“I want to help you as much as I can, Simon. If you want me to, I’ll speak with Molly. There are things I can find out that the shrinks will have a hard time getting out of her.”
Simon shook his head. “First of all, you’ve done enough. Second of all, I don’t think that would be fair without her knowledge. Third of all, and most importantly, you need to think about yourself for a change. Let yourself heal.”
You’ll never heal!
Gasping, the shock nearly took my breath away.
“Are you all right?” Simon’s eyes were darting from me to the nurses. I could tell he was conflicted as to whether I needed help.
“I’m fine, just a little sore.” I was lying, but if I told anyone I was hearing voices, I’d be locked up quicker than a lightning strike.
“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
More like heard one. What the hell was wrong with me?
“I’m fine.” I tried reassurance, but it didn’t help reassure me. Looking up from my bed, I saw my uncle and Chris walking towards my bed. All of a sudden, I felt much better.
Michael nodded his head as if to ask if it was okay he came back. I smiled, letting him know it was more than okay. I even held my hand out to him again. I needed the calm he gave me.
“Cassie, my precious girl.”
I saw the tears in my uncle’s eyes and it nearly set off some fresh ones of my own. “Don’t, Uncle Billy. You’ll make me start.”
After Billy gave me a hug, it was Chris’ turn. “How are you feeling, Cassie?”
Looking up at him, I could see the hint of a tear forming. Chris was never one to show emotions. It was always my uncle who seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve. Seeing Chris showing his softer side had my heart swelling. I really didn’t want to lose it.
“I’m fine, thank you. A little sore, but the nurse gave me some painkillers a minute ago. It’s eased it off quite a bit now.”
Hearing Simon scrape back his chair, I looked over to see him leaving. “I better go and leave you with your family. I’ll come by tomorrow for a visit, if that’s okay?”
“Sure, Simon. That would be nice.” I smiled as Simon leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek.
Before leaving, he held his hand out to my uncle. “Nice to meet you,” Simon said. I could tell Simon recognised Billy from somewhere, but he didn’t ask.
My uncle and Chris both shook his hand, then he walked away.
“I take it that’s the boss?” Uncle Billy asked.
“Yes.”
Looking at Billy, I saw him shift uncomfortably in his seat as he looked towards Michael. He obviously wanted to say something, but was having difficulty with Michael there. “Did you manage to do that thing we…?”
I shook my head. Chris and Michael looked at one another, confusion on their faces.
Turning my attention to Michael, I squeezed his hand. “Do they know what really happened?” He nodded with a half-smile as a sob escaped Billy.
“I’m so sorry, Cassie.”
“Please, don’t. I just don’t want to think about it right now.”
Seeing Billy nod his head, I knew he was trying to gather his composure. He had a tissue at the ready, and I could see his puffy, drawn, tired eyes.
“You look exhausted, Billy. Have you had much sleep?” I saw Chris shake his head. “You need to look after yourself. I don’t want you getting sick.”
“Cassie, you’re my only family. Of course I am going to worry about you. You’ve been shot by that…that evil, sadistic bitch!”
I’m not sure where it came from, but my laughter suddenly radiated the walls. “Uncle Billy!” I scolded. “I never would have thought you would be so…so…”
“Butch?” Chris offered, making me laugh again.
Grabbing Billy’s arm, I tugged at him. “I’m not going anywhere. I need to torture you some more before I leave this body.”
Billy and Chris looked at me, stunned. “Well, that was an odd way of putting it.”
I gave Michael a knowing smile. “I guess it is.”
Chris and Billy stayed for a while. There was a lot of crying and laughing, but I was constantly crying inside. I ached all over. I had lost so much in so little time. Despite knowing Kali was never my best friend, knowing that she was just using me still hurt. The worst part about it was she took my friend away. Someone I had come to love and to trust. In the short time I knew her, I had felt more of a bond to Lisa-Marie than I had ever felt with Kali.
I pondered this for quite some time as I chatted idly with everyone. Michael could see the hint of sadness in my eyes, so he squeezed my hand reassuringly.