Chapter 3: Hospital
-1951-
Charlie Hewitt looked in the seat next to him to see the girl forgot her bag for school. He turned around and headed back to her house. He pulled in the driveway and parked his truck. He grabbed her bag and got out of the truck. He headed up the dirt path to her house and knocked.
"Katy you forgot your bag so I came back to give it to you" he said when he got no response he got worried. "Katy" he said looking through the screen door.
"YOU STUPID BITCH" Charlie heard he opened the screen door dropping the bag and went in search of the girl.
"Katy" he yelled again he didn't get anything. He stopped when he saw a man he assumed to be her father brought his boot down on her face and then again her chest. "Hey stop that" Charlie said walking closer.
"This doesn't concern you so get the fuck out of my house" Kyle Bowden said Charlie didn't listen.
"I may be heartless but I don't beat children to death" he said he brought his fist up and punched him.
"She is my daughter I will do with her as I want to" Kyle said holding his cheek he brought his fist up and went to punch Charlie who ducked and kicked him in the groin. He quickly picked Katy up and ran out the door he put her in the truck and drove as fast as he could he pulled Uncle Monty up on the radio and told him that he was on his way to the Travis County Hospital and to tell Mama that it was the girl that had gotten beat again. He also said to call the police and have them go to the Bowden house.
Charlie looked over at the girl that was bleeding from the cuts that were reopened on her head as well as new ones. She was unconscious. He was worried he wouldn't make in time and she would die. He felt guilt a little bit but he thought that taking her back was the right thing he had no idea that he father would beat her over this.
Why would someone want to hurt her, a gentle little girl he had seen that today while she was at his home. How kind she was she even brought him lunch while he was out working and nice cold lemonade. He had thanked her when he was done. She was just a child for god's sakes she was an innocent.
He pulled in the parking lot of the hospital a half hour later and got out. He went to the other side and pulled Katy out and rushed in the hospital he yelled for help. A nurse rushed over and took the child.
"What happened" She asked.
"She was beaten I found her and brought here as soon as possible" he said.
"We'll handle it from here" the nurse said taking Katy away.
Thomas knew something was wrong Charlie wasn't back yet it didn't take this long to get to Katy's house driving. Thomas walked downstairs to see Mama and Uncle Monty in a hushed conversation he moved closer to hear them.
"Charlie went to give her bag and he found her father beating her again. He stopped it but now she is on her way to the hospital" Monty said Mama gave quiet sob.
"How could anyone harm a child that way? It's inhuman." Mama said he could clearly see the anger on her face. He felt his own rage build on the inside of himself. That man was inhuman more inhuman than Thomas' face, but it didn't scare her away she liked it and she liked him. He was not going to lose the only friend he had and maybe the only friend he will have.
Thomas walked in the Kitchen and both Mama and Uncle Monty looked at him. "Tommy" Mama said. "Katy is in the hospital and it doesn't look good from what Charlie said" Thomas looked at his mother confused.
"Her father beat her again when she got home. She had forgotten her bag in the truck Charlie went to return when he found her father kicking her. I am sorry son I am praying for the best. We can visit her tomorrow" mama said since it was Saturday Thomas didn't have school so he could go see his friend in the hospital.
The next day Thomas sat in the truck with Charlie and Mama. He had a mask on to hide his face. He was on his way to see Katy. The hospital had called them and said that she was awake and wanted to see him. Charlie agreed reluctantly since they hadn't taken Thomas many places before. They pulled in the hospital parking lot. Charlie parked the truck and they all got out and headed in.
"We are here to see a Kaitlin Bowden she was admitted here last night" Luda asked the nurse.
"She is in Room 116 in the ICU" the nurse said pointing them in the direction. Luda Mae nodded her thanks and walked to Katy's room.
She found it and they headed in to see that there was a breathing tube in throat and IV's running in her arms. Her eyes closed her breath steady. Thomas didn't want to see his best friend like that.
"What's wrong with her" her Charlie asked the nurse that walked in.
"She has a broken arm and two broken ribs. Bruise and cuts all over her body. She is underweight by twenty pounds it's amazing this girl is still alive" the nurse said. "She will have to stay here till she is the correct weight it's as if all she's been eating water" she added.
"But she will be okay right" Luda Mae asked looking back to see Thomas holding Katy's hand.
"Yeah she will be" the nurse said leaving.
"Hey Tommy" Katy said opening her eyes to see him there she smiled but stopped because it hurt. He looked at her and it made him so angry why anyone would hurt her she was so nice and kind she is his best friend and only friend. "Thanks for coming to see me I will be okay he won't hurt me no more" She said to him with a smile.
"Thanks Charlie and Mrs. Hewitt" she said.
"Please call me Mama everyone does." Luda Mae said there had to be some way to get that girl in her care she would do anything to get that girl out of that place and with her. "Tommy Go with Charlie we saw her now we have to get home we have work to do." Mama said Thomas nodded he gently hugged Katy and left the room.
"Katy how would you like to stay with us"
