drake is standing behind her towering over her with his chin resting on her head and his arms wrapped around her shoulders, each of them holding long tall glasses filled with cream soda ice cream floats. That was Charlene's favourite drink in the summer.

Placing the photo on the nightstand next to her bed he bends over to give her a kiss on the forehead. "When you wake up from this bad dream I promise I will make you the biggest cream soda ice cream float that you have ever seen Charlene." Drake whispers as he pulls back. Lifting the bag off from the bed he could feel that there is still something inside. Putting his hand inside he takes out a little wooden box carved out with little flowers on the side and an "I love you" carved out on the lid. "Oh my where have you kept this hidden all this time?" He looks down at her holding the box in front of her face as if to interrogate her about her little secret. I made this for my mother when she was very ill just before she passed away. Oh Charlene but how? I remember throwing it in the trash bin at school because I couldn't get the little ballerina inside to work. Drake opens up the lid and the soft sound of some famous composer's composition fills the air. Drake stands there shocked to find the small ballerina figurine turning around and around as she sways to the sound of the music playing faintly from inside the box. "You took it out the bin and had it fixed? You really are a minx Charlene." Drake smiles and this time place a tender kiss on the side of her left cheek. Looking at his watch he sees that it is almost 1 o'clock. Placing the wooden box next to their photo he looks down at her and gives her a smile all the while squeezing her left hand, a soft squeeze of appreciation.

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