I know this all because of Gage’s past. He was abused by his mother, a lot worse than Emma was. He’s taking this harder than anyone, even harder than Emma. Two hours we rode in silence on the motorcycle. I didn’t even attempt to rest my head against him. He was stiff and so angry, I could almost see the waves of malice wafting off him in powerful surges. Once we arrived to Tasha’s it was lightning speed after that. Gage crying, apologizing to Emma who attempted to console her own father’s meltdown. I stood back, not wanting to interfere but offering my silent support. I was briefly introduced to Tasha on our own fruition. Emma hugged me for a moment and was whisked away to the hospital. I couldn’t fit into Tasha’s car along with her husband, Gage, Emma and Maxwell; his brother. So I rode with Lincoln in his SUV. We’ve been here ever since. I tried to make Gage eat something because he’s not eaten since breakfast and he yelled at me and nearly told me to fuck off. I’m trying not to take it to heart because the only person he isn’t being snappy to is Emma. The rest of us are having to walk on eggshells. I want to comfort him. I just don’t know how. I couldn’t handle being thrown to the wolves if he ruthlessly, out of anger, verbally unleashes on me. Plus, I think Lincoln would have his head if he did. We don’t need that stirring up even more trouble.
“Who am I to speak with, regarding Emma Masterson?” a meek male doctor asks, addressing the group of us. I give Lincoln the ‘you know what to do’ eye. He takes the cue and corrals Gage to the corner as I speak with the miniature doctor.
“I am.” I announce being the only person other than Tasha left standing. Maxwell left about midnight. Gage’s father, who I haven’t been introduced to yet, was here for about an hour with his wife who stared hateful daggers at me the entire time. Not sure why she doesn’t care for me, but I’m sure I’ll eventually find out.
“Are you Emma’s mother?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m her father’s girlfriend. He’s not taking this so well so I am speaking with all the doctors and nurses.”
“Very well,” he bobs his head, understandingly. “After going over all of Emma’s test results, the only thing other than the physical abrasions that need no medical attention is she’s dehydrated. We would like to keep her until morning to get another bag of IV fluid into her. Other than that, everything is perfect. CAT scan came back fine; all the blood tests are within normal ranges. Overall, she’s a healthy little girl. I will refer her to a physiologist that specializes in working with children. It would be beneficial in cases like this for her to speak with a professional.”
I thank the doctor, and give Lincoln the thumbs up. He sighs, breaking away from Gage who’s pacing and living in his own mopey world. I’m surprised he hasn’t burned a hole through the floor with how many hours he’s walked this hall.
Quietly I tip-toe into Emma’s room to speak to Tasha, she’s resting back; half awake, half asleep, reading on her tablet.
“Hey.” I whisper.
“Hey.” She hazily smiles looking up, offering me a gentle wave.
I tiptoe in a bit further, so I’m standing just at the end of my sleeping princess’s bed and I smile at her. She’s cozy, snuggled up with her stuffed My Little Pony tucked under her arm and rainbow slippers covering her tiny feet that I picked up from the convenience store on my way to the hospital.
“Doctors said she’s okay. Only dehydrated. They want to keep her till morning. Other than that, she’s good to go. You are free to leave whenever. I’m staying; you might as well get some sleep at home. Gage and I won’t leave her.” I flash my most sincere closed mouth smile.
“Okay, you sure you don’t want to go home?”
I shake my head, “No, I couldn’t leave if I wanted to. I wouldn’t sleep and I’d be at home worried sick.”
“You’re good for him, you know. My brother can be a hothead. He’s very emotional. It’s good he has a woman like you to have a level head on her shoulders.”
I smile at her compliment. If she knew me well enough I don’t think she’d feel the same. I’m not that great. “Thank you. I think we both keep each other sane.”
I’m not sure where that came from, but it’s the truth. Gage makes me feel like I can branch out and be the person I knew I had somewhere deep inside. The person I’ve been afraid to let out of the closet. And, apparently, I give him what he wants — me. For what good it’s worth. If he’ll want me after this will be the real kicker. Considering Emma was punished because of Gage and I’s budding relationship. It sounds so much like my mother being punished because I wasn’t the boy my father wanted me to be; too much familiarity in this case. The thought of it makes me sick to my stomach.