The Open Road

Chapter 16

Susan

Fourteen hours.

Kimberly had been In a series of soul crushing convulsions for fourteen hours. By the time they came to a halt, her features had turned ghastly white, as if life was slowly draining away from her. At that very moment, I knew her eyes would never have the same sparkle that I had grown so fond of. My life has not always been a bed of roses but nothing I have ever experienced beat this. I was watching someone I loved so deeply so profoundly detach themselves from the world of the living. She was in pain, her eyes glazed with scorching tears. She needed me to help, to give her some relief from the suffering she was enduring. I had never felt so helpless, so hopeless.

Darren had abandoned us on account of an important business call, typical; business before family. Just when I thought my distaste for him couldn't possibly increase, it sky rocketed. If only his fan girls knew what kind of a man he was without being blind sighted by his physical attributes and immense wealth. I had seen the jealous glares that were unapologetically cast my way when we were seen in public together. Didn't anyone notice my hair due had shifted from vibrant buns and pony tails to a hidden face? I unconsciously ran over the large purple bruise on the right side of my face with my fingers. I winced in pain, it was still fresh. What had my life become? Was I doomed to roam this earth as someone's property? Tied to someone's foot like a dog? I was once so full of life, happy, and bold. Sure I had hit a few bumps on the road being raised in the ghetto and all but I had worked hard and secured a scholarship to pursue my dream career in UON. I had a plan, a solid life plan that guaranteed I would never become someone's play thing. But then I joined school and I met him, Robert Obare. He had been so sleek with his good looks and gorgeous car. Some call it infatuation but to me, as corny as it sounds, it was love at first sight, once I looked past the bizarre hair style that screamed "player alert run!"

A warm tear escaped one of my eyes as I craved for one of Bob's bear hugs. For so long I had considered him my haven, every problem or ill fate seemed so small when he was around. He would have managed to silence the voices in my head which kept insisting that Kim had no chance at life, that she would die. I had called Bob despite knowing the risks that came along with his appearance in such a public place. I knew I was being a tad selfish but I could not help it.

I needed him here with me, with Kimberly. Please Bob show up, show up!

I closed my eyes, a picture of Bob stroking my hair and caressing my cheeks while whispering words of comfort slowly formed itself in my mind. I could almost feel him, like he was actually there. My God what was I doing? What if he got caught? He had risked his life in order to prove his innocence. If he managed to do it, so many things would change and here I was selfishly summoning him like he was some sort of genie in a fucking...

"Excuse me, Miss Susan?"

My frantic trance lapsed. I slowly fluttered my eyes open and came face to face with a fairly young doctor whose skin was exceptionally light. His face was twisted with concern, it was then that I noticed my current appearance. My face was damp with tears and did I mention I was seated on the floor bumping the back of my head incessantly against the wall? I smiled apologetically and scooped myself from my embarrassing position. The nurse taking care of my daughter had chased me away from her room. Apparently my continuous whimpering and sniffling was not healthy around a patient. As I struggled to stand up, I lost my balance and ended up landing on the doctor. He didn't flinch. Had I lost that much weight?

"Sorry doctor, I tend to be a tad clumsy at times." I said hoping to break the ice or at the very least to draw his attention from my snort filled nose.

Hadn't humans invented handkerchiefs for such situations?

"In my professional opinion, it seems like your light headedness is as a result of lack of eating. When was the last time you ate? Care to grab a bite Miss Susan?"

This doctor was smooth. He had said these words while flashing me a lopsided smile disarming any precautions I was supposed to have against strangers.

Wait, how did he know my name? Maybe the nurse had brought up the fact that my crying was somehow affecting Kim? I made a mental note to yell at the nurse when I saw her again.

"Miss Susan? Did you hear my request?"

I forced a smile on my face.

"I would love to but my daughter is in a critical condition, she just recuperated from a series of convulsions and is finally stable. I'm waiting to be summoned to see her."

I expected a hint of sadness in the doctor's eyes accompanied by a series of comforting words or perhaps further explanation regarding Kim's condition. Instead, the doctor broke into a razor blade grin and wait, was he patting my back?

Something was seriously off about this doctor.

"Announcement from the head security, there has been a security breach. Two men have stripped Dr Ojure of his identity and are currently inside the hospital. If you see anything out of the usual, please find a guard and report your findings. We will really appreciate your assistance. Thank you."

My eyes widened as I read the doctor's name tag. This could only mean one thing, Bob had actually came. Despite everything that was happening in his life, he had shown up when I needed him.

"Where is he?"