Page 24 of Taking Control
“Not at all.”
“Okay, so,” he starts, taking his glasses off and putting them on top of his head. “You may be a little hazy on what led you to be in hospital, so I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Okay.”
“You were out at lunch with your partner where you fainted, and an ambulance was called. You were brought here early yesterday afternoon, where we ran a few tests to determine the cause of why you fainted.
“Now, usually a person fainting isn’t a massive cause for concern when there are no known underlying medical issues, but your heart was beating a little faster than we would have liked, hence running further tests.”
He speaks with authority but exudes assurance at the same time. I feel like I should be worried, but Doctor Malone is speaking in a way that keeps me at ease. Probably a good thing seeing as I have been through enough worry and stress to last a lifetime.
“Lucy, your blood pressure was dangerously high, and this contributed to you having a panic attack, which led to you passing out.”
I remain quiet, taking in what he is telling me.
“On top of that, you were dehydrated, hence the drip going into your arm.”
I look at my arm, just for something to focus on.
How am I going to explain it away?
How can I make excuses to a Doctor about why my blood pressure was high?
I could say that work has been stressing me out? That puts Michael, and ultimately myself, in the clear.
“I don’t want to overwhelm you, Lucy, but I have to ask about the various bruises on your body. Have you been in an accident recently?”
An accident.
I almost wish that were the case.
Bruises can be explained away by an accident, but what Michael inflicts on me is no accident.
But I can’t tell a Doctor that.
He can’t protect me.
He’s only a medic, and I don’t have anywhere near enough evidence to go to the police yet, not if I want Michael to be put behind bars for the long haul.
“I fell.” I almost roll my eyes at how that sounds like a lame-ass excuse, but this Doctor has no reason to think that Michael abuses me, so my internal panic is over nothing.
“How did you fall?”
“Down the stairs. It was silly of me really. I tripped over a pair of my shoes,” I say with a nervous laugh. “Michael told me to put them away, but I didn’t listen.”
“Ah, yes, Michael. He took some persuading to leave you here last night.” Doctor Malone pauses, and I feel like he is assessing my reaction. I keep my face still, giving nothing away, I hope. “He said that he would be back when visiting hours start at eleven.”
Although I already knew that after hearing Doctor Malone and Michael talking last night, it still hits me that in less than two hours Michael will be here, demanding that I go home with him. He will probably force me to discharge myself if the Doctor won’t let me go.
“I know that you came in here with Michael, but I took the liberty of contacting your next of kin,” Doctor Malone informs me. My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
“A lady called Kim will be here soon. I have allowed her to come in before visiting starts.”
I feel emotion sweep through me at the Doctor’s kindness, my eyes filling with unshed tears.
There is still kindness in this world, Lucy.
He stands up and pulls his glasses back down to sit on his nose. “I will be back later to check how you’re doing, and to take a proper look at your wrists.” He looks at my wrists and I follow his gaze. They’re both bandaged.
