Chapter Seven: Melinda learns Jims pain

Melinda tried to force her eyes open.

But, she was feeling too much pain to do that.

"Melinda?" she heard someone whisper.

She slowly opened her eyes.

Rick was there, looking deeply into her eyes.

"Oh, Melinda, thank god you're ok!"

"Rick? Where am I? What happened? Where's Jim?"

"You're in the hospital. I found you, unconscious, with Jim the drunk sitting beside you, hardly moving, at the bottom of the stairs. You must have fallen down. I called 911 immediately. You were sent into the ER. Jim, I guess he's in consoling right now."

"But Rick! Is the baby ok?" he shook his head.

"I guess the fall.... Melinda, you miscarried the baby. I'm so sorry. They, they put some type of fluid in you that pushed the baby out. I'm sorry, Mel...." tears poured down her cheeks.

"I-I was about to be a mommy- now my son is gone... I should have protected my baby more. Michael never had a day to live... and it is all my fault! Oh, probably I missed carried because I was about to be a bad mother anyways! Oh, Rick, I feel so empty inside...."

"Melinda, did Jim push you?"

"I'm not sure... I think he did...."

"Then, this isn't you're fault. He killed his own son."

"Does he know about the miscarriage?" he shrugged.

"Actually, you probably need to be alone right now. I'll go check up on him, and I'll come back later, ok?" she nodded, as he left her pocked his head inside Jim's hospital room.

Jim was reading a sports magazine.

Rick wanted to disturb him. In fact, ruin his life.

"Hey, Jim."

Jim looked up from his magazine.

"Oh, hi Rick. Where the hell is my wife? Why isn't she here, Rick? Were you and her out on a little stroll?"

"OUT ON A LITTLE STROLL? OUT ON A LITTLE STROLL?! ARE YOU KIDDING? I guess that you didn't hear that you killed you're unborn child."

"What?"

"You were drunk and pushed her down the stairs. You're child is dead, Jim, are you proud of yourself?"

"SHUT UP!"

"Oh, yeah. I'll shut up. At least I care for you're wife more than you, bastard. I was actually there when she woke up. I watched her cry. I thought that husbands were s'pose to be on their wife's side when something goes wrong. For bad or for worst. But, no. I needed to be you're replacement. Why did you marry Melinda, Jim, if you are only making her suffer? I find it's sad. She lost her child, and you aren't showing any emotion. You know what? I'm practically her husband. I feel like if that child was actually mine. But probably because I'm so close to Melinda, that I have her feelings. I love her. And not only as a friend. Yes Jim, I've been in love with you're wife ever since I laid eyes on her!"

then, he stormed out.

he went to check up on Melinda a few minutes later. She was fast asleep. He walked up to her bedside, leaned over, and kissed Melinda gently on the lips. She didn't even turn. With that, smiling, he left the room with a smile on his face. He knew that things were going to get better for Melinda after that.

Melinda was let out a few days later. (Jim has been let out the next morning after they arrived)

Jim picked her up.

He didn't go visit her throughout all her time there.

Mostly because of what Rick revealed to him.

Anyways, Jim was waiting for her out in the hallway.

Once she was all set to leave, she went out to Jim.

"Hey, Jim."

"Oh, hi, Melinda. Ready?" she nodded, and they set off.

Once they were in Jim's truck, he spoke up.

"So, Melinda... did they mention that we could try again?"

"For what?"

"Getting you pregnant?"

"Yes. Miscarriage didn't affect anything, except for my social life."

"You really wanted this baby, did you?"

"To be honest with you, I don't know if I wanted a child."

With you, anyways....

"Really? I thought that you were dying for one."

"Jim, did you want the baby?" he was silent for about a minute.

"Melinda... to tell you the truth, I think this baby was tearing me apart."

Melinda was stunned.

"Why?"

"Not now, Melinda. Not now." then, he started the truck, and they drove home.

Melinda and Jim haven't spoken for the rest of the day.

They were too distracted in thought.

The next day, Jim went off to work.

Melinda had the rest of the week off.

So, she spent the day thinking.

Thinking about life. The baby. If her relationship with Jim was worth saving. Rick. That was what she did for the past four days. Thinking.

That night, she started to drink.

She never got drunk before, but this is what she wanted.

She drank almost three bottles of wine before she fainted on her bed.

The next morning, Melinda woke up in pain.

She started to scream. And cry.

My life is such a wreck. I don't know what to do with my marriage. My baby is gone. I'm in love with Rick but I don't know how to deal with it....

Again, the rest of the day, she was left with a lot of questions and no answers.

But, before Jim came home, she finally decided what to do.

"Melinda! Sweetheart, I'm finally home!"

"Jim, I'm right here. In the living room." Jim smiled, and sat down next to her, and gave her long kisses on the lips non-stop.

"Jim, stop." she ordered him as she pushed him away.

"What? A husband can't be happy to see his wife? I haven't seen you since yesterday morning! I was home last night, but... Melinda, were you drinking last night?"

she nodded.

"What?! Why?"

he is being so caring and so... in love like when we were newlyweds. Should I really do this? Melinda thought

"Yes, Jim, I was drinking."

"Melinda Gordon, this isn't you, baby. Why were you drinking?"

yes, I am going to do this. Now.

"Jim, we need to talk." tears filled up in her beautiful brown eyes.

He smiled at her, to try and make her feel better.

But, he didn't know what was coming

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