“He’s a detective like you. I’ve had lunch with him a few times,” I say and then look up to watch as his face hardens. He turns back to the doctor. I look at the doctor and he smiles at me.
“Kristy, my name is Dr. Preston Walker. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.” He takes the same seat that Tyke was in not that long ago. He pulls out a pen and a notebook, waiting for me to answer. But nothing comes. “I want you to know you don’t have to answer anything you’re not comfortable with, okay?”
I look straight at him, he turns to Kai and asks him to leave. Kai is resistant at first, until the doctor says we need to chat privately. Once he leaves, Dr. Walker starts asking his questions.
“How about you tell me a bit about yourself?” He looks up from his notepad at me with a straight look etched on his face. His teeth are very straight and white and his hair has a wisp of gray to it. His body is lean. I can tell he takes pride in his appearance.
“I was raised by my grandmother and now I live in the dorms on campus where I’m studying,” I answer, keeping it brief and to the point.
“Okay, and what about friends? Do you have many of them?” he asks while he writes. I look down and see he’s writing everything down as we talk.
“Yes, I have Julia, she’s a good friend.” He seems interested in what I have to say, I wonder if it’s a part of his job?
“What about Detective Kai? Is he your friend?” I shrug my shoulders at him, I still don’t know exactly what we are, but being friends is a start, I guess.
“That’s good. What about how you got here? Do you know how you got here, Kristy?” he asks, smiling and making me feel comfortable.
“Yes, there was blood, so much blood. I needed the pain gone and it helped me not to feel,” he nods his head again and writes down more.
“I would like it if you would start seeing me twice a week while I’m in town, Kristy. I promise to help with any issues that you have going on. Plus, I’m a very good listener and sometimes we all need one of those, don’t we?”
I take his card and read it. His name is in bold writing, followed by Psychiatrist. He shakes my now free hand before he stands to leave. As he reaches the door, he turns back around.
“I’m eager to get to know you and I look forward to next time.” I don’t say a word, I try to form some kind of thank you, but nothing seems to work. The moment he leaves, Kai pops straight back in.
“You can’t do that again,” he says, coming close, but not touching me. I look back down at my wrist and nod my head.
“No, you don’t get it, I found you Kristy. I can’t do that again.” I look up to him and see the hurt in his eyes. I don’t want to be the cause of his pain.
“I won’t,” I say in a small voice.
“You don’t know that. What if something happens again and you do the same thing? Please tell me you’re going to start to see that doctor.”
I wasn’t planning on it. It’s not that I don’t want to; I just think it will be a waste of time. The look in his eyes has me nodding my head in agreement.
“I just want you, nothing else but you. I can take you broken or crippled. But the one thing I can’t take is you dead. Do you understand me?” Tears start to well in my eyes. No one has cared for me like he has before. I can hear the hurt in his voice and it saddens me.
“You’re going to have to stay with me for a while and I won’t take no for an answer. Julia has packed you a bag and it’s here now. Your room is full of blood. There’s so much blood that it’s actually scary to walk in there.”
Shit, poor Leanne. I can’t imagine what she thinks of me now. She must be putting in for a new roommate and I can’t blame her. First a beating and then blood everywhere! That’s probably not the best way to earn her friendship.
“When can I leave?” I ask Kai.
“You will be discharged to my care today. Dr. Walker gave you the all clear, but you have to attend regular appointments with him. We have to change your bandages regularly to prevent infection as well.” I don’t say a word, my brain isn’t functioning right to answer him.
“I’ve asked for a long weekend even though Thanksgiving is our busiest time of the year. The boss was fine with it, thank God, so I’ll be here to help you,” he says. I look up at him and realize he said it was the weekend. But it’s only Tuesday isn’t it?
“What day is it?” I ask.
“Thursday,” he answers. “You lost so much blood, you have been in and out of it,” he tells me then goes into the bathroom to grab my bag.