Page 43 of Baja
I exit the bathroom. Sitting on a stool, Juneau jumps to his feet, his eyes trained on the closed bathroom door. “Is she okay?”
“Yes. She’ll be out in a minute. But there is something I wanted to mention before Lily comes out.”
My statement has Juneau on high alert. “Tell me.”
I fear what I’m about to tell Juneau will upset him further, but I think he should be prepared for what he will see when he examines Lily. “She has numerous bruises. She couldn’t raise her arms above her head and needed my help removing her shirt. Some of the bruises look days old, and some are fresh.”
Juneau’s fists clench. “That’s all?” he asks with barely controlled anger.
I shake my head. “That’s not even the worst,” I continue. “She was kicked. Or rather stomped on,” I force out. “There is a large boot print across her back. It’s bad, Juneau. I’ve never seen anything like it, and that’s saying something because I’ve seen a lot of messed up stuff in my life. It takes a real piece of shit to do that to any woman, let alone a pregnant woman. Lily is in extreme pain but likely won’t say anything. She was in near tears from changing her clothes. She’s also terrified the person she’s running from will find her. She didn’t give me a name or any more information, but I’m almost positive the man who hurt her is also the baby’s father. She begged not to go back.”
“She’s not goin’ any fuckin’ where and that motherfucker won’t come near her ever again.” Something in Juneau’s demeanor changes. And like that, the energy in the room becomes static. Peering over my shoulder, I worry Lily will witness the mood and become more terrified than she already is.
“Ah, Juneau. I can see you’re about two seconds away from losing your shit, but can you maybe keep a lid on whatever is bubbling to the surface so you don’t spook Lily. It was a miracle we got her to let you anywhere near her.”
The mention of possibly scaring Lily seems to knock Juneau out of whatever internal battle he was having because I see the moment he shuts the door on the darkness that was casting its shadow over him moments ago. And just in time because the bathroom door opens. Both Juneau and I watch as Lily steps out. Her eyes bounce back and forth between me and the large man beside me. Though I see the fear in her eyes, I also see determination.
Over the next twenty minutes, Lily allows Juneau to assess her bruises and the injury to her back. I admire Juneau for keeping his composure. At one point, he excuses himself andabruptly leaves the room. When he returns five minutes later, he appears a bit red in the face, but neither Lily nor I say anything.
“You don’t appear to have any broken ribs, but I’m going to give you something for the pain you’re experiencing.”
Lily shakes her head. “The baby.”
Juneau is quick to reassure her, keeping his tone even and calm. “The medicine is completely safe to take while you are pregnant. Nothing I give you will harm your baby.”
Lily physically relaxes. “Okay. Thank you.”
“Now, are you ready to get a look at your baby?” Juneau stands and retrieves the sonogram machine from the corner of the room and rolls it beside the bed.
“I can’t believe you have one of those,” Lily says in awe.
Juneau chuckles. “Prez made me buy this when his old lady was expectin’ their daughter.” He taps away on the keyboard. “Have you had a sonogram before?”
A shameful look mares Lily’s face as she shakes her head. I squeeze her hand, offering silent support because she’s beating herself up for something most likely out of her control.
Juneau offers her a sympathetic smile and then says the quiet part out loud, “It’s not your fault, Lily, and you’ll receive no judgment here.”
“What if something is wrong with my baby?” she asks.
“I’m sure your baby is fine. But let’s take a look and put your mind at ease.” Juneau picks up the bottle of goop and squirts a generous amount on Lily’s exposed skin. Seconds after he touches the wand to her belly, the baby’s heartbeat fills the room. I think all three of us breathe a sigh of relief. Lily’s battered body is a true testament she is a survivor, and the one ray of hope out of this entire messed up situation is the innocent baby she is carrying. A baby she has no doubt gone through hell to protect.
“Oh my God. Is that my baby’s heartbeat?” Lily gasps.
Juneau grins. “It is. And it’s strong.”
Lily looks over at me with the biggest smile. “Do you hear that, Alice?”
“I hear it, sweetheart.”
Lily turns her attention back to Juneau. “What about everything else? Does the baby look healthy?”
“I am happy to report your baby looks perfect.” He turns the monitor screen toward Lily so she can get her first look at her son or daughter.
“See here.” He points to the screen. “The baby is measuring to be around twenty-five weeks.”
“This is amazing.” Lily chokes on a sob.
“Do you want to know the sex?” Juneau asks.
