Page 21 of Intangible
“Memphis?” The slur had turned into a whisper this time.
“Yeah? I’m here.”
“I want to run my hands through your hair,” was the only drunken sounding thought she said before sliding into a deep sleep.
* * *
“Did she say she wanted to touch my hair?” Memphis’ hair was a rich deep brown with traces of blond and red running through it. It was usually too long, not because of style but because he never got around to getting a haircut. It laid in soft waves a little past his collar. Usually, he was trying to push it out of his face.
“No, she said she wanted to run her hands through your hair. That’s completely different.” The woman EMT winked at him, before he turned away from them, red running quickly up his face. “Can’t say that I blame her. She’s right, you do have unusually bright green eyes and soft looking hair.” She chuckled softly when she saw even his ears turn red.
Senator Kent was already at the hospital by the time they wheeled Thayer in, having been notified immediately when they left the hotel to find her.
Memphis was joined by Knox in the waiting room, where Murphy curled up to sleep at their feet. They had been ushered in there when Thayer disappeared into the back. Her father had been allowed to follow her, leaving them both to wait. They both stood when the senator entered the private waiting room later, followed by a bodyguard.
“Gentlemen, I can’t thank you enough.” He shook Memphis’ hand. “Dr. Prescott, there is a jet waiting for you at the airport to take you home. I had one of the men bring your things from the hotel. They are already on the plane. I’ll have my accountant contact you about payment.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” Memphis answered, confused. He was being dismissed before he could even check on Thayer? Why would he be chased off so quickly?
“Knox, I’ll be with my daughter if you need me.” Turning on his heel, he walked out of the room.
“What the fuck?” Memphis was pissed. “Can I not even tell her goodbye?”
“Apparently not. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
“Don’t fucking bother.” Memphis walked out of the room to head to the airport. Pushing through the door into the hallway, Knox yelled at him.
“If you ever need anything, you have my number.”
“Fuck you,” he shouted back as he walked toward the door. What was the harm of letting him see Thayer before he left? He had promised he would be there, and he hated breaking a promise. He guessed it really didn’t matter in the end, it wasn’t like he would ever see her again.
* * *
Thayer woke up slowly. Looking around, she desperately tried to get her bearings. She could tell she was lying in a hospital bed with an IV running into her arm. It came back to her in a rush when she noticed the plaid shirt she was wearing. With a soft laugh, she studied the warm shirt that could wrap around her at least twice.
“You wouldn’t let them take it off.” With a start, Thayer looked over her shoulder to where Knox sat in a chair reading a newspaper. “The nurse said you fought like a wildcat every time they tried to remove it, so they finally just gave up.” She slowly rolled over to face him, feeling the painful scream of every sore muscle.
“Your father had to go work for a while at the hotel. He asked me to keep an eye on you until he got back. I guess he doesn’t trust the cop sitting in the hallway.” Knox set the paper down when she remained silent. “Doing okay? Want me to get you anything?”
“I’m hungry.”
He nodded, standing up. Opening the door, he let it shut behind him as he went hunting for a nurse. Returning to the room, he helped her sit up before emptying his pockets onto the small table.
“The kitchen is already closed, but they let me raid the small fridge they have. Let’s see, it looks like you get Cheerios, Jell-O, crackers, juice, and milk.”
“Thank you, Knox. It all looks amazing right now.” Thayer sipped on the juice as Knox fixed her cereal. Pushing the table up to her, Knox returned to his seat as Thayer dug into the cereal. “Memphis kept telling me to eat whatever they gave me to keep my strength up. Some of it was disgusting, but I ate it. If I never see McDonald’s food again, it’ll be too soon.” She smiled slightly at him before turning to one of the Jell-Os.
“Where is Memphis?” she asked.
“He had to go home, Thayer.”
She tried not to show the disappointment radiating through her. Why did the thought of not seeing him again make her want to curl up and cry for a week?
She had to be careful not to let Knox see what she was thinking or he might think there was something more than just gratefulness for Memphis’ help. He had once gone so far as running a background check on a guy she mentioned in passing she was casually dating at college. Knox did occasionally turn into big brother mode, where she was concerned.
“Of course. I’m sure he had people waiting on him. He said something about being the local vet in some rural area in Minnesota. I just wish I could have thanked him is all.” She looked back down at her sad buffet, suddenly losing her appetite. Thayer was almost positive it was just because she wasn’t used to eating much, not because Memphis had left without even saying goodbye.
“Thayer?” When she looked up at him, Knox just shook his head. “Nothing.”
