Fate's Intentions (6 page)

When she was finished with her second cup of coffee she started to wash the dishes piled in the sink, trying as hard as she could to be quiet so she didn't wake Scarlett who was sleeping only feet away. As she rinsed the last of the dishes she saw Scarlett begin to stir. She wiggled a little where she laid on the couch and in the process she had uncovered herself. Ashlynn stood silent for a moment then made her way over to the couch and pulled the blanket up over her. Scarlett didn't move anymore as Ashlynn covered her. Ashlynn stood there over her friend for a minute looking at the shiner on her face. She wished there was something she could do to take away her pain and the marks on her face and wrists.

Ashlynn took off into her room. She dug through some boxes on her floor and pulled out some computer paper, scotch tape and markers. She taped together pieces of paper making a big poster and wrote on them in big letters 'Scarlett and Ashlynn BFF's forever!' She hurried into the bathroom and taped it over the mirror on the medicine cabinet. She stood back smiling; pleased with herself that she could at least give her friend this much. She wouldn't have to look at her beautiful face flawed by what that bastard had done to her.

~

She spent the next few hours doing laundry. After she washed all of her things she threw them into the dryer and went into Scarlett's room and gathered all of the dirty clothes she had piled in the corner of her room. She had her things all washed and dried and put them away and was just finishing putting Scarlett's away when she heard Scarlett scream. She dropped the clothes in her hands and ran to the living room. Scarlett was sitting straight up on the couch, pure terror on her face. She was sweating, crying and had red blotches all over her skin. Ashlynn jumped down onto the couch next to her and wrapped her arms around Scarlett. She made 'shhhh' noises like you would to calm a fussy baby and Scarlett's breathing finally started to slow down. "It's okay Scarlett! You're here with me, you're fine, you're safe!"

"It seemed so real Ash! That is the most life-like dream I've ever had!" Scarlett was still panting a little.

"It's okay now. You're safe!"

Scarlett turned and sat back into the sofa. "I'm so thankful last night didn't turn out as bad as it could have!"

"That makes two of us sister! I know it's hard but you need to just drop it. At least for a little while. Let your mind rest!"

Scarlett pushed herself up and let out a loud grunt. "My wrist really hurts. I'm beginning to think it's sprained or something."

Ashlynn took Scarlett's arm examining her wrist. "It's a lot more swollen than the other one and the bruising on it is worse. I think you should see a doctor."

Scarlett smirked at her friend. "I hope you're not using my misfortune as an opportunity to see 'Hotty Docky'!"

Ashlynn laughed. "I'd be lying if I said he didn't cross my mind, but no I really do think it needs looked at!"

"Well I'm going to take a shower before we decide anything else!"

Ashlynn nodded understanding Scarlett still felt vulnerable and dirty.

Scarlett tossed her blanket up onto the pillow she had slept on and went into her room. She gathered some things and then made her way to the bathroom. She laid her things on the bathroom counter and looked up into the mirror. She stood staring at the note taped over the mirror 'Scarlett and Ashlynn BFF's forever!'

Ashlynn was folding up Scarlett's blanket piling them all on the floor beside the sofa when Scarlett appeared out of no where and wrapped her arms around her. "Thank you!" She mumbled. "Thank you for everything you do for me! You are the best friend a girl could ask for!"

Ashlynn hugged her back. "We've been friends a long time! I'd kill for you!"

Scarlett let go of her and smiled at her one more time before turning and going back into the bathroom. Ashlynn heard the shower come on just before her phone went off. It was a text from Brad. 'truck was in driveway when i woke up no word from cody' Ashlynn snorted as she read the text. She replied, 'let me know if you do'

Fifteen minutes or so passed and Scarlett emerged from the bathroom. Ashlynn grinned at her and said, "I've decided some massive junk food binging is in order! Let's go to the store and get cake and brownie mixes, ice cream, whipped cream, syrup... ya know the works!"

"I don't feel much for shopping, but I'll ride with you. Sure not staying here alone!"

"You need to go to the doctor and I hate to bring it up... but what are your thoughts on going to the police?" Ashlynn tried to ask as gently as she could.

"I think I should! Would you mind going with me?"

"Why would you even ask Scarlett? Where you go I go! BFF's for life!"

"Well I'm ready when you are."

Ashlynn looked down at what she was wearing. "Give me five minutes!"

As she said, five minutes later she was dressed and both girls headed out the door. They got into the car and Ashlynn started the engine. Before putting the car in reverse she paused then turned to Scarlett. "I want you to know you don't have to go to the police. Don't feel pressured like you're obligated to."

"I feel it's the right thing to do Ash. As much as I don't want to go through the questions and re-living last night in every detail, it needs to be done."

"Okay then." That was all Ashlynn said as she backed up and started out of the driveway.

When they made it to town Ashlynn wasn't sure where to start looking for the police station. She just drove through town hoping that they would spot it. They did. She drove past the grocery store and the movie rental into downtown and the police station sat there on the right. Ashlynn parked to the side of the building but didn't turn the car off. She didn't need to say anything, Scarlett answered her unspoken question. "Yes I'm sure." And with that she pulled the keys from the switch and they got out of the car.

About an hour and a half later they were leaving the police station. Ashlynn was asking Scarlett what kind of ice cream she wanted trying desperately to keep her talking about anything but what was on her mind. Scarlett interrupted her, "Do you think that was what the fortune teller saw?"

Ashlynn was surprised at her question. "I never thought about it. I actually forgot all about that whole ordeal."

"Just crossed my mind." Scarlett replied.

Ashlynn was looking around at the street names as she drove trying to remember the directions the officer had given them to the Doctor's office. "Do you remember the name of that street?"

Scarlett pointed, "That one right there! Just up the street is a sign 'Black Forest Community Health'."

Ashlynn giggled. "The cop said his name is Dr. Johansen. Bet he's some old geezer!"

She parked in front of the small building and her and Scarlett got out of the car and walked into the tiny office. There was a bell on the door that rang as they walked in. They stepped up to the desk and Scarlett looked down at a sign-in sheet stuck to a clip board. "Should I sign this since I don't have an appointment?"

"I'd just wait." Ashlynn said as she looked around. The office wasn't set up like most Doctor's offices. There were six chairs to the left of the front door and there was an office type desk to the right with two chairs in front of it. Ashlynn looked back the hall. "Helloooo..."

"Be out in a minute!" A voice said coming from one of the rooms.

"He doesn't sound old!" Scarlett smirked.

"I know that voice!" Ashlynn said beaming from ear to ear.

Before another word could be said Adam came out the hall. He smiled when he recognized the two girls standing before him. "Hello there. What can I do for you two?"

"Well... Scarlett needs her wrist looked at." Ashlynn said knowing what was coming next.

"Alright well follow me." He said turning and walking back the hallway. He didn't ask any questions.

They walked into the room and he had Scarlett sit up on the table. He took her wrist in his hands examining it all the way around. Scarlett groaned as he wiggled it and pressed into the joints. "It's not broke." He said looking up to see relief in her eyes. "I'm pretty sure it's just a sprain but there is a possibility there is a fracture in there somewhere. I don't know if you have health insurance. It's up to you if you want to have it x-rayed. We can put a brace on it and see how it feels in a week or so. Even if it is fractured nine times out of ten the brace would still be the course of action."

Scarlett looked up at him. "I think just try the brace. I don't really want to go to the hospital for x-rays."

"Alright then. I think I have some braces in the back so just sit tight while I go check."

He walked out of the room and Scarlett turned to Ashlynn who was practically drooling. "You got it bad don't ya!"

"Oh Scarlett I don't know what it is about that yummy man!"

Scarlett shook her head and giggled to herself. "I've never seen you like this."

"I've never felt like this. Most men are a dime a dozen every one of them the same. But he's different. I can't explain it."

Before Scarlett could reply the door swung open and Adam walked in carrying a brace. "I think this one should fit. Let's try it out." He gently slipped it down over Scarlett's wrist and tightened the Velcro straps. "How does that feel?"

"Well I can't move it if that's the purpose!" Scarlett laughed.

"I'll give you a prescription for some pain medicine too." He said as he sat down onto the stool beside the table. "They will make you sleepy so don't take any other medication with them."

"Okay." Scarlett nodded.

He grabbed a prescription pad off the counter behind him and scribbled on it. He ripped it off the pad and handed it to her then scribbled again on the next page. He handed her another one and said, "I want you to take these as according to the instruction on the bottles."

Scarlett nodded again. He got up and walked out the hall back to the front of the building and the girls followed. "So what do I owe you?" Scarlett asked.

"Your first visit is a freebie." He smiled.

"Seriously?" Scarlett asked in disbelief.

"Yep." He grabbed a piece of paper off the desk and wrote something on it. He handed it to Scarlett. "This is my cell number. If you have any questions about the medicine give me a call or a text." He shot a quick look to Ashlynn.

She grinned with the thought that there would be some reason she would have to text him for Scarlett.

"Thank you so much Dr. Johansen!" Scarlett exclaimed.

"Please, call me Adam." He said looking down at her.

Scarlett smiled back at him. "Thank you, Adam."

He smiled and waved as the girls went out the door. Ashlynn of course was smiling and winked at him before she walked out.

They left the office and Ashlynn drove to the shopping complex the grocery store was in and pulled up in front of the pharmacy. Ashlynn went in and dropped off Scarlett's prescriptions then walked over to the grocery store. She glanced back at her car before she went in. Scarlett was listening to the radio.

When she came out with her arms full of bags Scarlett was laid back in the seat and Ashlynn could see her foot tapping to the music. Ashlynn smiled. That was a good sign. Scarlett saw Ashlynn walking towards the car and hurried to hit the trunk release button. Ashlynn loaded the bags into the car and then walked to Scarlett's window. Scarlett put the window down and Ashlynn leaned down closer to her. "You're probably going to have to come in Scarlett. They need your insurance card and it probably has to be you to pick them up."

"I really didn't want to go in. Hopefully we don't run into anyone." Scarlett grabbed the keys out of the ignition and locked the doors as she got out.

They walked into the pharmacy and while Scarlett was at the counter waiting Ashlynn was looking around. The woman behind the counter handed Scarlett her receipt and her bag. Ashlynn grabbed a Mountain Dew out of the cooler and put it up on the counter and handed the woman two dollars. The woman pushed some buttons on the register and put the money in the drawer. Ashlynn took her change then her and Scarlett headed out the door.

When they got into the car Ashlynn looked on the pill bottles to read the directions. Neither of the bottles said to take the medication with food. She got a pill from each bottle and handed them to Scarlett with the Mountain Dew. Scarlett laughed at her. "Who are you? My mom?"

"Oh sweet Scarlett I have plans for you this evening your mother would never approve of!"

Chapter 7

The girls had just got back to the cottage from town. The first thing Ashlynn did was mix up the brownies and stick them in the oven. Scarlett had everything else put away when she was finished so they both proceeded to the sofa.

Scarlett turned to Ashlynn. "So what do you wanna do? A movie?"

"I've got American Pie laying down there. Let's watch it. And I have a movie enhancer too." Ashlynn's gleam worried Scarlett.

"Do I even wanna ask?"

"Well when I went into the grocery store I ran into some teenage boys in the junk food aisle who obviously had the munchies but they didn't have enough cash for all their M&M's and Doritos's. So I gave them a little." Ashlynn had that look.