Triangle of Love

Appreciative and thankful

Nikki stands up to rub my back and give me little hug.

“He’ll be ok girl. As long you’re ok he will live.”

I take another gulp of water before putting it back to the side. I feel torn inside, I want to see Mase again and apologize but then I don’t want to react again the same way I did from fear. Sad to see the look on Mase’s face was caused by me and yet he saved my life. I need to figure out how I can get past this without hurting him again and thank him.

I know I won’t be able to face him without reacting the same way, everything is just hard right now. In the last forty eight hours my emotions have been like a roller coaster and mind has been working overtime with many thoughts but most of all that voice I hear and the two dreams I had, they didn’t feel like dreams, every touch I felt it, the cold and hard surfaces and even the emotion of the singing. I sigh and Nikki catches me doing this.

“What's going on in that pretty little head of yours?”

I don’t want to tell him about the latter but tell him I was thinking about his brother. In one word I say,

“Mase.”

“Oh you poor thing.” Looking at me glum “You really feel bad don’t yah?” I nod in reply “well I wanted to bring him to see you but Penny thinks it’s too early, and I think she’s right.” Nikki goes quiet and is thinking “How about…if it’s ok with you…I give you his number and you can text him?”

Delighted with the idea I’m smiling and nodding agreeing to his idea. Looking for my phone I remember it was in my purse that Penny took and she’s not here. Dropping my smile and looking at him with a pout. Nikki laughs at me.

“It’s ok I’m sure Penny has it, I’ll text her in the morning to bring your phone. Oh it’s hard being me.” He exaggerates the last bit as if he just finished from a days hard work and now praising himself.

My eyes are becoming droopy and I’m now yawning for real, Nikki suggests we get some sleep or else we both will get scolded by Penny if she finds us both tired in the morning. Yawning one more time I say goodnight to Nikki, close my eyes and let sleep take over.

The following morning I wake up to the sound of paper and plastic wrappings rustling about, I see Connie and Amber trying to take the wrapper off the beautiful bouquet of flowers to place in a jar, assuming they came with it.

Both girls busy in what they are doing not realizing that I am awake are bickering between themselves about where the flowers should be placed. Amber turns to the window and realizes I’m awake and skips over to the side of the bed with a crestfallen face, Connie quickly places the flowers on the shelf and follows Amber.

“We are so sorry for what happened. I wish-”

Putting my hand up to stop Connie before she continues. Throat feeling better however still a little hoarse but I am able to speak.

“You both have nothing to be sorry about. You both didn’t do anything but make sure I was having fun, if there is anyone to blame here it’s only Dane.” Looking at them both for reassurance that they stop blaming themselves, they both nod in unison.

“You got beautiful flowers.” Amber points out the flowers.

“Yes they are! Thanks guys!”

“Oh…they ain’t from us” Connie looking embarrassed “we came with McDonald’s breakfast combo.” Connie showing me the bag of McDonald’s.

“Mmm yes please I’m starving!” eyeing the bag with hungry eyes I start rubbing my tummy and licking my lips.

Amber starts laughing at my reaction and hauls the table to in front of me then begins to start pulling the food from the bag and placing it in front of me. A bacon and egg bagel with a hash brown and hot chocolate. I offer some to the girls but they decline and say they already had breakfast.

Taking a small bite first to make sure I am able to swallow solid food, it goes down okay so I eat it with smaller bites just to be on the safe side.

I demolished the bagel and hash brown and left nothing, I giggle to myself feeling a little embarrassed that I just ate like a dinosaur in front of Connie and Amber who I just met two nights ago but the girls don’t seem to be bothered by it.

Asking the girls where Penny and Nikki is they tell me Nikki has gone home and Penny’s just outside on the phone, that reminds me about Nikki’s idea last night to text Mase. Looking around to see if my phone is anywhere, Amber shows me a bag.

“I think Penny came with it cause it was already here when we got here.” Amber says while putting it on the bed.

It definitely was her. I buzz for a nurse to come and help me with IV drip lines and ask whether I can shower with the cast, so it’s a waterproof cast.

Feeling relieved with everything I’m a little bit overwhelmed and take a few minutes to compose myself. Saying to myself ‘Take it easy Kali’ I take a few breaths…in…and…out… ‘nice Kali you can do this’ still encouraging myself.

I’ve laid in bed for a full day I need to walk. I ask the girls if they can hang around for a bit while I take a shower.

I swing my feet off the bed and plant them on the ground, taking a deep breath and stand, I’m fine, a little dizzy but fine. Happy to be out of the bed I grab the bag and make my way towards the shower.

The girls start whistling and giggling and cheering me on, I’m lost as why they would be doing that, I turn to them and both of them have a hand over their eyes and pointing to my back, I try to see what they are pointing at and turn to the mirror in the bathroom, my eyes are bulging, cheeks are red and now walking backwards to hide my bare backside.

With the door closed I’m so embarrassed but having a giggle about, I can’t help but find it funny.

Standing in the bathroom and looking at myself in the mirror assessing my injuries. Stitches on my forehead, bruises on my cheeks and arms, a few small scratches here and there on my face and arms, and the cast on my wrist. Dane did a number on me.

Took me a while to shower and put my clothes on, a bit of struggle when you have one operating hand. Coming out of the bathroom I walk backwards towards the room and the girls laugh at me.

I notice Penny still hasn’t come back and ask the girls but they don’t know either. Hoping she left my phone I search the bag for it and there’s nothing there I look in the draw and find it, fully charged too. I send a text to Penny if she was coming back to the clinic and wait for her reply. Looking I see the flowers and remember the girls saying it wasn’t from them I ask the girls and they giggle like teenagers,

“Mason came by to drop off flowers, we asked if he didn’t want to give it to you himself but he said he had a busy day and needed to go.” Connie says and gives me a cheeky grin. I know he doesn't want a repeat of yesterday.

“Mason? As in Mase…Nikki’s brother?”

“Mmhmm. As in ‘THE’ brother of thy dear friend Nikki.” Connie with her elbows on the bed and resting her face in her palms like she’s in a trance “You know, it’s funny how I became friends with Nikki, I had a crush on Mason but he never looked my way, it was hard to get close to him, he and Penny were so close and always off doing their own thing. I ended up crushing on Nikki just to find out I definitely wasn’t his type.” Both girls laugh “We ended up being friends and then I met my sweet Mike.” Smiling again like in a trance.

I couldn’t help but take notice of how close Mase and Penny are, I feel a hint of jealousy. Getting rid of that thought I look back at the flowers on the shelf I blush and feel little flutters in my stomach.

Already feeling nervous about texting him I wouldn’t want to upset him again. I mentally note down that I need to also thank him for the flowers. He's saved me and sent me flower and yet I’ve only hurt him. Saddened by the memory I decide to text him.

Looking at my phone I don’t know what to text. I keep thinking of what to say but all that comes to mind is ‘thank you’ not happy with my thought process I put the phone down before embarrassing myself with just a text, then a text comes through from Penny.

Penny: On my way back. You want anything?

Kali: No thanks, I’m good *smile emoji*

Penny: See you soon.

“Penny’s on her way now.” Looking up from my phone to the girls “thanks for staying with me I really appreciate it. I know you guys have stuff to do today so it’s ok if you have to go.”

They both stand and Connie takes my phone and types away then hands it over to Amber then she types away and hands my phone back to me. Looking at my phone they added their contact numbers.

“Text us if you ever need anything.” Connie

I walk over to them and give them a hug.

My heart is about to burst with happiness, I came to this town all alone, no family and no friends, yet here I am hugging two people I just met two nights ago who have been kind enough to come and visit me, that shows me they care. I thank them again and watch them walk out the door.

Hopping on the recliner I look through the contacts and see Mase’s name I tap on it to open the text. Nervous again with what I’m about to text, I start typing,

Hey *wave emoji*….nope I delete the text and try again..

Heya! How’s it going? Yeah thanks for everything….I stop, nope doesn’t sound right, delete it all and try again…

‘Hi! Kali here, I just wanted to let you know how appreciative and thankful I am. Also wanted to apologize for yesterday and if you’re willing I’ll be happy to make it up to you when I get better? Hope to hear from you soon.’

I look at the text again and sigh, hmmm yeah I’m not liking, suddenly the door opens and Amber comes walking in giving me a shock that I accidentally pushed the send button, like a thunderbolt just hit me I jump and throw the phone on the bed, Amber grabs her bag and looks at me apologetically then waves again and leaves.

Staring at the phone like it is going to jump at me it vibrates, I couldn’t have picked that phone up any faster, Mase replied, my belly has butterflies right now that I can’t stop I smile and open the text.

Mase: Hi! Thanks for the text. Don’t worry about it. I just hope you’re recovering well.

I feel the nerves subsiding and I’m feeling a little more confident.

Kali: Thanks, yeah the recovery is going well. Thanks for the flowers they’re beautiful.

Mase: Glad to hear that you’re recovery is going well and I’m glad you like the flowers, I tried to pick one to match your beauty but none could compare.

Oh my gosh I am blushing so hard my cheeks feel like they are on fire and this grin feels stuck right now. Why does he have this much of an affect on me? I can barely remember what he looks like, I do remember he was tall and handsome. Remembering he is Nikki’s twin and he does kind of look like Nikki but different, must not be identical. I’ll ask Nikki tonight for a pic.

Still holding my phone and looking at his text, Penny comes walking through the door giving me a fright it snaps me out of my daze and give her a surprised and guilty look like I’ve been caught doing something bad. Penny is giving me a suspicious look it makes me look down.

“You alright? You look a bit flushed” Penny asks me questioningly.

“Ye..yeah I..I’m just feeling a bit hot.” Fanning my face with my hand, well it wasn’t a complete lie, his text just turned up the temperature.

“The doctor will be here in a short bit to do his rounds.” Penny looks around and sees the flowers walking towards it and breathing in the scent “oh these are nice, did the girls bring them?” she asks and I I wait a second too long to reply,

“No. The girls said Mason brought it and gave them to the girls while I was sleeping.”

Not wanting to give away how I really felt about the flowers I keep my answer short and simple hoping I’m not overstepping any invisible line.

Penny pauses and the room goes silent, feeling a bit awkward I look out the window praying something or someone would just come and break the silence and awkwardness in the room, where is Nikki when I need him.

Thankfully there’s a knock at the door and the doctor walks in not noticing the awkward silence he has walked into and walks over to me asking me to take a seat on the bed.

Getting up from the recliner I move to the bed and take a glance at Penny who is just standing there facing the flowers with a face I can’t read. Not wanting to be rude to the doctor I turn my attention back to him.

“Hi Miss Smith, I’m Dr.Cheng one the doctors here at the clinic…” he’s talking to me but I’m listening more to the silence that is coming from Penny “…so let me take a look at you. Are you experiencing any dizziness, feeling nauseous or fatigued?” he’s looking at my head inspecting the stitches.

“Just a little dizzy when I stand up.”

“That’s norma,l you took quite a hit to the head.. The stitches are nicely done and will leave a scar but nothing too noticeable... Good your hand is in a cast so that will come off in six weeks time and we will have another look at it again and I will get the nurse to put that in a sling so it can be elevated... The swelling in your cheeks have gone down and the bruise will fade away in the next week or two…”

Remembering that Dane slapped me, the memory suddenly hits me, I flinch when the doctor raises his hand to my face, he notices and takes a few steps back to give me some space and Penny steps in to grab my hand.

“Miss Smith don’t worry you are safe here… You experienced a traumatic event and it will take some time to work through it, I’ll have one of the nurses give you a contact number of a colleague of mine who can help you with the trauma, however, I’m going to have you remain here for one more night for observations just to be on the safe side.”

Holding Penny’s hand I look at her with a frown and look down at the cast noticing my hand shaking, the reason why Penny grabbed my hand, I was slightly shaking.

Penny takes over and talks to the doctor on my behalf before walking him out and thanking him. She comes back and doesn’t say a word but just sits next to me and gives me a light hug. I don’t know what I’d do without Penny and I feel like we are bonding more than friends, almost like sisters. We just sit there in silence and just look out the window watching the trees sway.