Maureen wished she could say something to ease his sorrow, but didn’t have anything to add. She certainly couldn’t reveal that Kim was trying to blackmail her again into getting off scot-free; that would be pouring salt on his many wounds. Physical, mental, and emotional.
“Justice will prevail,” she finally said.
Kayden stretched his arm now that it was out of the sling, but it was still confined to the cast. It would be cut off in another week once the healing had completed, then he could start therapy to regain his strength and muscle mass.
“How’s the pain?” Paula asked, sipping on a bottle of water.
“It’s OK. Still can’t move my fingers much yet, and my arm is getting skinny in this cast,” he replied.
“You should have at least seventy-five percent return of mobility by now. That’s what the doctors said,” Maureen stated, surprised.
“There’s nerve damage too, not just the fracture, mom. I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he explained.
“I’m calling Doctor Mendel tomorrow for a consult,” she said, standing from the couch.
“Mother, please. I don’t need another consult. Right now, the only thing I need is to take care of Lana. Besides, he’s in New York.”
“So, we’ll go to New York,” she retorted.
“I’m not leaving her to go to New York,” he repeated slowly and calmly.
“Fine, but can you at least agree that if it’s not getting better in a few weeks, we’ll go?”
He sighed and nodded his head to satisfy her.
“Then it’s settled,” she chirped, slinging her purse over her shoulder.“I’m going to head back to the hotel and meet Heathcliff for dinner.”
“Okay, have a good time,” he replied, as she kissed the top of his head.
Maureen walked down the hall and hesitated as she saw the open bedroom door where Lana had retreated. She almost walked into the room to check on her, but changed her mind. She needed sleep, and there was no doubt that the poor girl was probably knocked out cold. She let herself out and set off to meet Heathcliff.
Paula sat next to Kayden and looked at him silently as he sipped his bourbon. He put his glass down and glared at her.
“What?” He ran his good hand through his hair now, still in desperate need of a cut, and waited for her to say something.
“I’m so sorry, baby brother,” she said, as her big eyes filled with water.
Kayden averted his eyes, seeing hers so sad, and it caused a lump to form in his throat. He blinked back tears as he spoke.
“This is all my fault. Lana’s already been through hell and back, and now the baby, too?”
He looked at his sister now, unable to hide his emotions, morphing from horror to disbelief and sadness as he fought to keep it together.
Paula grabbed his hand as he lay his head on her shoulder.
“This is not your fault. Not either one of you. Kim’s going to get exactly what she deserves, don’t you worry,” she said as she comforted her brother.
LANA LAY INBED on her side in the darkened room and cried silently, staring through the open room door. The house was quiet, so she heard the conversation between Paula and Kayden clearly. Her best friend and her fiancé. She was thankful that Paula was there to give him some comfort, because she didn’t have an ounce to spare. She lay lost in an abyss of physical and emotional pain and wouldn’t be able to do or say a word.
Hearing Paula’s reassuring words to him did double duty. Everything around her was still changing, no matter what they had gone through before, or how they tried to pick up the pieces after. The hurt of the past didn’t compare to the pain ofthis. Hopefully, it would all be a bad memory that would be replaced with years of good ones, she prayed.
Then, her cell phone began to vibrate on her pillow. She lazily picked it up and saw a text message from Sam.
SAM: Your OB gave me a call. Are you OK?
Lana deleted the message for several reasons. One of them being Kayden, and the other being that it was none of Sam’s business. He must’ve added himself as her primary care physician when he was in town, and she would undo that as soon as possible! She appreciated the concern on one level, but wanted him to take a hint and leave well enough alone.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the memories of the last few weeks swirled in her mind, regardless of her trying like hell not to dwell. Fresh hot tears stung the back of her eyelids. She really missed her mother and wanted—no, needed—to go home and be with her a while. Lana decided she’d wait after the court hearing, when everything quieted down, before letting Kayden know. Shewilled herself to stop imagining the face of the baby lost, and soon the medication she was prescribed drifted her off into a deep sleep.
