Love Me ~ Through the Storm (22 page)

37

Kane

My whole world just walked out of the hospital. I pray to God that she makes it home safely.

My mom paces around the room. I can hear her dragging her feet.

“Kane, if you were awake, and would listen to me, I’d tell you about your Pop.” I hear her let out a long breath. “Sometimes, he was the best father a girl could ask for and others, well, he was a mean s.o.b.”

It sounds like she’s beside me now. “No, Pop wasn’t abusive physically, it was more in the form of verbal and psychological abuse. He had some kind of mental hold on me, still ‘til this day I can’t figure it out.”

I remember he had the same kind of authority over Ruby, too. I think that’s why she writes about kick ass women. It was the only world she could control.

Pop never affected me the way he did them. I mean, he wasn’t the loving, hugging type and he was always extremely stern, but that was just the way he was. That’s why I ended up staying over with Clay and his family all the time.

“Ma’am, visiting hours are over,” I hear a lady say.

“I’m going to sleep right here in these two chairs. I’m not leaving my son. I made a promise to myself that I was never leaving him again when he needed me,” I hear her reply.

I hear mom let out a long breath, “Kane, I’m really proud of the man you’ve become, and the one you’re in the process of becoming. If there’s any way in this world you can find it within your heart to forgive me, I’ll live every day being the best mom to you that I can. Even if you can’t grant me that one opulence, I’m still going to be here for you.”

I forgive you, mom.

“I know there’s nothing I can do to make up for the past, but I hope my actions in the future will tell you everything you need to know. I want to be the woman that you’d be proud to call your mom.”

And, I’m going to be that son for you.

My eyes open a slit. Everything is blurry but I can make out my mom sitting in the chair beside my bed. That’s all I have the energy for. I close my eyes again and hope for a good dreamless night’s sleep.

I hear my girl visiting with someone, “They think he should wake up today. I hope so, I’m ready to feel his arms around me again.”

“He will, Oakley, you just hang in there,” a girl says.

I slit my eye, “Lights.” That’s all I can get out, and I forget what I was going to say. The lights hurt my eyes; that’s what I want to say.

“Kane! You’re awake. Sandy, will you get the nurse for me?” Oakley leans down and presses her lips to mine.

“Lights… eyes.” I move my arm up to shield my eyes.

“Kane, I can’t understand what you’re saying. Is it your eyes?”

“Hurt.” I concentrate as hard as I can on getting the word to come out sounding right.

“Do your eyes hurt, baby?” Oakley asks.

The door to my hospital room swings open and nurses gather around me.  I’m guessing the one that takes over, poking and prodding me is the doctor. 

“Order a CT scan with contrast.” The doctor spouts off orders to the nurses.

With all the bustling around me, I’m feeling overwhelmed. Before I know it, I’m being wheeled off for a multitude of tests. All I want to do is get back to my usual self and Oakley. I want to be with the one person who is all things to me, the only thing I need.

I’m so freaking tired when they roll me back to my room I’m fighting to stay awake so I can be with Oakley. We didn’t even get a chance to talk before they wheeled me away for tests. My thoughts were all fuzzy, and my speech was so mumbled that she couldn’t understand me anyway.

I fall victim to sleep because my body and mind are still too weak for the fight. My love will wait on me, I’m sure of it. She’s the best feeling in the world; she is love. When I look at her, she’s always grinning right back with a smile that warms me.

The next few days, I’m only awake for a few minutes at a time. I’m told my body needs the rest to heal. But, finally after a week of being in the hospital, I’m waking up and feeling rested.

I feel dried drool at the corner of my cotton-mouth. My eyes are still so heavy, but I can feel her near me. I never knew that belonging to someone would give me so much peace. Now, simply knowing that she is close by and knowing that I matter to her gives me all the inspiration I need.

“Hey, sleepyhead.” Oakley leans down and gives me a peck on the lips.

“Oakley.” I smile.

“Kane, I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been right here, and you were right here with me the whole time, baby.”

“But, I couldn’t talk to you.” Oakley crawls onto the bed and lays by my side.

“You did talk to me, I heard every word. I’m your anchor.” If I had the energy to move, I’d wrap my arms around her and hold her tight.

“You heard all of that?” she asks.

“Yeah, I did. I may be your anchor, but you’re my dock.”

“Your doctor?” Oakley laughs.

“No, dock. As in pier. You’re what I hold on to, in order to stay afloat. You reach out to me in the storm, providing me a place of security.”

“Is that some kind of sexual innuendo?” Oakley asks.

“No, it’s a metaphor, like the anchor thing you said.”

“You never talk like that, Kane, but that’s possibly the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me. I’m so glad you’re awake, I was so worried about you.”

“I know that I’m not the easiest person to love, Oakley, but don’t give up on me, baby. I’m always going to come back to you. No matter what happens, you’re going to be in my arms. I’m never giving you up.”

“Kane,” Tears form in the corner of her eyes, “I love you. Nothing can ever change that.”

“Aw, aren’t the two of you just the cutest things ever.” Deb comes through the door.

“Hey, Mom.”

Oakley sits up and gets off my bed.

“You called me mom.” Deb’s eyes are big and round.

“Yes, you
are
my mom.” I give her my best smile.

“You know, I think I want a soda. Would either of you like anything?” Oakley asks.

“Nah, you go ahead,” Deb answers.

“You’re all I want, baby.”

“He’s been this way since he woke up, all mushy gushy.” Oakley gives me a peck. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

After Oakley leaves, my mom asks, “So, how do you feel besides being all mushy gushy?”

“I feel fine, ready to go home.” I hold my arms out. “Hug?”

“Wow, you are in a loving mood.” Deb bends down and hugs me.

“I had a dream while I was unconscious. It was about when you left me with Mimi and Pop.”

Deb hangs her head. “Kane, I can’t even begin to tell you how sorry I am about doing that.”

“Mom, I remember you didn’t want to leave me, but Pop made you go. I remember so much now that I had forgotten being a little kid. That’s why I want to call you Mom again.”

“You have no idea how happy that makes me, son. You just gave me the best present ever.”

“I know we will have a lot to work through, but I’m willing to try.”

“Yes, we do, and Mimi, too. She said she wanted to go to the therapy sessions with us,” Deb says, smiling through her tears.

“Where is she, by the way?”

“She’s been up here every single day and has been blowing Oakley’s phone up asking for updates.” Deb laughs.

“That’s great, but y’all are going to run her off before I can get her to agree to marry me.”

“I don’t think there is anything or anyone that could make that girl leave you. She’s a little stubborn thing.”

“That, she is.”

38

Oakley

“Baby, I’m so glad you’re getting to come home today. I know you still have a long road ahead of you, but we can take that one day at a time,” I tell Kane as I pack up the last few items I’ve brought to the hospital over the past couple of days to make Kane comfortable.

He’s right back trying to get in my pants anytime we have a free moment. His doctor warned that he may have some dysfunction and I think Kane is out to prove that theory wrong. The day Kane Treadway has erectile dysfunction will be the day hell freezes over. That check you can take to the bank and cash.

“Oakley, I’ll be as good as new by next week, just wait and see. I want you back in classes tomorrow.” He grabs my arm as I walk by and pulls me down on his lap.

“If I’m in class, how can I take care of you? Besides, I’ve missed so much, I may as well as drop my classes and start fresh in January.” I shake my head. I don’t want to go back to my classes, not right yet. I feel like I need the break, plus I want to be here for Kane while he’s mending.  Maybe I can change his mind through sexual favors.

“No, you’re getting back to your classes. If you wait, you might not go back. Mom and Ruby will take care of me, and I’m not taking any kind of your whining about it either.” He glares at me, pinching his brow and pops me on my behind as I get up.

Rolling my eyes, “Alright, alright. Geez, you would think I manipulate you to get my way all the time.” I know I do, but he’s right, I guess. If I don’t go back and at least try to catch up, there’s a chance that I won’t want to go back after Christmas.

“Are we all ready to go home?” All five foot two inches of Ruby Treadway comes barreling through the door.

I’m glad we weren’t in the middle of anything because Ruby has no boundaries when it comes to open sexual communication. I fear she would construct some sexual scene in her head for one of her books, and try to get us to act it out. Not that she’s ever done that, but she talks about sex way too much for my comfort. I guess that’s the life of an erotic romance author.

“Mimi, did you bring me any of your homemade lemonade?” Kane asks her.

“Luther Kane, I have you a whole gallon in the car and I have your favorite oatmeal chocolate cookies, too.” She stands with her hands on her hips, “All you ever think about is food and sex. By the way, did the doctor give you any restrictions?”

“You’re the best Mimi a guy could have, do you know that? You’re worried about my sexual paralysis.”

“I think you’re still a little bit loopy.” I goose him in his ribs, and I’m positive that my face is several shades of red.

“Oww, baby, your little boney fingers are all pokey.”

“Yeah, I think he must have hit the morphine a little heavy this morning.” Ruby chuckles. “Deb’s bringing the car around.”

“Why did everyone have to come to take me home? I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home,” Kane starts complaining. “I was planning on getting Oak to pull over for a blow—”

I hit his arm.

“Smack, there y’all go with your dirty minds.” Kane laughs.

“Would you like for me to take back your cookies and lemonade?” Ruby asks. “Quit trying to embarrass Oakley, or we’ll leave you here. Do you want that as well?”

He shakes his head.

“You need to settle down and act right then.” Ruby says, giving him the stink eye.

“Ah, Mimi, you know I’m just joking around with you. I’m glad you and Mom both came,” Kane says, goosing Ruby in her ribs. “If I didn’t joke around, Oakley would think I was upset with her. She likes for me to tease her.”

I’m liking this playful side of him. I’m glad that he hasn’t let all of the bad luck he’s had get him down. It shows his character, the man he is on the inside. A man that I’m proud to call mine.

“Mr. Treadway, are you ready to get out of this place?” Jackie the head nurse says as she comes in, pushing a wheelchair.  “I’m sure you’re ready for some better food. Hop on in here and I’ll give you a spin down to your car.” She pats the seat.

“I’m not sure why you guys won’t let me walk down myself. You made me do laps around the dang hospital this morning before you would release me to go home.” Kane reluctantly walks over to the wheelchair.

“There you go again complaining, Luther Kane.” Ruby says, putting her hands on her hips.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Treadway, it’s hospital policy. Everyone goes home being pushed out in one of these fancy chairs,” Jackie says.

Finally, Kane sits in the chair and we all follow Jackie as she wheels him to the elevator. Once we’re on the ground floor, we see Deb waiting for us in the half circle drive, all smiles. She’s a beautiful, sweet woman, and I’m more than ecstatic that she has turned over a new leaf for her son. I know a lot of fences still need to be mended between her and Kane, but I see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Hey, mom!” Kane greets Deb.

“I’ll never get tired of hearing you call me that.” Deb’s smile is radiating off her face.

“That might not be a good thing, he’ll be calling you to bring him everything.” I laugh.

“Oh, you know you both love me and don’t mind waiting on me hand and foot,” Kane says. “I think I’m going to like being treated like a king.”

“You better watch it, mister, or we’ll leave your little butt to take care of yourself.” I kiss him before he gets in the car.

“Yeah, right,” Kane raises one corner of his mouth and slips on his shades.

“Deb, Ruby, do y’all hear all of this crap?” I close my door after getting in next to Kane.

“He can keep talking, honey, but it doesn’t mean we have to listen,” Ruby says.

I can’t wait to see the look on Kane’s face when he sees his surprise at home. I’ve planned this whole party for him via text. Bailey helped get everything decorated and Lizzie did the rest. Margie’s bringing up Granny and Papa for the event. Between GG’s house and Ruby and Kane’s place, everybody is staying the night somewhere around here.

“I feel like I’m slowly getting back to my full self and my brain is semi functioning again,” Kane says. “Rehabilitation is fucking rough, but it’s part of the process.” He puts an arm around my shoulders, “With the help of my family and my girl, I can get through anything.”

When we pull up in front of Kane’s condo, I see that every light in the place is on. You’d think there were runway lights inside. This was supposed to be a surprise for him.

Deb pops open the trunk and fills her arms full of food containers.

Ruby gets a gallon of lemonade in each hand.

“What’s all that stuff for? We’ll never be able to eat that much stuff before it goes bad,” Kane tells them as he stiffly gets out of the car.

“I think it’ll be just enough,” I say.

I step in front of Kane to open the door then step back to allow him to enter first. The inside of our condo is filled with people. Balloons are hanging everywhere and there’s a spread of food to our right.

There’s a huge sign hanging right in the center that says: Welcome Home OK!

“Surprise!” Everyone yells out.

Kane whispers in my ear, “What does OK mean?”

“I don’t know, maybe they're saying okay, like o-k-a-y.” I spell out the word.

“Wow! This is something else,” Kane says, giving me a hug and a kiss on my forehead.

Clay comes up to us and extends his hand to Kane, “Good to see you, man.”

“Likewise,” Kane says, shaking Clay’s hand, but still eyeing him

“I just wanted to apologize to you for how I acted about you and Oak.” Clay claps Kane on the back. “Lizzie and I had a good talk about what happened between you and her. She thinks she may have overreacted,” Clay says.

“It still wasn’t kosher for me to do that, I’m sorry I even went there. Friends?”

“Friends.” Clay says.

Lizzie comes up behind Clay and wraps her arms around his waist, “It’s OK, the new it couple.”

“Is that what the OK is all about? You smashed our names together.”

All of our family and friends gather around us, chatting and laughing. Kane, with his arm around my waist, is right in the middle; we’re the center of attention. I feel so blessed right now, I feel like I have a family again.

My mom and dad may not be here any longer, but I still have love. I still have people who’d lay down their life for me. Now with Deb back in Kane’s life, I’ll have the next best thing to a mom.

“Levi and Denise sure look cozy over there,” Kane sits and pulls me onto his lap.

“Oh, they’re just friends, and she’s supposedly dating some guy named Trevor. Maybe we should start a pool on how long it takes for them to realize they’re more than friends?”

“I say one month.” Kane holds out his hand to shake on our bet.

“I think it will be more like three months.”

“No way, she may put on that good girl act, but I bet she’s into some kinky fuckery. You remember she had a thing for your brother.”

“And you, not long after, but I can’t see her being kinky. Do you think she may like whoever shows her attention?” I run my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck.

“I don’t know, but I’m not worried about them. I’ve got my baby in my arms and there’s soft music playing. Whatta you say we get out of here?”

“Kane, we live here. We can’t run out on your welcome home party.”

“Then let’s go to the bedroom and leave them all here to celebrate by themselves.” Kane kisses my collarbone and slips his hand under my shirt.

“That would be rude, but I like that idea. Why don’t I meet you in the bathroom in five?” I suggest.

“Why would we want to do that when we have a huge bed? Plus, I think I just saw Denise and Levi do that very thing.”

“No way! Maybe she is kinky. I’ll meet you in the bedroom, but we can only be gone for five minutes.”

“Fuck that! Five minutes would never be enough. Announce to everyone that I’m tired and need my rest,” Kane instructs me.

Nodding, I stand up. “Hey, guys, I think Kane needs to get some rest. He doesn’t need to overdo it right now.”

“I know what kind of rest he needs.” Ruby wiggles her eyebrows.

“Gross, that’s my little sister,” Clay says with his face all scrunched up.

“Oh, I know you’re not naïve enough to think that they…” Ruby looks over at Granny and decides to not finish that sentence.

“We’ll come back tomorrow, Oakley, and help you clean this mess up.” Bailey motions to Lizzie.

“I’ll get it.” Deb says. “You girls just go and be with your men. I think Oakley has school tomorrow, right Kane?”

“That’s right, Mom. This little chick is getting back on the right path if I have to escort her to each and every class.” Kane looks at me and purses his lips.

“Well, we’ll head home after breakfast then. When’s that psycho bitch’s trial? We’ll come up for support,” Cash says, nodding.

“It’s not for another couple of months, and she’s out on bond, but Craig said that she’s working on a plea bargain. I plan on bringing a civil case against her for false accusations. If nothing else, her ass will be in court for a long time,” Kane tells him.

“She’ll get some kind of punishment though, right?” Bailey asks, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Gretchen will get an ass whipping from me if she doesn’t get anything else.” Lizzie holds up her fist.

“How’s Gunner? I’ve been praying for him.” Denise asks.

“He’s actually doing better, I got in touch with Luther for Megan. He surprisingly stepped up and done the right thing for once.” Deb purses her lips.

“That’s good to hear, I’ll get in touch with Jenie and see if she needs anything.” Denise says, putting on her sweater.

“Well, we don’t have to figure all of that out tonight. Kane has had a long day and they need cuddle time.” Granny gives me a sly smile as she heads toward the door.

“Yeah, we’ll get out of your hair. Call me, Baby Girl,” Clay pulls me to him, giving me a tight squeeze.

“If she doesn’t go to school tomorrow, call me.” Cash gives Kane a knuckle bump, being all big brotherly.

“I’m going. Y’all don’t have to badger me,” I tell them with my hands on hips. “I’m not a brat anymore.”