In Her Eyes
Abby laid in the dark exam room looking up at the ceiling, making patterns out of the dots on each square that lay flat above her head. She was trying not to think about what had just happened. She just wanted someone on her side, but she would not do that if it endangered her friends, which was guaranteed to her if she revealed the truth. She saw the skeptical looks given to her by Sam and Susan. Her story needed to be more convincing if she was going to be able to sell her story. Oddly, she felt safe in this hospital room. It was a place where many people died and she felt completely safe. Abby put her hand to her side and groaned softly. Her side was burning and it felt like a knife was still slicing through her skin. She sighed and sat up slowly, checking the time. It was 6:00 in the morning. Time to get up and get to work.
She got up and turned the lights on, looking in the mirror, seeing the marks left from the terrible fists of her ex-husband. She glanced down and then realized something. She fell down the stairs! She had to believe her story if she was going to sell it. She had to sell it. It was for every person close to her. She would rather be hurt, than to be the cause of her friends' pain. Richard would be back soon and she had to be prepared to fall down the stairs again. She walked out of the exam room, putting on her stethoscope. She blinked into the bright light of the all-too-familiar hospital and sighed, getting ready for the day.
Abby walked through the hospital to the admin desk, where she picked up a chart. Dr. Weaver walked through and glanced up at Abby. "Abby! Hey, I thought you would be at home by now. You know you don't have to work today. Susan told me what happened. Are you okay?"
"Yeah...I am just fine. It's nothing. I just tripped over my own feet." She laughed at her clumsy mistake. Dr. Weaver smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She didn't believe her either. 'Dang it!' She thought. 'She doesn't believe me.' Dr. Weaver glanced at Abby's side and looked back up.
"Can I look?" Weaver was referring to Abby's injury. Abby nodded and pulled up her shirt. Weaver took off the bandage and checked the damage. When she had made her assessment, she put it back on carefully and looked at Abby again.
"Looks kinda bad, Abby. How did falling down the stairs cause that?" Abby almost started panicking.
"Well...honestly I don't remember. I fell down the stairs....I don't remember anything other than falling and then bits and pieces of walking in here." Abby looked sincerely at Weaver and spoke again, "I have to get to work...I have lots to do." She walked off hastily, trying to look perfectly fine.
.......
Meanwhile, Susan Lewis was sitting in her apartment drinking a glass of water. All she could think about was Abby coming in, bleeding and beat up because she "fell down the stairs". Susan wondered why Abby would lie to her. She was her best friend. She had to help Abby…obviously she was in real trouble and Susan was the only one who was going to help her. She could see that something terrible had happened to her so she was going to go talk with her.
"Abby...talk to me." Susan had cornered her in one of the empty exam rooms. Abby turned around, her eyes fearful.
"About what?" She asked shortly. Susan rolled her eyes and sighed, closing the door behind her, preventing any potential escape.
"You know what. Don't play dumb with me." Abby sat on a bed and looked up at Susan with a mix of fear and sadness in her eyes.
"Please just let this go...Please." She begged Susan, moisture welling in her eyes. Susan was taken aback and she swallowed.
She knew that this was serious, but Abby was truly afraid. Something was very wrong. "Abby, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on. I want to help."
"I know you do...just leave this alone. I'll be just fine." She tried to smile, but it didn't work. Susan just stood there as Abby walked by her and left the room.
Thanks for reviewing!! I will try to get more in...but I can't promise anything. Please review!
--soccergirlmich--