Chapter One
Between the unnerving static of the radio and the unwelcome silence of early mornings, Haley couldn't feel more anxious. She had tried turning the knob from one side to the other; hoping to hear a human voice coming out of it, and when that didn't work; she proceeded to bang it a few times, before giving up altogether.
She glanced up at the clock again, it felt like time wasn't moving at all. Her cuticles had been chewed dry, and her nails were jagged from constant biting; that still didn't stop Haley from hacking away at her fingers, staring at the clock with fearful eyes, each second passing slower than the previous.
Then finally she heard the best sound, Lou's bicycle bell; he always rang it for her, especially after she had begged to let her know as soon as he arrived, Haley sprinted out of the house; refusing to wait until he arrived at her mailbox.
"Mrs. Scott" said the mailman, tipping his head politely when she reached him, her cheeks were flushed from running down the street.
"Good morning Lou," she said with a curt smile, her tone a little impatient. "Do you have something for me?"
He replied "don't I always?"
Haley all but ripped the letter out of his hands, tearing the envelope with shaky hands. She breathed in relief; when she saw the messy handwriting; hugging the letter close to her chest and biting her lips with watery eyes. She whispered a quick, yet sincere "thank you" and headed back to the house; Lou had already seen her cry too many times to count.
The old man looked on with a sympathetic smile, she was such a lovely young lady, he thought. Lou couldn't bring himself to laugh, as she bumped into a light post; because her nose was buried deep into the letter from her husband, it also didn't seem to faze her, she simply walked around the light post, still reading. He remembered every night the look on her face as she impatiently opened the letters, and the inevitable tears that came right after, and so he said a prayer for her before bed.
Haley almost squealed with delight, reading the first words "My dearest wife." they got married on the first night they had met. It was incredibly impulsive and out of character for her, but war did that to you, it cut their chances of courting, and Haley found herself asking Nathan to marry her, a scandalous thing for a lady to do, but she wanted him, in every way possible, before he was drafted the next day.
I wish to God I was back in your arms every day, every moment and every second. Someday, I will win this war for you, and I will return to have you as my wife, always and forever. Please don't worry about me, baby, I am not afraid of dying, the only thing I ever feared was dying without you knowing how I feel, you have given me endless happiness by being my wife and should I die right this second, I shall die a happy man. I won't die however, we have the upper hand over here, everything is going smoothly. The sole danger I am in, is getting slapped across the head, after talking Chase and Jake's ear off about you; the poor fellows don't stand a chance, I get to talk more freely these days though, as Chase has been talking relentlessly about Miss. Dupree, one of the nurses near our unit, I tell you, he all but begged me to punch him, just so he could meet her, it was pathetic. Between the two of us, Jake is going crazy. He can't wait to get away from Chase's nagging and get back to his daughter, Jenny, you should see her, Hales, she is so beautiful. I keep imagining how it would be when we have our own children, Chase is also a good friend and born to fly, I swear Haley, I have never seen someone happier as he is flying our aircraft, it reminds me of how Lucas is with writing, and now that I have mentioned it, how is Luke? I feel terrible for him, but I know he is in good hands with you watching over him. I love you so much my beautiful wife, I will return for you, I promise.
Love,
Nathan.
How could one simple letter make that much of a difference? Haley's tears had stained the paper, and before the ink could be smudged, she kissed Nathan's words repeatedly, holding the letter close to her bosom.
After rereading Nathan's letter, a couple more times, Haley leapt to her feet, regaining her appetite which was lost since the night before; as a matter of fact, she was starving, with a growling stomach to prove it. It came as a surprise to Haley, how fast she was going through the food in her fridge, even if food was rationed to help with the war efforts, Haley didn't think she has eaten that much before. Also breakfast these days was most peculiar; nobody could afford to waste food, so she often clumped together leftovers to make a whole meal. She didn't have any more leftovers though; opting for the two eggs left, which she had bought with her coupon stamps, and a spam sandwich with wheat meal loaf; she hated it, missing the flaky white bread, instead of the grittiness of the one she was forced to eat. Haley instantly felt guilt over that sudden thought, food was rationed to ensure soldiers got the resources they needed, soldiers like Nathan, that made the food look more appetizing.
She cracked the eggs in the pan on a lick of butter, hastily scrambling them over a bit of flame. She wondered what Nathan liked for breakfast, they had got married so fast, those little details were never talked about, nor did she ever get a chance to fix him a meal. Haley smiled at the thought, dreaming of the day her husband returned from war, she would prepare a hearty meal every morning, making sure he ate his fill, with warm freshly brewed coffee, then they would share a long passionate kiss, even though they were headed to work together.
She started singing sweetly, with a smile across her face
Once I was young -
yesterday, perhaps -
danced with Jim and Paul
and kissed some other chaps.
Once I was young,
but never was naive.
I thought I had a trick or two
up my imaginary sleeve.
And now I know I was naive.
Haley could see it all, soon enough, she would be standing in a bustling kitchen, with their children running around her; the sounds of their laughter and playing would fill their world with joy, they would pull on her apron asking for cookies with milk, to which she would sternly refuse; they couldn't spoil their appetite before dinner, then daddy would come home and wrap all the kids up in a big hug, warning them of giving mama trouble, after which he would insist on helping Haley out with dinner, while the kids went over to their rooms to play; but not before Nathan slipped a couple of cookies to them discreetly, of course Haley would know, but would let it pass because daddy is their hero, and she wants him to be that way forever.
I didn't know what time it was
then I met you.
Oh, what a lovely time it was,
How sublime it was too!
I didn't know what day it was
You held my hand.
Warm like the month of May it was,
And I'll say it was grand.
She smiled, throwing her arms out, belting the song.
Grand to be alive, to be young,
to be mad, to be yours alone!
Grand to see your face, feel your touch,
hear your voice say I'm all your own.
Haley finished preparing breakfast, and sat down at the small kitchen table, saying a quick prayer for the food she was about to eat, and for Nathan, Lucas and anyone who needed it. With the first bite though, Haley felt disgusted, the food tasted incredibly foreign and the odor was nauseating; this should have been a satisfactory breakfast, and she needed her strength, lord knows food was scarce because of the war. She forced another bite into her mouth and another.
At the sixth bite, Haley could feel her stomach churn, as the food swallowed started to come up in the wrong direction, and she sprinted towards the bathroom; emptying the contents of her stomach in the toilet.
When Haley had finished dry-heaving, greenish in the face with beads of sweat breaking across her skin, she laid down on the cool ceramic floor, allowing it to sooth her suddenly heated body. She frowned. Her food had surely gone bad.
Normal was returning to her and she pulled herself up using the bathtub. The idea of food sounded repellent now. Instead it was time to start her day; truly start it; anxiety and fear aside. Of course, she could never shut down the worried voice in her head, the one that insisted something would happen to Nathan, that anything could've happened from the time his letter was sent to this moment.
Washing herself thoroughly and changing into a dress she had sewn for herself, Haley combed her hair into a chignon; perfecting the rolls at the front, she finally deemed her appearance pleasant enough as she slipped into a pair of pumps. Haley glanced at her reflection in the mirror, something seemed off, she couldn't put her hand on it, but the dress looked a little different than the last time she had worn it.
Haley sat down at her dresser, and pulled out a pen and paper from the drawer, scribbling quickly.
My darling,
I feel so lonesome for you every waking moment, and even more when I fall asleep, that my heart could just burst from how much I miss you. I keep picturing the day you return to me, and we could be together forever, the thought just sends goosepimples down my arms. Please be careful honey, I know I say it in every wire, but I just can't stand the thought of something happening to you. It's so nice to hear that you have good friends to watch out for you, when the war is over, we definitely need to invite Chase, Jake, Miss. Dupree and Jenny for dinner at our home, perhaps Jenny would also come and play with our own children when we have them. We could also get Lucas to come over, I am afraid he needs the cheering up, you don't know how awful he has been ever since Peyton's passing, he hasn't been faring well at all. Thankfully, Dan has been arrested, and they are currently investigating the day of the shooting, it is taking too long, so I am guessing they are also checking past crimes, serves him right, the man had to be stopped one day, I am just sorry it came at such a price. I will wait for you, baby.
Always and forever yours,
Haley.
As she walked down the sidewalk to Karen's café, Haley recalled the first time she had ever seen Nathan. It was her fourth night singing there, after she had finished her opening song dedicated to the place, Haley started singing her own rendition of "the glory of love", she was belting out the chorus when her eyes unintentionally moved to the far corner where the bar was. Now, Haley wasn't much of a drinker, and so never had use for going there, she also had to brush off men every night, and going near that bar would be an invitation for those unwanted advances.
Haley stopped hearing the music and the cheering crowd. For a couple of seconds, it was as though the world had stopped rotating, everything around them darkening, and there remained her and the bartender Nathan Scott. He was wiping the counter of the bar, the rolled-up sleeves of his white shirt taut around his strong arms with every movement, the veins prominent in them, and deep blue eyes, contrasting against tan skin and raven black hair; stared back at her intensely. Haley's mouth went dry and her heart hammered roughly against her chest. She hadn't seen anyone quite as handsome anywhere, he reminded her of the dark dashing men, she had seen on her trip to Rome. And she just looked at him in silence for a few seconds; forgetting her song, her life, her home. She was snapped out of her thoughts by her pianist and friend Antwon, who was loudly whispering the lyrics to her; she quickly began singing again, drowning the confused murmurs of the crowd, and promised herself then and there she wouldn't look towards that bar ever again.
She couldn't allow herself to take an interest in any man. Sure, Lucas has been a good friend, but she had been at Dan's place before Karen's. Dan Scott had picked her up whilst she was travelling across countries to sing.
That was the worst time in her life.
He charmed her with suaveness and a convincing façade, then she was reeled in as a singer at his bar and it became her only source on income. That was when the façade broke entirely.
Those first nights at Dan's club; the comet, when she had been so excited to introduce her singing to Tree Hill, and even some songs she had written, Haley felt her dreams getting crushed. Dan's place was filled with sleazy men and boys who couldn't care less about her voice. When she started singing, the crowd went into a frenzy, whistling, making kissy faces, and shouting at her to strip off her dress. She rushed off the stage in tears and was only brought back by Peyton Sawyer's gentle words. Then she was made to wear less than decent dresses, even forced to ditch her brassieres and stockings some nights, she felt violated all the time she was there, when the men appallingly slipped their filthy hands up her bare legs, or pressed their bodies against hers forcefully and demanded sexual favors. Of course, she would yell at them, slap their faces and push them into the nearest table. Those actions seemed to make Dan take a bigger interest in her, and she wasn't safe from his sexual advances either.
But the nightmare had soon ended. When she met Lucas while humming a tune as she walked down the streets. He immediately complimented her voice and introduced himself as owner of Karen's. She had been wary of him, and of all Tree Hill men. But Lucas was a good man, and a wonderful friend. Soon, she could earn her bread singing at another place, it felt so nice to be desired for her talent and voice, but she still wanted nothing to do with men romantically.
Something changed though when she laid eyes on Nathan. Euphoria and excitement bubbled inside her chest. Haley couldn't stop thinking of those beautiful eyes, or his handsome face, and strong body. She worried that another glance would make her melt into pudding. This backfired for sometime because as Nathan confessed to her, the more she ignored him, the more he thought he was beneath her and wasn't able to gather enough courage to ask her to step out with him. Until, one night when a drunk man at Karen's began to grope her, as she attempted to push him off "Gimmie some sugar" he sneered. Haley could smell the alcohol on his breath, it made her nauseous, then Nathan appeared in a jiffy, and knocked him out. This was the second time she allowed herself to look at him.
"You okay" she recalled him asking.
The man's advances had bothered her, and she aloofly said "thank you, but maybe you should cut that guy off" walking away.
"Maybe I should buy him another drink on the house."
"And why would you do that?" Haley turned around irritably, hand on hip, refusing to look in his eyes and awaiting the inevitable offending comment.
"Because he gave the bartender an excuse to talk to the gorgeous singer" Nathan said sincerely.
She paused, he looked away with a shy smile, and Haley allowed herself to do something she promised she wouldn't, open up to someone of the male species "you know in that case, maybe you should give him two, the second one is from me"
As she reached Karen's, Haley carefully opened the door. The place was very poorly lit and smelled vile. "Luke! Lucas!" She called. There were discarded half-drunk and empty bottles of alcohol. There was a record of Ray Noble's orchestra playing on the phonograph. The rug was a little wrinkled from a couple of sides, which had Haley guess it was tripped over. And the door to her dressing room was slightly ajar. Haley tiptoed inside.
When she reached the door, Haley took off her pumps to avoid making any loud noise. Lucas was passed out on the couch; she kneeled beside him and stroked his hair gently. The stench had her hold her breath, still she pulled her jacket over his bare torso and pulled him into a more comfortable situation. In sleep his face was woeful and melancholic.
"I hate seeing you like this, Luke" Haley whispered emphatically, standing up and walking out again.
Such a tragedy, Haley had briefly met Peyton when she worked at Dan's and could see the devastation hidden behind a shy demeanor and a lovely smile, years of living with Dan Scott took its toll on her. Her heart shattered for the girl; she knew in death that she had found solace but perhaps if she could've enjoyed a little of her life. Haley couldn't even picture being in Lucas' situation, blocking out every little thought whispering that she could lose her husband any minute now.
The thoughts were getting a little louder and she pinched the bridge of her nose and attempted to steady her breathing, a couple tears cascading down her cheeks. It was ridiculous, how emotional Haley was being; she hardly knew Peyton.
"Are you alright, Haley?"
At the sound of Brooke, Haley jumped up, startled, "You gave me a fright"
"Sorry, I just saw you crying, and…" Brooke hesitated, her relationship with Haley had grown stronger since the day of the incident "what is it?"
Haley shakily laughed and dapped at her wet eyes.
"Nothing, I have just been so emotional lately. I suppose it's because I haven't been getting much sleep."
"I know the feeling" Brooke said, looking down.
Haley froze and reached out to hold her hand.
"Oh, Brooke I am so sorry, that was incredibly selfish and thoughtless of me. How have you been?"
"Don't say that" she replied, squeezing her hand "I can't begin to imagine how hard it is for you with your husband gone. Besides, it was my fault anyway, a couple of sleepless night barely atone for it."
"It's not- it's not your fault. You can't blame yourself for what has happened. Dan is responsible for his actions. Now, if you can't sleep maybe you should stay at my place for a few days, we could keep each other company and I would feel a little less lonesome until Nathan gets back."
"Thank you, Haley" Brooke smiled warmly.
"And you know I am not just saying that, I mean it, it's the least I can do. I will never forget that you were the one who turned Dan in and put yourself in peril."
"I will think about it" Brooke smiled warmly "Have you heard from Nathan?"
November 1942 winter might have just been the worst time to sleep in a trench, with rain puddles sneaking inside their sleeping bags and biting coldness numbing their noses. Thankfully, it didn't rain that much, last time it had almost flooded their trench and they nearly drowned in there. Everything around them was bare of life, and the normally gray earth turned a shade pitch black. The sky in that night was particularly starless, which gave the soldiers nothing to marvel at, and so they slept, all but one.
Nathan, who hardly got a wink of sleep the night before, reprimanded himself for being awake, but the looming danger all around and the freezing weather as opposed to what he was used to in Tree Hill forbade him from getting too comfortable, whenever he had tried to close his eyes, something would jolt him awake in mere seconds. He passed time by pushing rats away from his sleeping comrades; he wondered how they could sleep in such conditions, and if that made him a brat.
It didn't help that he was crammed between Chase Adams and Jake Jagielski, or that he reached 6'2 and was curled up against himself in the sleeping bag; that feature which allowed him to score a basket with his friends back in Tree Hill, was a curse at war. His calf muscles ached from miles long walks to their base, thankfully, they had a few days spent in relaxation before their next mission.
Jake screamed "Jenny!" startling Nathan out of his trance and pulling attention towards them. Nathan, who was lying right by him, rolled over, and clamped a hand over his mouth. He could hardly see, but he felt the others steering around him, it was difficult not to wake up, with Jake thrashing all about and screaming into his palm. He took a punch to the jaw as he felt around for Jake's eyes and tried to pry it open. Lest Jake woke up soon, the enemy was sure to know where they were sleeping and even though they had comrades outside the trench protecting them, it wasn't a risk they were willing to take.
Someone groaned and Nathan knew Jake had kicked them.
"Jake! Jake! Hey, Jagielski" whispered Nathan Loudly, putting his weight on his friend.
"What's going on?" mumbled a voice groggily.
"Shut him up!" someone else pipped in.
"Jake! Come on! Wake up!"
With a gurgling gasp of a drowning man, Jake sat up quickly, head-butting Nathan. It took him a few moments, but finally the sleepy man's eyes managed get used to his dark surroundings, his breath rapid and shallow, he rasped "what happened?"
"Same thing that happens every night"
"Lay off! Preston" warned Nathan, who was still rubbing his nose.
"Don't tell me what to do, Scott!" he said feverishly "Forget the sergeant. Suppose the Boche hear 'im. What do you think they'll do to us?"
"That's enough."
"No, he should be the first to worry. You heard what they do to the likes o' him"
Grabbing the flashlight from his pocket, furiously, Nathan almost broke it as he lit up the Trench, his eyes ablaze "one more word outta you and I will wring your neck"
"I'd like to see you try, Scott" he taunted.
Before Nathan could leap on his comrade, a pair of arms had grabbed him from behind, pulling him back "Easy. Easy."
"Let go, Chase! He needs to learn to bite his tongue. Didn't you hear what he said?!"
"It's Okay, Nathan. It's fine." Jake tried.
"Jagielski is just like the rest of us, Preston." Said Chase.
"I do my duty as an American soldier in the land that welcomes all, but I will be damned if someone was to compare me to a Kike."
Nathan broke free of his restraints, much to the dismay of the rest of the airmen. In seconds flat, they had pulled him off Glen Preston. He was fuming, the others weren't so thrilled either, even though many of them felt they were held at a higher regard than Jake, they didn't acknowledge it flat out. It was something to be said amongst themselves, not to his face. Preston had crossed a line and they all knew it.
Kike, the word wasn't new to Jake's ears, but they were certainly as hurtful as he had first heard them, 1922, walking out of school, when a bunch of older kids yelled out the word, laughing and pointing, he didn't know what it meant at the time but their tone gave away their intentions.
After, he understood, sure mostly people refrained from calling him any names and he had made great friends, married his high school sweetheart and was gifted the most beautiful little girl in the world "Jenny". The truth remained the same though. Jake's grand folks had carried their hearts and few belongings they had and immigrated to the land of dreams, the United States, his last name screamed out his truth though, a Polish Jew.
"Nathan, it's fine. I am sorry fellows. Won't happen again."
They all grumbled, returning to sleep, Nathan laid back, reluctantly, his eyes throwing daggers. A brotherhood had formed between himself, Jake and Chase, in the middle of war, a bond difficult to sever.
"Don't mind him, Jake." said Chase awkwardly "You are just as much of an American as any of us."
He didn't answer, offering a little smiling. A few minutes of silence passed between them, before Chase once again broke it "do you think it's true? that it happens… I mean, the things we hear about. Do they actually do that to…?"
"…to people like me?"
"Jake…"
"It's okay."
"No, it isn't. What does Preston know? I ought to knock his teeth in."
"Let it go, Nathan. It's not worth it."
Nathan was still fuming but he kept his mouth shut. There was talk about what happened to people who carried the Jewish identity in their opposing countries, gruesome inhumane actions. But they were only words, weren't they? Neither Chase nor Nathan could fathom how such actions could happen without everyone taking a stand, why haven't these fascists been stopped? Having grown up acceptable in the eyes of their societies, prejudice didn't hit them to the core like they did Jake, even Chase's swarthiness was deemed an attractive quality for a man grown by Californian seaside.
Sure, they heard of children being separated from their mothers, little toddlers who knew nothing of religion, race or hatred. They were aware of old people killed without any means of self-defense. Nobody held a lower regard to war more than they did, all three men shared one thing, the feeling of helplessness and puppetry, much like generations had done before them in the face of previous tyrants.
"Did you have the same dream?" asked Nathan after a long moment of silence.
"Yeah. Except she keeps getting further and further away."
Chase spoke, "you just miss your home, that is all."
"And you don't?"
"Sometimes. I am fine here, though." Said Chase, beaming and crossing his hands behind his head.
"Don't get him started, Jagielski, he will talk about nurse Dupree all night." Nathan teased.
"Ah, shut up! Doesn't it feel wonderful to have a beautiful lady by your side and planes waiting for you to fly them?"
"And Nazis waiting to kill you." Jake continued.
Nathan added "also my beautiful lady is thousands of miles away."
"You two are killjoys. I say we take a trip, once we return home, we could tour America. Who knows? Maybe I will take you in my own jet."
"Oh, you have your own jet." Nathan repeated slowly, suppressing a laugh.
"Not yet, but I will."
"You could name it the Alex or Dupree494"
"Very funny" deadpanned Chase "you won't be laughing when I am storming the skies."
"I think we will all be laughing when you are storming the skies."
"Y'all will see, when we get back and you take your honeymoon trip over the Atlantic, piloted by me." Chase pointed to himself proudly.
"What if we don't?"
"Are you doubting the navigating skills of Chase Adams?" Nathan continued to tease.
"Not Chase. I mean, do you think we'll ever get home?"
Silence dawned on them for a few seconds, before Nathan quietly attempted to reassure "of course, I promised Haley, we have to. I will win this damned war just to see her soon"
"But…"
"I will "Nathan interjected roughly "I swear. We all will."
The stench of hospitals has never failed to make her stomach lurch, Brooke attempted to clog her nose by burying her face in her palms; without seeming too obvious; she didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but that didn't trump the horrendous smell of body odor and urine. She huffed, picking up the newspaper by the bedside, and using it to fan herself. The sweat running down the back of her neck tickled her unpleasantly, but it beat staying home alone.
Her mother Victoria, the debutante, would faint if she saw her daughter. Heck, Brooke was surprised a short while ago when she had seen some grime under her fingernails; so un-lady like.
Ever since that fateful day, Brooke hasn't been able to look herself in the mirror; a habit she used to do every hour or so. But if she had, she would have seen the dark circles under her sunken eyes, and the lackluster auburn hair which had lost its curls a few days before.
She could see Peyton around every corner, behind every door, and in her very own reflection. Her last rasping breaths haunted her sleep, and so Brooke hardly got any. She was everywhere, taunting Brooke, reminding her that her betrayal had caused Peyton her life.
On the day of her burial, Brooke had looked on from afar, hiding behind a tree. Lucas was standing in front of her grave, distraught, a step behind him was Haley with one hand on her friend's shoulder, and the other dabbing at her tears with an embroidered handkerchief. People came to pay their respects from all around, some were crying and consoling each other, yet they never seemed to do anything to get Peyton out of Dan Scott's grip when she was alive. Brooke wondered if he would've even come if he hadn't been arrested, that would've been a sight, killing someone then crying at their funeral.
She then took off walking, unsure of to where, she wanted to pay Dan a visit but knew that they wouldn't allow her too close in the slammer to give him the punch she had intended, so she went off to his nightclub and started throwing rocks at anyone going in. Before they could call the cops, Brooke had run off, until her feet stopped at the hospital where Julian, Dan's right-hand man, was at.
Well, if she couldn't beat Dan up, Julian was the best next thing, she stomped to the front desk, and demanded to know where he was.
However, when she got there, Brooke fell apart, ugly sobbing in the midst of the hospital wing. Her purse raised above her head, aimed for hitting, but never actually going down. After a minute or two, she slumped down in a nearby chair. Staring at Julian's pale face.
That has become a habit, day and night, sitting in that chair, whenever she felt confused, angry, scared or depressed, she would sit there, it was shameful, yet she couldn't stop.
"I am not even sure why I come here. I hate you. I hate everything you stand for. Everything you have done to me, to Lucas…to…" she choked a little on her words "to Peyton. You don't deserve to live when she can't. Neither does Dan."
Brooke paused a little waiting for one of the nurses to pass "and neither do I."
Julian Baker wouldn't respond, eyes firmly shut and brows rushed together as though he were in deep pain or thought. The doctors had told Brooke of how lucky he was, and she fought to hide the sardonic smirk at the sympathetic tone they used. How odd was it that people would think you cared for someone just because you spent every waking moment by their deathbed?
Couldn't it be loathing? Undeniable hatred and disgust? Perhaps she was waiting for the right moment to put a pillow over his head or trickle cyanide down his throat. Maybe she was hoping he would wake up, so she could sock him in the mouth, wiping off that irritating smirk once and for all.
"How are you today, dear?" a soft voice inquired, pulling her out of her trance.
"Same as yesterday, I suppose" Brooke responded with a tired smile "How is he?"
Nurse Paulette patted her on the shoulder "he has a great support system, it's lovely what you are doing for him"
Brooke all but rolled her eyes "it's nothing."
"I wouldn't say that. Poor man, hasn't had any family or friends visiting him. Nobody except you."
He hasn't been spending his time making friends, has he? Brooke bit her tongue to keep from saying it and instead muttered a quick "Yes"
The nurse's thin lips curled up into a smile, making her already bulging cheeks seem plumper "now, if that shrew nurse Sally gives you any trouble, just tell her Nurse Paulette said you could stay."
"Thank you" Brooke whispered, smiling.
Brooke rubbed her temple when the nurse walked away, she closed her eyes; willing the images of that dreadful night away. Ironically, glad that the groans of the nearby patients covered her recollection of the gunshots.
She looked at the newspaper again, for the fifteenth time in the last hour, rereading the bold headline.
Dan Scott investigated for murder.
"Well, we both got off easy, didn't we?"
Brooke sneered, disdainfully throwing the newspaper on his bedside, and she gasped when his hands twitched.
There we have it, please don't forget to write those reviews which I enjoy so much, tell me what you like and dislike, I have had this idea for so long in my head that I couldn't wait till I finished the story to post it, which, being flaky as I am, I will sure regret.