The Road To Forgiveness by Justine Elvira Read Free Book Online

my eyes as a strange old man hovers over
me with a small light. I can hear Sebastian’s voice off in the
distance along with my mother’s and Jonathon’s. I’m dizzy,
confused, and wondering where the hell I am.
    The old man moves the light out of my eyes as
he brings a stethoscope to my chest.
    A doctor. He must be a doctor. Why was I with
a doctor?
    My head is pounding and my hands
instinctively move to touch my forehead. That’s when I noticed the
small tubes coming out of my arm and the hospital wristband around
my wrist. My mouth is dry and I need something to drink. I also
need to know why I am in the hospital.
    “I’m thirsty,” I croak to the doctor in front
of me.
    “I’ll have the nurse bring you some water to
drink. How are you feeling?”
    How was I feeling? Confused, scared,
wondering what the hell happened.
    “I’m okay. I have a headache though,” I say
as I see the curtain open in front of me. In walks Sebastian
followed by my mother and Jonathon. Sebastian rushes to my side and
starts to caress my hair.
    “Thank God you’re awake. You scared the shit
out of me. One minute we’re talking and the next minute you’re
passed out in my arms on the bed.”
    I look into his eyes and see concern pouring
through them. He is worried about me. I glance over to my mother
who is looking adorably at Sebastian and then Jonathon who is
smirking at me. Enjoying every minute of the show, I’m sure.
    “I’m okay. I don’t know why I passed out but
I’ll be fine. How long have I been out?” I ask. It feels like I was
just arguing with him a few minutes ago.
    “It’s three in the afternoon. We’ve been here
for seven hours,” Sebastian says as he moves his mouth to gently
kiss my forehead before he continues to caress my hair.
    “Yeah, baby girl. Sebastian called me from
the ambulance. Scared me half to death. First, you don’t come home
and don’t call, and then I’m getting a call the next morning saying
you past out and are on your way to the hospital. I can’t handle
this kind of drama. You need to take better care of yourself… and
it wouldn’t hurt to give me a call and let me know when you aren’t
coming home.” He lifts his palms in defense to me, “I’m just
saying.”
    I laugh at this but the movement causes a
sharp pain in my head. I shoot another look to my mother. She looks
relieved but scared at the same time.
    “How are you, Momma? I hope I didn’t scare
you too much.”
    “Oh, darling, I wasn’t too scared. I knew you
would be okay. It’s just hard to be here, at this hospital, that’s
all.” She looks defeated. She was fighting some demons, the same
ones I was fighting.
    I was lying in County, the only hospital
within a reasonable distance from where we lived. The hospital
where Miles was announced dead.
    “I’m sorry. I really am but I’m fine, I
swear. We’ll be out of here as soon as you know it. Isn’t that
right, Doctor?” The old man is writing on my chart and he looks up
sharply as I call for him.
    “It’s Doctor Reynolds and that’s half true.
You should be able to leave today but you are not fine. Would you
like to speak in private or is it okay to talk in front of everyone
here?”
    Shit. What could be wrong with me? I want to
kick everyone out but I know my mother won’t leave without a fight,
Jonathon will want to stay just to be dramatic, and Sebastian won’t
leave if everyone else gets to stay.
    Without thinking, I nod my head in
encouragement for the doctor to continue. The fact that I’m
pregnant doesn’t even cross my mind. It never occurs to me that
this could have anything to do with the pregnancy.
    “I ran some tests and did some blood work and
it looks like you are in the early stages of toxemia. Your blood
pressure is high and you are showing high levels of protein in your
urine. It’s still a little early to tell. You’re what, eight or
nine weeks along? We’ll have to continue monitoring you but I am
going to ask you to stay in