My Guardian Angel(61)

“Yeah, I know how much you like it.” He laughed.

“Want a sip?” I asked, offering him my shake. “Psych!” I pulled it back and slurped it.

Jason only shook his head at me. I shrugged and kept drinking.

“So, Ms. Preston, I hear you’re recovering well,” the doctor said, but stopped short when he saw my shake. “I like the shakes at Shake Shack, too.” He smiled. “I'm here to tell you that you’ll be discharged tomorrow.”

“Are you serious?” I asked, almost jumping out of my bed.

“Yes.” He shook his head.

“Can’t I go now?” I had grown so fuckin’ tired of not being home and the hospital was the last place on Earth I wanted to be.

“No. Tomorrow only,” he said sternly.

“Fine!” I relented.

Jason stayed until visiting hours were over. The man had brought a computer version of Tekken and I still kicked his ass.

“You still suck. Take it home and practice, maybe tomorrow you’ll beat me,” I mocked.

“Yeah, maybe,” he said as he chuckled.



Tomorrow came and I sat on the gurney waiting for Jason. I felt excited and happy. I couldn’t wait to get home to my life and Jason. So when the door to my room opened and Darios came in with flowers and a big old smile, I knew something was up.

“Well, little sister, it’s time to take you home,” he said happily.

“What are you talking about? Where’s Jason?” I asked, smiling and looking around Darios for him.

“Jason isn’t coming. I'm the one who’s going to take you home.” He took my things and held onto my bag. “Come on, get in the wheelchair. I wonder how much damage I can do to you by the time we get to the car.” He laughed.

“Seriously, Darios, where’s Jason?” I asked disappointedly. I was hurt he wasn’t here.

“He’s probably working,” Darios offered.

I settled in the wheelchair. My disappointment only grew. Darios, however, saw fit to hit every corner he could as he wheeled me down.

“Ah, sorry,” he said every time, giggling to himself.

“One more time and I swear, Dar, you’re going to regret it,” I warned. My threat went on deaf ears as he continued to ‘accidently’ bump me into corners.





Finally Changing



I finally reached home. My beautiful brownstone, which I had renovated to my liking no longer, looked the same. I gazed out of Darios’ car and looked at what used to be my safe haven. My reality was shattered that night. I realized that anyone, no matter how hard I tried to keep myself safe, could come into my world and dismantle all that I held dear. There I sat understanding that in the end it was up to me to take back what was mine. No longer could I hide away from the disturbing night I shared with Jason. Nor could I simply ignore what had happened to me. I had to gather my strength, take back what I had lost, and gain a new sense of me.

“WELCOME HOME!” All three girls screamed at the top of their lungs.

Tara ran to me and hugged me tightly. I flinched a little, my ribs still feeling sore.

“Sorry,” she said making a face. “Did I hurt you?” she asked, stepping away from me.

“No, I'm fine.” I smiled.

“Of course she is, she’s my sister,” Darios yelled from behind me.

“Oh, shut up, Darios,” Tiff said, dismissing him as she hugged me gently.

“Look at our tough little cookie. Fuckin’ bitch, if anything would have happened to you… I swear,” Genna warned as she smiled at me.

“What? I don‘t get a hug?” I asked only to annoy her.

“No. Now get your ass in the house so we can eat this awesome food Tiff made.” Genna took my hand and pulled. She held it, squeezed it, and looked over to me when no one else was looking.

“Bitch.” She smiled.

“Right back at you, bitch,” I retorted and held on tighter.

“Did you make lasagna? ‘Cause it’s Kass’ favorite,” Darios remarked. I knew my brother, the fucker was fishing. It was his favorite, too.

“I made it and everything else you asked for, you ass,” Tiff said irritated.

This was new. She usually was caring and attentive to him. I watched them closely. Something was up and I was totally going to ask Darios later.

“Did you call Jason?” I asked, as I sat down at the table getting myself a plate to eat.

All four of them averted their eyes. Each was giving the others looks and all were trying to avoid me, which aggravated me to no end.

“Either someone speak or I will start kicking people out,” I warned.

Genna sat next to me and smiled, but said nothing. Tara walked over to the kitchen in the guise of getting herself a glass of water, which, by the way, there were bottles of water on the table. Tiff acted like she was helping my friend, as if Tara had never been in my home before. I narrowed my gaze to Darios, who was scratching the back of his head.