Our Wild Spirits

Chapter 14: We Are Finally Free

It's been two full days after Tom's operation. He made it perfectly and flawlessly when they dug the bullet out of the lower part of his right kidney.
Westings also removed my stitches, but they left a jagged scar on my temple.
Walking into Tom's room, an Asian girl was attaching a new IV in his arm when she saw me.
"It's okay, ma'am. Just finished giving him a new IV."
"I-I really shouldn't be here. Dr. Westings wouldn't want me to bother him."
"Stuff and nonsense, that doctor! Always telling other people what to do and what not to do! Gets on everyone's nerves; good doctor, but very irritating. I was leaving anyway, so you can talk to your boyfriend."
"Thank you."
"No problem," she beamed, walking out.
"He may act like he's drunk, but that's because of the medication wearing off," she added then walked away.
Medication. Of course medication.
I smacked my lips quietly, patting my hands on my thighs as I sauntered around the room. The acrid smell of alcohol rubs and Lysol burned my nostrils and I scrunched my nose up.
Tom's vulnerable sight brought water once again to my eyes. Though he was alive by the power of God, he looked frail and delicate like a dying flower.
Yes, he was pale, but too pale like a ghost; his lips gaining back the fresh baby-pink. His chest rose and fell in each breath as the clear fluid in the IV flowed inside his arm. I hurriedly touched him for a millisecond, shocked by the gelid coldness of his skin and stroked his cheek. The roughness of his stubble was quite soft against my knuckles as I sat beside him, gripping his hand until mine went white at the fingers.
"Hey," I whispered. "It's me, Emily. I'm here."
No answer, just a sleeping patient.
"Tom? Why don't you wake up?"
My petty tears trembled, but because I'm strong I bit them off and sighed heavily.
"Thank you for coming back in time," I said, reaching for his lips. When I kissed him, I felt his hand brush over my hair and pulled me deeper. I sprung my eyes open and gasped, "Oh, my God, Tom?"
He smiled, his swollen eyes exposing those vivid irises.
"Surprise, surprise," he croaked.
I covered my mouth in joy, throwing myself on him and squeezing him until all his breath wheezed out of his lungs.
"Careful, babe. I'm not a stress toy," he joked.
"I'm sorry, but I'm so fucking happy you're okay!" I cheerfully wept, kissing each part of his face.
"He shoe-shot me first then I did," he explained my father's death.
"He deserved it anyway. They told me I could leave today; they cleaned up the house and the hospital's working on my discharge papers." He shifted, but winced as he placed his hand on his abdomen.
"Was I...operated on?"
"Only way to save your life. Bullet in your right kidney," I said, shrugging a shoulder.
"Emily, you realize you've could've gotten yourself killed by that sex-crazed dick?"
"Shh! We're in a public hospital," I warned.
"These people don't even care if I touch you right here," he said, planting his hand under my shirt, fondling the elusive mound beneath it.
"Babe, stop or we're gonna get caught," I cautioned, batting his hand away though I really wanted more of his touch.
"Doesn't matter if we get caught. All that's important is that we're free. Free from your father who's been giving you hell for years and never stopping."
"You're right about that."
"Emily, listen," he said, cupping my face, "he's gone and will never come back for you. Not now, not ever; he'll be in hell for a long time. And all I want to ask you is if you'll marry me so I can swear on my life to keep you safe and cherish you forever. I want us to go on, make lots of babies, and I want you to feed them at your breast because they will be all healthy and strong.
"And we'll grow old together and die by each other's sides. That's love right there, baby. Not necessarily physically, but mentally and emotionally. Just please say 'yes' because if you don't, I won't be the same." No one in their right mind has been like this before in their lives.
Him caring about me this much made my heart all soft and tender, filling with the perfect amount of love and affection.
"Please," he whimpered.
"Yes," I cordially said.
"WHOO-HOO!!" he whooped, letting the other patients hear him.