Chapter 7: Then Somebody Bends Unexpectedly
Closing the door behind her, Michaela leaned against it, regaining some strength while thoughts and feelings overwhelmed her. "Why do I feel this way? It was a sincere kiss on the cheek...yet, I'm all jittery and excited...after all my experiences how can I be feeling so...so...happy? No, happy doesn't even begin to describe this emotion...perhaps...perhaps I'm in lo–...oh don't be so ridiculous Michaela...in love, ha...ha...hmm..." Michaela's thoughts trailed to the remembrance of waking up in Sully's arms...closing her eyes and wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to relive the moment. But the moment was but a memory, left off at Sully and William's cabin; and nothing except the real thing would ever feel the same.
Glancing about at the apartment room, Michaela found that nothing had changed since she had departed from it last night. It wasn't as if anything should have different; however, Michaela had been through so many life-altering experiences in the past twelve hours, that coming home to a place that remained unchanged made her feel inapposite. "How can one deal with feeling out of place in their own home?" Michaela asked herself while letting out a slight moan.
Dorothy, who had heard Michaela's guttural, emerged from her bedroom and stopped dead at the sight of Michaela. Mouth ajar and face slightly paled, Dorothy cautiously walked towards Michaela, who remained by the door, not sure of how to handle the ensuing situation. Dorothy stopped about five feet in front of Michaela, keeping the distance between them out of her own fear. Gapping continuously at Michaela, Dorothy tried to string coherent words together. "Michaela...who...what...where did...what happened?"
Michaela looked down at her feet, as a scolded child might. "Dorothy...he...well...things didn't go as planned...David...he...he was drunk...and...oh, Dorothy, you were right..." Michaela bursted out in a fresh explosion of tears.
Dorothy made the few large strides to hold her, as Michaela sank down onto the floor. "What happened, Michaela? What do you mean I was right?"
Michaela looked up into Dorothy's eyes, knowing that once again, she was going to have to retell her tale of the night's horrifying events. "Dorothy...David...he...he tried to...he tried to rape me..." Dead silence engulfed the room and Dorothy's face paled even more.
The night was relived and words were exchanged as Michaela told, once again, the happenings of the previous night. Dorothy remained silent, except for a few encouraging words for Michaela to continue, as she sat, slowly grasping the news.
Michaela felt numb to the pain as she told Dorothy of her nightmare. It seemed like a tale or story that someone kept retelling; not even real anymore. But Michaela knew it was real deep down. She knew that it wasn't going away, and that it would never be forgotten to her or those close to her. Even if she tried to forget, her friends would remember. She feared that they would always be cautious around her, afraid to let her see any other evil that the world held in store. But hadn't she lived through more evil; hadn't she faced it and survived? Shouldn't she be the strong one who protected her friends?
Michaela broke off as she finished the retelling of her memories; and random thoughts and uncertainties continued to circle in her mind, making her dizzy with confusion and angst. Dorothy sat there, dumbstruck, uncertain of what was to come or how to handle what had already happened. "So, David is...David, he's gone, right?"
Michaela looked up into Dorothy's paled face and nodded slightly. "Yes, at least he said he was leaving...honestly, I don't care where he goes, as long as I never have to see him again."
Dorothy nodded and broke the gaze between the two of them. "Yes, I completely understand. I...I don't really know what to say..."
"Then please, don't say anything at all...I really...I just want to move on. I want to go back to work after break and have nobody know what happened. Please, I know that you'll say that this is unhealthy to pretend that it didn't happen, believe me that's not what I'm doing...I'll live with those memories the rest of my life, but I don't need stranger's sympathy reminding me constantly of those torturous memories. I want to live, I want to be happy again...and I know that many more tears will be shed for tonight. But I need to move on...and I'll need your help...please, don't treat me like a porcelain doll, just please be there, don't afraid of me...that's what William is right now...I could see it in his eyes before he left. He refused to even look at me. Please look at me..." Michaela cried to Dorothy who had long ago adverted her eyes from Michaela's pleading gaze. "Please Dorothy, don't shut me out...I'm not a monster, I just need a friend, to talk to...you always told me you'd be there, to talk...I need you now."
Dorothy took a deep breath, preparing herself for her own plunge. A single tear escaped her sad eyes as she brought her gaze up to meet Michaela's. When gazes connected, a familiar pain could be seen in each other; and Michaela knew in that moment, that there was something that she didn't know about Dorothy.
"I know what you are feeling...I know the pain, the suffering...the need to get out, the desire to run. To run away from all that reminds us of what was and the want of a friend to help, to listen...that's...that's how I met Abby, Sully's late wife. She was there, when a person hurt me like I never thought I could be hurt. She listened and comforted when no one else would. When everyone else was too afraid to get involved. When everyone else was afraid that the same pain and fear would be contagious to them if they helped me. I know...I know what you feel...because the same thing happened to me...only, I wasn't lucky, I wasn't strong. I didn't get away."
Now it was Michaela's turn to sit in perplexity. Tears rolled unchecked down her cheeks, as the realization of Dorothy's past claimed her and triggered more emotions to come forth. "Please, go on." Michaela encouraged through her tears.
"Martin...He was my fiancé, we met in highschool...he was on the football team and every girl wanted to be his, for some reason he chose me...he was sweet. But he was always under a lot of pressure from his team and his family...he liked to drink a lot, to get away from the stresses of his life. One night, he got drunk and he hit me. I was going to break up with him, but he came back the next day with flowers and asked me to marry him. I guess I was so shocked and so happy, that I forgot about the incident, figuring it wouldn't happen again. That is, until one night...in college, he played for the football team...it was a big game I guess...and we lost...he blamed himself and went out and got drunk. I tried to calm him down and talk to him...but he didn't want to talk. That night...he lost control...and well...you know the rest." Dorothy trailed off as tears renewed themselves in her eyes.
Michaela stared down at her lap, comforted in knowing that she was not alone, yet horrified in finding that others had been through the same terrors as she had. She reached out to Dorothy and the two embraced, as tears fell and flowed into each other becoming one memory and one fear. Emotions gave way as friendship stepped up to a new level. They sat there for an unknown length of time, until sore muscles woke them from their revery. The two separated, giving a half smile of new understanding to each other.
Standing up together, Dorothy gave Michaela a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "Now, let's see what we can do about covering up these bruises."
Michaela had never been so thankful for the creation of make-up. Luckily, no bones were actually broken, so she was able to get away with smearing foundation over the scratches and bruises without many people's acknowledgment of her injuries. Over the next weeks, the exterior injuries began to fade, and the fear and hurt inside seemed to subside as life moved on. David, it seemed, had disappeared with out a trace; causing Michaela to relax, yet at the same time, worry for his possible return. Her nightmares lessened as days progressed; and her friendship with Dorothy grew with each passing day.
William had not spoken to her since the morning David had left; and although Michaela was hurt by his isolation from her, she allowed William his space to sort out the events that had come to pass. Much to her surprise and delight, Sully showed up occasionally to pick her up from work or just to have lunch with her. They did not speak about Michaela's infamous night, but reassuring thoughts were passed to each other through looks and glances. With Christmas quickly approaching, Michaela found working at the hospital more and more taxing, and Sully's meetings were much appreciated.
It was a blustery, winter night when Michaela finally finished her work at the Children's hospital on Christmas Eve. The sharp wind nipped at her exposed flesh and caused Michaela to shiver beneath her winter coat. Wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to stay warm, Michaela scanned the road for Dorothy's awaiting car. Suddenly, none other than Sully's car pulled up in front of Michaela as the window rolled down.
"Have any plans tonight?" Sully asked while Michaela peeked her head through the window.
Michaela smiled and shrugged. "Sleep...but other than that..."
Sully smiled and unlocked the passenger door, letting Michaela inside the car. "Well, if your not too tired, do you think you could go somewhere with me?"
Honestly, Michaela was exhausted; but she noticed a gleam in Sully's eyes that she had only seen glimmer on rare occasion, and she knew that it was something special. "Of course Sully, I'd love to. May I ask where?"
Sully's smile broadened as he started to drive towards the mountains. "Sure ya can ask...but that doesn't mean I'm gonna tell ya."
Curiosity claimed Michaela. "Sully! Where are we going?"
Sully only smiled and continued to stare straight ahead. "It's a surprise...ya wouldn't know where it was, even if I told ya."
Michaela rolled her eyes, excitement and anticipation running through her veins. This dimmed however, when they pulled up into the driveway of Sully and William's cabin, where clearly William had thrown a Christmas bash. "Sully...I actually do know of this place."
Sully shook his head and got out of the car, as Michaela mirrored his actions. "We just have to stop here to get He'amâhtamehnêstse."
"Whom?" Michaela asked, completely puzzled.
"It means Walks Above, it's the name of the horse that I ride." Sully explained as the made their way behind the cabin to a small alcove, where they found a horse grazing the wild grass beneath the fallen snow in a wooden corral. Sully grabbed the horse's mane as he swung his leg around its back. Once fully mounted, he reached down to Michaela, to help her up. Michaela was hesitant at first, for while she trusted Sully, her days on horses had not turned out for the better so far; and this deep down, actually frightened her slightly. Glancing around briefly, Michaela summed up the courage and strength, clasped her hand with Sully's, and swung up onto the horse. "Remember to hang on..." Sully whispered behind him as they took off into the night.
Michaela gripped Sully's leather jacket tightly with her fists, and she was soon able to acclimate herself with the movements of the horse. What she could not adjust to, was the intense feeling that pumped in her heart due to the closeness of Sully. Her heart raced as they flew through the trees and Michaela could not make reason for the overpowering feeling that sent shivers down her spine.
As Michaela was finally able to put her mind on other matters, they slowed to a halt in, what appeared to be, the middle of a forest. Sully dismounted and reached up for Michaela. Michaela slid off the horse into Sully's arms. Sully was clearly nervous about something, because he immediately removed his hands from Michaela once she was safely on the ground, as if he was afraid to be in contact with her too long.
Michaela's inquiries on the matter were soon disregarded, when Sully quickly grabbed her hand and began to pull her up the slope. Michaela followed Sully closely up the hill towards, what appeared to be, a clearing at the top. "Please Sully, where are we going?"
"It's just beyond this hill..." Sully responded over his shoulder, and Michaela could hear the excitement and nervousness that was evident in his voice. As they reached the top of their climb, Michaela's anticipation was at an all time high, but nothing could prepare her for the sight that would be bestowed upon her eyes next.
Her breath caught as she looked at her surroundings. They stood at the edge of a ridge, looking down into a snow glazed valley. Pines glistened white and sparkled with the light emitted from the constellations, beaming overhead. Mountains ranged in the near background, and small, scintillant, lake could be seen father down the valley. The vision was breathtakingly stunning. Words were lost to Michaela (which for her was a big deal).
"I know you've been working real hard at the hospital...puttin' everyone ahead of yourself...you've been through a lot and you've really not taken much time for yourself...I just wanted to bring ya here...I guess I thought it might help ya...I come here sometimes to think..." Sully trailed off.
Tears sparkled in Michaela's eyes as she continued to gaze around at the gorgeous site to behold. No one had ever been so kind to her, no one had ever cared to think about how she was feeling. "Oh Sully...it's...it's...I can't even describe it...it's heavenly...thank you, thank you so much...I don't know what to say!"
She turned to face Sully, and instead turned into him. Eyes caught and breaths stopped. Michaela's mind told her to back up, but her heart wanted to lean forward. Her heart was racing as she stared into those perfectly-blue oceans of eyes. Michaela's legs were glued to the ground and she could only lean one way or the other. Whether laws of gravity be the cause or destiny itself, Michaela found that it was easier to lean forward. She chose to follow her heart.
As she closed her eyes, she felt him lean in at the exact moment she chose to. She could feel his slow, methodical breath on her rosy lips, and she readied her body to plummet. Lips first skimmed lips, then both pressed more firmly together. Electric charges rippled down Michaela's spine as she felt his lips brush gently on hers. Ever so softly, she felt Sully deepen the kiss, slipping his hands to her waist and the back of her neck, while his tongue asked for admittance to her lips. At first, Michaela was at lost for what to do. Never before had she allowed David to kiss her like this; yet she did not find the fear that racked in her heart now as she had with David. Slowly, instincts finally kicked in and Michaela opened up to Sully, revealing a whole new side of the lady doctor.
It was if a flower had bloomed in all of its glory. A burst of love and joy, erupting over the valley and intensifying the beauty that it already held.
Suddenly, Sully stiffened and removed his hands from Michaela, while breaking apart the kiss. Michaela's eyes shot open at the shattered end, wondering what had happened. She quickly looked up into Sully's eyes. What earlier had held joy and excitement, now held pain and torture beyond anything she had ever seen in those aqua orbs. Tears of confusion and fear rose in Michaela, as she watched the man she knew she loved, turn away from her and slip off into the shadows of darkness.