Her First Day (Part 16)

“By the time I woke up from that, I was tied to the couch and he was on top of me,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. Holland grabbed her right hand, giving it a light squeeze. She looked up at him, smiling weakly. She was so glad he was there. She had never been happier to see someone in her entire life when he busted through that cabin door. “You don’t have to tell us everything,” the brunette nurse said. “We just needed to know if you hit your head and how many times. We are so sorry you went through this ordeal. No woman should ever be put through this.” “Thank you,” she said, wiping the tears from her cheek. “We are going to leave you alone. We will have the doctor order those tests we need. We will get you all fixed up and out of here in no time, sweetheart,” said the nurse who had straddled her. “You get some rest. If you need anything, you make sure to push this button and one of us will come.” “Thank you again,” Missy said, stifling a yawn. The nurses and orderly left the room, leaving Holland standing next to her bed, very aware that he was still holding her hand. He loosened his grip, but Missy did not let go. She needed to comfort of her hand in his. He pulled the chair closer to her bed, sitting down. She smiled at him over at him as she fought to stay awake. He ran his thumb over knuckles until he heard her soft snores. He slipped his hand from hers, quietly standing. She immediately felt the loss of his hand in hers. She opened her eyes. “Where are you going?” “I am just going to call the office,” he said. “Go back to sleep. I won’t be gone, but a few minutes. I promise.” “Okay,” she said, rolling over on her side. She was back to sleep in a matter of seconds. He quietly slipped from the room and down the hallway. He couldn't go through this again. Sitting in a hospital room every waking moment worried about the fate of the person lying in the bed. Missy’s situation wasn't anything like his wife’s, but just being here worried was enough to bring back the flood of memories he desperately tried to forget. He ran his hand through his salt and pepper hair as he waited for the elevator doors to open. One of the nurses stepped out as he was getting ready to step on. “Leaving?” “No, just going to make a phone call to the office. I didn't want to disturb her. She is sleeping. I will be outside on the benches. If she needs me for anything, please come get me.” “I will,” she said, smiling at him. He wondered if they all thought they were together as he stepped into the elevator. The door closed behind him and he let out the breath he didn't know he had been hold in.