Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

The nurse came in wearing a big smile. She started checking all the machines and my IV drip. She fixed my pillows and took my temperature, being so motherly, I love her.

“You’re having some pain, angel? I have to check with Doctor Summers if I can give you more pain meds. I just gave you one not too long ago. Let me page him and see what he says.” She brushed the hair out of my eyes and patted my cheek.

“You know, let’s not bother Doctor Summers. He said he was doing rounds and I’d hate to bother him. I’m not in that much pain so I think I’m okay. But what I really want is for you to take out this Foley catheter. Do we have to check with David to do that?”

“Not at all, sweet angel. I can do that right now. The sooner this thing comes out the better; that way you don’t get a urinary tract infection.” She put latex gloves on and pulled back the covers. “Now just relax, dear.” And in one swift movement it was out. Ahg! That felt weird. “That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”

“No, it was fine, but I think I have to use the restroom.”

“That happens sometimes, especially with the little ones. Let me help you. You’re going to feel a little dizzy when you first get up and if you do, just sit back down and take your time. I’m here for you, angel.” She helped me swing my legs off the bed and then I just sat there for a few seconds trying to get my bearings. I looked up at her, nodded my head to let her know I was ready, and she took my arm and helped me to my feet. Woo! She was right, I did feel a bit dizzy, but not too bad though. I was able to stay on my feet, I just had to stay put for another few seconds. I gave her another nod and we started walking to the bathroom. She was smiling big and giving me lots of words of encouragement. I smiled back. We got to the toilet and she shut the door, just in case one of the agents decided to walk in. I finished, she helped me up and helped me wash my hands. I giggled. It must be a habit in her line of work. We headed back to the bed and I was starting to feel better moving around.

“I have to say, you’re the best and sweetest nurse I’ve ever had. And I would know because I’ve been in and out of the hospital growing up with all the sport injuries I’ve endured. Tell me your name.” She was a little shorter than me but I still hugged her arm.

“Angie,” she said with a giggle. “My name is Angie. That’s very nice of you to say. I do try. These poor babies that come through here just break my heart.”

I got to the bed with no problem. “Angie, can you tell me how long I was asleep?”

“Oh, honey, you were out probably a good four hours, give or take. Doctor Summers stabilized you in the ER, did your stitches and brought you up here himself, once you were stable. He said no one is to know you’re here and only I can take care of you. All I did was change out your bags for the blood and the bags of fluids. He sat here as long as possible with you and administered all the medication through the IV himself. Every time he was paged he would ask another doctor to cover for him until there were no more doctors that could help. He looked like he wanted to cry. I’ve never seen a man so distraught.”

“David Summers, distraught? I find that hard to believe,” I said, looking at her with raised eyebrows.

“People change, sweet girl, things change.” She looked at me with smiling eyes.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” I sighed. “I’d like to get my panties and jeans on, Angie. I’m feeling a little exposed.”

“Absolutely, and probably feeling a little cold as well, huh?”

I snorted. “Yes, I am as a matter of fact.” She got my clothes and practically put them on for me. I couldn’t take the gown off yet since I was attached to an IV and wouldn’t be able to put my shirt on. I crawled back into bed and just waited for that bag to finish. Nurse Angie left and told me to rest since I couldn’t do anything else anyway. Davis came back in after a while and sat down in the chair next to my bed. He eyed me and then looked out the window and then back to me again. He did this several times. It finally started to irritate me.

“Spit it out, Davis! What’s on your mind?”

“There’s nothing on my mind, Isabel.” He acted surprised.

“Yes, there is. Don’t lie to me,” I griped. “I’ve been lied to enough by Josh, I swear if one more person lies to me, I’m going to punch them.”

“Isabel, you have a knack for reading people,” he said, frowning. “Let’s just say I’m your new babysitter and Josh is having somewhat of a hard time with the thought.”

“Oh, is that all? Honestly, I don’t know why he cares. He’s just plain stupid if he thinks he’s in any condition to help me or babysit me. Besides, I don’t trust him anyway, so why would I want him guarding me?”

“You don’t trust him?” His brow wrinkled as he continued. “He keeps muttering how he loves you.” Davis looked at me with a confused expression. “Why would he keep saying that if you don’t trust him?”

“Because, Davis, he’s on pain killers. It’s a strong drug, it makes you act and say things you normally wouldn’t. He just thinks he loves