36. Helpless Feeling
HELPLESS FEELING
“ I want to go in with you,” Abe said when he pulled in front of Theo’s office. Thankfully Poppy had called and said Theo was in his office and to go right there; they were expecting her.
“Sure,” she said. “I might need you to hold my hand. The one that works.”
“I’m glad you’re joking about this,” he said.
He wasn’t sure his heart could take another second of it.
He kept seeing Daphne in a dead sprint beating him and his men to Holly, then diving through the air and catching the little girl as she slipped and fell.
Daphne’s body hit the ground hard and he heard Holly yelling. He thought they were both hurt.
The fact Holly was just scared made sense, but then he’d seen Daphne’s arm and knew something wasn’t right.
“There’s not much more I can do. I’m worried I’m going to get fired over this.”
“What?” he asked, as he parked the car. “Don’t get out. Let me help you.”
He stalked over to the other side, opened the door, and helped her get down.
“I wasn’t watching Holly close enough. I would have been fired for that at my other job. Or placed on leave pending an investigation.”
“That isn’t going to happen,” he said. “No way. You know that.”
“I don’t know anything,” she said, sniffling. “I know what the facts are and the fact is I messed up.”
He wanted to tell her to stop, but he really couldn’t.
It wasn’t his place to say she might not get fired, but he knew in his heart that wouldn’t happen.
He’d make sure he talked to Reese about it too.
The guy was thankful on the phone with him that his kids weren’t hurt and was upset that Daphne had gotten hurt in the process.
“You didn’t mess up,” he said. “Kids are kids and Holly is an active child. You know that. You can’t be in two places at once. She knows not to do what she did.”
“I know,” she said. “But she’s two.”
“That’s right. And Tatum is a baby and you were dealing with that and preventing him from choking on what he’d thrown up. Don’t even think of beating yourself up over this.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I know. It’s just...”
He hugged her to his side and helped her to the front desk. “Daphne Allen,” he said. “Dr. James is expecting her.”
“Yes,” the woman said. “I have some paperwork for you if you can fill it out. The nurse will be out to get you in a minute.”
He took the clipboard for her and brought her to the side to sit.
There were people looking at the two of them, but he didn’t care.
It was more the fact they knew Daphne was injured and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
“Can you write?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said. “If you hold the clipboard in place.”
He watched as she filled out the first sheet, then a nurse came out and called her name.
He took the board and went in with her.
The nurse did an exam quickly, took a bunch of the information, and typed it into the computer so that Daphne didn’t have to fill out any past medical history.
“Dr. James will be in in a few minutes. You’re his next patient.”
“I appreciate him seeing me at the last minute like this. I know he squeezed me in.”
The nurse smiled. “It’s fine. The hospital always appreciates this over someone going to the ER. In the end, it’s better for everyone.”
“And less wait time for sure,” she said.
The nurse left. “I bet we are still here for a bit,” she said. “I’m sorry you had to do this. Maybe I should have had an ambulance come.”
“Daphne,” he said. “Don’t tick me off. I was coming with you regardless. Just like I know you’d be here if it was me.”
“I would,” she said. “I’m sorry. I’m really messed up in the head. And it just occurred to me I should call Aster.”
“I’m sure Poppy told him and then said what happened.”
“Probably,” she said.
The door opened and he assumed that was Theo that came in. He’d never met the guy, but Daphne had said Theo did Aster’s surgery not that long ago.
“It looks like your family is keeping me busy,” Theo said.
“Not planned,” she said. “This is Abe Cooke.”
“Nice to meet you,” Theo said, shaking Abe’s hand. “I’ve heard about you. When I listen to Daisy talking about work and people. Sometimes it goes in one ear and out the other.”
He laughed. “I want to agree with you.”
“So you took a swan dive catching Poppy’s daughter?” Theo said. “I’ve heard she’s a handful.”
“She’s just active,” she said. “But a good kid. She doesn’t always listen when she gets excited. Like today.”
“Let’s take a look,” Theo said. “I’m going to need to get your shirt off. The nurse should have given you a gown, but we are a bit short staffed and she’s new.”
“She was very helpful and put all my information into the computer so I didn’t have to write it,” she said.
“And I can see you don’t like anyone to get into trouble for anything,” Theo said. “No worries. Let’s get your right arm out and see if we can slip your shirt over your head and off your left arm. The neck is pretty wide.”
“And the shirt stinks. I’m sorry. Tatum threw up on me and there is formula mixed in.”
Theo laughed. “I’ve seen much worse. If we can’t get it off, we’ll have to cut it. Then you’d be leaving in a gown or paper shirt.”
“I’d go buy her a new one,” he said.
“My hero,” she said.
But they did manage to get her shirt off of her. Abe had to hold back a gag when he saw her shoulder already bruising.
“Let me know if this hurts,” Theo said, touching her hand and arm, in different spots.
“Nothing,” she said. “It’s like my arm is dead now. It hurt at first.”
“You dislocated it. I’m going to pop it back in.
I’ll be honest. It’s going to hurt. There is no way around it, but once it’s in, you’ll be able to move it.
I can give you a shot to help with the pain after.
You’re going to need an MRI so I can see if you tore anything.
Sometimes it’s clean and you pop it back and rest it a few weeks and you’re good to go. ”
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” she said.
“Why don’t you lie down? I’m going to try to be quick about it. If I can. It’s not always possible.”
“Just do it and get it over with,” she said.
She lay down on the table.
“You should be good to go for your brother’s wedding,” Theo said. “Though it’s ironic that you’ll both have your left arm in a sling so close together.”
Theo was talking to Daphne as he worked.
“At least I wasn’t shot like my brother,” she said, laughing.
The minute she laughed, Theo moved quickly and there was a loud pop in the room.
Abe thought he was going to lose whatever food was in his stomach, but Daphne let out a shout and he jumped to run to her.
“Take a deep breath,” Theo said. “And another. Try to relax your arm. I’m going to give you a shot now for the pain.”
“Is it fixed?” he asked.
“It’s back in place,” Theo said. “Hopefully there isn’t any ligament or muscle damage. I won’t know until the MRI.”
He pulled a needle out of his lab coat.
“Please give me that,” she said. “All the pain is hitting me at once.”
Theo administered the shot while Daphne was white as a ghost and breathing heavily. His heart hurt so hard for her and the helpless feeling wasn’t a good one.
“It’s going to take a few minutes to kick in, but you’ll feel better. I’m going to move your arm around a bit to just check. Sit up slowly when you’re ready. Take your time.”
She took a few deep breaths and started to sit up, Theo helping her.
“It’s better, right?” she asked. “How long will I need to rest it?”
“To start, two weeks,” Theo said. “It’s going to depend on the results of the MRI.
I’ve already got them setting up the MRI once you leave here.
I don’t know if it’s going to be right away, but I’d like to get it today.
If there is any damage to your muscle or ligaments, the longer we wait to fix it, the worse it will be. ”
“You mean I might need surgery?” she asked. “I could be out of work.”
“Stop,” Abe said.
“I’ve got to work,” she said. “I mean I suppose I can pick Tatum up with my right hand. There are people out there with only one arm that have kids.”
“You should be out of work for two weeks,” Theo said. “That means no lifting anything at all.”
“Not even with my right arm?” she asked. “I can still watch Holly at least.”
“Don’t even think that,” Abe said again. “Let’s get through this. You know Poppy and Reese will understand.”
“They are great,” Theo said. “They really are. Don’t worry about them.”
“I’m trying to tell her, but she won’t listen. She’s kind of stubborn.”
“We all are in our own right,” Theo said. “Let’s get your arm in the sling now.”
“I need a new shirt. I can’t stand the way I smell.”
“I’ll go buy you one,” he said. “I should have grabbed one at your house, but I wasn’t thinking.”
“Head over to the hospital now. When you check out, they will tell you where to go and how long it might be for the appointment.”
“Thanks, Dr. James,” she said.
“Theo,” he said. “Once I get the results I’ll give you a call. I should have it tonight.”
“Maybe my future sister-in-law can put a word in with her brother, River.”
Theo laughed. “I’m positive that is going to happen,” Theo said. “That’s why I said I’ll get the results soon.”
Abe helped Daphne off the table, they checked out and were told they had an hour before her MRI appointment.
“Enough time to get me a shirt,” she said. “There is a store around the corner.”
He let out a laugh. “I know there is no arguing with you, is there?”
“No,” she said. “I stink. I can’t stand myself.”
“Now you know how I’ve felt most of my life with my job.”
“I didn’t really understand it until now,” she said. “I know I can’t help what happened, but this is horrible. It’s embarrassing too. But you never stink. I like the smell of you.”
“There is no way you are drugged right now with that shot, are you?”
“No,” she said, snorting. “I feel fine, other than pain. I’m only stating a fact is all.”
“I’m going to stay with you tonight,” he said. “You’re going to need some help. You’re not going to argue with me, are you?”
“No,” she said. “It’s going to take me time to get used to having one arm. And then I’ve got to talk to Poppy and Reese. I don’t know what to say to them.”
He wanted to growl at her but reminded himself that she’d spent her life living paycheck to paycheck, always worrying she might lose her job.
Even though he didn’t believe there would be any issues, he also knew it wasn’t his place to say everything would be fine.
“You tell them what you know,” he said. “And they know anyway.”
Ninety minutes later, Daphne was in the MRI machine and he was in the waiting room.
He’d sent a text to Reese to keep him updated and his phone rang.
“How is she?” Reese asked.
“Better. With any luck, there is no serious damage, but she’s upset and worried about her job. She is blaming herself.”
“That’s nonsense,” Reese said. “Everyone told me what they saw, and regardless, she saved Holly from getting hurt. Do you know how many times I have to tell my daughter not to do something? She listens to Daphne better than she does Poppy and me.”
“Daphne might like to hear that. She keeps thinking she might get fired.”
“That’s crazy. Poppy will be over tonight to check on her. Holly is upset. She says it’s her fault. It kind of is, but you can’t say that to a kid,” Reese said, laughing.
“No,” he said. “And Holly doesn’t need to bear that burden. Things happen. It’s just one of those things.”
“That is what I said to Holly. You’re staying with Daphne, right? If not, Poppy will want her at the main house with us.”
“I’m staying tonight. I’ll stay a few days until we get things figured out. She might kick me out before that, but I’ll be stubborn for a bit.”
“Good,” Reese said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
And hours later, he was cleaning up dinner that he’d made, Daphne on the couch resting. Not sleeping, but the TV was on and her eyes were shut.
She refused to take any pain medicine that would make her sleepy until she went to bed, so she was only taking over the counter stuff for now.
There was a knock at the door and he opened it.
Holly came running in before Poppy and went right to Daphne. “I’m sorry. I brought you flowers.”
Daphne gave Holly a one-armed hug. “It’s okay, honey. Accidents happen. And thank you for the flowers.”
“I’m so sorry.” Poppy came in next. She hugged Daphne. “We’ve told Holly so many times not to run away from us or climb on things. She listens to you but gets so excited over the equipment. She’s fascinated with it.”
“I can understand that,” he said. “I was as a kid too.”
“I don’t know what she was thinking. I’m glad she didn’t get very far up. I mean if she fell and you didn’t catch her, she could have gotten hurt more than scared.”
Holly was snuggling up under Daphne’s good arm.
“Maybe she won’t do it now,” she said. “Sometimes they have to learn that way.”
“I hope she does learn,” Poppy said. “My heart can’t take it. I feel horrible that you’re hurt from saving our daughter. I don’t want you to worry about work. You take care of yourself.”
“I need to work,” she said. “You need me to watch the kids.”
Poppy laughed. “I do need you to watch my kids, but you got hurt on the job. It’s called worker’s comp. You’re an employee. You can’t work. You’re covered. Don’t worry. But you’ll get your full salary. I don’t want you to think you’re going to lose your job or anything.”
Daphne sniffled. “But you need someone to watch the kids.”
“I do,” Poppy said. “Which is why we’ve got Julie as a backup.
For two weeks, she’s going to have one if not both.
Reese and I can flex our time to cover it.
We’ll work it out after that. If it means that Julie has to come here and you’re an assistant to her and entertaining Colin and Holly and she has the babies, then it is. Don’t stress, please don’t.”
“I’ll try not to,” she said. “Thank you.”
“If you’re stressing, then I’m stressing, and that causes wrinkles. Please, my daughter is giving me enough of them. I don’t need anymore,” Poppy said.
Daphne laughed. “Okay. I won’t.”
“Good,” Poppy said. “That’s settled and we’ll get out of your hair. Abe will take good care of you.”
“Bye,” he said when Poppy and Holly left.
“I want to say I don’t need you to take care of me,” she said.
“But you’re not going to, because you do need me. And if the roles were reversed, you’d do the same, right?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Then no more talk of it. No worries either. For the rest of this week, you can sit on the porch and watch me work. How is that?”
“That alone might have made it worth the pain,” she said, smiling.