A.N.: Dear dolls, once again, sorry for long wait. But in current time, I happened to be ill, and spending time at home, so I can say it's in your favor, because I can't breathe, so I can't sleep at night and so I can write. Let's say, I have a lot of things to write and publish, so hope for a week of some good chapters thank you for staying with me dolls, I love you so ! Your ZiZi hugs and ZiZi kisses xoxo
The sound of opening elevator echoed through the hospital hall. Luke walked to the little reception, where was sitting young woman, asking right away.
,,Do you need, Mr.-?''
,,Ramsey…Doctor Patrick Weilor, please,'' Luke let out rapidly.
,,He's on a ward right now, but I will tell him, you're waiting for him in here, take a seat,'' nurse smiled, showing to Luke to sit down, but he stood firmly, looking down at her.
,,No, I need to talk to him right now-''
,,-I'm really sorry, but I told you he can't, Mr. Ramsey-'' but it was too late, because Luke saw by corner of his eye, Patrick walking from one room to another.
It doesn't matter at the moment, he was checking his patients, this was urgent, and it won't take a long. Determinedly ignoring nurse's warnings, Luke walked towards the corridor, and straight to the room, where Patrick walked in before a while.
,,Mr. Ramsey !'' nurse called for him, but he was already at the door.
Closing behind him once he was in, and right away catching Patrick's attention.
,,Luke ! What are you doing here ?'' Patrick looked at him, shocked partly, for a moment ignoring his patient.
,,I'm here to talk, not for long-''
,,-Can we talk later, I have some work now, as you can see-''
,,-No,'' Luke pressed firmly, stepping closer to him.
,,If you came to talk about your mother, and the incident, that happened two days ago, then I'm sorry to tell you I have not changed my mind-''
,,-SHUT THE FUCK UP FINALLY !'' Luke couldn't avoid losing his temper.
Short, and effective, evidently, because Patrick immediately silenced, looking at him, eyes wide from shock, and his face getting pale.
,,You are nothing, but a rotten fraud ! And what you did, just make me sick-'' Luke started, but at that moment doors fell open, and the very same nurse rushed in.
,,I am so sorry Doctor Weilor, I told him that-''
,,-It's okay Vanessa, let him stay,'' Patrick swallowed thickly.
,,R-really ?'' nurse looked at Patrick, then at Luke and back at Patrick.
,,Yes, I will escort him out myself….when we talk,'' Patrick nodded.
,,No, I will talk, not we-'' Luke wanted to continue, but Patrick interrupted immediately.
,,Don't you want to solve this in privacy ?''
,,No let them hear it. Let these people hear, let the whole hospital hear, what a bastard is their dear Doctor Weilor. When you first came into our house, I was glad. I was glad my mom finally found somebody, who she loves, and I though, you was somebody who loves her too, but I was terribly wrong. I was willing to do not care of your dates, of your laughs spreading across the house, of accepting you into family. I liked you after all. But then, you ruined it all….how dare you ? How dare you, to accuse my mother, when you know it's not her fault, and even give her 'support' in suggesting an abortion ? What monster are you ?! Who the hell do you think you are ?!''
,,I said the most radical, and most wise solution-'' Patrick tried to defend himself vainly.
,,You call that the damn solution ? Why you need any solution ? I thought you love her no matter of your future ! I thought, you wanted to live with her, and not to give her something, what made her happy, and then want to take it from her !''
,,Luke, you don't understand such things-'' but at that moment, Luke lost his temper completely, and Patrick yearned one nice, hard punch right into his left eye, falling on his knees with scream of pain.
Nurse who watched all that with great measure of shock, stood paralyzed, instead of doing anything. Behind her already stood the rest of hospital stuff, shocked from all what young man was saying.
But Luke kept going, not interrupted, fury in his eyes now ,,I don't understand such things ?! Do you know, how she feels now ? Do you know, in which state I found her, when I came home two days ago ! YOU KNOW NOTHING ! And the only reason, why I came here today is, that I won't let my mother's name to be sullied ! You will apologize to her, with all your decency you have. And then, ONLY THEN, if you really don't want to have anything in common with her, then you will let us be.''
He watched how Patrick, paralyzed, knelt in front of him, covering his eye, being afraid of doing any movement.
,,I hope you realized, how big mistake you've done, nice day Doctor Weilor,'' Luke turned on his heel, making his way through all the nurses and two doctors in the hall, completely passing the fact that few of them were even clapping to his brave speech, until he stepped into elevator, and left.
,,And you say, he wanted from you ab-…abortion ?'' Martha shivered, when the word rolled over her tongue, her palm on Joan's shoulder, as Joan was sitting one bench in front of her, but talking to her friends around her.
Not able to say any audible response, Joan only nodded weakly with her head. She was still in such state of shock and disappointment even after three days from the event.
,,Poor thing,'' Susan said, and Joan slightly frowned, not completely understanding, why she was sitting next to her. But to be honest, she was glad of her compassion.
Luke sitting beside Marry in front of Joan, was slightly nervous, if this won't be too much pressure for his mom, and the baby of course.
,,Well, you are wise woman, and we took him in our company as friend, you trusted him, and he…he abused you-''
,,-You are very right Paul,'' another woman nodded. Then looking back at Joan ,,it will be alright, if you need anything sweetie, we are here for you. You can stop by anytime.''
,,I know, thank you Laura,'' Joan forced another brief smile, but doubting it. After all, nobody helped her, when Denis cheated on her with Susan, and no-one has compassion for her that time. Joan wasn't sure after all, if she could trust any of them, but she wanted to enjoy this brief moment of their interest, and soothing words. It was unexpected, and nice. And she wanted to enjoy it until it lasted.
But then, like she just jinxed it, like she touched wood, Patrick appeared in doors of Church. Of course she couldn't see him, since she was on the edge of the bench, but turned towards her friends, and she wouldn't have notice him, if Martha haven't tapped gently on her shoulder. Joan looked up, leaving her hands and her lap, finding out, that everyone is looking to doors, she turned as well, and nearly collapsed.
Though Patrick was being pierced by nearly everyone in Church at the moment, hateful gazes following him, when he dared to step inside, and straight towards Joan.
She felt like her throat just dried, and tears came up in her eyes, she, unawares, fisted her both hands on her dress, squeezing the fabric, that her knuckles went white.
When Patrick stopped right in front of her, she looked straight to his eyes, noticing his black-and-blue bruise, and to everyone's anticipation, she breathed her near whisper ,,How dare you ?''
Without one single word, Patrick showed his left hand, which was until now behind his back, revealing bouquet of beautiful red roses, and kneeling on his right knee in front of Joan.
Causing everyone's loud gasp, that it echoed through whole Church, and those, who weren't paying attention until now, were looking at him as well.
Joan was watching him carefully, her fists haven't loosen, not even slightly, as she was waiting, what he might say.
,,Joan…I realized, how much of fool I was, for treating you, like I was. I still love you, and I want to try it again…if you let me. And we could discuss all possibilities, about our life-'' causing another wave of gasps, when he brought from his pocket a tiny, silken box ,,-Joanie…will you marry me ?''
It would have been perfect proposal…if there wasn't that sentence 'possibilities, about our life'.
Joan, speechless, breathed out her anger, and disappointment, and with closing eyes, her tears slid down her cheeks ,,No...''
She silenced for a minute, until opening her eyes again ,,Not after, what you have done, not after you abused me in your favor, and not after you called our baby a p…p-parasite.'' She heard everyone gasping again, and she was sure, they were throwing hatful sights at Patrick right now.
,,I can't trust you anymore, you are not my supporter anymore, I don't want to see you ever again and I want you to leave…now,'' her last words echoed in his ears for a couple of seconds, when she turned forward, looking dully in front of herself, seeing Luke's face, but merely perceiving, while her head helplessly fell to the nearest shoulder she have by her side.
A soft, warm hand stroked her teary cheek, and soft voice cooing to her ear, only then she realized, which shoulder she chose, not believing, she was hanging on Susan Martone's shoulder. But support as support, she sniffed, ignoring everything except her tension, and her tears, that start escaping her eyes.
,,Bu-but I apologized a-and-'' Patrick stuttered.
Joan turning to him immediately, swiftly standing up ,,You called that apology ? If that was apology, then it was rather miserable. You can't be serious, if you thought, you can mollify me by flowers and a proposal in front of my friends in Church. You did something that hurt me too deep, and I am a very tolerant woman, but one thing I can't stand is, when men thinks, that they can treat women like a rag, and then expect them to be very easily forgiving. Yes, Matthew 6:12 Verse 12. 'As we forgive our debtors' , but you and your sick idea, are far not worthy, of my forgiveness, for such awful thing as ab-...abortion is.''
Lord, this word will never be any easier for me…
,,And you can be glad, I'm in The Lord's House, because I have couple of callings for you now, that you would not appreciate,'' she pointed her finger at him, her body half shaking in anger, and half in upcoming fit. She haven't even heard the whispers behind her, and then loud clapping of her friends, practically everybody in Church clapped, how she stood against the man, who abused her, and how she kept calm talk with him during being Church.
,,Wo-would you please calm down, a-hh-a-and come with me outside. I want to talk with you in privacy,'' Patrick managed to stand up, he was trembling too, but from fear, trying to not lose his courage, and yet try to fix at least something.
It took one suspicious look from her, and two deep breaths, until she walked behind him, out of Church. Suddenly all whispers stopped, as they were closely listening, if they might catch any of words, from their conversation outside, but they could hear only soft voices, and could see their silhouettes right in the opened door. For several minutes, they couldn't catch nothing more than few words of conversation such as 'family', 'love you', 'can't accept', 'not healthy', 'possibility' and still the most awful one, coming from Patrick's mouth again 'abortion'. Then there were those few words Joan did not dare to say inside the Church, and then, they couldn't catch any other words.
Suddenly they all heard a clear loud slap as Joan's hand firmly connected with Patrick's cheek, then her loud whimper, and harsh steps away. They could see Joan, by doors of Church, turned to them with her back, her hands were trembling as she watched leaving car, and if she haven't caught the wood of Church's doors, she might have fallen to ground as she start heavily sobbing.
Luke wanted to stand, but yet before he'd do it, he heard from several women ,,Go there.''
,,She needs support.''
,,She needs you.''
,,God knows, what he said to her.''
,,She can't be alone there.''
Luke nodded, standing up and walking outside, taking his mother's arms, and pressing her into one big hug, not caring of anyone else to see them.
Joan cried now heavily into her son's chest, hugging him back, and trying to catch her breath. It took several minutes to sooth her, and she stopped sobbing. Luke took a napkin from his pocket, and offered it to her, she willingly took it, and wiped away her tears, and then blew her nose clean.
Luke still holding her arms, and petting them, was trying to look in her eyes, until she finally looked at him, and once again leaned in his chest, breathing lightly to stop her sniffing.
He didn't want anyone to hear them or see, so he gently guided her a bit away from the doors of Church, so they cannot be seen or heard. They were looking at the half empty parking place, still in each other's embrace.
,,What did he even say to you ?'' Luke slowly, carefully asked.
,,Still the same…he wanted me to marry him, telling me, we can solve it otherwise, we have lots of possibilities, and ab…his first idea is just one of option. But I knew…I knew, if I married him, he would forced me to do it, I can feel it from him…I wouldn't want to marry that asshole anyway,'' she suddenly said, making Luke's eyes wide, as from her saying such word, and from the whole sentence she just said.
,,Like really ? I though you fell in love with him,'' Luke tried to find her eyes, and when she finally look in his blue orbs, she giggled.
,,Do you think, I would live with that boring, or disgusting talks from Hospital, or with that in-and-out bed visits ? Or with that-''
,,-I think I got it,'' Luke chuckled, being glad, that his mom was smiling again.
,,No…but I thought, I will have another fit, when he walked inside that Church,'' Joan admitted aloud, taking another deep breath. She looked up at Luke ,,He also told me, that you visited him in Hospital…''
,,Yes, I am so sorry, I…if I knew he will do this, I would never-''
,,Oh it's okay, my baby,'' Joan smiled, leaning to his chest, and her hands smoothed over his back. ,,I'm glad you defended my name, it was rather nice from you. And what more, you told him to apologize, you couldn't have known he will come up with such stupidity…I appreciate how you acted.''
,,Really ?'' Luke smiled, looking down at her.
,,Sure…oh and nice work that eye, but…promise me, you won't practice this on anybody else,'' Joan giggled again, stroking Luke's cheek.
,,Of course I won't, that was an exception, and what more…actually it was my first punch. In. My. Life.'' Luke realized.
,,I'm glad you give it to somebody, who really deserved it,'' Joan noted, putting her head to rest against his chest as he hugged her more closer to him.
Long silenced followed, they were just hugging and staring into parking place, but then Joan uttered, looking into empty space ,,I was thinking…''
Luke went slightly confused, and nervous of what she might say ,,…yes ?''
,,Let's get outta here,'' she looked up at him with very serious expression.
,,Yes, we can go home, and come back tomorrow, after all, everyone seen what happened, so they won't be surprised if you want to-''
,,-No, no baby…I mean…let's get out of this town. Like completely,'' Joan nodded.
Luke confused, didn't know what exactly does she mean ,,…like say farewell, and move again-''
,,-No…without saying a word, just disappear. Forever. Out of state.''
,,Out of Louisiana ?'' he whispered, afraid somebody could hear them.
,,Yes,'' Joan nodded, still meaning it seriously ,,Just pack our things, and abandon everything in here, and start a new life…new beginning…with baby.''
Luke gazed at his mom, suddenly hugging her tighter to him, and burring his face to her shoulder, making her let out some soft noise of surprise.
,,S-yo-lke-tht-idea ?'' she talked to his shoulder, her words stifling to the fabric of his shirt, but he completely heard her.
,,Sure I do !'' Luke held her, to look at her face, and Joan could see how he sparkled. He loved that idea. ,,I was thinking of new beginning earlier, but I didn't want to tear you from here.''
,,Tear me from here ?'' Joan chuckled silently. ,,Nothing is holding me here. Friends ? They are not true friends. Family ? You are my only family. House ? Really, living next to witches brought us only troubles. And besides…Church we can find anywhere…so ? Am I not tearing you away from friends ?''
,,Me ? You call Marry a friend ?''
,,My boy,'' Joan cried happily as she buried her face to his chest again, but this time with happy tears in her eyes. ,,But we will plan it this time…better house, better environment, better behavior, better attitude. And mainly, we need to plan it in privacy, because we can't know, which witch from our neighborhood could 'hear' us.''
,,Sure…oh I'm so glad mom,'' Luke smiled at her, how she rose with happiness, and cheerfulness.
,,So now, we shall go back there, and act like before,'' Joan nodded turning to Church.
,,Yes…and are you really…all right ?'' Luke slowly asked, his palm on his mother's back, gently holding, as she was for a while staring at the Church.
,,Oh...yes,'' Joan nodded determinedly, taking Luke's hand and walking with him forward.