LOVE ON THE EDGE

THE RUDE AWAKENING

"Oh, it is so good to be outside again, to take in the scenery and breathe in fresh oxygen from the plants," Marilyn said as she took a walk with Tom outside the hospital ward. She looked warm, colour had returned to her cheeks, and that smile, Oh, that smile that made his head spin. Tom found a bench and took her over to sit down. She placed her palm over his and said, "Baby, I am sorry for what you've had to go through these past weeks." "No, no, no," Tom retorted, "do not bother yourself with all that now. Just concentrate on getting better." But she went on to tell him how she regretted trying to kill herself and how she could have handled the situation better. She thanked him for being by her side and ensuring that she got better, even when it seemed like the battle was already lost.

Tom replied, "I am so so my love, for always doubting you and having to validate your ideas with outsiders. Look at the mess I put us in just because of my ego." He assured her that he was done with all that and he promised to take her more seriously from then henceforth.

She rested her head on his shoulder and said, "Tom, how were you able to afford the surgery fee and other hospital bills?"

Tom's heart immediately began to race, he had dreaded this moment because he knew she would like to know.

"Do not worry baby, it has been sorted," he replied. But he knew his wife, he knew that she would not stop until she got to the bottom of it. And just as expected, Marilyn pressed on. "You and I know that we do not have that kind of money. I want to know dear, please do not shut me out.* But Tom would not budge, he just could not have her worried or have anything disturb her healing process.

"I think it is getting chilly," Tom said, let's go back inside." So he helped her up and led her gently through the corridor and into her room. A brown envelope lay on her bed, big, with red spots on it.

"What is that?" Marilyn asked. Tom quickly went forward and grabbed it, there was an inscription on it which read 'YOU HAVE ONE WEEK.' He began to sweat immediately and became confused.

Marilyn tried to take the package from him but he wouldn't give it up.

"Thomas Michael Smith," she raised her voice and then pushed her open palm forward, requesting the package.

He reluctantly gave it to her. She read the inscription on it and identified the red spots as blood. "Are these not blood stains?" she asked, Tom was quiet. "What is happening Tom, please tell me."

Tom then sat her down and told her how he had no other option but to take a loan from Mr Sharp and was expected to pay back with double interest in three weeks, now remaining one week.

"Dear God," Marilyn exclaimed, "what are we going to do now." He tried to reassure her that he had a plan and urged her not to worry herself so she can recover fully.

Deep down, Tom knew his fate. He knew that he could never raise the money to pay the Lion back and that this might just be the end of his life. He had nowhere to run to and nowhere to hide. He left the hospital but before he did, he told the nurses to always keep an eye on his wife's room and not allow any visitors. He was afraid that the thugs might pay another visit and hurt her. Then he went to Jacklyn's shop to seek for assistance. "Oh look who the cart dragged in," she said coldly, "I thought you did not want to see me again." "That's not it Jack and you know it, you hurt me, you hurt my family and you showed no remorse."

"I did not do anything," she replied, still adamant. Tom shook his head and started leaving, "I do not even know why I came here," he said. "Yea, you can go," Jacklyn called after him. "Go to your wife, you both deserve your sad, poor lives," she concluded.

He went back home, sat in a spinning chair and began throwing a ball to the wall, catching it as it bounced back. There was just no way out of this mess, no road that was not yet taken. He dosed off on the chair and was having a nice much needed nap until he had a rude awakening. The cold water dripping from his head down to his feet left him shivering, and before he could understand what was happening, he had a loud bang on his head and passed out.