The Trouble With

Chapter 17

Chapter 17...........Winds Of The Past

I was hardly aware of anything except for the shooting pain rioting through my body at full force. I vaguely recall that the Land Rover was waiting at the lobby doors with the engine running. I'm positive I told Will to slow down several times. As we pulled up to the hospital I remember the ER staff pulling me from the Land Rover onto a gurney. Admits the panic and the pain the thing I remember most.....Will standing in front of the vehicle watching me being wheeled away.

Once inside the ER words such as vaginal bleeding, fetal monitor and preterm labour were spoke in tones of loss. There was a flurry of hands poking and prodding me everywhere. A hundred faces and voices asking me questions I had no answers to. Within moments I was a living breathing extension to more pieces of equipment than I could count. I was crammed in a room full of people but I might as well have been standing alone adrift on the sea.

I lay here now in the darkened silence of my room. Only the constant beep of the monitor speaks to the panic and confusion of an two and a half hours ago. Listening to the sounds of my breathing I closed my eyes prayed for solace and forgiveness. It was in this quiet my mind roamed all that was.

My door cracked slightly open and Dr. Hamilton emerged. The light of the hallway reflecting his shadow across the wall. Walking to my bedside he placed his hand on my shoulder, "Do you mind if I turn on the light Dee?"

Squeezing my hand he reached over and flipped the light beside my bed. The low hum of hospital lights came to life as the harsh glow burned my tear stricken eyes. Looking up at Dr. Hamilton I thought it odd just how much he resembled the lonely old man a few floors down from us only a younger version. I think it was in the warmth of his eyes as he looked down at me. I truly believe you can see glimpses of a persons soul in their eyes. An unmistakable truth that speaks to who they are.

Setting my folder down on the rolling table beside me he crossed his hands on his lap. "Now I'm going to ask you just one last time and I want you to be honest. There are places to go and people willing to help if you need it. Did Will in any way shape or form directly or inadvertently cause you to fall."

"No. Why do people keep asking me that." My voice shook from the stress and the strain of the nights events. "Where is Will?"

"He's in the waiting room with your friends. I'm going to go tell him now that you and the babies by the grace of god are going to be ok." I could hear the rickety creak of the door open and a nurse fallowed by some cops entered. "The police are here Dee and if your up to it they would like to ask you a few questions."

I watched as Dr Hamilton walked away feeling the heavy weight of unspoken accusations descend. A detective dressed in a cheap version of a business suit sat in front of me. He took out his notebook and flashed me his badge like some knock off of a movie scene. The smell of his aftershave burned my nose causing my stomach to roll. Looking at me with his beady little eyes I felt seedy and unwashed. "Can you tell us your version of the nights events."

"I've already told the nurses and the doctors. I was walking down the stairs and it felt like something cut me on the bottom of my foot. When I jerked my leg up I lost my balance and fell." I watched as the detective scribbled his notes as if he was writing the great American novel.

From behind me the sound of hallowed high heels clicked across the floor. "Where would you say Will was in relation to where you were?"

Feeling ambushed as if Will had done something wrong I tried to tamp down on my defensive tone. "He was at the other end of the penthouse playing some stupid game with my kids. Call if duty or something like that."

"Dee my name is detective Ann Marshal and I'm a detective with the NYPD. Just to clarify you are positive. No one here is going to judge you." The vision of a chippy little red head with a watermelon sized belly out front of the Mores building came floating back to mind. Rolling onto my back there was no question. It was the same chick minus the baby bump. "We are all here to support you."