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And the door to the room opened again.
“Just a moment,” she whispered absently and yanked back the curtain, expecting to see the nurse once more, only to see Houghton standing there with Jill and a pastor.
“YOU!” Max roared from the bed and began yanking furiously at the ties. “WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU…”
“Max, stop…” Daphne said – and that fury turned on her in a split-second, shocking everyone.
“WHY DO YOU CARE? WHY ARE YOU HERE? YOU’RE NOT AN ANGEL, SO WHO ARE YOU? SOME PATHETIC LEECH LOOKING TO HOOK UP WITH A CRIPPLE…?” he screamed angrily – and Daphne snapped, putting her finger in between his eyebrows and shoving him back pointedly against the pillow behind him.
“The only thingcrippledin this room is yourbrain– and yourattitude, so knock it off, Max,” she said bluntly and saw his eyes widen. “If you want me to leave, to let them come drug you again, and you wanna stay tied to the bed like some nutjob… then say the word - and I’m out. I don’t owe you an explanation or jack, buster!”
Both glared at each other – and she saw the flicker of fear in his eyes at the same time as the pastor spoke in hushed tones behind them in the distance.
“Are you sure, Mr. Houghton? I’m supposed to marry these two?”
The silence hung in the room, and she heard her own nervous breathing combined with his own labored one. His heart was beating wildly, and the monitor behind him was blipping like a strobe light.
“What’s it going to be, Max?” Daphne uttered and was confused at her own willingness to go along with this scheme. “Do you want someone on your side that you can trust – or do you want to fight this fight alone?”
“Pull the curtain,” he whispered, almost pleading, as his eyes darted wildly to the other faces in the room watching him. She understood the urge for a moment of privacy. He probably felt like a freak being tied down to the hospital bed.
Daphne pulled the curtain and told them to hold on a moment, before leaning back toward him so they could talk without anyone overhearing them.
“Why?” he whispered fearfully. “Don’t lie to me either. Why are you doing this?”
“Because everyone needs a break sometimes, and someone once pulled me aside when I needed help,” she admitted quietly. “It’s my turn to give it back.”
“I don’t want your pity.”
“You won’t get it either,” she replied, not looking away from his eyes. “I can use a friend in my life, someone that has my back, and I’m hoping that could be you for a bit while you heal.”
“And then?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.
“Then we’ll sit down, have a long talk, and see what happens next,” she whispered openly. “We don’t know each other and might not get along,” she chuckled softly. “I’m not a pushover, nor do I intend to let someone treat me like garbage… but if you want someone fighting for you and on your side while you get through all of this?”
He swallowed, and she saw that lingering fear in his gaze before touching his hand with her own.
“You’ve got it,” she finished softly. “It’s your decision. I won’t take that from you. You’ve had enough decided for you already, and we both know it. So, what do you want to do, Max?”
She felt his hand squeeze hers and met his gaze again, seeing that fear still lingering there; but there was also a glimmer of painful hope.
“What’s your name?” he said hoarsely.
“Daphne.”
He nodded and hesitated, moving his hand slightly and lacing his fingers with hers. She realized his hand felt hot and sweaty, and his skin was rough, so much different than her own, but they fit. Their palms fit together, and it was nice to hold someone’s hand, to be able to comfort them in their time of need.
“Daphne,” he began, his voice thready and nervous. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, I will… my friend.”
7
COLLINS
Max couldn’t help but stare at Daphne as they exchanged the simplest of vows in the small hospital room, shocked and confused that someone was actually stepping forward to help him at one of his lowest points. It scared him to realize just how badly he’d been sinking mentally when he’d awoken from the drugged stupor in pain, screaming in desperation, and silently begging for someone to help him, only to have an angel walk into the room a moment later.
She’d glided forward toward the blinds, opening them and letting light into the room, highlighting her lovely face, and he was pretty sure she was an angel until he’d yelled at her, then there was a whole ‘nother side to that mysterious woman.
