Hiya everyone. The last few days have been pretty dull here so I finished my next chapter quicker than I usually do. Thank you all so much for the great reviews but I feel I should warn you – I can't see you being as happy about this chapter.
Chapter 17 : Hospitals, Drugs and a Moment of Madness
By the seventh of January the SmackDown crew finally had a day off – two days actually. So that afternoon Randy and Jennifer landed in St Louis. She had taken a little persuasion to come but after he flashed her his heart stopping smile she relented and was now sitting besides him in the drive to his parent's house.
"I've got three missed calls all from a St Louis number," Jenni said fiddling with her phone. "What's that about?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
"Do you recognise the number?"
When he stopped at the traffic lights he took the phone from her and inspected the number.
"No sorry babe. I don't know it."
She shrugged, "Oh well if it's important they'll ring back."
"Mom!" He shouted when he entered the house ten minutes later. "Dad! Nate! Anybody in?"
When he got no answer he shrugged, "They must be out."
"But the set's still on," Jenni said looking at the T.V screen
"Probably Nate," he said grabbing the remote control, "Mom's always going on at him for it."
She walked into the kitchen and spotted two half drunk cups of coffee at the breakfast bar and two half eaten bagels. "Is this Nathan as well?"
He frowned; it wasn't like his mother to leave anything out like this. He was about to say something but Jenni's phone started ringing.
"It's that number again," she said before flipping it open, "Hello," … "What? Calm down," … "I can't understand what you're saying," … "Becky's in the hospital?" … "What happened?" … "Ok, we'll be right there." Quickly hanging up she look up into Randy's panic stricken face, "Becky's in the hospital."
"Why? What happened?" He asked urgently.
"I don't know," she said as they hurried to the door, "Nathan just said that she was in the hospital and to get there right now."
"Well is she ok?" He said furiously digging the car keys out of his pocket.
"I don't know Randy we just need to get there, now."
Seven minutes later after a ride that nearly caused for them to be hospitalized they sprinted through the reception.
"Rebecca Orton," Randy said breathlessly to the receptionist.
"Ok sir let me just check that for you," she said cheerfully while the two stood impatiently. "Alright sir; third floor, ward six."
Running towards the elevator he furiously pushed the button, the damn thing took forever. Finally getting in he pressed for the 3rd floor and waited impatiently for the doors to open again. He glanced at Jenni who looked just as worried as he felt. Out of instinct he put his arms around her; she smiled nervously up at him and rested against his chest.
When the doors finally opened they hurriedly moved through the halls hand in hand, trying to find the right ward. After asking a nurse they came upon his family.
His brother was sitting next to Elaine as she sat in silent sobs while Bob paced the floor in front of her.
"What's going on?" Jenni asked letting go of Randy's hand when he hugged his mother.
"The doctors are in with her, they haven't told us anything for a while." Elaine said before breaking down again.
"Why? What happened?"
"She went to a party at her friend Sarah's house. She told us she was going to be staying there – next thing we know we're getting a phone call from the hospital. She was found in a crashed car with that idiot boyfriend of hers at the wheel."
Taking hold of Jenni's hand again Randy spoke, "I thought she'd broken up with him."
"So did I son but apparently he managed to sweet talk his way back in."
"Well is she gonna be ok, I mean, what do we know about her condition?"
"They were still running tests on her last time one of them talked to us so we don't know."
No sooner had Bob said that a man in a white suit came up from the side.
"How is she?" Elaine said quickly standing up and moving right in front of the man."
"She's stable."
Relieved sighs came from everyone at the news and Elaine began tearing up again.
"Oh thank god. Can we see her?"
"Yes, though she's still unconscious."
"But she'll be ok?"
"She should be fine; however Mrs Orton, you should know and there isn't an easy way to say this, that the test results came in and she had drugs in her system."
"What?" Bob said as Elaine seemed unable to speak, "My daughter does not do drugs. How dare you insinuate such a thing!"
"He's right," Randy said, not noticing that Jenni had stiffened, "Becks doesn't do that kind of thing."
"Randy calm down," his mother said firmly, "And you Bob. Go on doctor."
"Well there was cocaine –."
"No! I'm not listening to this."
"Randy be quiet."
"Mom, how can you even begin to believe that Becky would do that?"
"Son," Bob interjected suddenly on the doctor's side, "Maybe we should just listen."
"Well we've administered some other tests and we feel that you're daughter was lucky…this time. I'm sure I don't need to impress upon you the seriousness of this situation."
"No doctor."
"We shall continue flushing out her system and with luck she should be able to go home in a few days."
"Thank you."
With a comforting smile he walked away and Elaine and Bob both sat down looking troubled.
"At least she'll be ok."
"This time maybe."
"Bob," She said to her husband, "Rebecca's a smart girl she won't make this mistake twice."
"Are you ok?"
Jenni turned around at the sound of his voice and gave him a half-hearted smile. "You're sisters in the hospital unconscious and you're busy worrying about me? You need to straighten your priorities."
"Becky's gonna be ok, I've gotta admit though, it was weird seeing her like that; pale, hooked up to machines. Not to mention the hospital gown."
Another half-hearted smile, "It's definitely not her best fashion move but under the circumstances – I think she can be forgiven."
The pair had just come out of her room so that Bob and Nathan could go back in and he was worried about Jen, she had been oddly quiet. Of course he could understand the lack of good spirit, this wasn't exactly his best day either but there was something else wrong with her, there was a look in her eyes that he couldn't place.
After a little more small talk she put her head in her hands and sighed, "This is all my fault."
"What?" Randy said putting his bad cup of coffee down and bringing her face up to look him in the eyes. "How could this possibly be your fault? You didn't know this was going to happen."
"No but I should have."
"Why? Are you a psychic now?" He questioned with a laugh.
"No, you don't understand."
"Babe, you can't blame yourself for this. It was an accident. Becks made a mistake one time and –"
"It's not one time!"
"What are you talking about?" he said, frowning and coming to kneel in front of her.
"She told me…made me promise not to tell you."
"Told you what?"
"Her boyfriend had been trying to get her to try it, constantly telling her how good it was. She called me for advice, I told her over and over again not to but then a couple of days later she called me in tears and told me she had done it."
"She told you that she had done drugs and you didn't tell me?" Randy asked his voice devoid of any emotion.
"She made me promise –"
Wrenching himself away from where she sat he leant against the opposite wall.
"Randy –"
"Shut up!"
Bowing her head so that she wouldn't have to look at his cold eyes she sighed.
"My baby sisters in there." He gestured to the room behind him, "She's unconscious and hooked up to a machine that makes the most annoying beeping sound I've ever heard in my life. She, very easily could have died, I mean, you here about it all the time don't ya? A party, some people go a little crazy and next thing there's someone in a body bag."
"She said she'd never do it again."
"Did she? Well clearly she lied!" He exclaimed, not realising that their conversation was heard by his family at his sister's bedside. "Just like you did."
"I didn't lie, I just…"
"Just neglected to tell me! You were right babe; this is all your fault. If you had said something, if you had put my sisters safety above of your desire to be the lovable big sis then this wouldn't have happened!"
"That's not what I was doing."
"Really Jenni, you could have fooled me!"
"Look, you have every right to be angry but I –"
"You're damn right I have every right to be angry! You nearly killed my sister!"
"Randy I –"
"What! You haven't got a family so you don't want me to have one either? You wanna pick them off one by one? What's next huh? You'll tell Nate that suicide's what all the cool kids are doing these days."
Randy saw her jaw drop and her eyes fill with sadness but he was far too angry to care. Becky could have died and why? Just so Jenni could keep a promise. Well he wasn't having that! It wouldn't have taken much to tell him would it? He couldn't believe how beyond furious he was.
"That's not fair," she said her voice weak.
"Isn't it?" he paused, "Are you happy now Jenni?"
"Happy?" she asked incredulously, "why the hell would I be happy that your sister's in the hospital?"
"I don't know; I don't know how your mind works."
"You're being completely –"
"Get out!"
"What?"
"Get the hell out of here!"
"Randy!"
"I really don't want to see you right now so could you please get the fuck out of here!" His voice which grew steadily louder with every word had a sense of a threat about it and she wasn't about to go against what he wanted right now.
Turning around slowly she made her way down the ward she turned back in time to see him punch the wall furiously and heard him cursing at the pain.
After shaking his hand to restart the circulation he walked calmly into the room and forced a smile at his family.
"Coffee anyone?"
It was coming onto midnight when Becky woke up. She blearily opened her eyes but it was her cough that alerted the family to her.
"I feel horrible."
"Oh Rebecca! You're ok."
"Uh…yeah I guess."
Slowly looking around the room she asked hesitantly, "What happened?"
"That's what I'd like to know!"
"Bob not now. You're in hospital sweetheart."
"Why? What happened? I don't remember anything."
"You were found in a crashed car Becks," Nathan said in the kind of caring tone you wouldn't expect from the funny young man.
"And there were some…eh…there were drugs in your system."
Becky's eyes widened at her mothers words and she opened her mouth to protest her innocence but thought better of it. She caught sight of Randy who held an expression that she couldn't read.
"It was only one time," she said oblivious to the fact that they all knew it wasn't. The entire family had heard the argument between Jennifer and Randy and even though none of them had said anything to him about it they took it as the truth. Becky had done drugs before, and Jenni had known about it.
"How's Matt?"
"He got away with a few scratches and a bit of bruising," Bob said to his daughter, "Begs the question of why you were even in the car with him though, doesn't it?"
"I can date whoever I want."
"Even if they pressure you to do drugs?" Randy said calmly.
"What are you talking about? He didn't pressure me. It was just a moment of madness one time."
"One time?" He asked with a dark chuckle, "That's funny that is Becky because Jenni seems to think it's happened before."
No one said anything but she looked around the room as though expecting to see Jennifer standing in the shadows.
"I don't –" she said but was cut off.
"Where do you think she got an idea like that from Rebecca?"
"Well I –"
"She was under the impression that he pressured you and then you called her in tears. Is that right?"
"I –"
"Shut up! She was also under the impression that you told her you'd never do it again. However judging by the fact that you're in here I'd say you broke that promise. Shame she didn't break her promise to you then maybe none of this would have happened."
"Mom, Dad I –"
"Any other drugs that you might have tried that Jenni didn't tell me about?"
"Randy will you desist!" Elaine said sharply. "She's been through a lot and we've all had a long day so keep your questions on the backburner."
"You aren't seriously gonna let her get away with this are you?"
"I know you're angry with her Randy but it seems to me like the things you said to her are more than enough for punishment."
"Are you kidding me?" He asked incredulously, "Just because I asked her if she'd used other drugs you think she should get away with it?"
"I'm not talking about Becky. I'm talking about the person you're angry with."
"I'm angry with Becky," he insisted.
"But not nearly as angry as you are with Jennifer."
He lost his breath at that. Did his mother have to be so damn smart all the time? Did she really have to know everything? She had a point of course and as usual she was right. He was furious with Jenni and the longer he sat staring at his unconscious sister the angrier he became.
"I don't have to listen to this." Turning away from the bedside he moved towards the door, no one tried to stop him or said anything but he wouldn't have heard them even if they had he was too wrapped up in his head.
"What happened with Jenni?" Becky asked once he'd left.
Sitting silently in the car that still had Jenni's luggage in the back he leant his head back. It had been a long day but the last thing he wanted to do was sleep. He switched his phone on and saw a text message from Jennifer.
Gone back to NY. I hope Becky's ok. I'm sorry.
"You should be," he said at the screen.
Finally starting the car he drove around for a while before finding himself at an old park that he had visited when he was younger.
He parked the car and lazily walked to where the swings were. He distinctly remembered the first time he had come here. The family had just moved to St Louis and his Dad was decorating the house and needed them out of the way. The park was just a few minutes walk away from where they lived and so his mom told him to bring the other two here. Being the eldest he was in charge and completely responsible for what happened.
He hadn't liked it much, he was getting to the age were parks were seriously losing there shine, Nathan had decided that because Randy didn't like it he didn't either. Becky however loved it. For a few years after that she would continually pester him to take her there. Most of the time he said no because he wanted to spend time with his friends but occasionally he would agree to take her and she would always have a great time.
"Oh how times have changed," he said aloud even though there was no one around.
He sat quietly on the swing wondering briefly how the park had lasted this long. He looked up at the street light above him that flickered a little but his thoughts were stopped by a voice behind him.
"Randy?"
He turned slowly and willed it not to be her but it was.
"Sam."
She walked up to him with a smile on her face despite the fact that he clearly wasn't as happy to see her as she was to see him.
"Oh baby, how are you?"
"I've been better." He was quiet for second. "Oh sorry, how are you?"
"I'm ok, you know how it is."
He nodded before frowning and looking around. "What are you doing here? And at," he consulted his watch, "one in the morning."
"Well I could ask you the same question." When he said nothing she went on, "I've been house sitting for my sister and she lives over there." She gestured to a row of houses a little way away that he could just about make out in the dark.
"Yeah but what are you doing out?"
"I'm walking her dog."
He looked down at the little dog at her feet that seemed to have fallen asleep and he frowned,it reminded him of Mr Elvis.
"You're walking your dog at one in the morning?"
"Yeah well you know me," she shrugged and laughed but seemed a little nervous at the line of questioning.
He frowned but let it go, "It's not safe."
"Glad to hear that you care."
"I didn't say I cared I just said it isn't safe."
She seemed to ignore that, "What are you doing out here? You don't live anywhere near here."
"I just needed some quiet to think. It's been a long day."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Becky's in the hospital."
He looked her in the face and noted that from what he could see if the dark she didn't look surprised. He shook it off.
"Is she ok?"
"Yeah, she'll be fine. Just needs some rest."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
I've lost my mind.
That was all Randy could think as he followed Sam into the kitchen of her sister's house, turning the lights on as she went. How else could you explain him talking to her? Let alone explain the fact that when she offered him coffee he agreed. What was he? Nuts?
As she turned the lights on he got his first proper look at her and noticed that she looked different.
"You're hairs different." It was longer than he remembered, it use to be shoulder length but now it was approaching mid-back. It couldn't have grown that much since the last time he'd seen her.
"Yes, I got extensions just before Christmas." She looked him in the eye, "Do you like it?"
"Yeah it looks great."
"I changed the colour as well, it's a lot darker than it use to be."
"I can see that."
She smiled at him, "and they say men never notice."
He half smiled back; still not sure he should even be here. There was something about the hair style, it seemed familiar. He looked around the kitchen and caught sight of two empty bottles of Vodka sitting next to two half full ones.
"You taken up excessive drinking since we split up?"
"Huh?"
He pointed to the bottles and she laughed nervously again. "Oh that…no that's my sisters. She's a drinker."
"Right," he said not convinced, "well you should tell your sister to take it easy."
"Will do."
She handed him a cup of coffee and he followed her out into the living room careful to step over the dog that had fallen asleep in the middle of the room.
"So," she said as she sat down, "Tell me everything that's gone on with you."
An hour and a half and three the pair were laughing about their trip to Hawaii when he had been off with an injury two years prior.
He calmed down before she did and looked at her while she laughed. He had actually enjoyed talking to her tonight. She was a welcome distraction from his horrible day and she hadn't even asked him anything about their relationship.
"I'm sorry I didn't call you back."
"What?" she asked after calming down.
"When you called me just before Christmas, I'm sorry I didn't call you back."
"It's ok."
"No it's not, I really was gonna call you but then I got distracted by –" He broke off, he had been careful about not mentioning Jenni's name, more because he didn't want to think about her than sparing Sam's anger but she had been the distraction when he was planning to call his ex fiancé.
"By what?"
"Nothing, I just got distracted. So tell me a little more about what you've been up to."
"Nothing you'd find interesting," she said evasively.
He frowned; she had pretty much avoided every question he asked her. He broke from his thoughts when she began to recount another funny story from back when they had been happy together.
He watched her laugh and felt a wave of nostalgia flow through him. He hadn't seen her laugh properly for a long time before tonight.
"You should laugh more often," he said cutting off her story.
She looked at him confused so he elaborated, "You look really beautiful when you laugh. You should laugh more often."
He noticed a slight blush on her face at that but there was something else in her eyes that he couldn't place, it was almost triumph.
"I should get going," he said a little while later.
"No! I mean…do you have to?"
"Yeah, it's late and I've gotta get back to the house sometime before dawn."
"You've still got some more time to hang out though, right?"
"Sorry Sam. I've gotta go." He put his jacket on and she reluctantly showed him the way out.
"I had fun," she said as she opened the door for him.
"I did too, it was good talking to you again Sam."
She nodded in agreement before pulling him into a hug. As she pulled away she kissed him on the cheek and in a moment of madness that he couldn't even explain to himself, he pulled her closer to him and kissed her on the lips.
She kissed him back eagerly and as though afraid he would immediately pull away wrapped her arms around his neck. He didn't pull away however he deepened the kiss and kicked the door shut with his foot, heading for the bedroom.
Oh my! Let me know what you think!
Love Ya! DollFace!
