Couldn't be an accident
I know that we will work it out this time
Every jolt in the road makes her body jump. Her heartbeat is weak, thready, barely there. Her resps are so shallow it's a wonder her o2 levels are vaguely normal. It's a wonder she's still alive, but she is and that's all that matters.
I don't know if I could say the same thing about this child in my arms, this baby who has watched for 2 years whilst her mother has been used as a punch bag.
"Do you know who did this to her?" Jorge asks, catching my gaze.
"Erm…I think so."
"You're not sure?"
"I am 99 sure."
"Good enough for me- go on."
"Steve Curtis. He's her…"
"He's my father and her ex who seemed to think it's alright to abuse her." Alex looks up from the floor. "He threatened us, said he'd kill us if mom didn't go with him. That was 2 years ago. He made her leave her kids, me and 3 others. Meredith was only 11 months but he made mom leave her." He bites his lip, sighing. "Mom is strong. She's survived this long, she'll be okay."
Jorge looks at me and sighs. He knows her condition; he can see she's well below normal body weight for a 34 year old- how she survived this long is a miracle. But the thing that worries me most is I don't know if she'll have the mental strength to cope with everything, she's not the girl I used to know.
"Mama." India stirs and starts to cry.
"Hey Indy, shush. Mommy's gonna be okay, she's just a little sick. Is your arm sore?" I sit her up and gently examine her arm. The wrist looks broken and the shoulder is possibly dislocated from the amount of distress she's showing. This type of injury is usually seen in children swung by one arm. Right now I feel about ready to kill Steve.
"Can I hold her?" Alex asks. I nod and gently place Indy in her big brother's lap. He smiles at her and actually gets a half-smile back.
She is so like Sam it's untrue. Her smile is the same, her eyes hold the same wary look even though they're green and Sam's are hazel.
"We're here. I'll get someone to take you to the family room." I nod, not really thinking of anything except Sam and India. Alex hands Indy to Jorge and she starts to scream.
"We'll get her checked and bring her straight back." Jorge says over the screams and I manage to smile slightly as he walks off, wincing.
Father's a name you haven't earned yet
You're just a child with a temper
Haven't you heard don't hit a lady
Kicking your ass would be a pleasure.
The first thing I notice is the beeping. The constant beeping that I cling to, that brings me out of this dreadful nightmare. Except it isn't a nightmare, its real life and there's no way out.
"Ms Taggart?" A voice whispers above me, and I can feel the presence of other people. "Ms Taggart, Sam?" I wrench my eyelids open, thankful for the dim lights behind me. The voice is coming from a young doc with a warm face; behind him are two other docs and 3 nurses.
"Where…where am I?"
"Rochester General. Do you know what date it is Ms Taggart?"
"3rd September." He smiles and I let out a breath.
"You had some cuts on your stomach which we sewed up and you'd lost a lot of blood. You're on IV fluids at the moment. How is the pain?"
I suddenly realise there is no pain, then I notice the little stand I know so well.
"Not bad. I know how to control the pain meds." The doc smiles and pats my hand.
"I'll leave you in peace now; the button is there to call someone. Try and sleep."
So I do. When I wake up a nurse appears.
"Can I have some water?" She flits away and brings back a small plastic cup and a straw.
"Now, Ms Taggart…" Another person speaks to my left and I turn my head. A policeman is sat next to the gurney with a tape recorder.
"Sam."
"Sam…do you remember what happened to you?" I squint, forcing my thoughts back. The images flash across my lids, and I open my eyes again.
"A little."
"Do you feel ready to speak with us?" I simply shake my head, even thinking makes me want to vomit.
"I understand. If it's okay with you I'll come back later. All I really need to know is who did this." I nod, silent. The policeman walks out the door and just before it swings behind him I call out.
"Steven James Curtis."