Seeking Relief

In Her Corner

Jade looked to her door way at the sound of someone knocking lightly on it. When she saw that it was Mitch, she was surprised. And elated. She was trying to be a cynic and not get her hopes up. But to see him show up again so soon really made her feel reassured.

And that was a big deal right now amidst her mental turmoil.

“Hey Mitch,” Linn said while smiling warmly at him. She gestured for him to take a seat.

“How’re you feeling?” Mitch asked Jade as he sat down. Jade shrugged.

“The same. I spent a lot of the day today down in radiology.”

“Yea, I’m not surprised. Adam said he ordered a lot of xray’s for you. I know he’s really worried that you have an injury that will need immediate surgery.” Jade looked at Mitch with widened eyes. She knows that they said they talked to each other about her, they said because they cared about her already. It was one thing to be told that, but to have it confirmed for her.

Mitch and Linn were exchanging pleasantries, when another voice sounded from the doorway.

“Oh! You’re here already.” Jake said while walking in with Emmett behind him. Mitch turned to his friends and smiled at them. Jake immediately strode up to Jade’s side and kissed her on the top of her head. She looked at him with widened eyes as he just smiled at her. He sat down and turned to Linn.

“Hi. I’m Jake, this is Emmett.” He said gesturing to his friend.

Linn smiled, held out her hand for a shake and said, “I’m Linn Mills.”

While they shook hands, Mitch said, “Linn is an advocate and basically the legal front for the Crisis Center.

Speaking of legalities. Jade, Linn – I have some lawyers and information I think would be helpful for you.” He handed the packet he brought from the station over to Linn.

He put his hand on Jade’s shin and said, “I’d like to help you with this. I’d like to help you in any way I can to make that dickhead pay for what he did to you.” Jade smiled gratefully at him.

“And we want to help. But we also understand if you don’t want us inserting ourselves into your personal business and need privacy.” Emmett said.

Jade smiled at each one of the faces looking at her. She looked at Linn’s last before addressing the men.

“I want your help. I know I’m skittish and mistrustful, I just ask for your patience. But it was pointed out to me before that I need as much help in my corner as I can get. Thank you so much for all of your help.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes of the tears that threatened to spill.  

Adam walked out of the elevator onto the ICU floor. His intention was to come straight to Jade’s room after meeting with the radiologist and the ICU doctor. But now that he’s feet away from her door, he needed to take a pause to collect his thoughts. He thought she was going to need some splints, maybe one surgery to help the healing along of one injury. He didn’t realize just how bad her injuries were. Now that realization was hitting him in his face. He wasn’t quite entirely sure where to go from here. Not to mention, that the ICU doctor wasn’t exactly being cooperative. She needed the surgeries done as soon as there were availabilities, but she’ll need help caring for herself during those initial weeks post-surgery. He also knew she’d be concern about financials and he needed to talk to the accounting director before making any promises.

He decided he’d just up front and honest with her. She seemed to despise withholding of information and she was quick to sense dishonesty.

He came to the doorway of her room and was relieved to see who was all in there.

Adam knocked lightly on the door as he walked in. He was relieved to see Jade greet him with a small smile.

“Hey,” He said as he walked to her bedside. “How’re you feeling today?”

“Uhm. Okay, I guess.” He raised an eyebrow at her vague answer.

“You sure?” He said, “Because one of the nurses mentioned that you don’t have much of an appetite today.” Adam was mildly amused to see the exasperated and unsurprised expression on her face.

“Jade. You need to give completely honest answers so they can help you. You don’t have to put on a face here.” The woman that was sitting on Jade’s other bedside told her. Jade looked at her and mumbled something that sounded a lot like ‘yes mother’ to Adam. But the two women smiled at each other.

Jade turned to Adam,

“They’ve been pretty good about making sure I have a little bit more medicine for the pain. But the brunt of the pain is still there. It’s just been the sharp edge of it that has been taken off.” She smiled meekly as she continued, “Linn gave me a bit of an earful to help me realize that I can accept your help and not push you away.”

Ah. So that’s who the woman is, he thought. They all owe her for her visit today.

“So, you’re Linn Mills. I’ve heard of you. I admire your efforts and tenacity. I’m Dr. Adam Kincaid.” He reached across Jade to give Linn a handshake. Linn quickly shook his hand.

“Thanks. I’ve heard of all of you, but Mitch is the only one I’ve worked with before. Thank you for all of your help with Jade.”

The men murmured their replies and nodded their heads humbly in answer to Linn.

“No problem”

“Only the right thing to do.”

Adam brought his hands together in a soft clap.

“Now. Back to business. Jade, I want to go over some things. Mainly, what the radiologist found with your images.”

“Yes, please.” Jade said.

“Jade, are you comfortable with us here to hear this, or do you want us to leave? Emmett said as he stood out of his chair, preparing to leave.

Jade held out her hand. “No. Stay. Please.” She smiled shyly at him, “It would be beneficial if you all knew what was going on. I, uh, I feel better when you guys are with me. It helps reaffirm that what had happened was wrong.”

Linn smiled proudly at her friend. Emmett flopped back down in a surprised but pleased manner.

Jade turned to Adam again. “We should probably get everyone’s name on whatever legal page they need to be on so they can be present for the medical gibberish conversations.”

Jake snorted out a laugh. Jade offered him a small smile and turned to Adam again. He just smiled and nodded.

“Perfect. Okay, so first thing is that I’m not your official doctor through all this. So someone should be coming in later to discuss this officially with you. But I wanted you to have a heads up about what was going on, and what to expect. I’ll make sure I’m handling your case or that someone I trust is.

I spoke with the radiologist, I was actually just in a meeting with your ICU doctor and the radiologist before coming here, and it was agreed you’re going to need surgery." Adam paused. He looked Jade in the eyes and said, "Possibly multiple ones.”