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I guess that meant I was a drunken idiot too.
“It sounds as if you're blaming the victim here. Didn't you have anything to drink that night? Weren't you driving your car with your girlfriend Charlotte in it while you were under the influence?"
He gave no reply but his body language spoke volumes.
“So maybe you behaved kind of recklessly yourself Mr. Sinclair? Plus - you put your girlfriend at risk too."
Trey started to smile, enjoying our exchange. “First of all, Charlotte isnotmy girlfriend. That's really the first time we've been out; she asked me to be her date at some function at her club so I accepted. Secondly—”
Just then, the door to my hospital room opened and a smiling Ray and Denise walked in. My spirits immediately lifted.
“Hey there, girl, how are you doing?” Denise gushed as she entered. Ray came to my bedside and gave me a peck on the forehead then started talking to Trey; they retreated over to the window, lowering their voices. I strained to hear them, but my attention shifted back to Denise as she recoiled at my hair.
“My oh my, girl. Don’t they allow you to shower here?” she asked, her lip curled up in disgust. “Why your gorgeous hair looks like it’s had pure lard combed through it!”
I saw Trey momentarily stop his conversation, glancing over at me. I blushed with embarrassment.
Trey spoke up, “She just really came around fully today, Denise. There was no way anyone was going to be able to get her into the shower. She can’t have anything more than sponge baths until they remove her catheter, anyway.”
Catheter? But that’s for…
I slowly lifted up my covers and pulled up my hospital gown in front to get a peek.
Sweet Jesus!
I peered down at the side of my hospital bed; naturally it was on the side that faces the window where he and Ray were standing in plain sight. I felt my face warming. My eyes flew up and met his amused gaze. He'd thoroughly enjoyed watching me figure it all out.
Damn, how much had he seen over the past several days? Trey and Ray resumed talking. I was relieved that his attention was diverted away from the pee bag and my nasty hair. Denise was futilely trying to run a comb through my hair when I heard Trey’s voice rise in response to something that Ray had told him.
“How many days since he last ate?” Trey questioned.
“Three.”
Trey looked irritated. He absently raked a hand through his hair, taking a moment to think before speaking again.
“Okay, Ray, have Clint mix up some of that special oat grain and barley meal. Tell Clint to let Derringer free feed until I tell him differently, got it?”
“Sure thing,” Ray answered.
“What’s going on with Derringer?” I demanded, interrupting their conversation.
“Derringer's going to be fine, Tylar,” Trey said, sensing that I was becoming upset. “Just a little hunger strike going on that’s all. It’s temporary, I’m sure. He’s probably missing someone that’s taken to spoiling him,” he said pleasantly.
I frowned, worried about the Lipizzaner. Denise spoke up.
“Tylar,” she said congenially, “I don’t want to be pushy, hon, but if you want me to, I can ask at the nurse’s station if they will let me help you into the shower. I can shampoo and condition your hair for you if you want.”
“Denise, I'll love you forever if you can swing that,” I answered eagerly. “Can you let them know that I'm able to use the bathroom now so I can get this catheter removed?”
“Sure thing, hon, you just sit tight. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”
Ray came over and sat down on the edge of my bed. “We sure miss you, Ty,” he smiled, his eyes crinkling. “I can tell you this Trey reamed the whole bunch of them real good, especially Jenna and Clint.”
“No,” I exclaimed, glancing at Trey who stared absently out the window. “Clint had no hand in this at all, Ray. I know that for a fact. Now Jenna, yeah, I wouldn’t put anything past her, but still, I can’t think she would do something to purposely hurt me.”
“What do you mean ‘Clint had no hand in this?’” Trey interrupted, his eyes blazing directly at me.
Maybe he hadn't been distracted at the window after all.
