Claire felt faint with her body limp. She wanted food, but her stomach wouldn’t even hold water. The doctor wanted to know what had happened and she knew. When she closed her eyes and felt the pain in her body she saw Tony. She saw his rage, his fury, his unwillingness to let her explain. She remembered every terrifying minute until she blacked out. It happened two weeks ago but she still felt the agony.
The weakness combined with the unsettled stomach told her that it wasn’t going to end anytime soon. She wanted to go back to her visions. But the doctor waited for the answer to his question. He gave her some more water but instructed her to only rinse and spit into the basin. It helped the terrible taste go away. Her mouth felt moist again. She could talk.
“I went for a walk in the woods, I like the woods. It rained the day before and the ground was slippery in some spots. I made it into the woods fine, but I let it get dark. I watched the sun set. I remember it being crimson and beautiful.” She laid her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes. Softly tears trickled down her cheeks. Dr. Leonard was determined, he asked her to continue. She did, but with closed eyes. “So it was dark by the time I headed back to the house. I remember getting to the clearing, which is about forty-five minutes from here. The sun . . . I mean, moon, was bright. I tried to get back. Catherine had dinner waiting for me.” Her eyelids were heavy and her words slowed and slurred. She never remembered feeling so incredibly tired, all she wanted to do was sleep. Please God, she prayed, let me sleep.
“Ms. Nichols, did you make it back to the house?” Dr. Leonard spoke softly.
“I don’t remember.” Her decision was made. Telling the truth wouldn’t do any good. Actually, it would be a direct violation of Tony’s rules. She wasn’t allowed to discuss private matters. She had learned her lesson well. As her ribs, head, and stomach ached, the lesson was reinforced. “I remember slipping in the mud. There were roots and limbs. It was very dark under the trees. After that, I just don’t know.”
“Please know that anything you disclose to me is said in confidence. I am bound by complete patient-doctor confidentiality,” he spoke quietly. Despite her physical exhaustion, Claire’s mind was astute. She knew that every word they uttered was recorded and possibly overheard as they spoke.
“Doctor, I’m not sure what you are asking me or what you are insinuating, but I can’t remember what happened that night. Perhaps I hit my head.” Her eyes were open and brimming with tears. She felt so tired. “Please, may I rest?” Her eyes closed and she could feel herself slip away.
Claire opened her eyes to see Catherine holding a glass of her famous banana strawberry yogurt smoothie. She told the caring woman that she was afraid it would make her sick, like the water. Catherine explained that the doctor had put some medicine in her IV. It would help with the pain and with her stomach. Claire reached for the button to get herself up, but before she could get to it Tony did. His presence made her involuntarily tremble. His eyes weren’t dark, instead they were melted chocolate. He gently touched her face. “You need to listen to Catherine. Please try to drink the smoothie. You need to get better, and to do that you need to eat.” She looked at him and wondered if he knew about her recent confidential conversation. He continued to plead, “Please, Claire.”
She drank some of the smoothie, then she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The next time she woke her suite was bursting with flowers. They looked beautiful and the aroma permeated even her dreams. Over the next few weeks they were constantly replaced. It seemed as if they never wilted. They were meant to make her feel better, but they reminded her of the funeral home after her parents’ death.
She even received get well cards and flowers from the Simmonses, Millers, and Bronsons. Apparently, Tony’s secretary, Patricia, called Sue to apologize. Claire had been so busy recently, and with her accident she hadn’t been able to call. But she would when she felt better and got the chance. It made Claire feel so much better knowing