Mad About the Boy (8 page)

Hilda sat without saying a word. She had been frantic to get to Julia the moment she found out about the accident and the police were quick to escort her to the hospital. But now, all they could do was wait for word from the doctor.

“Aunt Hilda, would you like some coffee?” Cole asked, his voice soft, throaty with the overwhelming emotion he felt for his aunt at this moment.

Hilda looked up at Cole and nodded her head. Tears began to slide down her cheeks again. “Please call the girls. Let them know what’s happened.”

Randy arrived soon after Amy had gone to make the call. He sent a brief message to Chris, advising him of the accident and reassuring him that he’d keep him posted.

***

Later, Chris rushed into the hospital. He was unshaven, eyes bloodshot from the journey and exhaustion.

“Where is she?” he demanded of Randy. “Where is she?”

Randy grabbed his arm to stop him from doing something foolish in front of her family. No one knew how much Julia meant to Chris, except for Randy.

“She’s in surgery.” Randy guided him away from the family. “She’ll be fine.”

After a moment, Chris sank into a hospital chair, his jaw tense. Nurses and doctors walked through the ER area, but none had any news on Julia’s condition. After an hour in the plastic chair, Chris became irritated. He remained distant from the family, so as not to cause more worry. They were unaware of his presence. His extreme worry made it impossible to sit still, so he paced the corridor outside the emergency room. Then, like a predator, he spotted his prey and pounced. Grabbing a male doctor by the arm, he growled with all the force and impatience he felt, right into the other man’s face.

“Where is Julia Mendoza? She has been in surgery for hours. Can anyone tell the family anything? For God’s sake, tell us something,” Chris demanded, furious, giving the man a
hard
shake.

The unsuspecting doctor, pulled away calmly and guided Chris to a plastic waiting seat again. “Nurse, can you find out about this patient, Julia Mendoza. The family is waiting for news.”

Chris was frustrated beyond recovery and muttered a few obscenities at the rotund doctor. He knew all this was no one’s fault, but that didn’t keep him from stomping off in a fit of temper. Frantic for news about Julia, he was too agitated to sit around any longer, so he kept walking out of the corridor and out the door. When he came back a few minutes later, there was still no news.

Chris slumped into a chair and put his head down, trying to breathe. Randy tried to reassure him. “She’ll be all right. She’s going to be okay.”

But another four and a half hours passed before someone showed up to inform the family of Julia’s progress.

“Is
Mrs.
Mendoza here?” a female doctor in surgery scrubs enquired of
Andreena
. “I’m Doctor Werona.”

“Hilda,”
Andreena
choked out brokenly. “The doctor is here. This is Julia’s mother, Doctor.”

Hilda rose, wringing her hands.

Turning to Hilda, the young surgeon shook her hand.

Chris quietly listened. “
Mrs.
Mendoza, it might be best if we talk in here.” Doctor Werona directed Hilda to step inside a private room, leaving the door open.

Chris waited with as much patience a man could take to hear the news from Randy.

He felt his heart drop. This wasn’t happening to him. He would wake up from this nightmare and Julia would awake. They would chat, laugh, and she’d open her arms to him. He felt lightheaded. He had never felt such a powerful emotion for a woman before. He needed to see her. How was he going to do that? He could hear the doctor’s soothing voice
explain Julia’s condition to her mother. The soft hiccup of Hilda’s tears began the moment the doctor spoke.

“Julia has been in a very serious accident. She is now stable and doing well considering.” The doctor paused, and continued with her analysis of Julia’s situation. “She was hit pretty hard, her knee will need another reconstructive surgery as soon as she is strong enough to go into surgery again. There was a head injury that isn’t as bad as we first thought, there was some swelling to the brain but the
neuro
surgeon has successfully controlled and released the fluid. Julia will be monitored in intensive care.”

Hilda turned pale, nearly collapsing.
Andreena
assisted her, with Cole’s help. She was suffering what all parents dread, watching a child endure pain. The seriousness of Julia’s condition was hitting clear to the heart.

Chris rubbed his forehead.

Doctor Werona nodded. “Be prepared that she may not look like what you expect. I can only allow one visitor at a time. I’m being realistic for your sake. Don’t expect too much and be prepared.”

As soon as Hilda came back from visiting Julia, she started crying. Michael comforted his mother with words of support. She was inconsolable, devastated, and they moved over to the couches to sit and wait. Michael and Hilda remained while the rest of the family began to disperse and head home.

Seeing Hilda’s reaction, Chris was apprehensive, weak with uncertainty for the first time. He approached the nurse’s station. Doctor Werona was making some notes on her chart.

“Doctor, I need to see Julia Mendoza.” He didn’t even recognize his own voice when he spoke.

She ignored him as she continued to make notes. “Are you family?”

“No, but please, I’ll only be there for a few minutes. I need to see she’s alright. Please, Doctor, please.”

Hearing his plea, the doctor looked up at him, her eyes softening. “I don’t normally allow this, but I can see how much you care for her. Five minutes and you’re out.”

His heart was tight in his chest, squeezing his lungs painfully. He followed the nurse down the hall to Julia’s room and entered. He moved further into the small room, taking slow deliberate steps to where she lay in the bed. He felt haunted by the eerie silence, broken only by machines beeping.

Julia looked so helpless, so pale that she seemed to blend into the starchy white sheets of the hospital bed. With the tight bandage wrapped around her head, no hair peeked through. How he wished to see her hair, to touch the soft strands between his fingers, and smell the sweet flowery scent again.

Had they cut all her hair off? It was an odd thought, but it kept him from thinking about what the doctor had said about her condition.

As he got closer, the noise coming from the ventilator seemed to get louder. It was the most horrible sound he had ever heard in his life: her trying to breathe with the help of the machine. It sounded almost as if she were suffocating. Her chest kept moving up and down, heaving with the effort to keep the breath going in and out of her lungs.

Chris watched the movement for a few minutes. Stiff and unyielding, he clenched and unclenched his fists, shaking his head. When her eyes flickered, just the slightest, he let out a shuddering breath. Relief washed over him in ripples. He fumbled for the chair closest to her and sat down. Carefully, he reached for her hand. It was cold.

Be strong, he told himself. She needs you.

The skin around her eyes was already a deep purple, so still and lifeless. The bandage covering her head was so thick, he imagined the worst.

Did her head split open? What the hell happened!

Chris pressed closer, leaning forward, his lips pressing a tender kiss on her hand.

He whispered, desperate for her to hear his plea. “Open those beautiful eyes. Look at me. Open your eyes. Talk to me. I need to hear your voice.”

But she didn’t, couldn’t respond.

Chapter Eight

A week later, Julia’s recovery was slow as to be expected. The ventilator was removed allowing her body to try and support her recovery. She came in and out of consciousness over the next few days. Surprisingly she would respond to stimuli and open her eyes. A night-shift nurse was checking Julia’s vital signs when the movement roused Julia and she began to wake.

Her eyes fluttered open and she moaned. For a second, the pain sent her drifting back into the blackness. Then a light flashed sharply in front of her, making her blanch and shrink back.

“
Chri
--” she swallowed, her voice hoarse. “Christophe.”

The nurse smiled down at her. “How are you doing, sweetie?”

Julia ignored her, shaking her head feebly. She just kept whispering, “Chris… Chris?”

***

A couple of weeks had passed since the accident. Remarkably, Julia was slowly pulling through the most difficult time. Her body was beginning to move with more ease. She fought hard to keep getting through. Therapy for her mangled knee was excruciating and painful. It felt as if the Doctors weren’t even going to let her rest before throwing her into rehabilitation.

“Chris is coming to see you later.”
Andreena
sat in the large armchair next to Julia’s hospital bed, placing a pile of brand new women’s magazines on the small table next to her.

Andreena
pulled the table closer and set up a game of poker, though neither knew how to play. They decided that improvising and making up the rules of the game as they went along would be more fun.

“He’s been so worried. I think he really likes you. He’s put everything on pause at the Augustine.”

“What?... No, I didn’t… know that,” Julia cleared her croaky voice, having difficulty speaking.

She had been medicated with painkillers that in her view weren’t working. They were reducing her dosage as she improved and Julia was not happy. Understandably being in the hospital had made her moody and irritable. She wanted to go home and rest in her own bed. She had even suggested going home and everyone had looked at her like she had grown two heads. Now the Augustine was on hold, her reputation is on the line with the contract being completed on schedule.

“We can’t stop work…finished, we….” She ended with a shake of her head, unable to continue, she took a deep breath before starting again. “Lose… money.”

Andreena
gave her an odd look. “He doesn’t care about that. He’s really worried about you, honey! You’d think there’s something going on between you two.”

“No,” she grumbled.

“You’re so stubborn.” Her friend shook her head with a frown. “And let me point out, sweetie, he’s head over heels for you. He won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon.”

The catering lady came in with a tray full of food. Julia acknowledged the woman with a brief nod, but then ignored the food, wrinkling her nose at the smell.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”
Andreena
asked, indicating the food tray.

Julia squinted, pressing her lips together in distaste. She placed three cards down in the pile and picked up another four with slow, painful movements. The doctors were giving her less medication now that she was beginning to show improvement. The pain was constant in her body.

“You need to eat.”
Andreena
sat up straight. “So you can build up your strength. You want
to
get out of here, don’t you?”

Julia was about to open her mouth to argue, but then Chris walked into the room. The cards in her hand fell across her lap loosely.

Chris smiled tentatively at her, holding out a huge bunch of red roses. Dressed casually in jeans and a fifties-style shirt, he looked
divine as always. When he leaned
down to kiss her cheek, skimming a finger gently down her bruised face, she wanted to cry. She remembered the last time they saw each other, how she had pushed him away. He was being so tender. She couldn’t believe he was actually in the room, standing next to her, smiling and smelling fresh and masculine.

She wanted to reach out and touch him as he placed his flowers right next to her, moving the balloons and plush toys aside. As he arranged the roses, he turned the vase slightly towards her, pulling out the card and placing it in the drawer next to her. Chris’ relief was evident in his face. His eyes always expressed his emotions in every way.

Andreena
smiled encouragingly and made a quick departure. Just before closing the door, she confessed, “She’s not eating.”

Chris’ gaze immediately rested on Julia. Tilting his head, he gave her a stern look. “Why aren’t you eating?” he asked seriously.

Julia found it difficult to respond, as the words stuck in her throat. She followed his every movement, still unable to believe he was in the room with her. She lifted her hand to touch his sleeve. His green eyes connected with hers, making her feel warm, safe, and secure once again. He automatically caressed her fingertips.

“Would you like me to get my chef friend Pierre to make you a delicious quail?” He laughed low at the look of horror on her face. Turning serious again, his brow furrowed. “I was just joking. I know you don’t like quail. What can I get you to eat?”

“I’m… not hungry,” she answered throatily, lying back against the pillows. “The Augustine?”

“You have to eat, Julia.” He ignored her question. “How are you going to get your strength up?”

“I don’t…want to… eat,” she insisted stubbornly, turning away to look out the window. “What’s going on with the Augustine?”

She had been moved from the gloomy room in intensive care to a private wing of the hospital. The window looked out onto a grassy bank surrounded with flowers and trees. The sun shone brightly outside. The scene was so idyllic that Julia longed to be able to get up and move outside. She longed to dance in Chris’ arms and that made her angry that she couldn’t.

“The Augustine can wait for the moment.” He took a seat next to her bed. “I’ll wait as long as you need.”

“Stop it, go… go… away.” She rubbed her forehead and looked out the window close to tears. “You came back, after I.. after I told you to stay away?”

“You don’t really want me to go,” he whispered low. “I know it’s not easy.”

She wanted to scream out, “I don’t want you to care about me.”

He cleared his throat, straightening. “The food’s terrible, isn’t it? We’ll bring you something in. What do you want? Tell me.”

She refused to acknowledge the subject. He sighed and kept watching her like a hawk. She wanted him to stay and go, her emotions getting the better of her. The silence stretched for several minutes as he gazed at her and she closed her eyes to avoid the sudden pelt of tears ready to flow.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

The tenderness in his soft tone was all it took for her to start. A tear slid down her cheek, and she brushed it away, annoyed. He leaned over her, closer, a worried look creasing his brow.

Taking her hand in his, he murmured, “What’s wrong, beautiful?”

“Nothing.” She sucked in a breath, hiccupping as the rush of tears followed. Chris grabbed some tissues to wipe her eyes, kissing her brow. She knew she looked a mess, bruised and battered, and all because he had come to see her. “I’m…pissed off…I can’t…move. I was not good last time we saw each other. Your apartment, I’m sorry.”

He hushed her, a warm smile brightening his eyes.

“I’m so glad to see your green eyes open,” he whispered, sitting down in the armchair without letting her hand go, kissing the tips of her fingers. “It doesn’t matter about what happened before.”

She was so exhausted and overwhelmed with feelings, she couldn’t respond. As he rested his head on the bed, wrapping his arm across her waist, she was grateful he had come. She began to relax, calming down and enjoying the warmth of his embrace. With all her strength, she ran her hand through his hair and down to his face, tracing his cheek. It felt so good to have him next to her. A rhythmic knock on the door broke them apart. Boric skipped into her hospital room with an overcrowded bunch of get well balloons.

***

Julia woke. “So how are you feeling?” Boric looked between the two of them with some surprise.

Chris got up from his seat. “I’ll be back, don’t go anywhere.”

Boric called out as Chris left the room. “Don’t leave on my account.” Humming he gave her a wicked smile. “You go girlfriend! He’s hot.”

Julia’s mouth dropped open. “Boric! Shut up. I’m working for him.”

He found a spare spot on a table already covered in well wishes and gifts for his balloons. “That shouldn’t stop you.”

She chatted with Boric for a little while. He had an uncanny knack of making her feel better. They had become much closer since the accident. Both Randy and Boric were like her family now, protective brothers in arms. She trusted Randy completely with her business, but wasn’t sure she could ask more hours from him to help with the Augustine. Boric made her laugh for the next hour before leaving to get back to work and the nurse came to assist her with a shower.

Just as she was hobbling back to her bed, Chris showed up again, looking cheerful and bright. He came sauntering through the door, a large brown paper bag in his hand. The smell of a hot cappuccino and warm muffins filled her hospital room, brightening up the sterilized atmosphere. Feeling fresh and revived, she was in a much better mood for his second visit.

“Bonjour.” The husky rhythm of his voice sent warmth all through her body. Julia had just had a shower and was wearing a fresh hospital gown. It barely covered her naked body underneath, and her bright blue panties flashed at him from the open gap.

She took in a deep sniff of the aromatic smell, feeling her body crave food for the first time in weeks. Her eyes connected with his. She hadn’t expected to see him again today, though she tried to hide how glad she was.

She held onto the bed railing. When she realized he wasn’t even looking at her, but at her open gown, her face flamed red. With all her strength, she tried in vain to pull the back of the gown together. It became too difficult, as the fabric was stuck on the massive freshly wrapped bandage around her knee. She knew that the bruises and scars all down her body were clearly visible, so she gave up and let the stupid gown hang loosely around her body.

The perky nurse who’d been assisting her shower came out of the bathroom, quickly tying the loose ends of Julia’s hospital gown. “Julia, where would you like to go? Into bed or sit out for a while?” Then she caught sight of Chris and smiled. “Hello,
Mr.
Augustine, thank you for the night out.”

“You’re very welcome. I brought muffins! Let’s eat.” He held up the bag. “I found them at the best Gourmet Bakery in Miami. I’ve tasted a few but these pastries are good. Come on, let’s eat.”

She glared at him, knowing exactly what he was doing. She wasn’t going to just eat because everyone demanded she eat. Her stomach felt like it was in knots, constantly twisting uncomfortably.

“I’m not hungry,” Julia grumbled, and turned to the nurse, “Can you help me into that chair, please?”

Chris put down the paper bag with the cappuccino and moved over to assist Julia into the chair she indicated. She gasped when he touched her.

“Wow those panties,” he muttered with a grin. When he had finally settled her into the large chair with pillows and crocheted blanket
cozy
around her, he added, “I like them, so bright they could stop traffic.”

“Chris!” She cried out when the nurse chuckled. “Everyone will think we’re, you know.”

“What?” He asked. “Those panties will make a guy stop and look twice. You’ll cause a riot in the hospital. Really Jules, you should choose more appropriate underwear.”

Julia punched him lightly on the shoulder but that didn’t stop her from turning red. She looked up at the ceiling, anywhere but at him. Ever since she had known him, she had been unable to stop her face from turning red at the slightest suggestive comment. One day, her face would remain permanently red, she was sure of it.

While he was setting up the trolley next to the bed with a cappuccino and a whole array of mini-muffins, smelling delightfully delicious, she let her gaze settle on him and was really tempted to eat some muffins. Then, once he had arranged the assortment out, he raised a brow at her. “Well?”

Julia settled herself into the chair. “I don’t want to eat. And stop looking at me like that, I can wear whatever underwear I like.”

The nurse and Doctor Werona, accompanied by five other doctors, entered the room right at that moment. Covering her face, Julia mumbled, “Oh, God.”

Chris chuckled, leaning against the freshly made hospital bed in all innocence. Julia glared at him and did her best to ignore his presence, but didn’t succeed.

“
Mr.
Augustine I hear you’ve shouted all the emergency staff to a night out. It’s very much the talk of the hospital, thank you,” Doctor Werona said with a bright smile.