Page 104 of A Little Bit Uncertain

“Is he going to make it?” The words hurt as they came out of my mouth. “Did someone call his sister? I need to see Donovan.” The heart rate monitor started beeping quicker, as I could feel myself getting worked up.

“You have to relax, Audra. We can talk about you seeing him in a little bit. But let’s make sure you are stable.”

“I’m fine,” I argued.

“Audra, you are recovering from a stab wound to your stomach. You’re not fine, honey,” my dad replied.

“No organ damage. The wound is stitched. Please,” I begged. Trina looked at the nurse, talking without speaking.

“Hi, Audra,” Carol tried with me. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t go down there at this time anyway, so let’s get this bag of fluid in you and then we can make a plan for the morning.”

Knowing that was the best I was going to get, I agreed, but felt my heart drop into my stomach in defeat.

“Also, Cora and Jules are here. Would you be okay seeing them? They want me to let them know when you are awake. I tried to send them home, but they wouldn’t leave,” my dad chuckled.

“They can come whenever. I’m okay.” It was a half lie. My body hurt something fierce, but I knew how lucky I was that the wound was all superficial. Recovering from a laparotomy would have been a million times worse. Within four minutes, the two were sneaking into my door.

“How did you guys get around visiting hours?” was the first thing that came out of my mouth, trying to make the moment a little lighthearted.

“Trina,” they answered at the same time.

“I’ll give you guys some time,” my dad said, standing up and walking out with Trina and Carol.

“Take ten or so ladies, but Audra needs to get some rest. This is just to give you all peace of mind. You can come back in the morning,” Carol added.

Jules spoke immediately. “I’m so sorry, Audra. I…” she stopped to catch her breath, “I’ve never had to act in an emergency like that, and I completely boggled it.”

Opening my arms, she gingerly came to me.

“Jules, not even close. I wasn’t capable of doing much, and you were able to be my hands. Plus, you’re the only person in that entire bar who sprang into action. You helped more than you will ever know. That chest seal made all the difference. Donovan has a chance because you were able to help me.” She buried her head in my shoulder. It hurt like hell, but I wasn’t going to say anything.

“Hey Jules, give her a little space,” Cora said softly as she sat down on the bed. I’m sure she saw me wince. “I hear you’re going to be okay?”

“Yes, I will be. It hurts right now, but things could have been much, much worse. My biggest concern right now is Van,” I admitted.

“He told you he loved you,” Jules said quietly.

“Whaaaaaaat?” Cora gasped as she looked between Jules and me. “He did? I take it you talked to him in New York then? How did you leave that part out, Juliette?!”

“We did talk, and we agreed this thing was too good to pass up. I didn’t think “I love you” was on the table, but I can tell you it came out of my mouth without hesitation after he almost said it. He couldn’t even get the whole thing out.” I had to stop to catch my breath with that sentence. “I feel sick that he’s fighting for his life right now because of me.”

“Don’t you call him Batman? He sure as shit saved you today. You should call him BatVan!” Jules snickered. Leave it to her to be the one to try to break the tension, but I kind of loved that.

“I can’t believe it. God. This is all so, so messed up, I can’t even wrap my head around it. He’s going to jail, right?” I asked as I shifted, trying to find a comfortable position.

“From what I’ve gathered, he’ll be charged with attempted murder, and the sentence for that in South Carolina is thirty years. I’m not sure what his parents will do or how they will fight it, but you will never see him again,” Jules answered with enough conviction that I believed her.

“Has anyone contacted Donovan’s sister, McKenna?” I asked.

“I don’t think so. No one has her number,” Cora answered.

“Can one of you hand me my phone? She needs to know what’s going on,” I said. I looked through my phone, eternally grateful she made me take her number down at brunch. I called, and she answered on the second ring. The background was loud, and I wondered if she was out with Nathan’s friend again.

“Hi McKenna. I have some news. I need you in a safe spot? I have to tell you something.”

“Safe? No. What’s happening? Her voice raised in panic. Let me just get outside.” After muffled voices and a pause, it was quieter. After about a minute, she came through again, “Ok, I can hear now, what’s going on? You’re scaring me.”

“There’s been an accident…” I started, but then my voice gave out. Jules picked up the phone from my hand and put it on speaker.