A New Beginning

Thanksgiving Day

When the medics arrived, they took one look at me and knew that my disagreement with my husband was more than that. They started an IV before helping me into the ambulance.

While the medics were examining me, the police officer started to ask questions about what happened. I explained to him the fight we had, and how he took his anger out on my face and ribs. The officer told me that he would meet me at the hospital to get my full statement of the events that occurred that night.

Once we got to the hospital, which took about 30 minutes, Jason was already there giving his statement to the police. From the look on the police officers' faces I knew that something wasn't adding up. Why aren't they handcuffing him? What I couldn't have anticipated was what came next.

"Hello, Mrs. James. How are you feeling?"

"I am in a lot of pain and tired."

"Well, these fine doctors are going to look at your injuries."

Walking away from the officer, he goes straight to the doctor and they have a conversation. The next thing I know, I have straps on my arms and they are discussing a 72-hour psych hold. I am so confused as to how this happened.

After a thorough check, I had one broken rib and one fractured, along with a mild concussion. The doctor advised the staff that I needed to stay awake, otherwise I could die. Honestly, I didn't care about that right now. I am sitting on a psychiatric ward because my husband could convince the police and medical staff that the injuries I had sustained were in fact self-inflicted.

Jason told the police that the argument was about his relationship with Bethany Thompson. He claimed that I was jealous of his relationship with her and that is why I spent the evening with Tim and Candi. To make him jealous and when it didn't work, I lashed out.

Being awake all night with no one to talk to or anything to do was difficult. Today was Thanksgiving Day. I could have been home with my family having a nice time. I wonder what they are doing right now. Do they miss me as much as I miss them? Did Dudley make it home okay?

At 8:00 am, when the new doctor came in to check on my head, I immediately perked up because I knew him. He and my dad went to medical school together, and on occasion he works in small hospitals when they need a neurologist.

"Hello, Harlow James. How are you feeling today?" He asked without even looking up at me.

"Hi Dr. Hernandez. It has been a long time and when I heard your bedside manners were horrible I didn't believe it, until now." With a small smile, he looked up at me.

"Harlow. Nurse get here right now!" He yelled over the call the system.

"Yes, Dr. Hernandez. Is everything okay? We have kept her awake like we were told." It was the same nurse from last night. As soon as Jason left, she locked me in the room and only checked on me every few hours.

"No she did not. I have only seen her twice before now. Her and my husband happen to be friends. He told her to just take me to my own devices, I am sure."

"When did you get married? Why wasn't I invited to the wedding, young lady? You have some explaining to do."

The nurse paled when she realized that the doctor and I knew each other. This would not look good for Jason at all if he is going to stick to his. I hurt myself by lying.

"Get Dr. Pattersen on the phone right now. Tell him that he needs to be down here at the hospital because he needs to explain to me what happened last night. As a matter of fact, I also would like to speak with the police detective that interviewed my patient."

Running out of the room, the nurse went straight to the nurses' station to make some phone calls. "How much are you willing to bet that she is calling my husband right now?"

"You are right, let me go handle the phone calls and I will be right back to examine you. Meanwhile, you take my phone and call your parents, they are worried sick about you." Leaving the room to make the necessary calls, I prepare myself for the phone to my parents that I have wanted to make for over six months now. Well, longer than that really. We have been married over a year and half, and I haven't seen them since our six-month anniversary.

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be cutting open some poor guy's head right now?"

"Hi Dad." Those two words were all I was able to get out before he yelled out "Honey, Harlow is on the phone." Followed by a scream, a list of demands, and running. Wiping the tears from my eyes, I realized just how much I missed my family and how much they really mean to me.

"Harlow! Honey, where are you? Why do you have Justin's phone?" My dad asked.

"I am in Silver Crest, Nevada, where Jason and his family live. I miss you guys so much."

"Okay, but why are you calling from Justin's phone?"

"He beat me, daddy. I am so sorry. I tried to get the annulment, but he kept putting it off. Before I knew it,

we lived together. There was no point in the annulment anymore."

"Shh.. it is okay. Your mom and I will be there soon. Let me make some phone calls and I will find the first flight out possible."

"Honey, don't worry about a thing. You can come home. We will contact the attorney and make sure he never contacts you again. Your dad is right. We will be there as soon as we can manage a flight. We love you and miss you so much." I can hear the tears in her voice, which made me cry even harder.

Today is Thanksgiving Day. A day that I should spend with my family instead of in a hospital bed. When the nurse returned, she informed me that Jason knew I knew the doctor and was on his way. As my emergency contact, they had to contact him, especially since I was in the psych ward.

It only took Jason thirty minutes to arrive at the hospital. At that time, he requested a new doctor to examine me. My relationship with Dr. Hernandez could cloud his judgement. At least that was his excuse for removing him from my care team.

It got even tenser when my parents showed up and were denied visitation with me. I even requested that Jason leave while my parents can come in. The doctors and police completely ignored me and forced my parents to either leave willingly or in handcuffs. They left willingly at my request. This was a red flag.

After that, he signed an approved list of nurses and doctors that were allowed to treat me. As soon as he left, I took a nap against the doctor's orders. The next thing I knew, the nurses and a doctor I had never seen before was shaking me awake.

"Harlow, wake up. You aren't allowed to sleep yet. You could have died."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious, now leave me in peace. I have three days of bliss to be alone. So, unless you are bringing me food, GO AWAY."

"We have to examine you. While you are here, you have to participate in therapy. They have to approve your release. Right now, we will be putting you on suicide watch."

"Well, your in-laws are on their way to bring you dinner. They wanted to make sure that you were okay and that you are receiving the best possible given the situation.

"Can I refuse to see them? I did have to refuse to see my own parents, I should be able to refuse to see them."

"No. Jason put them on the approved visitation list. Besides, from what I hear, your family is the reason you are suicidal to begin with. It is a good thing you have such an amazing husband."

"Yeah, amazing."

Rolling back over, I ignored the nurse until my in-laws showed up with a dinner plate for me. I honestly didn't want to eat it, but they left me no choice. Hopefully, this nightmare will be over soon.

I spent the majority of my Thanksgiving Day in a plain room alone. Today is the day I realized that my marriage is a sham and I need to get out of it before he kills me.