*Not edited.*
“Let me see her.”
“I don’t think she’s ready.”
“Please, I need to see her.”
The voices are muffled and I blink my eyes.
“Where am I?” I look at Brad who’s holding me.
“We’re are the hospital.”
The pale white walls surround me. There are stretchers at the entrance of the emergency doors and nurses rushing around.
“Where is he?” I ask Brad.
“He’s in his room. He wants to see you.”
“I don’t think I can.”
“Why not?”
“It’s my fault!” I say in a whisper. “Why doesn’t anyone understand that?!”
“It is NOT.” Brad squeezes my arms. “Go.” He pushes me off his lap and stands me up. “I’ll be right here if you need anything.” He smiles and kisses the top of my head.
I walk into the room and Josh’s leg is in a brigt white cast. Kyla sits next to him and his parents are standing by the wall.
“Hi.” I say a little above a whisper.
“Bridge!” Josh’s face lights up.
“Hi.” I repeat. “Are you ok?” I stand in the doorway, scared to get any closer.
“Yeah. Be off in two weeks tops.” He smiles.
“Okay, hey Kyla co-..”
“Is there a Bridgette Calavarie here?”
“That’s me.” I spin around. Two men in dark navy police officers are standing behind me.
“We got a report that there was attempted rape and murder.”
“What?!” Says Josh’s mom.
I turn to look at Kyla for help, her eyes are glued to the men.
“I… I…”
“Bridge what are they talking about?” Josh asks me.
“One second.” I run to the bathroom and puke in the toilet.
“We just need her to come to the station to answer a few questions.”
“Not today.” Josh’s dad says.
I walk out of the bathroom, my hands wrapped around my stomach.
“I’m gonna be sick.” I say rushing back in.
“Just a few questions.” The policeman repeats.
“Not. Today.” Mr. Philps says sharply.
“Bridge?” Kyla knocks on the bathroom door.
I lean over the porcilean toilet and try to throw something up.
“Here’s a water.” She hands me a water bottle. Across the top it reads ‘Josh P.’
“Thanks.”
“What were they talking about?”
“Nothing.” I stand to wash my face off.
“Bridge.”
“Do you have some gum?” I ask her, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah here.” She paces me a package of Polar Ice gum and I pop in two pieces.
