A Little Mad

Chapter 73

Mercedes jumped as Bailey gently touched her shoulder. She had been pacing around the hospital lobby with everyone staring at her covered in blood. Bailey smiled.

"I'm sorry I scared you... I went home and got you a change of clothes.. Here's a bag to put the bloody ones in... I'll go home and throw them in the wash as soon as you come back.."

Mercedes looked down and finally noticed she was covered in Jerome's blood. He hands and arms were stained. She stared at Bailey a moment before taking the clothes. 

"Thank you... I'll go change and clean up.."

She turned to Jeremiah who was sitting in a chair.

"I'll be back..."

Bailey turned back to Jeremiah after Mercedes was gone. Jeremiah sighed.

"She is a stubborn young woman."

Bailey tilted her head. 

"What are you still doing here?"

Jeremiah turned his gaze towards Bailey and thought of the only there was. Mercedes. He did all of this to keep her happy. He couldn't care less if Jerome was dead or alive, but Mercedes cared.

"Mercedes. Everything I do is to keep her happy. I do not care if Jerome dies, but she does. So, if saving him will keep her happy, I had to help."

Bailey sighed. She understood. She was doing the same thing. Trying to keep her happy. She set next to Jeremiah on the medium-sized lobby sofa with space between them.

"Everyone loves her..."

Jeremiah looked at her confused and Bailey nodded.

"Yes. Even me.... but she is completely in love with you two... She trusts both of you..."

Mercedes returned and nervously set in the seat between Jeremiah and Bailey. She flinched and dropped the bag of bloody clothes on the ground. She stared at the bag before crying violently into her hands. Her whole body was shaking. He body knew when direction to slide in and Jeremiah took her with open arms. She cried violently into her shoulder. Bailey picked up the bag of clothes and looked at Jeremiah who nodded. Mercedes pulled away still crying.

"What if... he dies...? What am I going to do..." 

Mercedes cupped Jeremiah's face. She spoke to him through tears.

"I need you to promise me something..."

Jeremiah was conflicted with her behavior. She continued her heavy tears.

"If he dies.... I need you promise me that you'll never leave me... That you'll die old with me..."

Jeremiah's eyes grew wide. 

"Jeremiah promise me!"

Jeremiah wiped her tears and cupped her cheek.

"I will never leave you. I promise."

Mercedes fell back into his arms. A nurse walked up and cleared her throat. 

"Excuse me.."

Mercedes wiped her tears and stared at the woman. 

"He is still in emergency surgery. Lee asked me to come let you know that you can go home and rest if you want. We will call you with news."

Mercedes stood up angry. 

"Are you fucking kidding me?! He's in emergency surgery to repair damage from a stab and gun-shot wound! I'm not going home and sleepy?! I'll never be able to sleep knowing he's here fighting for his life!"