Whirlwind (39 page)

Jason stole worried glances at me throughout the evening. With only hours left, I stubbornly planted myself in the chair beside his bed, intending to stay there until he was wheeled out to his parents’ minivan. My eyes kept betraying me, though, becoming heavier with every blink.

I hadn’t realized I’d dozed off until loud shushing jerked my head back up.

“Sorry, Mel,” Mitch said, hugging his mom.

Mitch? When did he get here?
“No problem,” I said, clearing my throat. I scooted my chair over, releasing Jason’s hand after a quick squeeze.

Mitch took my spot. “Nice shiner, bro.” He linked hands with Jason and leaned in for a careful hug. Ann was right behind him and gave Jason a little wave. She didn’t linger, choosing to sit on the empty bed next to me.

“How’re you doing?” she asked, her eyes wandering from my unruly mane down to my manure-stained shoes.

“I’m all right,” I said, finger-combing my hair. “How was
Tahiti
?” Ann’s tan had darkened considerably in the few days since the wedding.

“It was great. Nothing to do but eat, sleep, and—” she turned her head away from her parents-in-law “—Mitch.”

My snort became a full-fledged laugh when the corner of
Lynn
’s mouth curled up.

Ann continued, unaware her mother-in-law had heard her. “Thanks for the gift, by the way.” In a surprisingly friendly gesture, she touched my arm. “You contributed the chaps, didn’t you?”

Lynn covered her mouth and coughed.

“Yeah, I did,” I admitted. “I’m sorry you didn’t have more time to use them.” Ann pushed a stray lock of hair over my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. You and I both know Mitch needed to be here. Thanks for calling him.”

I think I smiled at her, but I wasn’t sure if this new, caring Ann was real or if I’d fallen asleep again.

The sound of my name woke me up in any case.

“Melissa, you look like hell,” Mitch scolded. He stood over me, his hands on his hips, glaring.

“Asshole,” Jason muttered.

“Thanks, Mitch. Your manners are as gracious as usual,” I said. I was about to comment on his raccoon tan lines when he yanked me to my feet.

“Come on, let’s go get your car. You need to breathe some fresh air.”

“No, I’m fine. I’ll stay,” I insisted, unable to free myself. What I really wanted was to crawl into bed with Jason, but that was out of the question.

“Melissa, please,” Jason said. “Just go with Mitch for a little while. The nurse is bringing my meds, and I’ll be asleep again in less than an hour. You need a nap—and a shower and change of clothes wouldn’t hurt.” He cocked an eyebrow at my baggy
Property of Sierra Vista Hospital
T-shirt and blood-spattered jeans.

“But there isn’t much more time,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Jason shot his brother a scathing look, and Mitch let go of me. He took both of my hands in his. “I know, and this didn’t come out at all the way we’d planned. But I need you to be awake tomorrow, all right?”

He pulled me close so the others couldn’t hear. “I want to be able to give Naughty Melissa a proper goodbye.” His eyes twinkled under his dark lashes, but the word
goodbye
sucked away my sense of humor. “Please. I promise I won’t go anywhere. You do have my clothes, after all.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but Ann nudged me. “He needs your strength, Melissa. Take a little time to recharge for
him
.”

She was right, but I couldn’t help feeling like everyone was ganging up on me. I took a wavering breath, knowing if I didn’t give in, Mitch would physically remove me from the premises. I also knew I was too tired to fight back.

“Fine. I’ll take a short nap, but I’ll be back in a couple of hours, okay?”

Jason smiled and pulled me to him, kissing me softly. “Thank you. I’ll see you soon, my love,” he whispered.

I kissed him once more on the forehead and let go. Jason’s parents said good night, but I assured them I’d be back soon. I tried not to think about how I’d be repeating this scene tomorrow. There’d be no such promises then.

Ann and Mitch led me out of the building and into the parking lot, catching me when I tripped off the curb. The evening sun was hidden behind a thick blanket of cold fog. I hugged myself, realizing it’d been nearly a day since I’d been outside. The fresh air did feel good, but as I took one last look at the hospital my lungs suddenly felt like they were filled with water. Time was almost up.

Mitch pointed at a bright red car in one of the visitors’ spots. “Here’s our ride. Nice, huh?” he grumbled. The tiny car would’ve easily fit in the bed of his pickup truck.

“Just your style, Mitch,” I said.

My large friend carefully squeezed himself into the subcompact, hitting his head twice in the process. Ann giggled, unable to keep a straight face.

I slid into the back seat, crinkling my nose at the new-car smell that still permeated the fabric. We drove through the hospital parking lot, and my eyes drooped again. I dug my fingernails into my knees hoping pain would keep me awake.

Mitch glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “So, Mel, I heard you had a dance with the devil. Is that true?” he asked.

I inhaled, confused by his statement.
The devil…oh, Diablo
. The memory had become blurry in the intervening hours. “I guess you could say that. Is he all right?” I owed my life to my four-legged accomplice.

Mitch laughed. “I’m sure he’s fine. There’s not much a 200-pound man can do to a bull that size, not without a sword and a cape.” When he turned south on
Santa Rosa Street
, I sat up, confused.

“Mitch, my car is back at the—” I started.

“Settle down, Mel. Ann and I will go get it after I drop you off at your apartment. You’re in no condition to drive. Don’t worry, we won’t take it joy riding.”

I slumped back in my seat. Everything was out of my control.

No one spoke after that, making the ten-minute ride feel more like ten hours. When Mitch pulled up in front of my apartment, I climbed—no, fell—out of the car.

His strong hands grabbed me before I hit the concrete. “Let’s get you in bed,” he said gently.

We walked to the door, and I didn’t even try to put the key in the lock. I handed it to Ann instead. She unlocked the door, and I noticed a large white object at my feet—an envelope of some kind. Bracing myself against the side of the building, I bent down and picked it up. I couldn’t focus on the label, so I gave it to Mitch.

“What’s this?” I asked, teetering in the doorway.
This is worse than tequila.

He read the faint writing, then ushered me inside. “It’s for Jason, actually. I’ll take care of it.”

“Oh.” I should’ve been curious about the delivery, but it took all my concentration to climb the stairs. When I resorted to my hands and knees, Mitch hoisted me up in his forklift arms and carried me to the top. He hauled me into my room and set me on the sleeping bag. I crawled to my pillow, searching blindly for the T-shirt I normally slept in.

“Mitch, I’ll meet you downstairs,” Ann said, untying my shoes.

She’s still here?

“Get some sleep, Mel,” Mitch commanded and shut the door, leaving us alone.

“You don’t
hafta
do this, Ann. I can
taycare
of myself,” I slurred, tugging weakly at my clothes.

“No, I don’t think you can,” she said. With a few swift movements she undressed me and threw my pajama shirt over my head.

When she was done, I forced myself to stay awake long enough to set my alarm for ten o’clock, making sure it was on the p.m. setting. I turned the volume all the way up and then fell back on my pillow. A two-hour nap would be plenty.

“Thanks, Ann. I owe you,” I mumbled.

“Sleep well,” she whispered as I lost consciousness.

Seventeen

ZZZZZZZZ…

Somewhere in the blackness, something buzzed in my ear. Ghostly images of bloody knives and charging monsters faded away as the sound grew louder. I resisted waking for another moment…then took a deep breath and stretched. The feeling of dread wouldn’t quite leave me.
I bet Jason can erase the nightmare.

I rolled over and opened my eyes.

A figure knelt next to the suitcase in the corner, slowly unzipping one of the pockets.

“Jason? I had the most horrible—”

His head turned and I gasped.
Mitch
.

It wasn’t a nightmare.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” Mitch jumped up and raced to the door. The light shining through the curtain cleared my head with burning truth. Jason was leaving…
today!
With a terrible shudder, I realized I’d slept all night.

“Hold it right there, McAlister,” I barked. I swallowed, trying to dislodge the frog in my throat. Over my shoulder sat my alarm clock, completely black. Unplugged, it’d been rendered useless. I’d lost so much time…

“What have you done, Mitch?” I cried, my voice cracking. I crawled to my suitcase and whipped out the first clean clothes I touched.

He slapped a hand over his eyes when I peeled off my shirt without any show of modesty.

“You needed more than two hours’ sleep—you were a zombie. Don’t worry, Jason’s fine,” he said to the wall.

“Damn you, Mitch! I’ll have more than enough time to sleep after he’s
gone
,” I shouted. “What time is it?”

“Almost nine,” he whispered, and opened the door.

“Nine!” I cried.
Nine
o’clock!
I’d slept for nearly thirteen hours…and Jason would be discharged from the hospital any minute now. Mitch had stolen my time with him. Desperation exploded into fury.

“You
bastard!”
I picked up the lifeless clock and hurled it at him. “GET OUT!” I screamed.

He easily blocked the flying appliance and ducked out the door. “I’m sorry,” he said, slamming it behind him.

I flung my hair out of my face, catching the unpalatable smell of dirt, sweat, and cattle. Clad only in underwear, I dashed into the bathroom, slammed
that
door, dumped my clothes on the floor, and jumped into the ice-cold shower. Standing under the frigid water, all I could think about was the time I’d wasted sleeping. I could’ve been with Jason—touching him, watching him…for the last time. Instead, I’d been comatose, useless.

After five minutes of scouring and shampooing and another two of drying, dressing, and brushing, I yanked the bathroom door open. Hollering, “WHERE THE HELL ARE MY KEYS?” I tore down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“You don’t need to rush, Mel. Jason isn’t going to be discharged for a while.” Mitch dumped a scoop of chocolate into the travel mug on the counter. “He only woke up about a half-hour ago. The doctor has to check him one more time, and he has to get fitted with crutches.”

“Give me my damn keys, Mitch,” I warned. He might be my best friend, but if he didn’t give me my car keys… My hands balled into fists.

“Have something to eat before you go,” he said hesitantly. “There’s one other thing…”

My jaw flexed. “What?” I said through my teeth. What else had he done?

“Your mother’s on her way here,” he said.

My mother?
Everything came to a grinding halt. I’d totally forgotten about her. She’d been expecting me to call yesterday while I’d been at the hospital. My eyes drifted to the floor in shame. She must’ve been terrified, not being able to contact me.

“Did you talk to her?” I asked, my anger subsiding. “Is she mad?”

Mitch put an arm around me, pressing my damp hair against my back. “She called your cell last night after I picked up your car. She was
kinda
upset. I guess she’d been calling all day. I told her what happened and that you were safe.” He handed me a piece of paper with numbers scribbled on it. “She’s flying in this afternoon. I think she plans to ride home with you.”

I took the paper, read it, then carefully folded it and put it in my back pocket. Her flight was scheduled to arrive at two; Jason would be long gone by then. So would Mitch.

“Thanks.” I squeezed him, knowing this, too, was a last.
God, I’m going to miss you!
After today, there wouldn’t be
any
more
McAlisters
in my life. But the longing, the ache to have Jason in my arms overshadowed everything else.

“May I please have my keys now, Mitch?” I begged quietly.

He frowned. “Will you at least have one donut?
Jason’ll
kill me if you pass out in his hospital room because of low blood sugar.” He pointed at a pink box on the counter next to my mug. The rich aroma of coffee filled my nostrils, and my stomach gurgled in anticipation.

“Fine,” I snapped. I snatched a donut out of the box and shoved it in my mouth. Mitch watched me as I downed my breakfast in three bites, then chugged what was in the mug, incinerating my mouth.

“There. Happy now?” I held out my hand.

He took it in his and placed his other hand—and the keys—in it before locking his ebony eyes on me. “Melissa, I know how hard this is for you, having to let him go. My heart tore in two every time I had to leave Ann to come back to school. If you need to talk, I’m here.”

But you knew you would see her again
.
It’s not the same
. My insides disappeared, leaving me cold and empty.

Mitch released my hand and wrapped himself around me in a bear hug. “It’ll be okay. He loves you, you know?”

I nodded against his chest. “I know. I just wish it was enough.”

Mitch laughed as he let me go. “Oh, it’s more than enough. Jason isn’t going to give up on you. He’s way too stubborn for that.” He pulled on the end of my ponytail, his dark eyes dancing. “Here, don’t forget your purse.”

“Thanks for taking care of me, Mitch.”

“Hey, what’re friends for? I’ll grab Jason’s stuff and meet you at the hospital.” He gave me a playful shove. “Go! He’s waiting for you.”

I managed a small smile and then rushed out the door.

“Don’t get a ticket,” he added as I headed to the car.

I only blew through two stop signs on my way to the hospital, and that was due to inattention, not speed. Mitch’s words wound themselves around my heart like a vice. “Jason isn’t going to give up on you…”

 
A thrill shot through me at the thought, but I beat it back. I knew Mitch meant well, but reason superseded hope. Maybe if Jason were staying in
Southern California
, or if we hadn’t already had an aborted online relationship, I would’ve found more comfort in his words. I’d known all along this would only be a whirlwind affair; now I had to deal with the consequences.

When the hospital came into view, my sorrow threatened to overflow, bringing my donut with it. I inhaled slowly through my nose. The only thing that kept my anxiety in check was that Jason was so close. He was here, with his warm hands and endless blue eyes. I’d pay later for this one last indulgence, but I was going to get all I could out of these remaining moments.

The hospital lobby bustled with patients and visitors this Thursday morning. I picked my way through the people, sunglasses firmly in place. Like a shield, my glasses hid not only my tired eyes but my competing emotions. It wasn’t until I knocked on Jason’s door that I slipped them off.

“Come in,” he replied.

I crept in, not sure if he still had the room to himself. I was greeted by a crowd of smiling faces. Jason’s parents sat comfortably on the empty bed near the window, while Ann touched up the dark circles under her eyes, seated in the lone chair. Jason beamed at me from his bed, sitting nearly upright in his new black polo shirt—the one I’d given him. He looked nearly normal except for the black eye and the thick white bandage peeking out from under his baggy tan shorts.

He held his arms out to me. “Good morning, beautiful,” he purred.

My face flamed as I walked over and melted into his embrace. The rails of the bed had been lowered, and he pulled me close and kissed me tenderly, at first. Unfazed by the fact by the fact his family surrounded us, he deepened the kiss, sending chills all the way to my toes.

Thoroughly embarrassed, I hid my face next to his ear after the exchange and listened to his parents discuss the weather.

“Good morning, handsome,” I whispered. The warmth of his cheek and his fresh scent made me forget the hospital. “You smell good this morning.”

Jason wove his fingers into my hair and gently held my face back so he could look into my eyes. “I got a sponge bath this morning. All clean.” He smirked.

“On the outside,” Ann murmured.

I couldn’t help but smile. “I’m sorry I missed it.”

“Me too,” he said with a sly grin.

Another knock on the door interrupted us. Without waiting to be invited, a beefy blond man wearing blue scrubs came in carrying a pair of crutches.

Reluctantly, I slipped out of Jason’s arms.

His parents stood too.

“Melissa, we’re going to get another cup of coffee. Can we bring you something?”
Lynn
asked. “Ann, how about you?”

“No, thank you,” I said. I took
Lynn
’s seat on the bed while the therapist worked with Jason.

Ann shook her head. “Nothing for me. Thanks,
Lynn
.” With a sigh, she snapped her compact closed. “You look better,” she observed. “You must’ve slept well.”

“Yes, I did…though I didn’t mean to be gone so long.” I hesitated, wondering if she’d been the one to tamper with my clock, but my anger had run its course. Better to end on a good note, I decided. “Thanks again for helping me. You didn’t have a good night?”

“Not really.” She paused to watch Jason balance on the crutches. He sat back down and the therapist adjusted the supports. “Your floor is very hard.”

“You slept on my
floor?”

The therapist helped Jason into the hall. “We’ll be right back,” he said over his shoulder.

Ann gave her lips a coat of gloss. “Mitch didn’t want to leave you alone, so we snagged some blankets and pillows from his folks and slept in the other bedroom. It was awful.” She twisted her head to the side and her neck cracked. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Ann’s helpfulness through this ordeal continued to stun me. “I don’t know what to say… Thank you.”

She just shrugged and loaded her makeup into her purse.

The door opened and Jason hobbled back in. The therapist appeared behind him, wearing a satisfied smile. He waited while Jason signed the forms on his clipboard, then wished us well and left.

Setting the crutches aside, Jason sat on the edge of the bed and stared at me. His brilliant eyes had lost their luster; the bright blue was now clouded in gray gloom.

This was it. The end.

Jason glanced at Ann. “Could you excuse us for a few minutes, please, Ann?”