The Girl With the Pink Bat
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 23
When you love someone, people use to say, “I’d take a bullet for you,” or “I’d die to protect you.”
Most of the time, it’s just a poetic way of expressing how much you love your other half.
But my husband had done exactly that. He took a bullet for me, and because of that, he could die.
I leaned into my mom and closed my eyes. Her hand returned to my shoulder, holding me there, giving me the comfort that I needed.
I needed to know Ray was going to be okay. I wanted to go home with my husband by my side. I wanted just a little bit of happiness, especially for Little One. She needed to know her dad.
“Here,” my father said, holding a cup of coffee. I knew it was not good for the baby, but I refused to sleep.
I took the paper cup from him and sat up. I wiped my cheek, trying to rub away the tears running down my face. I looked around briefly and saw a few more people in this room waiting.
It was the whole crew from work.
Percy came to me, placed a hand on my shoulder, and said, “We are all here for you, Kara. Anything you need, and I mean ANYTHING, you just name it. We are all going to give blood for Ray. We’ll take turns to keep you company so you’re not alone.”
Tears were pooling in my eyes again. “Thank you, guys. You’re the best,” I said, with a voice choked with emotion.
Percy just nodded, and said, “Your sister is on her way. Our wives are with her. They are helping her to set everything in order and cleaning up at your parents’ place.”
I nodded.
“Sheriff Thomas is coming later to take your statement. The woman who shot Ray is already in jail,” Percy went on, updating me with the news.
It was a good thing because he was distracting me from thinking about Ray.
“I hope that bitch dies a painful death. If not, I’ll hit a home-run with her head.”
Percy pressed his lips together and nodded.
I sipped my coffee gingerly. It was something to settle my stomach, but I knew I’d need food even if I was not hungry.
Crackers – those would have to do – until I knew Ray was going to be okay. I couldn’t ... I wouldn’t leave the hospital until I knew he was going to recover.
“Fight, Ray, please fight,” I muttered.
We sat in silence for hours. Crying, praying, hoping. The television was showing the nightly news. My father cursed when the newscaster talked about the shooting.
“Now, we’ll have to deal with the media,” he said.
“Mrs. Clarke?”
I looked up when my name was called. I stood on shaky legs, only to be flanked by my parents.
“That’s me,” I said.
“Go ahead and have a seat,” the doctor said, as he sat down across from us.
We sat back down. I couldn’t look at the doctor. Instead, I focused on the ring on my finger and the way Ray looked when he put it there.
“Your husband is in critical condition. The bullet entered from the right, passed through his lung, damaged the other lung, and exited on the left. He sustained considerable damage. We’ve operated and right now he’s on a respirator. For the next twenty-four hours, everything is touch and go. We have to watch for blood clots forming and detaching. He’ll have a nurse with him the whole time until the threat is gone.
“I’m very sorry, Mrs. Clarke, I wish I could provide better news, but this is all I have.”
“When can I see him?”
“He can have one visitor at a time. You can go in when you’re ready.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
The surgeon took his leave. Once he was out of the waiting room, My father took me in his arms and I broke down.
Mom wrapped her arms around me, as well.
I stood on shaky legs, with my mother on one side and my father on the other. They walked me toward Ray’s room. How they knew where it was, I didn’t know. Did the surgeon tell me and I didn’t listen?
We bypassed the nurses’ station. I couldn’t bear to look at them. I didn’t want to see the pity on their faces. I didn’t want them to look at me as if I was about to lose my husband. I didn’t want to see their eyes wander to my tummy and have them shake their heads because I’d be a single mom soon.
I should be the one lying in that bed. I should be the one who was in critical condition, fighting for my life. Ray had given his life to protect me. He saved Little One and me.
He didn’t doubt. He just did it.
That’s true love.
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