Starting Over

Chapter 41- Our Arrival at Blackberry Farm

Bridget and I called all of the most important people in our lives and we were heading out. The next time we were going to be in this house we would be married. I threw our suitcases into the backseat of my truck and we were moving down the road. First stop was the doctor’s office.

“How are you feeling this morning?” Dr. Carrio asked as she walked into the room.

“I’m okay. Kind of sore though,” I told her while Bridget sat next to me.

“That’s to be expected. Can you take your shirt off so I can see your wounds?” Dr. Carrio politely asked. I pulled my shirt off, laying it down next to me.

Bridget gasped. I really thought she was going to have a panic attack when she saw the marks on my body. I think it took everything she had to keep from it.

“I’m okay,” I whispered to Bridget, but I could see the horror on her face.

“I’m going to replace these bandages,” Dr. Carrio told me as she looked over my wrists, “Can you kick off your boots?”

“Okay,” I said as I kicked my boots off onto the floor.

I winced from pain as she pulled the bandages off and replaced them. I couldn’t get over the look on Bridget’s face. I knew she was going to see my wrists and ankles, but I didn’t want her to see it like this. I didn’t want her to see the pain that they caused me.

“How did you sleep last night, Luke?” Dr. Carrio asked me.

I just glanced at Bridget knowing we were going to have to tell her what had happened.

“He didn’t sleep well at all,” Bridget told her, “He was tossing and turning really bad and when I tried to wake him up he started swinging at me. He was yelling for me to leave him alone and not to touch him.”

“Did he hit you?” Dr. Carrio asked Bridget.

“Yes,” Bridget said very softly as she looked at me.

“Can I see where?” Dr. Carrio asked Bridget.

Bridget pulled her shirt down off of her shoulder revealing the slight bruise on her shoulder. As Dr. Carrio touched it Bridget started to tear up. I don’t think it was because of physical pain, but emotional because she knew I had done it. I felt so guilty for doing it even though I don’t remember it happening.

“Hmmm, I think we need to get you something to help you sleep a little more soundly,” Dr. Carrio directed towards me, “And obviously something to help with pain.”

“Will that make me tired?” I asked curiously.

“More than likely, but you don’t need to be doing anything except resting for the next week or so,” Dr. Carrio answered.

“We are getting married today. I can’t take it today,” I informed her.

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I believe you should hold off until you have healed properly,” Dr. Carrio said.

“I think so too,” Bridget agreed.

“Bridget, we have already called everyone. By now they should be halfway there,” Luke panicked.

“But Luke, you need to heal. Do you want to be all bruised and stitched up in all of our wedding photos?” Bridget asked me with concern.

“No, but I don’t want to wait. I want to do this today,” I told her.

Bridget didn’t answer me. I could tell after what Dr. Carrio said Bridget was seriously thinking about postponing our wedding. I had to talk her out of it. I want to marry her today.