“Just let me know if you change your mind. Otherwise, I’m dragging you to the cafeteria for breakfast once it opens.”
“Cafeteria food,” I say, scrunching up my face.
“Unless you want to leave the hospital for a restaurant, that’s your option.”
There is no way I’m leaving the hospital until Jason does, even if it means suffering through cafeteria food. “Cafeteria it is.”
We talk in whispers through the night. He tells me more about growing up in Portland, Oregon. His mom and dad’s divorce when he was young and how he grew up playing them against each other to get what he wanted. His mother’s second marriage, his stepfather, and his half-brother. Mostly, he talks about how basketball helped calm his rebellious spirit with the discipline it required.
By the time I drift off at Jason’s bedside, I have a new appreciation for Tommy and his willingness to stay with me when he could be back at the dorm.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-SIX
“Ow!” I shout, startled awake by a firm hand clutching my bruised shoulder. I scan my surroundings, disoriented. Tommy rubs his eyes.
“Sorry,” a new nurse whispers next to me.
I take a deep breath, realizing where I am. “It’s okay. You can’t see the bruises through the clothes.”
Jason stirs, but his eyes remain closed.
“We’re taking him down to radiology for the CT scan Dr. Green ordered. We’ll bring him back up here when he’s done.”
Jason searches for my hand and I slip it into his.
“I’m here, J. They’re taking you for another scan so we can take you home. Tommy and I are going down to the cafeteria and we’ll be back here as soon as we’re done.”
“Food fight,” he says, dragging out each word.
I snicker and brush my lips across his cheek. I follow the nurse out and write down Jason’s cell number for them, then head to the cafeteria with Tommy. I take more ibuprofen once we’re seated.
“Is it bad?” he asks.
“Only when I move.”
His face wrenches at my answer. “I think I’d rather bust my knee playing basketball.”
“Bruises fade.”
“Yeah, but that’s almost half your body, Sara.”
“My father gave me beatings worse than this,” I say nonchalantly, taking a bite of the tasteless, runny scrambled eggs. I grab the salt shaker and douse my food with it, then slide it to Tommy.
“I’m sorry. I can’t even imagine what it would be like.” He pokes his fork into his eggs.
“There were days I thought he was going to kill me.” I slather butter and grape jelly on my toast as I tell him about the time Simon nearly drowned me in the dishwater after Jason showed up at the house. “When I was trying to get away the time Dad and Jason intervened, I thought for a split second he was going to beat me to death.” I bite into the crunchy toast and let the combination of bread, butter, and sweet grapes mix in my mouth.
There’s no sorrow when I talk about it anymore. No anger. I went to therapy. He’s in prison. My demons are gone. He holds no power over me anymore.
I have new rules to live by:
1. I will pursue happiness.
2. I will stand up for myself.
3. I will relish new experiences and new friends.
4. I will love and appreciate my chosen family for the rest of my life.
5. I will forgive Jason anything.
6. I will have my always and forever.
Alana and Dad are in the room with Jason when we return from the cafeteria. Jason dresses in a cautious manner while a nurse next to him explains his discharge instructions.
“Dad, can you drop me and Tommy off at the dorm? I need to get Jason’s car.”
“Sure. We’ll take Jason home and get him settled.”
Twenty minutes later, we wait for Dad to pull the car around with Jason in a wheelchair. I squat next to him. “Do you remember where you put your set of keys?”
“In my duffel.”
“Is there anything else you want me to bring home from your room?”
“Laundry, books, and laptop.”
Chad is lounging on the sofa watching TV when we get back to the room. “How is he?” he asks as we walk in.
“Better,” I reply. “My dad and his mom are taking him to our place while I pick up some of his stuff and get the car.”
“That’s great. Do you need help?”
“Maybe. Let me get his stuff together and see. Oh, and the lasagna he brought back last night, you guys can share it. Just don’t get rid of the container, please.”