Page 41 of Off Side
SAM
Ican hear beeping. Loud annoying beeps. And my head fucking hurts. It’s throbbing so hard I feel like I might throw up. In fact, my body takes that as a cue to start heaving. Nothing comes out which might be a good thing because I’m still lying down. I can hear some shuffling and soft voices. I try to open my eyes and my left eye doesn’t respond, but my right eye opens to a bit more than a squint. I force it open as far as I can and I see, Nixon? I’m trying to catalogue what the hell happened to me when a female voice beside me sheds some light on the situation.
“Hello, Sam. I see you’re finally awake. I’m your nurse, Krista. I just gave you some gravol through your IV to help with the sick feeling. Sometimes head injuries give you the worst nausea. This should help you some.”
Her voice is soothing and I close my eye, trying to latch on to her voice and relax. I attempt to speak but my throat is so dry I can barely form words. She must see my struggle because she returns with water.
“Just take a little bit through the straw to wet your throat, sweetheart. Not too much in case you throw up, okay?”
I take two tiny sips and try again.
“What happened to me? Where am I?”
“We don’t know what happened because you haven’t been awake yet to tell us. But you’ve sustained a head injury, a broken nose and a fractured cheek bone. You’re at the London hospital. You were brought in by a man named Nixon, lovely fellow. He’s very concerned about you. Does that help?”
Nixon brought me here. Right, team road trip. I ordered room service and was waiting. There was a knock…Jason! I try to sit up in my haste to make sure he’s not here forgetting about my injury and immediately regret it as the whole room spins. I collapse back, retching again at the feeling of it all. My nurse is right there telling me to relax. Does Drew know I’m here? I start to cry from the confusion fogging my brain before I drift off into my gravol laced sleep, trying to remember everything that happened before I landed in the hospital.
DREW
We arrive at the hospital and Nixon greets us in the parking lot. He makes sure the driver knows to stay and wait then engulfs me with a huge hug. I can tell he’s been crying because his eyes are red and he looks like he hasn’t slept in a week. It’s good to know he cares about Sam as much as I do. He’s a good friend and I’m overwhelmed with emotion knowing not one but two people have come through for me today when I needed them.
“Becky, thanks so much for getting Drew here quickly. You were definitely in the right place at the right time to help.”
“It’s what friends do. Happy to help. Do you want me to go up with you, Drew? I can wait here until we know what’s going on if you want?”
“No, come on up, please. I don’t know what else I might need, or Sam for that matter. If you don’t mind, please, I’d like you there.”
She looks at Nixon and then me, “Okay, but just don’t be afraid of telling me to get lost if you want to. If I’m intruding or whatever…” she trails off suddenly, looking very unsure of herself and what she’s doing there with us.
“Becky, you’re my friend. You’re also one of three women in my entire life that has ever seen me cry. One of them was my mother. So please, come up and know you’re needed.” I give her a gentle hug to show her I’m serious and grateful to have someone there for me.
She smiles shyly and lets Nix lead the way.
Nix fills me in as we continue to Sam’s room. I’m vibrating with remorse, anger and helplessness. Just as we arrive at her room, Nix stops us.
“I need to warn you, Drew, she doesn’t look very good right now. Just prepare yourself and don’t be shocked, okay?”
I scoff, “I know how bad broken noses can be, I understand, Nix.” I move to pass by him but Nix stops me, grabbing my arm.
“Drew, just…I don’t know. It was hard for me to see her like that. I just wanted to warn you that she’s not the same beautiful girl that left two days ago, is all.”
“Of course she is, Nix. Just because her face is banged up doesn’t mean she’s not beautiful. She gets her outside beauty from what’s inside.” I thump my fist on my chest over my heart. “Wounds will heal. As long as she’s okay on the inside, she’s still my beautiful girl.”
He gives me a nod in understanding.
“We’re going to make some plans and I will check in with you shortly.” Nix leaves taking Becky with him.
I gulp a deep breath to prepare myself and enter Sam’s room, hoping I can keep myself together.
SAM
I slowly try opening my eyes, and I’m thrilled my left eye is a tad more open than the last time I tried. The room is fairly dark, curtains are closed and the only lighting seems to be coming from a small light in the bathroom. It’s hard to tell with only one good eye opening. I can hear something that sounds like a snore over the soft beeps of monitors. I slowly turn my head that way, testing the movement to see if the room spins.
So far so good.
The sight that greets me makes my heart lurch. Drew is slumped back in what appears to be the most uncomfortable chair. One hand is holding mine, while the other is holding a pillow scrunched under his head. I give his hand a squeeze, and he jolts awake as if he wasn’t really sleeping at all.
His eyes swing over to meet my one and I can see the relief on his face. He leans forward and gently brings my hand up kissing the back of it. “I’m so happy to see you awake, beautiful.” He brushes some stray hair off my forehead. “You gave us quite the scare.”
