Suspended (part 9)

“Is everything ok, you seem a little down now that your guests are gone.” A male nurse came in to check on her a few minutes after Derek and her mom left. It was the same one that Hayley had met when she first woke up, and she felt glad that it was someone she knew, even if it were only briefly.

Hayley turned her head toward him, and tried to smile, but it came off as more of a grimace. “Yeah, I’m ok. We just had a little fight.”

“That’s too bad.” He said as leaned down by her bed to check on her vitals. “Besides that, are you feeling ok? How is the pain level?”

“Pretty good. I’m at about a one or a two. My head hurts just a little but I think that’s from not doing anything for so long. I guess I’m getting restless.”

“I’m sure you are. Most patients get a little stir crazy after a few days. You know I don’t think we’ve ever been properly introduced. I know my name’s on the board but I like formal introductions. I’m Tyler.”

Hayley found herself smiling at this man’s joyful demeanor. “Hi Tyler. I’m Hayley.”

“Well no that we know each other’s names, it’s almost like we’re friends.”

“I suppose.” Hayley felt slightly awkward at this statement since she barely knew the man, but sensed that he was only attempting to make her feel welcomed. She smiled at him, noticing the mark on his face once again. “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but what happened to your face? How did you scratch it?”

He lightly touched the scab on the side of his face. “This? It’s nothing.” He paused, seemingly lost in thought for several seconds before speaking again. “Actually, you gave it to me.”

“When did I do that?” Hayley asked, surprised.

“When you first got here. I tried to adjust your covers while you were still sleeping, but you were dreaming something and you began to mumble something like, ‘no’ and threw yourself around a bit. When you did your hand came up and caught me in the face. Believe me, I was a little surprised. You have some long, hard nails on you.”

Hayley gasped, feeling bad at hurting the man. “Oh. I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t scratch you too deeply.”

“It’s fine. It gives me character.” Tyler struck a pose like a regal statue, making Hayley laugh.

“Okay, if you really aren’t mad.”

“Of course not. How could I be mad when you don’t even remember it?”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“See, of course it is.” Tyler grabbed the chart on the foot of her bed, and wrote something down as he continued to speak. “Well, you seem to be healing well, and you’re stable, so it looks like you might be able to go home this afternoon.”

“Really? That sounds great.” Hayley said, feeling excited at the prospect of getting out of the cramped room.

“We just need Dr. Robertson to come give you a final check-up and you can leave.”

“Ok.”

“He should be here within the hour to come check up on you. I have to go check up on my other patients, but it was nice meeting you, Hayley, and I wish you all the best.”

“Thank you Tyler. And I wish you the best as well.”

“Yes. Well I might see you later.” Tyler paused, and Hayley thought it looked like he wanted to say something else, but he turned and walked out of the room instead.

He seems like a nice man. Thought Hayley as she smiled subconsciously. She felt excited about the prospect of leaving the hospital soon, especially since she hoped that meant the police didn’t suspect her of anything. That was the last thing she wanted at this point in her life. Brennan crossed her mind and she wondered how he was doing.

The phone next to her bed rang, breaking her from her thoughts. It was a strange phone that looked like a mix between a real phone and an old Atari game controller. Not quite sure how to answer it, she pressed the green button on the left and spoke. “Hello?”

“Hi. Is this Hayley?” The voice on the other end sounded anxious, and very familiar.

“Yes. Who is this?”

“It’s Brennan.”

Hayley felt her heart skip a beat, and she found herself grinning. He was that last person she would have expected to call, but she was glad he did. “Brennan. How did you call me? I thought you were arrested.”

“Sort of. I’m in protective custody at the hospital. I’m not allowed to use the phone, but I convinced an orderly to get me one and tell me what room you were in.”

“That’s impressive.”

“Thanks.”

“So why exactly did you call?” Hayley meant the question to be friendly, but it came off as more of an accusation.

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.” He sounded hurt by the harshness of her question.

“Yes?”

“Just making sure you’re still there. You weren’t talking.”

“I’m here.” Brennan seemed very pensive. “I wish I could tell you this in person, but I’m probably going to be in jail for a very long time. I just wanted you to know I’m going to do everything in my power to not implicate you in this.”

Hayley was surprised to hear the intensity in his voice. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, I don’t want you to have to pay for this. It was mostly me anyway. I shouldn’t have let you come with me, it only complicated things.”

“How did it complicate things?”

“It just did. You can tell the police the truth, but just leave yourself out of it. I’ll take the blame for everything. You really didn’t do much anyway, except not stop me.”

“I guess. But Brennan, are you sure? I mean I did kind of help you.”

“You have to think about more than yourself in this. What about the kid? Do you really think he wants to never know his mom?”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Yeah, but I have to go, I think someone’s noticed I’m on the phone.”

“Ok. Brennan?” Hayley felt herself tense up.

“Yeah?”

“I love you. And thanks.”

“For what?” Brennan asked, sounding surprised.

“For everything. For helping me realize who I am.”

“Well, you’re welcome.”

Hayley could hear the smile in his tone of voice and she grinned back, forgetting for a moment the urgency of the conversation.

Hayley heard some commotion on the other end, but Brennan spoke one more time. “I love you. Bye.”

“I love you too.” Hayley spoke the words hurriedly, but she was too late. The dial tone rang in her ear. “Oh, Brennan, how I wish things could have turned out differently.”

She spoke the words into the air, the desperate finality of her situation beginning to weigh down on her. What was she going to do now? She felt lost and completely and utterly alone. She had no one to help her, no one to confide in. She was in this by herself.

Or was she? Feeling more than a little unsure, she closed her eyes, and imagined God. Maybe out there somewhere, He would come down and help her. “God,” she spoke her prayer quietly aloud, “If you’re out there, I think I’m ready to listen. Finally.”

Author's NOTE: I think this is the end, but I'm not sure. Should I write an epilogue or not? Also, if you have any suggestions on any changes to this chapter or any others, I would greatly appreciate it. :) Thanks to all of you, my readers. :)