Page 49 of Incomplete
“Sir, I’m going to need you to step back.”
I nodded, knowing from experience it was the right call.
While the attendings looked her over, I turned my focus to the take-out containers. I hadn’t ordered shrimp or any shellfish in general and had even given explicit instructions that there was an allergy, so I questioned how the fuck did this happen.
The fried rice and lo mein noodle packages were open but appeared untouched, same with the beef sauced in a black bean glaze and the orange chicken. It was hard to tell with the vegetable container, but the fork beside the Kung Pao chicken had remnants of sauce.
Without hesitation, I popped a piece into my mouth, looking for signs of cross-contamination. Either my brain was already convinced it was the culprit, or I legitimately detected the flavoring was off. I then opened the pull-out drawer I’d stored the Ziploc bags in when I stocked the kitchen initially and placed the entire Kung Pao chicken container in the bag.
“Ma’am, I don’t think that’s wise. I recommend you be fully checked out at the hospital.”
The paramedics’ worrisome tone caught my attention.
“Do you have a waiver I need to sign absolving you of any liability or something?” she asked.
“Lakelyn, listen to the medic. You were unconscious; for all we know, you hit your head when you fell, putting you at risk for second impact syndrome. Please, you need to be properly evaluated.” I felt unnerved that she was refusing further treatment.
“Boden, I’m fine. I don’t have another concussion, just embarrassed by all the attention.”
“You were barely breathing,” I countered, despite not wanting to relive that moment.
She pulled herself off the floor and took my hand in hers, reassuringly squeezing it. “I’m fine, I promise.”
“I need your signature here, please, ma’am,” one of the attendings asked as he placed the waiver on the counter. “If you notice any change in your status, no matter how small, please get to the hospital and have yourself checked out right away.”
“I will. Thank you for responding so quickly.”
“I believe you were in good hands before we got here, thanks partly to this big guy’s quick-thinking action.” He nodded in my direction.
“Thanks, Reed.” I was so shaken that I didn’t even notice the medics. Reed was another lifer in this town; we’d known each other since elementary school.
No sooner had he and his team left did I wrap Lakelyn in my embrace, holding on to her as if she were my real life, life preserver. The feeling of her pressed up against me and her hands clutching my T-shirt told me she felt the emotions of what had just transpired.
I wasn’t sure how long we stood there in the kitchen, but knowing she would be okay was all the reminder I needed that every day was a gift. The next day wasn’t promised, so we needed to take full advantage of our time and use it wisely.
“Let’s move into the living room and get you comfortable on the couch,” I suggested.
“What about all this food? Just because I can’t have it doesn’t mean it should go to waste.” She surveyed the counter.
“Food is the last thing on my mind right now, but please, tell me, what can I make you?” Because ordering a replacement dinner sure as hell wasn’t exactly a desirable option on the table.
It was too soon.
I was traumatized.
Her eyes met mine, and I could see the weight of the scare she’d just experienced weighing on her now that the adrenaline was beginning to taper.
“I think I just want some water.”
“Okay, I’ll get you settled first.”
“Boden, I’m good.” She walked across the kitchen to the fridge and pulled out a water bottle and a beer for me. “Or do you need something stronger?”
“No, I’m good.” I wanted to say yes, but I needed to remain alert, and the truth was, there was nothing that would settle my nervous system other than holding her.
Once we settled onto the couch, we snuggled into each other as if it were a natural habit, and we’d done it a hundred times before. While I sensed she was masking her overall internal fright over the scare, I wondered if it was a show for my sake or just her way of processing. Regardless of the answer, the tension surging through her body was palpable.
It’s crazy how one could have a job like mine where I’d come across far too many harrowing situations to count, and yet, all one’s instincts freeze when it involves someone you cared about.
