Chapter Thirty-Five
My hands are sticky with blood and I can’t stop shaking. I don’t know if it’s from being cold or pure overwhelm at the situation. If it weren’t for Wild by my side, I’d be so lost.
What’s taking so long?
They took Rowdy back what feels like hours ago and haven’t given us any updates. I’m going insane with worry.
“For heaven’s sakes,” a familiar female voice cries out. “You’re covered in blood, hon. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
At the sound of Gwen’s voice, I burst into tears. I’d texted her after they took Rowdy back, sobbing about him getting attacked. I’m shocked my phone managed to understand a word I was saying.
“You good?” Wild asks hoarsely.
I give him a nod and allow Gwen to help me to my feet. She’s gentle as she guides me down a corridor. Once inside the bathroom, she hugs me tight. I cling to this woman, wishing my mom were here instead.
“Come over here and let’s get you washed up,” she says in a soothing voice. “Here we go.”
The water is pretty hot, but I like how it feels on my numb hands. She uses a lot of soap and scrubs her hands all over mine to get them clean.
“Your chest is bloody too. Why don’t we take that shirt off so I can clean you there?”
I stand still, tears rolling down my cheeks, as Gwen undresses my top half and washes away the blood.
My brother’s blood. Bile creeps up my throat.
If I had anything in my stomach, I would no doubt puke it all up.
Once clean, Gwen puts my T-shirt back on and then helps me into my coat that isn’t doing much to keep me warm.
“Let’s get some coffee in you, Destiny. Maybe a little something to eat, too. Then you can tell me all about it.”
She puts her arm around my shoulders and guides me out of the bathroom. Since Wild doesn’t run over to me with any news about Rowdy, I assume there isn’t any. I’m not keen on leaving the waiting area, but I can’t run on fumes. I need a distraction and something hot in my belly.
We walk down another long hallway until the scent of coffee hits my nostrils.
“There’s a Starbucks here,” she explains as we enter what sounds like a bustling place. “Not the good stuff we love, but it’ll do in a pinch. I’ll get you something. Can you have a seat here and wait?”
After she leads me to a chair, she disappears. I sit completely still like a statue. I’m unable to understand how something so sick and horrifying could happen to my brother. I’d had a sixth sense he was in danger, but I was way off course when it came to who and where the danger was from.
Gwen eventually returns with our coffees and something that smells savory. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I polish off both the egg bites she gives me.
“So,” she implores, “what happened?”
Despite my anger and confusion at what happened, it’s still instinctual to protect our family from the outside world. I give her an edited version and hope she’ll accept it. Gwen’s intelligent and will no doubt read between the lines, and that’s fine, but I don’t want to say it out loud.
“Rowdy was attacked and stabbed multiple times with a kitchen knife.”
“By whom?”
I swallow hard, pain cracking my chest wide open. “By my aunt.”
“Why?”
Because she thought Rowdy was raping me. At least that’s what she kept screaming about as Wild forcefully held her back. I realize it was all to protect me, but she was wrong. It was consensual.
“She got confused and thought he was a bad man,” I say, trembling. “It was early and everyone was tired. The night before, the Brawny Slasher went after my brother. I’m sure she thought the serial killer had gotten in somehow.”
Gwen blows out a breath. “Wow. I’d heard on the news the alleged killer had been arrested, but I had no idea about the rest. I’m so sorry, Destiny.”
“We have no idea if he’s going to live or die,” I choke out, another endless waterfall of tears coming down. “I can’t live without my brother. He’s my best friend. My favorite person in the world. I love him.”
She squeezes my hand. “I’m hoping he pulls through, sweetheart. But no matter the outcome, I’ll be here for you to help you through it.”
I’m grateful, too.
“Are you all Rowdy’s family?”
At the sound of a man’s voice, I jolt awake in Gwen’s arms in the waiting room. Wild, who’s been holding my hand, drops it to race over to him. I follow after him, craning my head to listen.
“We are,” Wild confirms with a sharp exhale. “Is he alive?”
“Yes. I’m Dr. Killborn.” He lets loose a tired sigh. “Please, sit. I promise I come bearing good news. It’s just been a long day.”
He’s alive.
My brother is alive.
We sit back down and Dr. Killborn drags a chair over to us. Once he’s settled, he tells us everything we need to know.
“Rowdy is stable right now,” he says, a smile in his voice.
“Of course, he’s critical, which is expected when there are multiple stab wounds to a person’s back.
” He pauses for a moment, the sound of his hand scratching through his beard echoing in the small waiting room.
“The bad news is he sustained two fairly deep wounds. One punctured his left lung and caused it to collapse.”
I bring my hand to my chest and struggle to breathe. Gwen pats me gently on the back.
“Don’t worry,” Dr. Killborn continues. “He has a chest tube and is on oxygen. The other serious wound was the one near his kidney. A lot of internal bleeding that needed repairing. Because of Rowdy’s muscle tone and size, he mostly received non-life-threatening ones.
There was a critical amount of blood loss, which required transfusions.
If he were someone much smaller, it could have been deadly. ”
“When can we see him?” I ask, voice wobbling. “He needs to know I’m here. I’m his only family here right now.”
“I understand,” the doctor says. “Right now, he’s sedated and in the ICU.
We need to keep a close eye on him for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours, which are the most critical for Rowdy.
Infection, blood clots, or other complications could arise, so we need to stay on top of that.
But your brother is a strong man and a fighter.
I believe he’s going to recover from this. ”
He’s going to live.
My tears of joy drown out the rest of his words.
It’s not often I’m thankful for my blindness, but now is one of them.
Wild curses when we’re able to finally go in and see Rowdy.
He must look pretty bad with wires and tubes coming out of him.
All I hear, though, are the steady beats and other sounds on the machines, which comforts me.
I fumble on the bed until I find Rowdy’s hand.
It’s warm and strong, even in his current state.
He’s going to be okay.
“I’m here,” I tell him in a shaky voice. “You’re okay.”
Since he’s sedated and sleeping, he doesn’t respond. Wild touches my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.
“Now that I know he’s going to live,” Wild says, “I’m going to meet up with my uncle, Will. What’s the official story?”
That your mother stabbed my brother and lover in the back and nearly killed him.
Instead of voicing the truth, I repeat what I told Gwen. It’s not like I want Aunt Eve to get into trouble. She was confused and triggered by what she saw. I’m sure when she snaps out of it, she’ll realize what she’s done and feel awful about it.
“Okay,” Wild says with a relieved sigh. “I’ll let him know. Our dads should be here within a few hours or so.”
Knowing my dad is on the way makes me want to start sobbing again. But Rowdy needs me to keep it together right now. I don’t want to cause him any undue stress.
“Thank you,” I murmur, hugging Wild. “I’m sorry about how things transpired between the two of you. You love him deeply and he’ll never be able to reciprocate the way you want. I hate that I’m culpable in breaking your heart.”
He squeezes me. “Rowdy deserves all the love in the world. I see the way he looks at you. There is joy in his eyes I never knew existed. That right there softens the blow.” Then he chuckles and messes my hair up. “But I’m still going to arrest you two once I become a cop.”
I stick my tongue out and he laughs harder.
“Bye, Wild.”
“See you soon, Destiny.”
I hear a voice down the hall that soothes my soul.
Daddy!
In the hustle to get to the hospital, I didn’t bring the cane Rowdy made me, but I’ve already memorized the distance from the chair by Rowdy’s side to the bathroom door.
The room door is beyond that. I don’t need my cane.
When I fling open the door, a smoky scent swirls inside.
Though similar to Rowdy’s smell, it’s still unique enough I can distinguish them apart.
“Daddy!” I cry out, launching myself at him.
His big, strong arms encircle me and he picks me up. He carries me back into the room, stroking my hair and whispering soft, gentle assurances. I missed him so much. The tears are never ending as I cling to my father, who I know will make sure everything is all better in the end.
I can’t believe he’s finally here.
After a long embrace, he pulls me into his lap and we sit beside Rowdy’s bed.
“Where’s Uncle Atticus?”
“Dropped me off and then went over to Will’s with Wild.”
“How was Aunt Eve?” I shudder in his arms. “I don’t understand why she attacked him so violently. Why didn’t she confront him instead?”
Dad sighs heavily as if the words to come out of him are tiring. “She was upset. Horrified at what she’d done.”
“He’s going to be okay, Dad.”
“Wild texted Atticus and told him. The message came through when we were able to get a cell signal.” He strokes a palm through my hair. “Are we going to talk about why Eve thought Rowdy was raping you?”
I stiffen in his arms. “What do you mean?”
“Dez, angel, you know what I mean. I’m already dealing with three knuckleheads who got themselves in a similar predicament. Be straight with me, kid.”
“I love him,” I whisper.
He doesn’t reply, but no anger explodes out of him either.
“You’re not going to yell?”
“I think the surprise of something like this has worn off. Your older siblings already gave me the gray hairs. None left for you.”
I laugh softly. “He’s so good to me.”
“I raised him right.”
“Sure did.” I release a shuddering breath. “Aunt Eve walked in on us having sex, Dad. She’d been acting strangely whenever we’d get close or were alone together. I just never expected her to stab him over it.”
“Eve had it rough. Her brothers and father treated her as if she were a vessel to have their babies. They raped and abused her nonstop. After those same men hurt your mother, I went after them. Took every single life in that shack, leaving little Eve all on her own.” He pauses and then exhales in a rush.
“I imagine, when she saw Rowdy on top of you, she was triggered. Had a flashback or some shit. Your brother was the receiver of her rage and hatred toward the men she couldn’t save herself from long ago. ”
Aunt Eve was present the day Rowdy was born. Mom loves telling the story about how she helped Dad with the delivery and even brought their new baby handmade gifts. For her to attack him so brutally, she clearly wasn’t in her right mind. Aunt Even loves Rowdy.
And yet…
“Are Mom and the kids safe with her?” I ask, hating that I have to.
“Yeah, kiddo, they are. Plus, your mother can handle herself.” Dad gives my hip a quick pat. “Well, that was perfect timing. Someone’s awake.”
Awake?
I jolt out of his lap and reach for Rowdy’s hand. As soon as mine slides into his, I feel the slightest squeeze.
He’s alive. Rowdy is actually alive. We’re going to be okay.
And because I don’t care what anyone thinks, I bend over, cup his cheek with my other hand, and plant a kiss on my brother’s face.
Thank you, God, for giving my brother back to me.