Chapter 18 – Presley
PRESLEY
After the incident with the former detective, my hope for a few days of calm and normalcy vanished when my daughter called during her lunch period two days later. She rarely, if ever, called me during the school day, so I immediately assumed something was wrong.
“Mom,” she cried as soon as I answered. “There was a fight at school.”
A fight. Not a shooting.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she sniffled. “But Ms. Manning isn’t.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Two guys started yelling in the cafeteria and a crowd formed. Ms. Manning was trying to get the crowd to move along while other teachers broke up the fight. I couldn’t see what happened, but one of the guys fell on top of Ms. Manning.
When he got up, she didn’t. Kaeli and I tried to help, but they made everyone leave the cafeteria.
I don’t know how badly she’s hurt, but they took her away in an ambulance. Can you be her nurse?”
“I can try. If not, I’ll definitely check on her, but you know I won’t be able to tell you anything,” I reminded her.
“I know, but I’d feel better if you’re the one taking care of her.”
“On that note, I need to call Ink and tell him what happened before she is my patient. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m just really worried about her. The guy who fell on her is huge, and Ms. Manning is tiny.”
“All right. Call me back if anything changes. I love you.”
“Love you, too. Thanks, Mom.”
As soon as she ended the call, I found Ink’s name and tapped the screen. When he answered, I heard the noise from the garage in the background and knew he didn’t know about the fight. If he had, he would have been on his way to the hospital.
“I don’t have a lot of time, and I don’t know any details, but Ariel just called to tell me there was a fight at the high school, and your mother got hurt. Ariel said she left in an ambulance. I assume they're bringing her here, but I don’t know that for sure.”
“Fuck,” he swore. “I’m leaving now. Can you be her nurse?”
“If that’s okay with you and her, I can ask.” Technically, she wasn’t family, and I didn’t know her. I knew her son. So, there wasn’t exactly a conflict of interest.
“It’s fine with me, and I’m sure it will be with her, too.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks. I’ll be there soon.”
After we ended the call, I went back to the nurses’ station to find the charge nurse and ask if I could be assigned to Ink’s mother.
“I don’t have a problem with it if she doesn’t,” Jennifer said.
“She’s never met me, but I’ll make sure she knows I’m friends with her son and the mother of one of her students.”
“If it’s an issue, Elizabeth can take her, and you can take the next patient.”
“Thanks, Jen.”
I had just enough time to check on my other patients before Ms. Manning arrived. “Hi, Ms. Manning. I’m Presley—”
“If you’re the Presley my son’s been talking about, I hope you’re going to be my nurse,” she said kindly.
“Yes, I’m that Presley, and I’ll be happy to be your nurse, if that’s okay with you.”
“It’s fine with me. And please, call me Nora.”
“All right, Nora, let’s get you checked in,” I said. “Ariel said a large boy fell on you during a fight at school. Is that correct?”
“Ariel? Ariel Calloway?” she asked.
“Yes, Ariel Calloway. She’s my daughter. I’m sorry. I was going to mention that when I told you I knew Ink.”
“She’s a sweet girl and an excellent student.”
“Thank you. She’s quite fond of you, too. She called right after the fight to tell me you were taken away in an ambulance.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “The powers that be insisted on sending me to the hospital. I tried to tell them it wasn’t necessary, but they wouldn’t listen. I’m sure I’ll have some bumps and bruises, but I don’t think I have any serious injuries.”
“Does anything hurt?”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “To be perfectly honest, my rear end is a bit sore. It bore the brunt of the fall.”
“I see. Well, let’s get you changed into a gown, and I’ll let the doctor know you’re ready. She may want to get an X-ray. Do you need help changing?”
“No. I can manage on my own.”
“I’ll be right outside. This is the call button. Press it if you need me.”
“Thanks, Presley.”
While she was changing, I found Dr. Lewis and let her know what was going on with Nora. “We’ll probably need to get an X-ray. I’ll be in to see her shortly,” she said.
As I was walking back to Nora’s room, I looked up to see Ink burst through the doors like a man on a mission. “Presley,” he exhaled, seeming relieved to see me. “How’s my mom?”
“She’s fine,” I assured him. “I was just going back to check on her. Follow me. I’ll show you where her room is.”
“Isaac,” Nora said, sounding surprised to see him. “What are you doing here?”
“I called him before you got here. I hope that was okay,” I said apologetically.
“What happened?” he asked his mother as he placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“A couple of boys got into a fight at lunch. I got knocked over during the process of breaking it up.”
“Mom,” Ink said slowly. “You should let some of the other teachers break up fights.”
She glared at him, and I almost laughed. “Other teachers were breaking up the fight. I was working on crowd control. Though I guess I was the one to break it up, because everything stopped when Silas fell on me.”
“Presley?” Kaitlyn called through the speaker on the wall in Nora’s room.
“Yes?”
“Room twelve is asking for something for pain.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right there,” I replied and directed my next words to Nora. “I’ll be back to check on you shortly. If you need something before then press the call button.”
“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she said.
I spent the rest of my shift running from room to room dealing with patients.
I barely had time to text Ariel and let her know I was going to go with Ink and help him get his mom settled before I would be home.
I wasn’t going to, because I didn’t want to leave Ariel at home any longer than necessary, but Ink told me that Jake was watching the house—something I didn’t know.
Another thing I didn’t know was that Dice and Daphne were picking us up from the hospital and driving us to Nora’s house.
“I don’t know why y’all are making such a fuss over me,” Nora said as Ink helped her into her seat.
“Because we love you,” Dice said simply.
“And I love you, too, but I have what amounts to a bruised butt. It’s certainly not a big deal.”
“It’s more than a bruise, Mom,” Ink said. “Your tailbone is broken.”
“Yes, I’m aware. I have one of the most embarrassing injuries. I don’t need you to remind me,” she replied, though it was clear she was teasing.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Ink countered.
“Says the man who isn’t sitting on an inflatable donut. There’s no way I’m taking this thing to school. The students would have a field day with all the possible jokes.”
“There are much nicer tailbone cushions and pillows available online. Some of them look like they’re intended to correct posture. I’m sure we can find one that will work for you,” I said.
“Thank goodness. I’ll look into ordering one of those tomorrow,” she said, wrinkling her forehead. “Where are we going?”
“I placed an order for pickup with Irene,” Ink said.
Nora smiled. “Perfect. I’m hungry, and I’m sure Presley is, too. You seemed to have a busy day. Is it always like that?”
“No, not always. Sometimes it’s slow, and some days are crazy, but most days are somewhere in between.”
“Well, I appreciate you coming along with us. I’m sure you’re exhausted after the day you had.”
“I’ll be okay. Starting tomorrow, I have the next ten days off.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Do you have anything special planned?”
“We’ve got a few things planned with my parents, but nothing major.”
When we arrived at Nora’s house, Ink got out first to help his mother. I had just stepped out when Ink wordlessly transferred his mother to me and whispered, “Stay here.”
Before I could respond, Daphne moved back to stand with us.
“Can we help you with something?” Ink asked loudly, followed by the distinct sound of a bullet being chambered.
“I’m here to see Ms. Manning,” a man said.
“Silas?” Nora asked and tried to move forward.
“Mom, wait!” Ink shouted at the same time Silas said, “Yes, it’s me.”
“Stop right there!” Dice yelled.
Nora clapped.
Clap ... clap ... clap, clap, clap.
Silas clapped the same rhythm in return.
“He’s my student,” Nora said calmly.
“How often do students show up at your house late in the evening?” Ink asked.
“Only on the days they fall on me,” Nora said. “Move aside, son. He’s not a threat.”
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Manning,” Silas rushed out. “Are you okay? They wouldn’t tell me anything at school.”
Nora sighed. “Normally, I wouldn’t invite a student into my home without their parents present, but under the circumstances, I’m going to make an exception. Let’s talk inside, if you’re comfortable.”
As we made our way inside, Nora whispered, “I’m going to downplay my injuries to Silas. Do you think you can keep my son’s big mouth shut when I do?”
I laughed. “I can try.”
“And let's try to keep that donut pillow out of Silas’s sight.”
“Are you sure? I don’t think you’re going to be able to sit long without it.”
Nora chuckled, “You misunderstood. I want to use the pillow, but I don’t want my student to see it.”
“Gotcha. Not a problem.” I grabbed a throw blanket from the couch as we passed and used it to cover the donut pillow before she got settled in her recliner.
“Please come in and have a seat,” Nora said to Silas, who was hovering by the front door.
“I don’t want to be in the way or anything. I just wanted to see if you were hurt. Are you?”
I grabbed Ink’s hand and tugged as I walked toward the kitchen.
“Can you show me where your mom keeps her cups and silverware? I’ll get her dinner ready while you guys are talking to the boy,” I said.
Ink stopped at the entrance to the kitchen and released my hand. “Cups are in the cabinet to the right of the sink. Silverware is in the drawer by the dishwasher,” he said, never taking his eyes off the large boy in his mother’s living room.
“Thanks,” I said loudly. “I’ll be right out with this. Oh! What does she like to drink?” I asked.
“Bottled water with a flavor packet. Water is in the fridge. Packets are in the drawer beside it.”
“Got it. Thanks,” I said and tugged on his shirt to get his attention. When he turned to me, I leaned up and gave him a quick kiss on the lips, hoping I’d given Nora enough time to discuss her injuries with Silas.
When I returned with Nora’s dinner, she smiled and whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” I said and moved to stand beside Ink, who was still staring down the kid like he’d intentionally hurt his mother.
“So, what was the fight about?” Nora asked.
Silas leaned forward and rested his elbows on his thighs. “I’d rather not say,” he said quietly and began fidgeting with his fingers.
“Can you tell me the reason you’d rather not say?” Nora asked carefully.
“My sister.”
Nora nodded thoughtfully.
“Isaac, honey, I think you and Dice might be able to help. Silas is eighteen years old, and he’s been the only one taking care of his younger sister since they were in elementary school.
I’m taking a guess here, but based on who he was arguing with, I’m thinking that boy threatened Silas's sister Skylar. Is that something you fellas deal with?” she asked sweetly.
“I feel like I’m in an after-school special,” Daphne said, breaking some of the tension in the room.
“Is that true?” Ink asked. “You fell on my mom because someone threatened your little sister?”
“Wait!” Nora said urgently. “I can’t hear certain things.”
“Neither can I,” I added.
“Let’s talk outside, kid,” Ink said.
“Are you sure about this, Ms. Manning?” Silas asked. “I think your son and his biker gang could do a lot more damage to me and my sister than Bill and his brothers could.”
“It’s a club,” Ink mumbled.
“That might be true if the Blackwings were the bad guys in this scenario, but they’re not,” Nora said confidently. “That family is the problem. I’ve taught all three boys, and I’m due to have their sister Billy next year. Trust me; it’s them.”
“What family is this?” Ink asked.
“The Woods/Smiths,” Nora said. “The oldest and youngest are Woods, and the two in the middle are Smiths.”
“Bill Woods,” Dice said as if he was testing the name.
“Yes,” Nora confirmed.
Dice sniffed and looked at Ink, who nodded once in response. Dice turned to Silas. “Yeah, we know of them. We’re not fans. We should talk outside.”
“Okay,” Silas agreed. “Ms. Manning, are you sure there’s nothing I can do for you?”
“I’ll be fine,” Nora assured him. “But I’ll be even better if you let my son help you and your sister. I know more than you think I do about what goes on around that school,” she said quietly.
“Thank you, Ms. Manning,” Silas said sincerely.
“And you tell me if my son forgets his manners while you’re outside,” she said loudly.
“Yes, ma’am,” Silas laughed.
“We shouldn’t be long, but don’t wait for us to eat,” Ink said.
“Not a problem,” Daphne said as she passed us on her way into the kitchen. “I need to eat.”