Page 28 of Halloween with a Daddy
After it stops on the second floor for people to get on and off, I wonder if the stairs would be quicker. I’m worried about Amelia. Deep down, I’m sure Edgar’s right. If she’s here, she’s got the best care possible, and if they’re releasing her, she must be fine.
But I am still worried.
When the elevator opens, I walk as fast as I can, only slowing down so I don’t look like a banshee as I rush past the nurse’s station. Amelia’s door is cracked and when I push it open, I tear up. She’s laying in bed. Both eyes are bruised. She’s got a bandage on her head and some blood has soaked through to the surface. She looks like an absolute mess.
“Amelia!” I close the door and a couple of tears roll down my face as she opens her eyes.
“Hey.” She seems to force a smile that looks nowhere as bright as it usually is. “So, my night didn’t go as planned.”
“I can see that!” I drag a chair over, sit down, and grab her hand. “What happened? You said you found a ride home. Why didn’t you call me after this happened? Why did you wait until this morning? Have you called your mom?”
“Oh my god, Bethany! My head is killing me and you’re making it worse!” She grimaces. “Stop with the questions!”
“I’m sorry.” I wipe away my tears. “You know how I get when I worry.”
“I’m fine, it just hurts.” She squeezes my hand. “Stop crying. I’m not on my deathbed.”
“I sure as fuck hope not!” When the profanity comes out, I don't care. “At least tell me what happened.”
“Things didn’t work out with Mark. He was talking to two other girls and flirting with them just like he flirted with me earlier, so I decided he wasn’t worth my time.” She grimaces again. “I talked to this guy for a while. The one dressed like a Chippendale’s dancer. He was nice to look at and it seemed like things could get interesting, so when he offered to drive me home, I texted you.”
“I won’t judge.” I look away briefly, unable to really say much considering I spent the night with Edgar.
“I had no intentions of sleeping with him. Ugh!” She winces. “I thought we might make out a little and trade numbers. He wanted more than that, and got a little handsy, so I told him goodnight. Then I stepped out of his car, right into the path of a limousine. I woke up with this big fucking cowboy standing over of me and thought for sure I had died. I was ready to accept that hell was just a ranch in Texas or something.” She chuckles at her last comment, as do I.
“I saw a couple of cowboys at Grimwillow. Maybe he went to the party too?” I perk a brow.
“Nah, I don’t think it was a costume.” She shrugs. “It doesn’t matter. I’m fine. I’ve got a hard head.”
“That’s the truth.” I laugh. “Okay, so when can you get out of here?”
“They kept me overnight to make sure there were no issues. It was just a formality.” She tries to sit up. “As soon as the doctor comes by, I can get out of here. I’m fucking starving.”
“They didn’t feed you?” I blink in surprise.
“Hospital food? Yuck. I’d rather go down on the Chippendale.” She feigns a gag. “Can you go ask the nurse when the doctor will be here? I think they’re tired of me pressing this button.”
“Of course.” I nod, stand up, and let go of her hand. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“I won’t.” She rolls her eyes and immediately regrets it. “Ow!”
I feel a little better after talking to Amelia. She’s in good spirits, despite her injuries. I walk to the nurse’s station and the doctor is in the room next to Amelia. She’s next. I walk back to her room, give her the news, and hand over the clothes I brought for her. The doctor arrives before she can get up and change. He checks her vitals, goes through a few tests, and confirms she will be discharged. After he leaves, I walk around the bed and help her get dressed. The nurse arrives shortly thereafter with her paperwork and everything is official.
“So, I have something to tell you.” I say apprehensively. “I met someone last night.”
“You did?” She gives me a curious stare. “Like, you got their number and everything?”
“I did more than that.” I smile and bat my eyelashes.
“You’re fucking kidding me!” She leans forward, excitement in her voice, but immediately grimaces. “You…”
“Yeah.” My smile gets wider. “I can’t wait for you to meet him!”
“What’s his name? I know a lot of guys in Willow Grove.” She motions for me to help her stand up.
“He’s not from Willow Grove. His name is Edgar Grim.” I reach for the wheelchair with one hand and move it over. “Here, sit down.”
“I’m not getting wheeled out of here.” She wafts a hand. “Just give me a minute. I’ve been in that bed for way too long. You said Edgar Grim? Like, the family that owns Grimwillow Manor?”
