Tasha sat on the coach staring blankly into space. She was subconsciously picking the skin under her thumb nail so it had started to bleed. However she didn't even notice that. She noticed nothing now, Robbie thought sadly. He was standing in the doorway of the beach house contemplating their situation and quietly observing his beautiful wife. She hadn't even noticed he was there. Finally he made his presence known.
'Oh, hi Rob,' Tasha responded vaguely. 'I thought you were out.'
'I just got back.' Robbie came to sit next to her on the couch and gently grasped her hand in both of his. He noticed there was blood on her thumb. 'Tash, you're bleeding!'
Tasha glanced down at her hand absent-mindedly. 'It's nothing,' she replied and quickly rose to her feet. 'I'm going for a walk.'
'Tasha, why don't you talk to me?'
'Talk? There's nothing to talk about. I just want to get some fresh air that's all. I'll see you later,' and with that she was gone, almost running to be away from him, or so it seemed to Robbie.
As Tasha made her way down to the beach the fresh air seemed to be doing nothing for her state of mind. She still felt like she was suffocating. She thought getting rid of the baby would help, but it didn't change what he had done. She thought about it and felt sick and panicky and angry all at the same time. She started clenching and unclenching her fists and then her whole body started shaking. Her breathing became quicker so as she was struggling to catch any air at all. She started glancing around the beach wildly, hardly able to breath and soon she collapsed onto the sand, in a crouch position. As she desperately tried to grab oxygen, she could feel her surroundings becoming further away and she began to blank out, wondering if these moments were to be her last.
Kim and Rachel were walking along the beach chatting happily when they noticed Tasha ahead of them on the ground.
'Tasha!' Kim yelled and both sprinted across the hard sand to the small, vulnerable body collapsed on the grainy surface.
'Tasha, Tasha, can you here me?' Rachel said as she assessed the heaving body. 'Kim, she's hyperventilating, quick run to the surf club and get a paper bag now!' As Kim tore off up the beach Rachel told Tasha to try and concentrate on her breathing, to slow it down and stop panicking. After about ten minutes and many deep breaths into the paper bag Tasha was beginning to regain her composure and feel more steady. She had truly felt she was going to die.
'Come on Tasha, let's get you home. Kim can you grab one side of her,' Rachel said and they both helped her to her feet.
Back at the beach house Robbie was trying to understand what had happened.
'Well, I think Tasha had a panic attack,' Rachel said and looked across at the petite blonde girl curled up on the coach. 'Tasha,' Rachel said gently. 'Were you upset about something? Do you know what brought this on?' Both Robbie and Tasha glanced at each other before Tasha turned her gaze to Rachel. 'No, I mean everything's fine, I wasn't upset.'
'Tasha, you can tell me if something's wrong. I can help you.'
'Thanks Rachel but nothing is wrong. I think I'm just tired so I'm going to have a lie down. Thanks again for today you two, I'll see you later.' With that Tasha quickly rose from the coach and made her way to the bedroom down the hall, as both Kim and Rachel exchanged puzzled glances.
'Robbie, is something upsetting Tasha?' Kim asked once Tasha had left the room.
Robbie looked uncertain before responding, 'No, not that I know of. I mean everything's been great since we got married. Don't worry, she probably just lost her breath or something.'
'Robbie…' Rachel began before he cut her off. 'Thanks so much for bringing her back and helping her out guys, we both really appreciate it. But if you don't mind I'm just going to go check on her so I'll see you two later ok?'
By that stage he had opened the front door leaving them no option but to walk through it. 'Ok mate, but if either of you two need anything just let us know,' Kim said.
'Will do. See you guys, thanks again,' and Robbie quickly shut the door in their faces.
Outside Rachel and Kim looked questioningly at each other.
'Well that was strange,' Kim said.
"Yep. Something's definitely going on," Rachel said. "I just don't know what."