She went to my side and together they helped me sit down on the couch. There was no way I would move again. If I sat slightly to the left, the pain was considerably less and I would stay in this position until I was fused to the couch.
“What happened?” Oma asked while handing Freddie a cardigan and then getting me some painkillers.
Freddie spoke first, surprising me. “It was my fault. I’m so sorry.” She sat down next to me and took my hand before promptly bursting into tears again. I wasn’t much use in terms of hugs since I couldn’t lift my arms very high but I leaned into her and stroked her hand, my head resting on hers. My anger evaporated.
“Don’t cry, pixie. What happened is not your fault. He’s a fucking disgusting pig and not worth a single tear.”
“He’s not, but you are.” She got out between hiccups.
Oma handed us each a cup of tea. Judging by the fumes coming off it, she’d added a little extra. Her special tea was made out of a lot of rum and a shot of tea. We both sat the mugs on the coffee table, knowing better than to take a sip of the rocket fuel. Oma also liked to save when it came to booze and this one was sure to be the cheapest she could find.
“Do you need to go to the hospital?” Oma asked.
I shook my head, not willing to get up yet. “I have the day off tomorrow. I’ll just go to the doctor then. I’m fine, don’t worry.”
“I always worry. You are my girls.”
“We’re okay now. Promise. Go to bed. It’s late and Josie will be up soon. At least one of use should get some sleep.”
“Okay, I give you tonight. But tomorrow you tell me.”
And tell her I would. But my eyes were drooping and I had no energy left. “I will. Good night, Oma.”
She studied us for another minute before seemingly satisfied with what she saw. After kissing us both on the cheek, she ambled off to her room, leaving the door open.
I squeezed Freddie’s hand and said, “You should go to bed too. Try and get some sleep.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“Not sure I’ll be able to get up off the couch.”
“Then I’ll stay here with you.”
“Freddie,” I said, drawing out the last syllable. “You need to sleep.”
She moved closer, nearly sitting on top of me. “I don’t want to be on my own.” Her voice was so quiet, I wouldn’t have heard her had she not sat so close.
“Okay. Give me a minute and I’ll try to get up.”
The pain meds were working and twenty minutes later I heaved myself up and shuffled down the hall. Freddie stuck close to my side, helping me as much as possible without causing more pain. I didn’t even attempt to get into my PJs, instead I got in bed still fully dressed, only taking my shoes off.
Freddie followed and curled up next to me, taking my hand again. I was able to lie on my left side and Freddie turned onto her right so we were facing each other.
“Love you, pixie. Try and get some sleep,” I whispered and closed my eyes.
“Love you too, Mimi.”
It didn’t take long for her to drift off to sleep. I nodded off a few times, but the pain kept me awake, and I sighed in relief when it got light. It had not been a night I ever cared to remember.
