I had no idea what was going on. I mean, why were these guys doing this to me? Five on one seemed a little unfair. No wonder my whole body was aching. I was being tossed from one to another like a ragdoll.
As I hit the ground with what sounded like a monstrous crack to my head, all I could see was Denise walking away, without even looking back! The pain rushed to my head so strongly I felt as if my brain was going to explode! Feeling had left my lower body.
I thought my legs had been ripped off, but that wasn't true because my neck had been twisted so I could see my legs. I could tell I was being bent in ways God never intended.
Shouting for help had occurred to me, but only momentarily. Now I could hardly breath let alone scream! Then,
out of the corner of my eye I saw two of my friends running toward me. Though in the distance, I couldn't tell which ones. After that mere glimpse of hope, I blacked out.
*********************************
Next thing I knew I was waking up in a strange room; my guess, a hospital. Once again I could see my legs, both in the air, in slings attached to a pole. My arms felt like heavy paperweights, and when I looked at them, they, like my legs, were both wrapped in casts.
Was I in a body cast or something? Even my stomach was in a bandage. And the worst was my face! When I finally was able to lift my arms up, I felt the head gear. A plastic tube was running out my nose to an oxygen tank off to my right. Just then my sister Beth walked in.
"Hey big bro. How you doing?" All I could do was groan. "That well, huh? I brought us some coffee." She pulled up a chair and sat by my bedside. "You've been out for almost two whole days now. I was wondering when you where going to wake up."
"Tell me, Beth, how bad do I really look?"
"Honestly?" I wanted the truth and I knew Beth would be straight with me. "Pretty bad. Those guys really did a number on you. You where lucky Bill and Joey showed up when they did." She must of been lost for words, because she suddenly started crying. "I'm sorry this happened."
"Hey, it's not your fault." My sister crying for my sake started to make me feel even worse.
She looked at me through her tears, "These kind of things aren't supposed to happen to someone like you. I'm going to kill that bitch Denise!"
"Oh come on, Beth."
"Don't tell me your going to defend her? She's been a thorn in your side for long enough. That was her Ex who did this to you, and she just turned her cheek! Joey told me that he saw her walking away as all this happened. You've got a good heart, Johnny, but this time you can't forgive. I won't let you forgive! Think about what she's done, almost ruined if not ended your life. Broken ribs! Legs! arms! a concussion! You need to be hooked up to oxygen. Talk to your Doctor. 'Cause I'm out of here, I can't take it!" Just like that she was out the door.
I didn't need to talk to my Doctor, I knew that things where bad. I just hoped that Beth wasn't going to go and do anything rash. She didn't like Denise. Not many of my friends did. But Denise was one good looking babe to have as a girlfriend, and we did get along; sometimes.
We had only been going out for about four months up until this point, I guess that's over now. She's a bit of a wild thing. Extremely beautiful and sexy. The guys agreed with me on that. And she was the one, and pretty much the only one, who showed first interest in me.
She could of been the perfect girlfriend if she had just lost that Bitchy attitude, 'cause she was sweet at times.
Everyone other than myself hated Denise. I guess I was blinded. Not by love. By good looks and sex!. The only person to hate her more then Beth was Sarah. I don't really know why.
Everyone's hate sort of developed, quickly, over time; Sarah more or less disliked her from the start. It worked vis-a-versa too. Denise didn't like any of my friends.
My sister most notably because Beth always looked out for me. But it's as if she where jealous of Sarah.
"Hello there." It was the Doctor. "Just need to check you out and change your oxygen tank Mr. Baxter." I hated being referred to as 'Mr. Baxter'.
I just smiled and said that I was ok. As he changed the tank, he explained what happened to me, all of which could of been summed up to "some very bad people kicked the crap out of you!"
"Now you're going to be on your back for quite a while to come, Mr. Baxter. Plenty of rest in this bed is what you need. You'll be here in the hospital for the next couple of days, at least."
How wonderful that sounds! Beth was right, Denise is a Bitch!
As the Doctor left, Bill and Joey came in the door.
"How's my man Johnny doing?" Joey was always the kind to want to cheer people up and make everything happy and nice. "I was so worried for you, man." He was also very sensitive. Most people never really got that. He was stereotyped as a tough guy, which he was as well, because he was a jock, always working out in the gym, and not the most scholarly person. "These are for you." He put the gift on a table by my bed.
"Flowers? You got me flowers?"
"Hey, Joey here insisted we get you something." It seemed Bill was forever explaining Joey's actions. He was definitely the brains of the duo. Carefree, but taking life seriously at the same time. "I thought just a card, but he said that wasn't enough. These flowers were the only thing in that gift shop we could afford." Bill stood there with a coy smile on his face.
"What's up with the smile?" I always new when Bill was withholding some valuable information.
He started by shaking his head. "You are Mr. Popular back at school. Everyone's talking about you and sending their wishes for you to get well."
He moved over to the foot of my bed so I could fully see him as he explained the forth-coming story. "The whole 'get well Johnny' campaign is being lead by your sister, and first in command is that sweet little thing who I still say has the major hots for you."
I looked up in surprise, "Sarah?"
"Funny how hers is always the first name that pops into your mind. So why the hell are you denying anything between you?"
"We're just friends." My answer seemed to be getting more and more muffled with contradictory feelings every time I said it.
"And I suppose next your going to tell me that Denise is still your girlfriend?"
"No. I saw her walk away. And I'd have to be pretty stupid to think her Ex, beating me to a pulp was only mere coincidence. No, we're over. But Sarah ............."
"..... But nothing! Let me tell you a story." I almost laughed at Bill's rolling of the eyes as Joey pushed him aside to take over the telling of the story.
"Sarah, got herself suspended from school!"
"What?" This was news to me. "Why?"
"Well, everyone knew Denise was the reason behind you being ambushed and beaten up, but there was no real proof. Nothing happened to Denise , even when her boyfriend and his buddies where arrested, thanks to me and Billy boy."
Joey started helping himself to the half cold coffee and donuts Beth had left. "You mind?" I shook my head to allow him the food so he'd continue the story. "Anyway, Denise was hated even more now, but nothing major was making her pay. That's where Sarah took over."
"She took the law into her own hands!" Now Bill was speaking. It was like tag team storytelling! "It was at lunch, in the outside parking lot where everyone hangs out. Denise came walking along, people giving her the evil eye, when Sarah came, said nothing, and just jumped her."
Now Joey chimed in again. "Two of Denise's only remaining friends tried to help, but Sarah overpowered them, threw them aside and continued to thrash Denise!"
"Get out!" I couldn't believe it.
"Yeah man, I'm surprised Denise didn't end up in here as well. Sarah got herself suspended for fighting, for you. How you feel about just friends now?"
"Yeah man, think about that." Joey was now done with the donuts and wanted to go down to the cafeteria to get some more food. Bill went with him. "We'll be back."
They were out the door. I sat there thinking about the story I was just told. Why would Sarah do that? If anyone did it I thought it would of been Beth, not Sarah. Sarah and I had been best of friends since kindergarten, and she wasn't the violent type.
Recently her and I joined a health club that offered us a kick-boxing course, which we took. But it was like pulling teeth to get her to take it with me.
It was just so hard to believe that she was now suspended from school for fighting. Viciously, the way Bill and Joey told it. However, a part of me felt proud to have someone that would do that for me.
But I never wanted any of my friends to suffer anything on my account, especially Sarah. Maybe there was more to this friendship thing.
I could hear the overhead PA, it said visiting hours where almost over. Bill then entered.
"Sorry man, we lost track of time and Joey told his mom he'd be home by 8:00 pm. It's already that time, so we gotta go."
"That's ok, I'm just glad you guys came."
"We'll be back tomorrow. See ya."
Well, I guess that was it for visitors today. I was about to grab the television converter from the table and watch some t.v., when Sarah walked in.
"Sarah." I was kind of surprised and happy at the same time to see her.
"Hi Johnny, how ya doing?"
"I'll survive." I also felt better seeing her, but didn't say.
"I'm glad to hear it." Her eyes sort of sunk to the floor, not knowing what to say.
We almost cut each other off by trying to speak at the same time, but I allowed her to lead. "I was really upset to hear that this happened to you. Can I do anything to help try and make it better?"
"I don't know." That was stupid. I should of said "Stay by my side and tell me you're starting to feel for me whatever it is I'm starting to feel for you", but I didn't. Maybe it was because I knew she only felt friendship for me, no matter what the guys said. "I mean what's left to be done?"
That sounded even more stupid!
"By that I'm guessing you heard about my suspension and all?" Her voice sounded so pure and innocent to me, I never noticed it before.
"Why did you do that, Sarah?"
She looked straight into my eyes with a hurt look. "You don't know?"
"No." I had no idea what she meant by that.
She started as if she where making a speech, only a very personal and touching one. "You do so much for me. You listen to me and you understand me. You're there to comfort me when times are rough, and you're there to tell me when I'm acting foolish or getting in over my head."
Her speech continued. "You make me laugh and enjoy life. You make me think about and see things in a whole new light. You are my best friend in the whole world and the one thing I know I can always count on."
I never saw that coming. And it hit hard! Not a word was spoken as we both stared at one another. I had no idea what to say.
She moved a step closer to my side and took my hand. My gaze never left her. "And you do one more thing for me."
I felt tears from my eyes. "What's that?"
She held her other hand up to her heart as her eyes too filled with tears. Even though no words were forthcoming I knew exactly what she meant.
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