Page 75 of Better Run
A few hours later, they say something about infection and blood loss. I don’t pay attention. Jayden leaves every two hours on the hour and is gone for about fifteen minutes. Sometimes he comes back with food. He tells me Cole is outside waiting. I don’t eat anything. I’m not hungry. I barely speak to the hospital staff. Jayden jumps up to help me anytime I say anything.
Finally, around dinner time and close to his two-hour break, I stretch. Jayden’s gaze darts up. “I’m hungry,” I say.
He gets up. “I’ll get you something.”
“I want McDonald’s. Ten-piece chicken nuggets with a Sprite.”
He starts texting on his phone. “I’ll get Cole to get some.”
“Thanks,” I mutter.
He pauses and seems uncomfortable. I watch him. He fidgets and asks, “How are you?”
I shake my head. “I just want to get out of here. When can I go?”
“Hopefully tonight.”
I let my head fall back on the pillow. “You stink. You need a shower.”
A ghost of a smile traces his lips, followed by a look of pure pain. As soon as he notices me watching him, he masks all expressions.
In about ten minutes, Jayden leaves the room.
It’s what I was waiting for. Now is my chance. I stare wearily at the wall. Run, run, run; it feels like all I do is run.
I swing both feet over the edge of the bed and start to pad to the door. I’m attached to an IV pole. I consider, then pull the IV out of my hand.
Jayden isn’t outside. I move down the hall and find the nurses’ station. I tell them my room and ask for my nurse. I should be anxious, but I don’t feel anything. She shows up, looking me over. “You can’t take out your I.V.”
I motion her farther away from the nurse’s station. She starts to try to herd me back to my room. For a moment, I consider letting her. I’m tired. So tired.
I plant my feet. “That is not my husband.”
She turns back around. “What do you mean?”
I look around. “That man with me. He’s not my husband.” She looks back towards the room.
“I don’t have a car or money, but I need to get away.”
“You can’t leave; you need more fluids and meds. You were in critical condition a few hours ago.”
I can’t get myself to care.
“Is he abusive?”
I hesitate. Not really. But also, yes. But I need her to believe that so I can get away. “Yes.” My stomach sours, knowing that’s what Sage said about him when she met me. Thinking about Sage makes me want to throw up. Is that going to happen to me once he figures out I’ve tried to run? The thought is almost enough to send me back to my room like nothing happened.
“Did he have anything to do with your miscarriage?”
“What? No.” Well, yes. He got me pregnant in the first place. Or did Cole? I scrunch my eyes closed.
“Okay. We’ll try to help you, honey. He won’t be allowed back in the room.”
“No.” I bark, then run a hand through my hair. “Please, he’ll hurt you if he knows I said anything. Don’t call the cops. He’s a cop, and they’ll know where I am. Please, I just need to get out of here and get a ride.”
She looks at me like she’s trying to decide if I’m telling the truth or not. Finally, she pats my arm. “My last husband was a piece of shit also. Stay here.” She goes across to the nurse’s station.
I wrap my arms around myself. I’m in one of their gowns with grippy socks. I wait and wait. It has to have been at least five minutes. I don’t have much time.
