Sessions

Twosday Night: Lorena

“Thank you for bringing my bag back, Detective”

“No problem. I don't carry a purse, but I'm still a woman and know how important they can be.”

I know people well enough to tell when a statement was loaded, and I still couldn't put my finger on exactly what she was getting at because the words alone were innocent enough, but I could feel it was more to it. As she walked away, she gave me one last little grin, and it just made me feel more suspicious, but I was too drained to address it even though I'm usually very direct, I was NOT in the fuckin mood for some weird acting ass cop. I grabbed my bag and rushed back inside the hospital. Angela was just getting discharged. She had 3 broken bones in her leg, a dislocated hip, ankle and shoulder, 2 broken ribs and her collar bone was crushed. She needed round the clock care for a while, and I was ready to be there for her and find her a nurse aid and workman's comp because all of this happened not just on the job, but because of the type of work we do and deeper than that, I viewed this woman as a friend and even as a sister. I didn't have siblings growing up or even cousins. My mother gave me up and my grandmother adopted and raised me on her own. My mother was an only child and so was my grandmother she was all I had and when she died my mother didn't even come to her funeral. Angela had always been there for me since we met, and I felt more than responsible. I felt guilty.

“You comfortable?” I asked as we got settled in the charter van with all her medical equipment.

“Yea sis, I'm good. I'm medicated I'm about to relax all the way home.” I was glad to hear that we were a ways away from her house though, and I was planning to take her to my house. It was much bigger than her duplex and she didn't have to climb any stairs at my house and i had a guest suite with her own bathroom, her own entrance and exit and even a kitchenette, and my staff would tend to her while I was at work tomorrow and I would find her a nurse for after that. I hadn't mentioned any of this to her yet, so I was shocked when she mentioned going home, but I was hesitant to bring it up once she started snoring softly. I regretted that decision when I was startled awake from my own soft sleep upon our arrival at my home.

“Oh no Rey I wanted to go home I cant stay here I have some things to attend to. I haven't slept in my own bed in over 24 hours!”

She trailed off when we made eye contact my eyes bucked because overnight in the hospital maybe but it was only midnight so what do you mean 24 hours? She had been broken up with her ex for a while and I was going to be pissed if she was out going backwards.

“What the hell are you talking about?" I shouted

“Lower your f*****g voice”, she cut her eyes to the driver who was unloading our things into my garage.

I stopped talking altogether while he held carry her to her wheelchair. He closed the trunk and said his goodbyes. I sent him a tip and closed the garage door. Angie was looking wide-eyed like a toddler in trouble.

“OK, it's time for a chat “I said with more attitude than I actually meant.

“Yea, I guess it is” she said, her tone laced with animosity.

“I don't mean to sound so nasty. I'm sorry Angie. I just know how bad yalls breakup was and how quickly she moved on, and you haven't even mentioned anyone else, and you are so much smarter than-”

“Then what?! Then you? I'm not f*****g my ex, but I'm assuming you are that why you're projecting right now? I held my tongue AND my judgement about your lil plan b dilemma.”

My tongue felt swollen and dry. I needed a drink. “I'm not having this conversation with you. I'm sorry I said anything.”

“Oh, hell no were going there. Let's go there”

“I need a drink Angie”

“Hope it's not liquor since you still need to take your medicine” she shot back

“Is that why you want me here? To distract yourself from your decisions?’

“ No” I said gently. "I need you here because this is my fault. I should have put Sincere in a facility for a while when he lost his job and even more so when he broke up with his girlfriend.” I started sobbing. I felt so guilty I was pretending to hold it together up until then, everything started pouring out.

“Lorena, I know what we do and the type of people we work with this is NOT your fault. Don't do that to yourself”

“I'm so sorry” I sniffled.

“I know Rey, be easier on yourself, can you at least bring me my phone?”

I grabbed my purse and when I grabbed her phone, I noticed everything looked mixed around. “That messy ass b***h”

“Who?

“The cop: she went through my fuckin bag nosey b***h!”

“Is anything missing?” we both started searching the moment she said it, we had the same thought: the plan B! It had to be there after everything. It would be just my luck that she stole it. Angie put both hands on top of my bag and looked in my eyes.

“I will stay here, Lorena, but only if you don't treat me like a burden or a charity case. I'm a grown woman with a job I plan to keep doing. I'll work remotely from your office until I get physical therapy and can use a crutch. The office isn't exactly wheelchair accessible with all the stairs.”

I stopped searching and held her gaze while she spoke. She was right and I respected her wishes. Except my office, there was an office desk and chair in her suite. I would set it up with her things from her desk at work tomorrow, which I told her, and she agreed.

“She took that damn pill, Lorena, let's not drive ourselves crazy looking. I bought two this morning. The other is in my desk. I'll give you the key, and you can just go get it. I'll be OK until you come back.”

“You will not, you're coming with me”

“I told you I have business”

Then there was a knock on the door, a strong ass knock too, because we were still in my garage and I heard it.

“Are you expecting someone?” she asked in a hushed tone. I could see the fear on her face. She was traumatized and so was I. I stood up straight and looked at the door. I pulled her into the house with my purse in her lap and locked us inside.

“At this hour? Hell no!” I whispered.

“She looked at her phone and laughed out loud before I could shush her. The knocking started again.

“Open it”, she giggled.

“Now is not the time for your meds to kick in”. I was terrified who it could be sincere was in a psychiatric facility, so I knew it wasn't him, but who tf knew where I lived to show up at this hour was unheard of.

“It's my plans Lorena” she shoved me to the side and started wheeling to the door, but when she opened it, she froze.

“Not who you expected?” I heard the anger in his voice. I wanted to rush to the door and close it in his face, but my legs wouldn't move.