“You’re not going to tell her anything.” I put the phone in the pocket of my sweats and cross my arms. “You’re going to lie there and get your physical and rest so you can get better.”
“I’m fine.” Doctor Koleman’s busy reading her pulse and ignoring us.
“You aren’t fine.” I don’t want to recount everything that happened today, but how the fuck could she think she’s fine?
The doctor takes the stethoscope from around his neck and instructs her to sit and breathe. At least she’s listening, even if she’s ignoring me.
“Becca, how are you feeling?” He finally asks, taking a seat in the chair I left by the bed.
“Don’t say fine.” I cut her off with a hard glare as she opens her mouth.
“I feel sore, especially my rib cage.” She speaks calmly, but the doctor cuts her off.
“Two of your ribs are fractured, you’ll have to rest up to help them mend.” She stares at the doctor with a look of confusion before shaking her head.
“No, I’m fine.” Her voice is small and laced with disbelief.
His brows furrow. “They’re fractured, I’m certain they are. You’re on pain medicine at the moment, codeine. It’s going to take at least six weeks to heal properly. You don’t have to rest in bed all day, that’s fine. But you do need to take it easy and make sure to do some deep breathing every two hours to prevent any further damage to your lungs.”
She breathes in deep as if testing his words. Her eyes fall to the floor.
The doctor continues, “other than the fractures to your ribs, you have some serious abrasions on your ankles. I’ve left ointments here. You’re going to want to keep them covered when you shower, but gently wash them after and apply the ointment and bandages to keep them clean until they heal.”
Becca stares at the floor with a blank expression before slowly raising her head to look at Dr. Koleman.
“Becca, do you remember what happened?” He asks.
She noticeably swallows before answering, “Yes.”
“Would you mind sharing what you remember?” The room is so fucking quiet I can hear every breath, every small squeak from her shifting on the bed.
“It doesn’t matter. The past is the past for a reason and it can stay there. I will continue to move forward.” What the fuck? Is that a public relations response?
“Becca your blood pressure is very high. Are you currently on any medications?” She blinks slowly before answering with a nod. “I need to know what they are.”
“I’m on Valium.” She answers while her fingers intertwine and pull on one another. Her eyes flash to me before finding the ground.
“Anything else?”
She bites the inside of her cheek, “The morning after pill.” I cock a brow at that answer, and then she continues, “Klonopin as well.” She twists the sheets in her hand. “Just at night though. The Klonopin helps me sleep.”
“How long have you been on these?”
“Almost three months. I was hoping to wean off of them but it didn’t go well.” She answers with a hint of trepidation.
“What happened when your doctor lowered the dose?”
“Just an anxiety attack.” She says it casually, like it doesn’t even matter. “It’s been working very well.”
“I can see that. Your blood pressure is very high at the moment though, Becca.”
“I see.” Her words are sharp.
He leans forward and speaks with gravity in his voice. “I’m worried that you may be in a bit of shock.”
“And what can I do to fix that?” She looks expectantly at him and I can’t fucking believe it.
“We’ll know more tomorrow. I’d like you to take your pills if you have them on you.”
Her eyes find mine as she answers with a bit of irritation, “they’re at my home.”
“No need to worry, I’ll be back soon with new medication.”
“No need. I need to go home to get a few things.” She starts to stand and I stand directly in her path.
“I’ll get everything you and Jax need, you aren’t going home.”
Her eyes flash with anger. “I think you’ve done enough.” Her words are designed to hurt and it’s effective, but I ignore them.
“You would really put Jax in danger?” That gets her attention. She clenches her jaw.
“What am I suppose to do then? Nothing? Just let life roll over me?” Her breathing picks up as her voice gets louder. “Just lay there and let life fuck me over time and time again.” Her hands shove against my chest, surprising me, but I stand still and hardly budge. “What do you want from me!” Tears burn in her eyes as she waits for a response, keeping her gaze firmly on mine.