Page 61 of Stroked
“What happened, then? It doesn’t sound like you’re torn up over it.”
“Oh, I was. Hardest thing ever. And I’m inmedschool,” she said, eyebrows drawn together. “But it gets easier over time, and you hold onto the good stuff, learn to wish them the best, and appreciate the time you had.”
“Whoever he is, he must be an idiot.”
“Thanks. I don’t know if he’s an idiot, but he certainly took a little piece of me with him.”
“Who was he? When was this?”
“Oh, before your time around here. Mike.” Her gaze wandered past me. I peeked over my shoulder, but realized she was looking off into space.
“Well, Mike sounds dumb to me. You’re amazing, smart, and beautiful.”
“So are you,” she said with a smile and tip of her head. “Seriously, whatever happens, it’ll work out. It may take time, but you’ll see, it’ll be okay.”
“Thanks, Jaz.”
She tapped the bar lightly, then walked to the other end, checking in with the others sitting along it.
“Hey, how ya holding up?” Lucy asked as she sat down next to me and grabbed a fry.
“Good as I can be, I guess. I’m actually kinda tired. I think I may head home.”
“You want some company?” Her blue eyes sparkled from the lights bouncing off the mirror behind the bar.
I stood and grabbed my bag. “No, I’m gonna walk home and shower. I hate the feeling of hospital on me. Maybe I can pass out and forget this day happened.”
Lucy slid off the stool and grabbed my arm, yanking me to her. “If you need me, I’m just up the street or a text away, okay?” I nodded into her blonde curls. “And give it time. I think she’ll come around. She was just upset.”
I nodded again without speaking and let her go, then left.
The walk home was hot and sticky, and it was early enough that idiot college boys were still out and catcalling. I rolled my eyes about twenty times on the ten-minute walk.
A hot shower later, I was in bed tossing and turning. The events of the day flooded my mind like a movie every time I closed my eyes. The fight, Lucy telling me Valentina was in an accident, seeing her in a hospital bed with a brace on her arm and small cuts all over, lying to Maria.
Tears squeezed from the corner of my eyes, so I gave up the fight and let them come, grasping the pillow that still held her scent against my face. The pillow muffled my sobs before I finally cried myself to sleep.
Chapter 32
Valentina
Loud clanking woke me, and my head was pounding. I blinked several times and looked around. I was in my bed. My shoulder was sore. As I rubbed it, I glanced at the clock. Ten in the morning.
I pressed myself up on my good arm. Once I was upright and slung my legs over the side of the bed, something popped in my head, sending my pulse racing and my breathing into pants. The events of the day before started flooding back.
The doctor just left the room and Mãe came back in. They said I would feel some pressure, and I did. And I knew it hurt, but it wasn’t the worst pain ever and I didn’t care. But I had a feeling I would the next day.
“They said they are getting you ready for discharge but it will be a few minutes. I brought you some water.”
I sipped the water, reveling in the cold liquid in my hot, dry mouth. Someone came in and took the IV out and gave me a prescription for some pain meds. Before they put my shoulder back in place, or reduced it, the nurse said I would have some discomfort for a day or so, and Mãe asked for something stronger than over the counter meds.
After a while, we finally got to leave after I was wheeled to the curb in a wheelchair.
Mãe drove me home after we got the prescription filled. She knew they wouldn’t give it to her since our addresses didn’t match. It was only enough for three days, but Mãe insisted I would be glad to have it once the meds from the hospital wore off. She tucked me into bed and swiftly brought me water and a pill.
I lay my head down and struggled to get comfortable. She left and came back to sit on the bed.
“Are you comfortable? Need anything? You have not eaten all afternoon.”
