Heartaches

Chapter 14

By Kellyq

Misty looked up to see Carly walking toward the hospital information desk. Her hair was messy, her glasses askew, her nurse outfit crumpled, and she looked like she was on the verge of collapse. Misty stepped out from behind the counter and caught Carly just before she fell. Her spiral glasses slid off and landed by their feet.

"What happened?" Misty asked, concern laced in her deep voice.

"It was Jack ... I wanted him to be my boyfriend, but he turned out to love someone else - and it was a guy, for that matter!" Carly's voice trembled with hurt and confusion, her past experiences with rejection and her struggle with her own identity adding layers to her emotional turmoil.

By this point, the two girls were slumped on the floor. Carly wrapped her arms around Misty and cried. The older woman wrapped her arms around the depressed woman and rubbed her back.

"Maybe he wasn't the one for you to start with," Misty murmured, her empathy radiating. She comforted Carly in her storm of emotions, even though she was secretly pleased that Jack didn't like her.

Carly nodded her head and pulled away, her eyes meeting Misty's. Carly didn't see or sense anything but genuine concern in Misty's eyes for the first time. She reached for the spiral glasses, a symbol of their deep connection, and placed them gently on Carly's face, bringing a sense of relief to Carly.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Carly. Now, come on. I think a girl's outing should do you good."

"Yeah, but -" she started to protest as she was pulled to her feet.

"Don't worry about it. I had a feeling something like this would happen to you, so I already have things arranged for you," Misty informed. "Now, come."

Rally sat up and rubbed his right eye with his hand. He stifled a yawn and stretched his limbs. Rally pulled himself out of the bed and crawled to the end. He carefully got off and soundlessly walked to the door. Rally peered over his shoulder to see that Jack had moved next to Yusei and held him close.

Rally smiled, opened the door, and closed it softly. He went to the kitchen to see Trudge, the midcycle cop, sitting at the table and Mina, Jack's caretaker, making breakfast. Mina turned and walked to the table, placing a cup of coffee and a plate of pancakes. Trudge is Jack and Mina's close friend, and Rally is a young boy under their care.

Trudge eyed the breakfast. "Those look good, Mina."

The young woman smiled. "Thanks." Mina's eyes shifted over to Rally, who sat himself down. "Morning. Would you like some Orange juice?"

Rally shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Uh ... can I have some coffee instead?"

Mina raised a brow. Trudge, on the other hand, almost choked on his drink.

"No! Little kids shouldn't drink coffee!" He pointed out.

"Trudge, can you keep your voice down?" Mina suggested half-scolded. "Mr. Atlus is still sleeping."

"It's already too late for that."

They turned their heads to see him standing there. He walked up and sat down. Mina placed a cup of coffee and an empty plate before him.

"Mina, make sure that there's enough coffee for everyone," Jack said, eyeing Rally for one moment.

She nodded, and Rally's face lit up. Mina turned to the cabinet and pulled out two more coffee cups.

"Would you like creamer or sugar in your coffee, Rally?" Mina asked, taking the coffee pot off the maker and pouring some in each cup.

"Cream, please," Rally answered.

By this point, Trudge was on his fourth helping of Pancakes. A soft growl came from the back of Mina's throat when she turned and placed the cups on the table.

"Trudge," she scolded. "That was for everyone!"

Trudge scratched the back of his head nervously and was about to apologize when Yusei walked in. He was already dressed, but something wasn't right, and Mina was the first to pick up on the vibes.

"Mr. Fudo, what's wrong?"

"I have to go to the hospital," Yusei answered, which got everyone's attention. "I'll be back later."

He turned and walked to the front door with Jack following close behind.

"What's going on? Was that Crow you were talking to earlier?" Jack asked, remembering waking up to his cell phone ringing shortly after Rally walked out. He watched them closely.

By now, Jack and Yusei were on the motorcycles.

"Kiryu had a bad seizure last night, and he hit his head early this morning after Crow had left to get breakfast," Yusei explained, trying to keep his voice calm, but the tension in the air was palpable. "He's in the O.R. right now."

Crow sat in the waiting room, a helpless look in his eyes. He wanted much to pound his head into a wall. I am a bird brain,he thought. He sat there until familiar footsteps reached his ears. Crow looked up to see Jack, Trudge, Mina, Yusei, and a child about nine years old. He had bushy red hair, soft skin, and hazel eyes. He wore an orange dress with laces at the bottom. Crow didn't pay much attention to anyone in the room except Yusei. Crow threw himself in Yusei's arms.

"I'm such a birdbrain! Why can't I do anything right!" Crow sobbed out.

Rally quietly watched the scene unfold, feeling his heart throb for Yusei and Jack. Yusei held Crow tenderly and kissed him on the cheek.I'm going to make Rudger regret this,Yusei thought, his expression darkening with loathing, his determination palpable.

Martha, who had come in moments before, cleared her throat to make her presence known. Rally was the first to turn to see her, and the others finally turned their attention to the older woman.

"Kiryu's skull is okay, but he has brain damage from falling down the stairs and hitting his head hard."

To Be Continued ...