Page 35 of U + Me : The Finale
“Thankfully, the worst of her injuries was a punctured lung. Claudia is very blessed. God had her covered, I truly believe that. I’m so thankful that it wasn’t my baby's time yet. It scares me to think how differently this could’ve gone.”
“Had it, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I brought crazy into our relationship. Had I known that girl was that off I would’ve never left Claudia’s side.”
“And I believe you.” Ms. P consoled me, as she walked over to the other side of the room and gave me a hug.
“How is Mr. K?”
“He’s doing so much better. He’s being discharged. I’m on my way to get the car, I just wanted to stop and check on my baby before I left.”
“If anything changes, you’ll be the first to know,” I assured her.
Once Ms. P left, I sat back in the chair next to Claudia’s bed, laid my head back and dozed off.
“E… Ermias.”
I heard Claudia’s voice, but I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or not. Opening my eyes, she was sitting up in the bed looking over at me.
“Can you get me some more ice, please.”
“Of course, baby.” I jumped up. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her.
When we were first told that Claudia was going to make it, I could finally breathe again. When I saw her on her kitchen floor barely breathing, I couldn’t help but think the worst. When she had to be intubated until her lungs were strong enough for her to breathe without it, I could barely look at her. The doctors said it could take up to three weeks for her lungs to fully heal and we were a week out and she was already off the breathing tube, only needing oxygen through her nose.
I rushed to the ice station, got her some fresh ice and a few cups of apple juice. I knew apple juice was her favorite.
I fixed her a fresh cup, then handed it to her. She got mad with me when I tried to hold it for her. My goal was to do what I could to minimize her pain as much as possible. As I watched her drink the juice, she still was positive. Of course, she was upset about the attack, and I’m sure traumatized by it, but she wasn’t angry with me.
“Why you staring at me like that? It’s weird and making me uncomfortable.”
I got up from the chair and walked over to the bed and kissed her on the cheek.
“I love the shit outta you, man. I’m so very sorry. This shit on me.”
“You didn’t tell that girl to do that. That was on her, not you. I just wish you would’ve told me the truth about who she was.”
“I honestly didn’t think things would ever go this far. If I woulda saw this shit coming, there woulda been no way I woulda let this shit happen.”
“I know,” Claudia softly said. “I love you too.”
“Ion know how you can be so calm.”
“Cause what’s the point of being angry? I’m not trying to do anything that will prolong my stay. I wanna heal, move into a new place, and move on from this.”
“I gotchu, and I’ma make that shit happen.”
“Ion need you to buy me a place, I’ma sell mine though. I can’t see myself ever feeling comfortable to stay there again.”
“Let me buy it from you.”
“What will you use it for? Your place is way bigger than mine?”
“An office space. Airbnb. I can think of lots of shit.”
For the rest of the night, I tried convincing Claudia why letting me buy her condo from her was beneficial to us both. She couldn’t understand why I would want to be in space where a crime took place and that’s why I talked to her about making it an Airbnb. Once I stopped trying to persuade her and just listened to her, I heard and understood that she wanted no parts of anything linking her back to that space. I couldn’t do anything but respect that. So, instead, I told her I would help her in any way she needed, even though I had plans of surprising her with something she couldn’t refuse. The goal now was to get it done before she got discharged, which left me a good week, hopefully a lil more.
