Page 15 of My Destiny

He leans towards me, and speaks in a soft voice. “Don’t worry, I didn’t tell the nurse about the flies you’ve eaten. I’ll keep that between us. I’d hate to see you get in trouble.”

“Very funny,” I say, laughing. After standing to his full height, he slides his hands into his pockets. An endearing look takes over his face as he gazes down at me. It’s sweet and a little unnerving. This man makes me feel things I shouldn’t. “I hope they’ll let me leave today. I hate hospitals.”

“The nurse said the doctor should be doing his rounds soon, but the one I spoke with last night said they’d probably keep you here a few days for observation.”

I feel deflated when he says that, even though I’m not looking forward to going home to face Jake.

I watch as he places his hands on his lower back and stretches. “This seat doesn’t make the most comfortable bed.” He rolls his shoulders before moving his neck from side to side.

“Why don’t you head home?”

“I don’t want to leave you here alone.”

“I’m fine, honestly,” I say. “I’m no stranger to being on my own.”

“I wouldn’t mind having a shower and changing into some clean clothes. Is there someone I can call to come sit with you? Your parent’s? A friend?”

“My mother has passed.” I shrug, and he gives me a sympathetic smile. I refuse to even give my sperm donor a mention.

“No siblings?” He raises an eyebrow in hope.

“Nope, only child, and all my friends are in Sydney.”

“Well, that settles it, I’m staying. Unless of course you’d like me to get in contact with Jake.”

Just the mere mention of his name hurts. “He’s the last person I want to see.”

There’s a brief silence before he speaks again. “Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“About the affair with his secretary?”

“His secretary?”

“Yes.”

“No, no I didn’t,” I say, bowing my head.

Reaching out, he wraps his fingers around mine. “I’m sorry.” I appreciate his comfort, but he has nothing to be sorry for.

“Look, go home and shower and get some sleep. If you want to call back later, you can. If not, that’s okay too.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. You’ve already done so much.” I pause for a moment, as my emotions resurface. “I’m extremely grateful for your kindness.”

He reaches into his back pocket, and pulls out his leather wallet. “If you need anything—and I mean anything—just call.”

“Thank you,” I say when he hands me his business card.

By mid-afternoon, I’m feeling somewhat human again. The nurse came in earlier to help me shower, and she was nice enough to remove the abundance of bobby pins from my hair, so I could wash it. I even managed to get a few more hours of sleep. I’m still feeling down, but that’s understandable. I’m trying not to let my situation overcome me. Instead, I’m trying to concentrate on getting well enough to leave this godforsaken place.

Earlier, when the doctor did his rounds, he strongly advised me to stay in hospital for at least one more day. When I begged and pleaded for him to release me, he promised to call by towards the end of his shift to re-examine me. If bed rest is all I need to recuperate, I can get that at home. Although what awaits me there won’t be pleasant, it’s got to be better than spending another night here. We have other rooms at the house that I can sleep in, at least until I make other arrangements.

I’m flicking through the channels on the television when someone pops their head through the curtain.

“Are you up for a visitor?”