Authors: Nikki Vale
I look up at the nurse and see familiar kind blue eyes and a bright white smile set in an elderly woman’s face topped with dyed red hair. The only thing different about her is that she’s wearing scrubs with fat little cherubs instead of a less than attractive Christmas sweater. “Margie?” I ask amazed. She nods and smiles. My nurse is the same woman who asked me to sing to her on the plane when I was coming to Acorn Grove.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I tell her. “I had wanted to thank you for helping me that day, but you were gone before I got the chance.”
“I didn’t do anything. It was all you,” she says kindly.
“I don’t think so,” I sigh sadly. “I try to do the right thing, be a good person. I want to be the kind of daughter that my father would be proud of but I can’t seem to do anything right. My sister hates me. My Mom won’t tell me anything. My other sister Summer is the only one truly on my side. I feel like no one truly sees me,” I finish lamely. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I guess I feel like the girl that got left behind.”
“Oh sweetie, it’s not you. It sounds to me like some of your family members are the ones that need working on,” she states as a matter of fact. “Now, if I’m not mistaken, there is someone who’s trying to see you. And by that I mean, trying to see who you really are. He wants to know what makes Skye tick. Don’t look at me like your confused,” Margie laughs. “The handsome Sherriff with the curly hair and killer blue eyes, that comes to visit you every day. I think he’s interested in the real Skye Williams.”
“I barely know him,” I say, blushing.
“So? Get to know him. You have a beautiful heart. If you want to be seen, don’t be afraid to show how beautiful you truly are. Some will hate you, but some will love you. It’s the ones that love you that matter,” she imparts her words of wisdom to me. I do feel a little better because of them.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
“Oh, you’re welcome dear. Now I’ve got to be going, but I’ll be seeing you,” she says over her shoulder as she walks out the door. I’m glad she was here to help me through that. I’ve never had a panic attack before. I think all of this is stressing me out.
I take a look around my hospital room for the first time. There’s an empty hospital bed next to mine. My bed is the one closest to the window and this side of the room is full of flowers, stuffed animals, and balloons. I wonder who could have sent all of this? I don’t know that many people in town.
I hear a soft knock on the door and look to see Jon Dark Star walking in. “Hey. I heard you were awake. I hope you don’t mind that I took it upon myself to stop by for a visit. As you can see I’m on duty so I can’t stay for long,” he says pointing to his uniform.
“All visitors are welcome here,” I say with a smile. I’m actually happy to see Jon, for some reason I feel comfortable with him.
Jon walks over and makes himself at home on the left side of my bed. I guess he feels comfortable with me too. “I brought you this,” he says pulling a floppy stuffed-reindeer from behind his back. I take it from him and hug it to my chest.
“You’re looking better. Your eyes are no longer swollen shut. The bruising around them is still dark but that should be turning greenish like Dawn’s soon and before you know it no more black eyes,” he says cheerily.
“I have two black eyes?” I ask reaching up to touch my face. Jon looks mortified. I guess he thought I already knew my condition. I feel a metal splint across the bridge of my nose. I guess I broke it. Probably on that merciless steering wheel. I know I got the black eyes from my face slamming into that wheel of death. I shudder at the memory.
“Don’t worry, you’re still beautiful,” Jon says reassuringly, mistaking my shiver for one of worry about my looks. I could care less. I’m not that vain. Jon takes my hand and brings it to his lips kissing my knuckles.
“I’m just happy to be alive,” I say honestly.
“And we’re happy you’re alive too,” Cooper says, walking into the room with a popsicle in his hand. I see him take notice if Jon still holding my hand to his lips. My eyes hone in on the popsicle.
“Is that for me?” I ask excitedly. I haven’t eaten in a week and I’ve only had ice chips today. That thing looks like heaven on a stick.
“Yep. I checked with your nurse and she said you could have it,” Cooper says eyeing my hand still in Jon’s meaningfully. I quickly snatch it out of Jon’s grasp and reach for the icy treat like a little kid. Cooper smiles. He pulls off the wrapper and puts it in my greedy little hand. I immediately stick it in my mouth.
“Mmmmm, so gooood,” I moan, closing my eyes. “It’s cherry too, my favorite,” I continue to suck and lick the popsicle.
“You’re a fucking genius,” I hear Jon whisper to Cooper. My eyes pop open to see Cooper scowl and look like he wants to take the popsicle away from me or sock Jon. I personally vote for socking Jon.
“No! Mine,” I say pouting like a two-year-old. “This is the best thing I’ve had in a long time. I see you smiling Jon, get your mind out of the gutter. I need this like I need my next breath. If you can’t let me enjoy this without being a pervert Jon, you can leave. Cooper, you stay,” I say commandingly.
“Yes, Ma’am,” Cooper says quietly with a twinkle in his eyes.
“I’ll be good,” Jon promises, properly chastised.
I promptly ignore them both and commence to devouring my popsicle. Just as I’m sucking the stick clean Nurse Mendoza walks in.
“Where’s Margie?” I inquire.
“Huh? Sorry sweetie, it's shift change. You’re stuck with me for the next twelve hours,” she says apologetically. “Okay gentleman I’m going to have to ask you to leave. It’s time for Ms. Williams’ bath,” Nurse Mendoza announces. I see Jon’s face light up and something I can’t read crosses over Cooper’s features.
“Don’t even think about it,” Nurse Mendoza warns, waving her index finger back and forth, coming to my defense. “None of that hanky-panky on my watch,” she says clicking her tongue. I actually laugh and so does Cooper.
“Don’t you have to get back to work anyway Jon?” Cooper prompts him.
“Yes, sir,” Jon replies sarcastically but gets up from the bed. “Feel better Skye. I’ll be by again later,” he says before leaving. Cooper waves to me and walks into the hall behind Jon. I’m guessing he’s not leaving the hospital completely because he didn’t touch the tip of his hat in farewell like he normally does. I smile to myself. It’s funny that I know that about him already.
“Nurse Mendoza? Can you tell me about all of my injuries? No one has told me exactly what’s wrong with me,” I ask her.
“Sure sweetie. I’m sorry about that. You must be worried to death. Let me just get you ready for your bath and we’ll talk all about it.”
Cooper
I swear I’m not a jealous man, but when I walked in that hospital room and saw Jon kissing Skye’s fingers I wanted to snatch him up. Something inside of me yelled, MINE! It didn’t help that earlier Skye asked me if I was sweet on her. What could I say? I couldn’t lie, so I admitted it. And what does she say? Where’s Dawn?
I’m not an asshole, I know she’s worried about her sister and she has more things to worry about than a possible romance with some country bumpkin Sherriff. It wouldn’t be the first time a woman thought of me that way.
I lived and worked in Chicago for a few short years. I know that people look at you different and treat you differently when you have a southern drawl. Just because I talk slower doesn’t mean I think slower. It’s a common mistake people make. I’m laid back, not lazy. There’s a difference.
I left home after I graduated college. I felt suffocated in this small town. I wanted to see bigger and better things. I saw them, but bigger wasn’t always better. I missed the tight-knit community of a small town. I missed the small town where everybody knows your name and they greet you on the streets as you walk by. So I moved back hoping that this small town boy would find a small town girl, settle down and get married. But what do I do? I fall for the city girl that just moved into the small town.
Why can’t things just be simple? I’m competing with Jon for Skye’s affection and she doesn’t even know it. I’m in the hospital hallway pacing while the nurse gives her a sponge bath and I would do anything to be in there right now. I’m no better than Jon, hell I’m probably worse. I’m just better at keeping my thoughts to myself than he is.
Nurse Mendoza opens the door to Skye’s room. “It’s okay to come in now,” she informs me.
I walk back into the room and Skye smiles at me sheepishly. She’s so sweet. She acts like she’s embarrassed that she had to have a bath. She looks refreshed. Her cheeks are rosy under her brown complexion and her hair looks soft and damp from being washed.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her pulling a chair close to her bed. She surprises me when she pats the bed next to her in invitation. I don’t hesitate. I sit down on the edge of the bed next to her thigh on the side without the cast.
“I feel okay for having had a near-death experience,” she laughs lightly without humor. “Honestly, I’m more emotionally drained than physically. Dawn won’t come see me. My mother is covering for her. I’m not going to be able to work anytime soon and I don’t know how I’ll climb a flight of stairs to Summer’s apartment,” she sighs in exasperation. “I swear I was better off in a coma.”
She’s killing me. I want so badly to take her in my arms and comfort her. “Don’t say that,” I tell her running my hand over her silky hair until I’m cupping her cheek. She leans her face into the palm of my hand like she needed to feel the contact as much as I needed to give it. There’s something comforting to both of us in the simple gesture. She rubs her smooth cheek against my palm a few times. I rub my thumb across her cheekbone and then gently remove my hand.
“You can move in with me,” I quietly suggest. “Hear me out,” I tell her before she gets the wrong idea. “I need to keep an eye on you while I look for who did this to you,” I explain. “I’ve already come to the conclusion that Dawn wasn’t the target and by the look on your face, you agree. I live in a single story house with two spare bedrooms you can take your pick of either. In case you were worried, I’ll be a perfect gentleman unless of course, you don’t want me to be.”
I can’t believe I said that last part, but it’s too late it’s out there now and I can’t take it back. She looks like she’s thinking it over and I’m waiting nervously for her response. Having her close will definitely help me to keep an eye on her but it's going to wreak havoc on my libido.
“Okay, I guess I can do that” she concedes, and I let out the breath I was holding. “But under one condition. This is a roommate type of situation and I will pay you to rent the room,” she states, leaving no room for debate.
“Fine,” I tell her. “Two hundred dollars a month,” I quote her.
“That’s not enough money,” she claims, narrowing her eyes at me. “It should be at least three hundred.”
“Two fifty,” I counter. I have no intentions of keeping a dime of her money, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“Deal,” she agrees, sticking out her hand and smiling. I take her hand and shake it, sealing the deal. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s just made a deal with the devil. I smile back at her.
“I’m back,” Summer says from the doorway. “What’s going on in here?” she asks mischievously.
“Nothing. Cooper and I were just coming to an agreement about how much rent I’m going to pay to stay at his house,” she replies nonchalantly.
“What! You’re moving in with Cooper?” Sumer asks, her voice rising in astonishment.
“What’s this I hear about Skye moving in with Cooper?” Their mother says from the doorway. “Skye how are you going to find a girlfriend if everyone thinks you have a boyfriend?” her mother asks, seriously.
Summer throws her hands up. “Really Mom? Skye is not a Lesbian. We went along with it for a while because it was funny that you actually believed that, but this isn’t funny anymore,” she tells her mother.
“But Dawn said….” Jenny falters.
“You believe everything that lying little cunt says!” Summer screeches. I’m shocked at the way Summer is talking to her mother. “I’m sorry Skye,” Summer continues. “I love you, hell I even love Dawn. You’re my sisters for crying out loud, but Dawn has been telling vicious lies about you to anyone that will listen. I’m sure Cooper’s even heard some,” she says pointing her finger at me.
All eyes turn to me. Why, oh why, did she have to drag me into this? I look at Skye pleadingly.
“I’m sorry Cooper, I hate to drag you into a family dispute, but I’d like to know if my sister said anything to you about me,” Skye responds, looking at me for an answer.
SHIT! If I ever want Skye to trust me I have to tell her the truth. I look past her mother and on to Dawn giving her a look that could kill. Dawn shrugs and mouths the word sorry. I sigh, pulling off my baseball cap and running my hand through my loose curls.
“The night of her birthday party Dawn suggested I not bother chasing after you because you went the other way,” I say, spitting it out in a rush.
“The other way, as in I like girls?” she questions. I nod my head in the affirmative. “That’s fine,” she says shocking us all. “You obviously didn’t believe her but even if you did believe her, how would me being a lesbian, benefit her?” Skye asks more to herself than to anyone in the room. “Ahhh, I’ve been so blind! She likes Cooper. I forgot I already knew that ” she remarks smacking her hand against her head. “Ouch, that was stupid,” she comments rubbing her forehead.