Page 80 of Trucker
My legs gave out and I crumbled downward. Someone caught me by the shoulders, and I looked back to see it was Lennox.
“She okay?” He asked, leading me to a chair.
Exhaling loudly, I nodded. “She was bleeding internally, but they got it.”
“Can we see her?” Andi wanted to know.
“After she’s moved to recovery.” I rubbed my eyes. “It’ll take a little while for them to move her because they’re waiting for a bed.”
“I’ll be back.” Andi told us.
When she did come back, it was with a bag from the gift shop. She handed it to me.
“What’s this?”
“They didn’t have much, but I found a pair of jeans and a black, plain t-shirt.” Andi replied. “Take it.”
“Andi…”
“Go change.” She told me.
“I’m fine.” I protested.
“Maybe, but Taji shouldn’t worry about you when you see her.” Lennox pointed out. “You’re sweaty and dirty. And is that blood?”
I looked down at my clothes then back at her—helplessly.
“Go change.” Andi pushed. “We won’t leave here until after we’ve seen her.”
I knew I wouldn’t win this argument, so I gave in.
I came back to find only Lennox.
Apparently, Taji had been moved, and Andi was first to go look in on her. Lennox was next and when it was my turn, I managed to get them to go home to rest.
Entering Taji’s room scared me.
Her face was if she’d gotten into a fight with Rhonda Rousey and had lost. She had a splint on her left middle finger, a bandage to the right side of her neck and one on her forehead.
I exhaled.
There weren’t as many tubes and wires as I’d expected, but when I kissed her forehead, her skin was warm.
I watched her chest rise and fall then sat beside her to hold her hand.
Andi hurried into the room to hand me a muffin and a cup of coffee.
“I know you may not feel hungry but eat something.” She instructed. “We don’t need to start worrying about you too. I’m sorry it’s not more but the cafeteria barely has anything.”
I thanked her with a small smile, and she left me alone again.
She was right, I wasn’t hungry—I didn’t feel hungry.
But I sipped from the coffee.
It wasn’t the best, but it felt good to have something warm going in.
While I waited for Taji to wake up from the meds, I called Zulu again.
