Page 27 of Quiet Chaos

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Sky - November 2019

I open my right eye, but the left is glued shut. Panic rises in me and when I lift my head I release a cry. Someone’s by my bed, calling my name, and I turn to see Cade. My hero. Except this time, he wasn’t there to save me from Christoff. Cade is a giant next to my bed. His whispers massage my nerves, getting me to relax. Words stick in my throat. Cade says he’ll be back and returns with a nurse.

She smiles and says, “Hello, Sky. I’m Margaret. How are you feeling today?”

My jaw aches as I try to push the answer out. “I hurt.”

“I know, honey. You have several injuries, but you’re going to be fine. I’ll change your position in the bed so you can sit up.”

My eye shifts to Cade, who is holding my hand. He’s so sweet. I wonder how long I’ve been sleeping. Why do I hurt everywhere? A sharp pain shoots throughout my body as the nurse operates the bed.

I cry and Cade yells, “Fucking stop! You’re hurting her.”

The nurse puts her hands up. “Okay, let’s all calm down.” Margaret asks Cade to sit, which he reluctantly does, and she turns to me. “Sky, I’m going to put pillows behind you to prop you up. I’ll try to do it as fast as possible.” Cade offers to help.

“If you can raise her forward, I’ll push the pillows behind.”

His powerful arms wrap around and draw me into his body. My face presses into his chest when I whimper in pain. He kisses the top of my head, easing me back when the nurse finishes. My face is wet. Margaret gives Cade a damp washcloth so he can wipe my face while she finishes the vitals.

A man comes into the room and introduces himself. “Hello, Sky. Glad to see you’re awake. I’m Dr. Guzman. Do you remember what happened to you?” I whisper ayes. “You’ve sustained several injuries I’d like to go over. Is that okay?”

Cade pours a cupful of water from the pitcher on a tray and holds the straw to my mouth to prevent spillage. My throat is better, and I tell the doctor he may continue.

“When you came through emergency you had a stab wound to your left shoulder.” He drags my gown down, exposing my shoulder, and my face flushes. “We did emergency surgery, and everything went fine. Once you return home, the bandage will need daily changing.” He moves my gown back and places his hand on the railing. “You have a sprained left arm, so it will remain in the splint to keep you from using it. In addition, you have two broken ribs, which are causing you the most pain. There are several stitches by the hairline, and your face is swollen, which is why your left eye is closed. Once the swelling goes down, you’ll be able to open it. Do you have questions for me?”

“When can I go home?”

“If everything goes well, I can release you tomorrow or Monday. How does that sound?”

I attempt to smile, yet the throbbing stops me.

Cade asks, “Is there an at-home nursing service I can hire to help Sky?”

The doctor orders the nurse to get the at-home nursing information, and then says to me, “I forgot. The police areoutside. They’d like a statement about what happened. Are you up for it?” I let him know it’s okay.

Cade continues to stand, holding my hand, which comforts me. The police officers come in, look at him, clear their throats, and shift closer to the end of the bed. I’m guessing Cade makes them nervous.

The female officer moves to the foot of the bed. “Hi Sky. I’m Officer Murphy and this is my partner, Officer O’Malley. Is it okay if we ask you questions about the assault?”

Cade’s hand gives mine a slight squeeze when she says the word ‘assault.’ My one arm presses into the bed to sit straighter, biting my lip from the pain. Cade shifts me from under my armpits. I smile a thanks and take his hand in mine.

“I’m sorry.”

Officer Murphy says, “Don’t worry about it. Do you need anything before we start?” I shake my head. “Can you tell us what you remember, Sky?”

I make eye contact with Officer Murphy, shifting to Officer O’Malley before returning to her. “I was working the morning shift. Most of the customers are senior citizens. There was nothing out of the ordinary until my ex-boyfriend came in. As soon as he saw me, he approached and screamed in my face. To avoid a scene, I stayed quiet, which made him angrier.” The memories stab at my eyes and I swallow hard, staring at the end of the bed. Tears escape. “He slammed my head against the wall.” I wipe the tears from my cheek and avert their watchful eyes. “After that, it’s fuzzy. I remember him punching me in the stomach. Face. Smacking me…” I suck in a large gulp of air. “And then a sparkle of silver.” Cade hands me tissues. “The pain from the knife…” More tears escape and I shake my head. “It hurt so bad. I don’t understand...” My sobs grow heavier. I hiccup while trying to catch my breath. “…why he searched for me.”

My bawling sparks pain, plaguing my ribs. Cade cups the side of my face, and his breath is by my ear. He’s telling me to take slow, deep breaths in and out. I follow his lead, and after a minute or so, I calm.

Officer Murphy gives me a consoling smile. “I’m sorry this happened to you, Sky. Can you tell me the last time you saw him?”

“September fourteenth.” I take Cade’s hand in mine, smile up at him, and say, “That’s when I met my hero. Cade saved me.”

He rolls his eyes, let’s go of my hand, and folds his arms over his chest. Cade is my beautiful savior.

The officer gets my attention by asking, “Can you confirm his name?”

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