Chapter 21

Tank
After Silvy sets the food in front of Lilly she steps back. “ Ok, Lilly. Everything is set in its usual place. And when one of the girls went for a coffee run I had them grab you one of those iced mochas you like. It is to the left of your plate.” Lilly smiles. Fuck have I missed that smile. “ Thanks.” Lilly turns head slightly, almost like she is listening for something. Silvy turns to us and puts her finger to her lips to shush us even though we are talking. “ Something wrong, Lilly?” Silvy asks. “ Has someone been in here?” Lilly asks. “ Not that I know of. Why?’ Silvy asks. “ There is a smell. One I’m familiar with.” “ A bad smell? I can have housekeeping come.” Lilly shakes her head “ No don’t worry about it. It’s not a bad smell. At one time it gave me great comfort. It reminds me of happier times.” “ A smell reminds you of happy times?” Silvy asks. Lilly sighs “ Yea. It’s a mix of warm leather, motor oil, and body wash. Weird, I know. But it always brought me comfort. Made me smile. When I smelled that mix I knew I was safe. But that feels like forever ago.” I smile at what Lilly says. It means there is hope that Lilly will come back. “ No, Lilly. It’s not weird at all. Give it time. And keep your mind open. You will get that feeling back.” Silvey winks at us and leaves. Sounds like Silvy might be on our side.

I want so back to tell Lilly we are still here. We can comfort her. We can keep her safe. But I don’t. I just sit and watch. And I’m glad I did. I noticed something odd with Lilly. First I noticed all her food was cut up into bite size pieces. When she started to eat I noticed instead of grabbing her fork she slowly slid her fingers up to it then picked it up. Then she slowly moved her fork until it hit the plate. Then she would drag the fork on the plate till shit hit the food. After she chewed her first bite she said “ Cool. Grilled chicken today.” Even though she was looking right at it.

I nudged Ace with my elbow to see if he was paying attention. He was of course. We watched Lilly slide her hand along the table to the coffee cup before gently picking it up. It took her two attempts and a few curses before she was able to drink from the straw. Ace motions with his head for us to go out the door. Neither of us says anything until we are outside the room. That ‘s when Ace turns to me “ Is it just me or was something off in there?” “ You mean the way she was eating or the fact she didn’t seem to notice us sitting in the room.” I ask.

“ It’s because Lilly didn’t notice you.” Neil answers coming down the hall. “ But if she did she would raise hell that you were there. You know she doesn’t want you boys around.” “ What are you doing here Neil?” Ace asks. “ Besides the fact that I’m here everyday. Lug called and told me what happened. Says you boys had it covered so I came to have lunch with Lilly. But I figured you boys would be stationed outside her room. Not in it.” “ Lilly needed us for a bit.” Ace says. Neil nods. “ Well, I’m here so you guys can stand out here.” Neil goes to enter the room when I grab his arm and ask “ What do you mean she didn’t notice us?” Hejust pulls his arm away shakes his head and goes in the room, not giving us an answer. “ Brother, I’m getting real sick of people not answering our questions.” I bark. “ Right there with you brother.”


Lilly
Two days after the attempted kidnapping I’m sitting up and bed with Neil and Dez by my side. I know someone from the club is here but Dez won’t let him in. I don’t want the club near me. All three of my doctors are here. “ Alright give it to me.” I say to them. “ We have some good and bad news. Which one do you want?” asks Ryans. I’m getting really good at telling voices apart. “ Let’s get bad news first today.” I say reaching for Neil’s hand. I get the feeling I’m going to need it. “ Lilly, all your tests are in. I am afraid the damage to your eyes is permanent.” my optometrist Dr. Rodgers says. It's easy to pick her out. She is the only woman out of my doctors. “ So, I’ll never be able to see correctly again. I’ll always be extremely sensitive to most light.” I say. Great, just great. Haven’t these guys taken enough from me. “ We can get you special sunglasses to help reduce the light sensitivity. But the blurry vision, the spots, and you only being able to make out vague details is permanent.” She says. I take a deep breath and squeeze Neil’s hand. He squeezes back letting me know he is here for me.

“ Ok. It isn’t what I wanted to hear. It could be worse. I’ll learn to deal with it. How about some good news. What have you got for me?” I ask. “ I am happy to say you have been cleared of any neurological issues.” Dr. Mason says. “ Lilly, this is great.” Dez says. I have to agree and can’t help but smile. “ And to add to the good news. Lilly, your ribs and knee still need some time to heal. But there is no reason for you to have to stay in the hospital to do it. I will still want you to come to my office to get checked out once a week. Other than that I don’t see any reason we can’t get you released by this afternoon.” Dr. Ryans says. To most that would sound like good news. But for someone who doesn’t have a home, not so much. But I fake a smile “ Thank you to all of you for everything you have done for me.” “ Dr. Mason tells me I am welcome. Ryans says he would have another doctor work on me. Dr. Rodgers says she will check on me soon.

Neil and Dez hug me and congratulate me on going home. I need them to stop before I burst into tears so I ask the guys to take some money from my bag and go buy me some clothes to go home in. I also ask them to send a nurse in. When they leave Silvy comes in. “ I heard the good news, Lilly. I hate to see you go but I'm happy to see it.” “ Thanks Silvy. Could I ask you a big favor?” I ask. “ Sure.” she says. “ Can you help me check into a hotel and call me a cab when I get released?” I ask her. “ Lilly, isn’t there someone you can call to come get you and take you home? Or Dez and Neil? Maybe one of the guys from the club. You don’t need to be alone, right now. You are still going to need help.” she asks. “ I don’t have a home to go to. And I don’t want to bother the guys. They have spent so much time here looking after me. They need a break. As far as the club. No. I’m not part of them. I did something that they didn’t approve of. So I’m out. Not that I was ever in. Besides, I have to figure out how to stand on my own, you know. I have my cards in my wallet if you could help me out?” Silvy doesn’t say anything for a minute and I fear she will turn me down. “ Ok. I’ll help get you a room. How long do you want it for?” “ Better make it two weeks. Give me time to figure out my next step. Thanks Silvy. For everything. You're an awesome nurse.” “ It has been a pleasure taking care of you Lilly. I’ll be back with all the details for the hotel in a few.”