Chapter 12
1676 Words
When we arrive at the hospital I can barely wait for her to stop completely before I jump out of the car.
“Second floor.” She calls after me.
I run through the hospital entrance to the receptionist desk, “Hi. In which room is Jason Conner?”
“Are you family, mam?” She asks politely.
“No, I’m his uhm friend.”
“Sorry but I can only let you in if you’re family.”
My heart sinks.
Jamie comes in and says, “It’s okay you can let her in. Her name is Rebecca Jones.”
The receptionist stands up and smiles, “He is in room 10.”
I turn to Jamie and frown. She nods me along and I walk down the hall.
I hear Jason’s voice and my heart skips a beat. He is arguing with someone.
“No, let me go! I need to find her!”
“The police are doing everything they can to find her. Please calm down now.” A female voice please.
“Let me go!” He yells.
“Please sir, I’m going to have to sedate you again if you don’t stop.”
“Please don’t sedate him.” I say coming around the corner. The nurse smiles and I run to him. I throw my arms around him. I kiss him then hug him then kiss him again.
“You’re okay.” I say as tears run down my cheeks.
“Are you?” Jason says wiping my tears with his thumb while still holding me close.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“You saved me.” He says and squeezes my hand.
“You saved me first.” I reply.
“I can’t wait to get out of this place.” Jason says.
“Me neither.” I smile and curl up next to him; he puts his arm around me and pulls me tighter to him. I’m so happy at this moment. I fall asleep.
***
I hear Jason say, “Let her stay please.”
“You need your rest.” A warm male voice says.
“I’ve rested more with her here than I’ve had since I was brought here.”
“I understand. Seeing as the press is still here, I’ll allow her to stay a while longer but now that she’s back you better not be giving my nurses anymore grief.”
“I promise.”
When I hear his footsteps grow fainter I open my eyes, “So you’ve been giving these poor people hell?”
“Don’t judge me. I’m only human.” He replies sheepishly and kisses my forehead.
I giggle, “So what was that about the press being here?”
“You’re the talk of the town. The brave woman facing her attacker not once but twice.”
“Oh no!” I sign, “Everyone knows.”
“Hey.” Jason puts his finger under my chin and lifts my face up, “I know it’s not what you wanted but your story can help a lot of people in similar situations.”
“They’re going to treat me like a victim.”
“You’re a survivor.” Jason tells me. I snuggle in closer to him. I can’t tell him just how deranged Charles really is. Not yet.
“How are you doing?” I ask.
“Much better now that you are here.”
The same nurse from last night comes into the room.
“Sorry to bother but it is time for your check-up.”
“I should go.” I say getting up.
“You’re coming back right?” Jason asks.
“Soon.” I promise.
The nurse smiles sweetly at me as I leave the room. I decide I need to check in with work I’ve been away for a long time.
I hope I still have a job.
As I walk past the receptionist's desk, she stands up, “Miss Jones.”
“Hi.” I say and stop. I turn to her.
“You might want to use the back entrance, there’s a fleet of reporters past those doors.”
“Thank you.” I smile.
She smiles back, “Take the hall down to the left and the stairs two floors down.”
A few doctors and nurses nod or smile at me as I make my way down the hall. It feels unreal. I’ve never been noticed before now everywhere I go I’ll be noticed.
***
With some difficulty I manage my way to work.
My boss Evette comes out to meet me and I follow her to her office. She closes the door behind us.
“Rebecca, I am so glad to see you.” Evette says and hugs me.
“I’m so sorry about all of this.”
“None of what happened is your fault.”
I’m not sure how to phrase my next question so I just blurt it out, “Am I fired?”
“Oh heavens no! I will never fire my best bookkeeper.” Evette smiles. I am so relieved. I can’t wait to start my life with Jason.
“Rebecca, you can take as much time as you need, I’ll be right here when you’re ready to come back.”
“Wow. Thank you so much.”
“You’re an amazing woman and if you need anything and I do mean anything, you call me.”
“Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
I make my way back to my apartment.
So much has happened here.
Good and bad.
Someone cleaned up.
I’m sure it was Shirley.
I need a new cell phone.
I need a baccon, chicken and avocado hamburger.
I shower and change then get into my car and go and do some shopping.
I spent most of the day restocking my shelves after I had the most amazing hamburger.
I miss Jason.
I head back to the hospital; the front is crowded with reporters so I sneak around back. When I reach Jason’s room I see him sleeping.
I turn to leave, he needs his rest. I bump into a doctor.
“Excuse me.” I apologise.
“Rebecca, right?” He asks politely. I recognize his voice from this morning I woke up in Jason’s arms.
“Yes.”
“He told us to wake him up when you get here.”
“That’s okay, just let him sleep.” I say. He needs his rest.
“That was the only way we could get him to sleep and I don’t want him finding out you were here and we didn’t wake him up.”
I laugh, “He is a stubborn man.”
“He is a man that is in love.”
I frown at the doctor but he only offers a smile, “Come, I have good news for both of you.”
We enter Jason’s room. I don’t want to wake him. He looks so peaceful.
The doctor touches his leg and Jason opens his eyes, “You’re back.” He grins.
“Couldn’t stay away.” I smile.
Jason’s smile never leaves. He is so gorgeous. I can’t believe how much I want him in my life.
“Your progress has been remarkable Mr Conner. We can discharge you in a few days.”
“Thank you doctor.” Jason replies and the doctor leaves.
“Come here.” Jason grins and I go to him. He pulls me so that I am nearly on top of him. I giggle only for a second before he kisses me.
I can feel the desire radiate from him and I want it too, but not here.
“Slow down. Anyone can walk in.” I say gently pushing him away.
“Let’s sneak out then.”
“No. You can leave in a couple of days.”
“I want to leave now.” He pouts.
“These poor nurses.” I smile while shaking my head.
Jason laughs as he strokes my back. I’m still partially on top of him, “I'm really glad you're back.”
“Me too.” I reply, getting off of him. I sit down next to him and he puts his hand on my leg.
“Got a new phone.” I say.
“Yeah, you going to text me later?”
“I’m not sure if that’s going to be a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“You’re still injured…”
“And?”
I lean in closer and whisper in his ear, “I’d really like to pick up where we left off…”
Jason’s eyes widen, “Now, I’m really going to sneak out.” He starts kissing me in the neck. I’m so turned on right now.
My ringing phone interrupts us.
“Hello.”
“Hi, it’s Jamie. Wanted to let you know the trial is starting tomorrow. We need you to testify.”
“That’s fast.”
“Everyone is looking for justice.”
“What time do you need me there?”
“Around ten but I’ll pick you up.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I hang up and Jason asks, “Who was that?”
“Jamie. They need me to testify as the trail starts tomorrow.”
“Are you ready for that?” He asks and I can hear the concern in his voice.
“I am. I need to see him in jail.”
“I want to be there for you.”
“You need to wait until the doctor says you can go.” I argue.
“Fine, but I’m not going to like it.”
“I didn’t expect you to.” I have to get serious with him. I don’t want him finding it out from the reporters.
“Are you okay?” He asks, putting his palm on my cheek.
“I need to tell you something important.”
“What is it?” He asks worriedly.
“So Charles is a complete psycho, he killed two police officers and possibly six woman.” I say looking down at my hands in my lap.
“What?” Jason mutters in disbelief.
“Jamie told me the night they found me. I had no idea.”
“Did he touch you?” Jason asks and I can see him growing more angry.
“No.” I tell him looking directly into his eyes. I can see he has more questions but I know he won’t ask so I tell him everything that happened while Charles had me. I can see the anger and pain on his face.
“I wanted you to hear it from me and not the TV.” I say finishing.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you, you don’t deserve this.”
“It’s over now. He is going away for a long time and those that didn’t survive him needs justice.”
“I’m going with you tomorrow.”
“You can’t not until you’re discharged.”
“I don’t care about me.” He says sitting up.
I put my hand on his chest, “I care about you.” I really want to tell him just how much.
He looks at me like he wants to say something but the nurse comes in to tell us visiting hours are over. I kiss Jason and head home.
I’ve been dodging reporters and calls since I got back. Jamie asked me not to talk to any of them, not that I wanted to.
I know I have to answer any and all questions on the stand.
Anything I can do to put that monster away.
*Miss you already…*
*I miss you too…*
*Are you ready for tomorrow?*
*I think so…*
*The news of the trial is on every channel the world will be watching.*
*He is a monster that needs to be locked up.*
*You’re amazing. Never forget that.*
*You make me stronger.*
*Will you come by after you’ve testified?*
*Nothing could stop me...*
*The nurses are giving me the stink eye. It’s my bedtime.*
*Sleep tite.*
*XoXo*
- Writer
