Page 52 of Right in Front of You

MOLLY

The call camein at three in the morning, jolting me awake from a nightmare. I was ready to jump through that phone receiver and plant grateful kisses on whoever was on the other line. It was my third nightmare this week, and I was beginning to feel as if my past were catching up to the present. I felt like a stranded gazelle in the middle of the savannah with a herd of lions stalking me.

“Hello?” I answered, half-asleep.

“Molly?”

I gasped and wiped the sweat beads off my forehead.

“Carter? What’s wrong?”

To say that I was surprised to hear his voice would have been an understatement because for the past two weeks I’d been trying to get in touch with him every day – unsuccessfully, of course. The first couple of days when I returned to the hospital, he’d thrown me out of the room. On the third day, his brother Max was standing guard at the door and asked me to leave before I even got to touch the doorknob. He explained that Carter needed time. My attempts to see him were pointless. I wanted to help him, but how could I? He let Jo see him, Nick and Mackenzie, as well as his family; but not me. Yes, I was hurt, and many times I swore that I’d never talk to him again, but when I heard his voice over the phone, all I wanted to do was run to him.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. They’re releasing me in the morning.”

“That’s great news.” I turned on the night light, wiped my eyes, and took a sip of water.

“Yeah, I guess so.”

“It’s not? Are you not feeling well?”

“Well, no, I’m fine. I… Maybe I shouldn’t have called.”

“Don’t be silly, Carter. Of course you should have. I’ve been worried about you.”

“I’m sure Jo and Nick filled you in.” His voice held regret and uneasiness.

“They did, but I would have much preferred to hear it from you. You’ve blocked me out, and I don’t know what I did.”

“I’m sorry. You did nothing wrong, Molly. And I wish I could say that it was all those stupid painkillers they’ve been giving me, but it wasn’t. I just didn’t want you seeing me all burnt and crippled and ugly.”

I exhaled. Carter was exhibiting all the normal signs of a recovering burn victim: anxiety about his future appearance; feeling helpless and irritable.

“Carter, if there’s anyone who understands you, it’s me. I’ve worked with many patients, and I know what you’re going through. I really wanted to be there for you.”

“Thank you. I knew you did, and you may get your chance if you’re still up for it.”

“I’ll be right over.” I threw the receiver down and quickly changed without saying goodbye. I wasn’t sure what came over me, but I knew that I’d heard something in Carter’s voice that I hadn’t in the seven years since Daisy’s death.

Hope.

Ten minutes later, flashing my hospital pass, I pushed past security. Visitor hours ended at ten at night and if it weren’t for the fact that I worked here, I wouldn’t have gotten through. I knocked quietly on Carter’s door.

“Come in,” he said.

Well, at least he hasn’t changed his mind.Taking a deep breath, I pushed on the door and turned on the dimmer, making sure that the light wasn’t too bright.

“Hey, Molly.” That smile alone was worth the trip. What the hell had been happening here the past two weeks? Carter looked like an entirely different man. Well, not exactly. He still looked the same, but the energy sizzling off him ignited my skin.

“How are you?” I heard a quiver in my voice as my nerves got the better of me. After all, he’d pretty much told me to get lost, and now I was the one he’d called in the middle of the night. Why?

“Better, I guess. Thank you for coming.”

“Of course. Is everything okay?”

“Yes and no. Come, sit.” He pointed to the chair beside his bed. I made my way around him and took my seat.

“First of all, I wanted to apologize. I wanted to let you know how sorry I am for treating you the way I did.”

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