Page 21 of Bedazzled
I shot up in bed, groaning. Every muscle in my abdomen felt like it had been dipped in gasoline and set on fire. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I pressed the heels of my hands over my eyes.
“It is not real. I am not on that table. I will tear each one of those bastards apart.” I repeated the same three sentences, over and over, rocking slightly. I felt weak, disgusted with myself to have allowed those memories from when I lay chained down, suffering for their amusement to take root in me. The phone buzzed on my bedside table with Tania’s ringtone, ‘I Will Show You Mine,’ which never failed to make me grin. Until now.
“It is not real,” I whispered, “thosecykasdidn’t break me.” I pushed my hands harder against my eyes, trying to wipe away the images seared into my memory. My phone buzzed again and was finally silent.
“Let’s see if you can keep these stitches in, okay?” Ella had her doctor’s coat on and the attitude to match. “I can’t wrap you for any extra stability because of your broken ribs. How did you pop the stitches this time?”
The vision of stabbing one of the O’Connell captains until his chest was hamburger meat during a raid last night came to mind. “I am not certain,” I shrugged painfully. "I must have bumped something.”
“Like a shotgun?” Ella smoothed the surgical tape over my chest, “Flamethrower? Surface to air missile?”
“Why sister, I am hurt by your implications. I have been a model patient and followed every one of your exacting, unreasonable demands.” I opened my eyes wide to show my sincerity, and she laughed as I hoped she would.
“Yeah, model patient. I think your picture is listed under the definition in the dictionary. Right next to the ‘I am so full of shit’ entry.” My sister-in-law’s smile faded as she cut another piece of tape. “Tania’s worried sick about you.”
“There’s no need,” I said coldly.
“Ah, ah! You do not get to try the patented Maksim Polar Chill Move on me, mister!” She was frowning at me, attempting to look stern. “You are the charming, kind Morozov brother, remember? You communicate?”
“Tania said you always mentally put your long, extravagant phrases in capital letters,” I said. My smile faded as I realized I had said her name.
Ella looked up at me, her pale green eyes were wide and sincere. “She can help you heal.”
Exasperated, I sighed, “There’s nothing to heal.”
“Oh my god do you hear yourself? Yes! Yes, Yuri, youdohave many things - physicalandemotional - to heal. But facing them together will make you stronger. Both of you.” She had her gaze intensely fixed on mine.
“You look like you are attempting to drill into my subconscious,” I said.
“I own your braaainn…” She attempted to look sinister, “You must bend to my willll…”
I could not keep a straight face, but the second I started laughing, I regretted it.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” Ella cried, patting me gingerly on my good arm.
“You have a terrible bedside manner, Dr. Morozov,” I groaned.
“This could be true,” she agreed, “but will you please call Tania? For me? Please?”
Dropping my head, I took as deep a breath as I could with my broken ribs. “If I do this sister, you may not ask me for another favor. You will not interfere with my personal life.”
“That’s… a little more final than I expected, but okay,” she said. “There are some things a doctor can’t heal, but a loved one can.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m done! I promise!” Ella threw up her hands defensively, then gathered her medical supplies and made a quick exit.
Cradling my aching head in my hands, I heard the drill again. The laughter. The cigarettes put out on my skin.
Tania…
It had been a week since Yuri ghosted me, so I actually yelped when his ringtone blared from my phone. It was “Sixty Minute Man,” an oldie but a goodie and damn, did it fit that man’s style in bed.
Maybe I was too suspicious. Maybe I was too paranoid but for a moment, I backed away from my phone. Was this goodbye?
Finally,Oh for hell’s sake, you chickenshit! Answer the phone!
“Hello?” I tried to sound cool like I hadn’t even noticed he was pulling away from me.
“Hello, darling.”
