Healing-Her-Heart - historia para filosofía PDF

Preview

Summary

historia para filosofía...

Description

HealingHerHeart AShortStory by

LauraScott

HealingHerHeart Book1intheCrystalLakeSeries ePubEdition ISBN:978-0-9894139-2-3 Copyright©2013byLauraIdingwritingasLauraScott CoverartbyTheKillionGroup,Inc. DigitalFormattingbyAuthorE.M.S. Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedanon-exclusiveandnon-transferablerightto accessandreadthetextofthiseBook.NopartofthiseBookmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded, decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,noworhereinafterinventedwithoutthe expresswrittenpermissionofthecopyrightowner. PleaseNote Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’s imaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoanyactualpersonslivingordead,business establishments,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental. Thereverseengineering,uploading,and/ordistributingofthiseBookviatheinternetorviaanyothermeans withoutthepermissionofthecopyrightownerisillegalandpunishablebylaw.Pleasepurchaseonly authorizedelectroniceditions,anddonotparticipateinorencourageelectronicpiracyofcopyrighted materials.Yoursupportoftheauthor’srightsisappreciated. AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-Americancopyrightconventions. ThankYou

ChapterOne “Larissa,Iputanewpatientinroomfourforyou,”MerryHaines,theHope CountyHospitalERchargenurse,calledout. “Okay.”LarissaBrockmanfinisheddocumentingonherrecentdischargeand thenpushedawayfromthecomputer.Thehourwaswellpastmidnight,butthe ERremainedincrediblybusyonthisMemorialDayFridaynight.Orrather, Saturdaymorning. Shecrossedovertoroomfourbutthenstoppedabruptlyinthedoorwayas shesawthefamiliarfaceofherpatient.AnnieHinkle,afifty-year-oldwoman lookingadecadeolderthansheshould,wasseatedonthegurneycradlingher rightarmagainstherchest. No.Notagain.Thetinyhairsliftedonthebackofherneckinalarm.Thiswa thesecondtimeAnniehadbeenhereoverthepastmonth.Thelasttimewasfor ablackeyethatshesworewasnotcausedbyherhusband,Kurt’s,fist. Whatwouldbeherstorythistime?Larissatookadeepbreathandletitout slowlybeforeenteringtheroom.“Hello,Annie.” “Hi.”Annie’sgazebarelymethersbeforeskitteringaway. “Whatdidyoudotoyourarm?”Larissaasked,keepinghervoicegentleas sheapproached.Shehadthedistinctimpressionthewomanwasontheedgeand wouldn’thesitatetofleeifcornered. “Ifelloffthefrontporch—youknowhowklutzyIam.”Annierefusedto meethergazebutkeptstaringdownatherarmasiftheinjurymighthealitselfi sheconcentratedhardenough. “Idon’tthinkyou’reklutzyatall,”Larissamurmured.“Showmewhereit hurts.” “Righthere,”Anniesaid,removingherlefthandtorevealadarklymottled bruiseencirclingherwrist.Larissafeltalittlesicklookingattheinjury,knowing therewasnopossiblewaythishadhappenedfromafall.Shecouldclearly envisionaman’slargehandsqueezinghardenoughtocausethis.She’dbe surprisedifthereweren’tafewbrokenboneshiddenbeneaththehorribly discoloredskin. “Okay,I’mgoingtogetyouacoldpackforthat,andI’msurethedoctorwill wantX-rays,too.”Shekepthervoicecalmwithaneffort.“Doyouneed somethingforpain?” Annieliftedhershoulderinahalf-heartedshrug.“Maybeapainpillwould help.”

Larissanodded,thinkingthepoorwomanneededfarmorethanapainpill. Shebattedawaveofhelplessnessaside.“Areyouhurtanywhereelse?”she asked.“Maybeyouhityourhead?Oryourribs?” “No,justmywrist.” “Allright,I’mgoingtocheckinwithDr.Allen,andthenI’llberightback.” “Sure.”Annie’sgazejerkedaway,causingLarissa’sstomachtoknot painfully. Sherecognizedthesignsandsymptomsofabuse.Onlytoowell.Dark memoriesfromthepastthreatenedtooverwhelmher,andshefoughtthemback withaneffort.Strugglingtokeepheremotionsundercontrol,shegrabbedanice packfromthesupplyrackandthenwentsearchingforDr.GabeAllen,the physicianinchargeofthepatientsonherteam. Hewasonthephonetalkingtotheinpatienthospitalistaboutapatienthe wantedadmitted.Shehoverednearby,waitinguntilhefinishedhiscall.Hehung upthephoneandflashedawarmsmile.“Hi,Larissa,what’sup?” Hissmilewasfartooattractive,aneffectshe’dbeenfightingformonthsnow. Sofar,shethoughtshewashidingherfeelingsprettywell.“Ineedyouto examinemypatientinroomfour,”shesaidinasofttoneinavoice.“I’m convincedshe’sbeingphysicallyabused.” Gabe’ssmilefaded.“Areyousure?” She’donlybeenanursehereattheHopeCountyHospitalforsixmonths,but she’dthoughtshe’dprovedhercompetencebynow.Shescowled.“Trustme, I’msure.” Gabegaveatersenod.“Allright,letmefinishupthisinpatientadmission, andI’llberightover.” “Thanks.”ShehurriedbackovertoAnnie’sbedside,squeezingthedisposable icepackbetweenherhandstoactivatethechemicalreactioninside.“Here,place thisaroundyourwrist,okay?”sheinstructed.“Dr.Allenwillbehereshortly.” Anniewincedbutdidn’tsayanythingassheplacedthecoldpackoverher wrist. Larissastruggledtofindtherightwordsthatmightbreakthroughthe woman’swallofdenial.“Annie,youdon’thavetoputupwithanyonehurting you.Wehaveprogramsthatcanhelpkeepyousafe.” “Noone’shurtingme,”Annieswiftlydenied.“ItoldyouIfellofftheporch.” Hervoicerosewithindignation,andinstinctively,Larissaknewsheneededto backofforthewomanmightbolt. “Okay,I’msorry.Ijustdon’tliketheideaofanyonehurtingyou.”Sheforced areassuringsmile.“You’resuchanicewoman,andyoucertainlydeservetobe treatedassuch.Oh,look,herecomesDr.Allennow.”

“Howareyou,Mrs.Hinkle?”heasked.“Iunderstandyoumayhavebroken yourwrist.” “Ifellofftheporch,”Anniesaid,repeatingherstorylikeaparrot. “Hmmm,”Gabemurmuredasheremovedtheicepackfromherwrist.His eyebrowspulledtogetherinadarkfrownwhenhesawtheextentoftheinjury. Heprobedtheskingently,hisexpressionserious.“We’regoingtoneedseveral X-raysofthiswrist,”hesaid. Larissaswiftlyloggedontothecomputer.“APandlateralviews?”sheasked assheenteredtheorder. “Yes.”GabereplacedtheicepackandgaveAnnieasternlook.“Youknow thisdidn’thappenfromafall,”hesaidbluntly. “Yes,yes,itdid.”Annie’svoicewasbeginningtosounddesperate.“I’m klutzyandIfellofftheporch.” Gabe’sfrustratedgazelockedonLarissa’s,andsheknewexactlywhathewas thinking.Shegavehimatinynod,acknowledgingtheirdilemma,andthen turnedtowardAnnie.“Okay,justrelaxfornow.Theradiologytechwillbehere shortlytotakeyouovertogettheX-rays.Dr.Allen,doyouthinkshecouldhave adoseofPercocetforthepain?” “Ofcourse.” “Great,I’llberightback.”LarissawalkedovertotheautomateddrugdispensingmachineandpunchedinherpasswordalongwithAnnie’snameand IDnumber.ThePercocetdrawerpoppedopen,andsheremovedonedosebefore closingitupagain.Whenshespunaround,shenearlybumpedintoGabe. “Wehavetonotifythesheriff’sdepartment,”hesaidinalowvoice. “Iknow.”TheWisconsinstatestatuteswereprettyclearregardingcasesof suspectedabuse.Still,sheknewthatdoingtherightthingcouldalsobackfirein abigway.“Butyouheardher.There’snowayshe’sgoingtopresscharges againstherhusband.AndI’mafraidthathe’llonlygetangrieroncethedeputy questionshim.Whatifhetakesthatangeroutonher?” Gabethrusthisfingersthroughhisdarkbrownhair.“Youcouldberight,but whatchoicedowehave?” “Idon’tknow,”sheadmitted,hatingthefeelingofhelplessness.Thesystem wassupposedtoworkforvictims,butmoreoftenthannot,itcreatedavicious cycle,onethatcouldn’tbebrokenunlessthevictimtookastance.Buttoomany ofthosevictimsdidn’t.“Letmetalktothesocialworkerfirst,okay?” “Okay,butgivingherpamphletsondomesticviolenceisn’tgoingtohelp,” Gabesaidwithadarkfrown.“Wehavetocalltheauthorities.” Shenodded,knowingwithasinkingheartthathewasright.Shecouldonly hopethatthepolicecouldgetthroughtoAnniebetterthansheandGabehad

beenableto. SheclosedhereyesandprayedthatAnniewouldn’tendupbackintheER withinjuriesthatwerefarworsethanablackeyeorabrokenwrist. Please,Lord,keepAnniesafe! ____________ Gabestaredatthedeputyindisbelief.“You’retellingmethere’snothingyou cando?” DeputyArmbrusterhelduphispalmsinahelplessgesture.“Whatdoyou wantmetosay?IcouldhaulKurtHinkledowntojail,butifshedoesn’tpress charges,he’llbeoutbymorning.” Thatcouldn’tberight.“Surelythere’senoughevidencetheretochargehim withabuseevenwithouthertestimony?” “Look,maybeheadmitshegrabbedhertoohard,andshejerkedawayand oops?Lookwhathappened?”Thedeputysighedheavily.“WithoutAnnie testifyingagainsthim,thiscouldbemadetolooklikesomesortofaccident ratherthananintentionalactofabuse.Withnopriors,he’llwalk.” GabesensedLarissabesidehim,andhewasannoyedthathe’drecognizedhe vanillascent.Regardless,hekepthisattentionfocusedontheproblemathand. Hejustcouldn’tbelievetherewasn’tsomethingthatcouldbedonelegallyto preventKurtfromhurtinghiswife.Again. “Whatabouttheblackeyefromafewweeksago?”sheasked. Gabescowled.“Idon’trememberthat.” “Youweren’tworkingthatshift,”Larissapointedout.“IwasonwithDr. Gardener.” DeputyArmbrusterpursedhislips.“Wecouldmaybearguethatit’sapattern, butagain,notlikely.Igotablackeyemyselfplayingsoftballwithmygirls.”He smiledgrimly.“MydaughterElisehasagoodarm.” Gabeunderstoodwhatthedeputywassaying,butthatdidn’tmeanhehadto likeit.“Sowhatcanwedo?” “Look,IcangochatwithKurtifyouwantmeto.Atleasthe’llknowthat we’reontohimand—” “No,”Larissainterruptedharshly.“Don’t.” “What?”Gabeglaredather.“Whynot?” “Becausehe’llbemadandtakehisangeroutonher,that’swhy.”Larissa turnedtowardDeputyArmbruster.“Ifyoucan’tarresthim,thenjustleaveit alone.” Gabecouldn’tbelievewhathewashearing.Whatwasshedoing?Whywasn’ Larissastandingupfortheirpatient?“IthinkitwoulddoKurtgoodtoknow

we’reontohim.” “Why?”Larissaasked,hergreeneyessparkingfire.“Sonexttimehecanhur herwherethebruiseswon’tshow?” What?Hetookastepback.“No,ofcoursenot.” “Leaveitalone,”shepleaded.“I’lltalktoAnnie,okay?MaybeIcanhelpin waysthepolicecan’t.” DeputyArmbrustershrugged.“Okay,letmeknowifanythingchanges.” “Gabe?Weneedyourhelpoverhere,”Merrycalled.“Thispatient’sbreathing isgettingworse.” “Goahead,I’lltalktoAnnie,”Larissasaid. Reluctantly,henoddedandhurriedovertowhereMerrywasstandingbeside anotherpatientwhowasclearlyindistress.Thebeepingoxygen-saturation monitorshowednumbersthatweresteadilydeclining.“Getmeanintubation traynow.” Allthoughtsregardinghisotherpatientsvanishedashequicklyfocusedon savingthisgentleman’slife.Heplacedthebreathingtubeandthenquickly connectedtheoxygensupply,givinghimseveralslow,deepbreaths. “O2satupto90percent,”Merryannouncedwithsatisfaction. Therespiratorytherapistcameovertosecurethetube.Gabekeptaneyeon theguy’svitalsigns,reassuredthathewasholdinghisown,atleastforthe moment.“Allright,calluptotheICUandletthemknowwehaveapatientfor them.” “Willdo,”Merrypromised. Gabedidaquickvisualcheckontheotherpatientsunderhiscarebefore headingbackovertowhereLarissawassittingbesideAnnieHinkle.Anniewas staringdownatthecasthe’dorderedtobeplacedonherwristafterdetermining thatindeedshe’dsufferedtwominorfractures. Whichcouldhaveeasilybeenfarworse.Thegoodnewswasthatshe wouldn’tneedsurgery. Thebadnewswasthathe’dhavetodischargeherhome.Backtoherabusive husband. Hepausedoutsidethedoorway,listeningasLarissaspokesoftlytoAnnie. “Here’smynameandphonenumber,”Larissasaid,pressingasmall,folded pieceofpaperintoAnnie’suninjuredhand.“Callmeifyoufeelafraid,orifyou justwanttotalk.I’dbehappytohelpinanywayIcan.” “Thankyou,”Anniewhispered.“Butreally,I’mfine.Justabitklutzy.” “RememberwhatItoldyou?”Larissaasked. AnnieslowlyliftedhergazetomeetLarissa’s.Hersoftlyspoken“yes” soundedalmostlikeanadmission.

“Callmeanytime,”Larissarepeated. “Iwill.” Gabestoodthereforalongmoment,wishinghe’dheardtheentire conversationbetweenthetwowomen.He’dsensedrightfromthestartthat LarissahadidentifiedwithAnnieonalevelthathecouldn’tpossiblyimagine. BecauseofherpreviousERexperiences?Orfromsomethingmorepersonal? Hewassurprisedbytheflashofangeratthethoughtofsomeonehurting Larissa. HesignedAnnie’sdischargeorders,unabletogetthethoughtoutofhismind Fromthemomenthe’dfirstmetLarissa,they’dconnectedonsomesortof subliminallevel.Hewasattractedtoher,notjustbecauseofherprettyfaceand soft,wavy,blondehair.Butbecausetheywerebothextremelydedicatedtotheir patientsandsharedthesameinterests,likerunning.He’dcaughtsightofher severaltimeswhenhetooktotherunningtrails,alwaysgivingheranodof recognitionbutneverstoppingtochat. He’dhadtoworkhardtokeephisdistancefromher.Romanceandworkdid notmix,alessonhe’dlearnedthehardway. He’dcometoCrystalLakeayearago,hispridebatteredandhisreputation tarnished.Afterayear,he’dgainedtherespecthe’dsodesperatelyneeded.Soon hehopedtowinthepositionofmedicaldirectorforemergencymedicine,putting hispainfulpastawayonceandforall. Herefusedtoevenconsiderapersonalrelationship,especiallywithoneofthe nurses. ButashewatchedLarissagiveAnnieabriefhugandescortheroutthedoor, hecouldn’thelpwishingthathe’dmetLarissaunderdifferentcircumstances. Thatshewasn’tanurseworkingintheERwithhim. Becausehelikedher,fartoomuch.

ChapterTwo Larissafinishedofftherestofhertwelve-hournightshift,gratefulwhenthe steadystreamofpatientsslowedtoameretrickle.Betweenherdeepconcerns overAnnieHinkleandherridiculousawarenessofGabe,shewasphysicallyand mentallyexhausted. Outside,shepausedtostareinaweattherisingsunslidingupthehorizonin theeast.Thebeautifulsighthelpedrestorehersenseofpeace. Churchserviceswouldbenice,too,eventhoughitwasSaturdaysheknew CrystalLakeChurchalwaysheldanearlymorningservice.Sheslidintohercar andheadedinthedirectionofthesmall,beautiful,whitechurchsteepleclearly visiblebetweentheleavesofthetrees.ShewasgladitwasMemorialDay weekendasshehadthenexttwodaysoffbeforeshehadtoreturntowork.As painfulasthetwelve-hourshiftsweretoendure,theextradaysoffwere wonderful. Atthestoplight,sheyawnedsowideherjawpopped.Hereyelidsbecame unbearablyheavy,andshepriedhereyesopenwithaneffort.Maybeitwas bettertoforgochurchservicesandheadhomesinceshewaslikelytofallasleep anyway.Herapartmentwasonlyafewmilesaway.Thankfully,shemadeit homewithoutaproblem. Inside,shesetheralarmtogooffinfivehours,soshecouldtrytogetbackon aday-shiftschedule.Theworstpartaboutworkingnightswasswitchingbackto dayshiftsonherdaysoff. Whenheralarmblaredfivehourslater,shegroanedandstaggeredoverto shutitoff.Everycellinherbodycravedmoresleep,butsheforcedherselfto stayupright. Acupofcoffeeandalightbreakfasthelpedclearawaythelingeringfog hoveringalongtheedgesofhermind.Shestaredoutsideatthebrightsunlight. Whatsheneededwasagoodrushofadrenalin.Shetuggedherrunninggearon, pulledherwavyhairbackintoaponytailtokeepitoffherneck.Avisorhelped blocktheharshraysfromthesunassheheadedoutside. Thefirsthalfmilewasthehardest,butonceshehitherstrideandwoundher wayalongthejoggingtrail,shadedbytoweringtrees,shefelteveryoneofher musclesrelaxintoanexhilaratingrhythm.Otherthanbeinginchurch,these werethetimesshefelttheclosesttoGod,andshesilentlyrecitedaprayerasshe ran. Distantsoundsoflaughterwaftedupfromthelake,wherelocalsandtourists

wereenjoyingthewater.Shelivedinasmallapartmentbuildingoutsideoftown withoutdirectaccesstothelake,althoughbuyingasmallhouseonthewater wasoneofhergoals. Maybenextyear,shethoughtwithasmile.She’dcometoCrystalLaketo escapeabadrelationshipandtogetfarawayfromthehighcrimerateof Chicago.Thenightthecopsbustedupadrugdealgoingdownintheapartment acrossthehallfromhershadpushedherovertheedge. Sofar,sheabsolutelylovedithereinCrystalLake. Herpeacefulrunwasabruptlyinterruptedbytheharshroarofamotorbike. Shehuggedthesideofthetrail,peeringoverhershouldertomakesureshesaw thecyclistbeforehecameuponherunexpectedly. Thegrowloftheenginebecamelouder,andshestifledasliverofunease.On wrongmoveonthisdirt-packed,hillytrailcouldresultindisaster. Themotorbikeabruptlycrestedthehill,headingstraighttowardher.She leapedoffthetrailtogetoutofharm’sway.Butshelandedoffbalance,herfoot slippingonlooserocksandbranches.Shewentdownhard.Themotorbike swervedaroundacurve,thedriverlettingoutaloudwhoop. “Idiot,”shemuttered,assessingforinjuries.Herkneesandthepalmsofher handswerescrapedrawfromhertumble,butitcouldhavebeenworse. Shestood,andherrightanklezingedwithpain.Great.Justwhatsheneeded —asprainedankleroughlytwoandahalfmilesfromhome. Thesoundofthemotorbikegrewlouderagain,andshestaredatthetrail, unabletobelievetheguyhadthenervetocomebackaftertherecklessstunt he’dpulled.Sureenough,hewasridingdownthetrail,onceagainheaded straightforher. Forasplitsecond,shehadthedistinctimpressionthathewaspurposely tryingtorunherdown.Shescrambledoutoftheway,graspingthetrunkofa treeforsupportasthemotorbikewhizzedby,soclosethatshecouldfeelthehea fromtheengineblastingagainstherlegs. Sheclungtothetreeforseverallongmoments,afraidthemotorcyclistwas goingtocomebackforathirdtime.Shesentupasilentprayer,thankingGodfo hersafety,beforeshefinallyletgoofthetreeandhobbledbackontothetrail. Shelimpedaspainreverberatedupherlegwitheverystep.Findingathicktree branch,sheimprovised,usingitasawalkingstick. Thesoftthudoffootstepsonthetrailmadehertense.Sheforcedherselfto relax;therewasnoreasonthedriverofthemotorbikewoulddecidetocome backonfoot.Itwasn’tunusualtopassotherjoggersonthetrail. Sureenough,arunnercameintoview.Atallman,wearingasweatyorangeT shirtandnavyblueshorts,withearbudstuckedintohisearsblockingoutthe

noise.Personally,shedidn’tgetwhyanyonewouldwanttolistentomusicwhile runningwhenthepeaceandquietwassomuchmoresoothing.Buttoeachhis own. Asthejoggerapproached,shegrimacedwhensherecognizedGabeAllen. Sheshouldn’thavebeensurprised;she’dpassedhimontherunningtrailsbefore andthey’dexchangedbriefgreetingsbeforeheadingtheirseparateways. Whenhecaughtsightofher,hefrownedandimmediatelysloweddown, tuggingtheearbudsfromhisears.“Larissa,areyouallright?Whathappened?” Shewil...