Sunday May 12th Pt. 2
“Is everything okay?” The server has come to our table.
“I’m sorry. He’s going to be okay. I just need to help settle some of his anxiety. This is part of his therapy for social anxiety disorder.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear he’s struggling. Can I help in any way?”
“What would you like to drink, Cole?”
“Water.” I somehow manage to put together.
“Something sweet will help soothe the anxiety. They have lemonade, sweet tea…”
“Sweet tea.” I interrupt as it’s finally something that sounds familiar.
“Put on an order of cheese fries as well.”
“Yes sir.”
I’m grateful when she walks away only to be overwhelmed again. Even with a gentle touch I can feel Deven moving my hair around, looking for something I don’t understand. Whatever it is he brushes over it again causing a sharp wave a pain to hit my head.
“Please don’t hurt me. I’m sorry I interrupted.”
“Easy, Cole. There’s no trouble here. It felt like you may have had stitches. That’s all I was looking for. I’m sorry it’s still sore. Let me try something else.”
I relax slightly until he touches the back of my neck.
“Not the neck.”
I squeal somehow without screaming.
“I’m sorry. I know I’m embarrassing you. I don’t know why this is happening. This was a bad idea. Just let me leave.”
My pleas are rushed but he doesn’t move.
“Stay with me, Cole. Squeeze me hard. I’m not at all embarrassed. As difficult as this is on you it’s giving me a very clear picture. You need more than a warm meal. Come back to the hotel with me. I can provide what you need until you're better able to care for yourself.”
Against everything that’s screaming I need to run I manage to nod my head. His touch is now between my shoulders, gently rubbing side to side between them.
“What’s overwhelming you with the menu?”
He tries again to get to the bottom of this attack.
“I don’t choose. I’m told.”
“While this is a very simple thing for most, I think I have an idea what’s going on. Let me get you the ribeye. I promise it’s a good chunk of meat and if you can’t finish it we can bring it with us. Now I tend to like their green beans, carrots and baked potatoes.”
“I like the first two.” I’m slowly starting to calm down.
“Do you want to try a baked sweet potato instead? It’s really good with their honey butter, cinnamon and marshmallows.”
I slowly nod as that does sound good.
“Okay. I can feel you relaxing but I won’t leave you until you’re ready.”
“Thank you.” I whisper as I lean into him.
“You’re welcome.” He replies as I concentrate on his touch, light as a feather crossing my shoulders.
“I’m sorry I took so long with your drinks.” The server starts off.
“Don’t be. We needed the time. He’s much more relaxed now and we’ve worked out what we want.”
I open my eyes as he orders for the two of us. A steaming hot plate of French fries covered with cheese and bacon are now sitting in the middle of the table. My stomach growls loudly as the waitress walks away with our order.
“She’s going to bring another bowl of ranch. You go ahead with the one that’s there.”
He’s relaxed and cheerful as he returns to his seat.
“Now that you’re relaxed and distracted I think it may be easier for you to handle my questions. Are you willing to answer?” He asks casually.
“I’ll try.” I answer as honestly as I can.
“What happened to you?” He gets right into the meat of it.
“I don’t know.” I’m ashamed but honest.
“You don’t know or you don’t want to tell?” He eyes me softly.
“I…”
He holds his hand up as the waitress approaches placing the extra ranch and another tea in front of me. I barely realized how much I had managed to drink already.
“Thank you.” I manage softly.
“You’re welcome.” She responds with a smile.
“I really don’t know, Mr. Deven. I have no memory before waking up in the hospital.”
He nods, giving me a moment to eat.
“Did they tell you anything at the hospital?”
“Not much. Dr. Moore said that I had been in a battle three weeks previously. My injuries were bad enough that I shouldn’t have survived but he never said what they were.”
“Did he tell you the date when you woke up?”
“The third I think. He said I had dissociative amnesia and he was going to ask me the date every day to verify that I was at least maintaining memory of the present.”
“You just explained a lot without me even asking. I just have a few more.”
“What’s that?” This is going a bit easier than I expected.
“Why did you leave the hospital?”
“I was afraid.”
“Of the hospital?” He seems shocked but all I can do is nod.
“That and the gentleman that wouldn’t leave me. I was told he was my brother Andre but I was afraid of him. The first night he left me alone in the hospital I had a nightmare. I couldn’t see what was going on but I had hearing and feeling.”
“Can you tell me what happened in this nightmare?” I shake my head.
“I’m sorry…”
“No Colton. You’ve done very well. I have a much better understanding about what’s going on. Do you remember the last date Dr. Moore gave you?”
“The seventh?”
I can’t help but question my own memory but he simply nods his head. He remains quiet as the waitress places our meals in front of us and refills the drinks.
“Are you willing to come home with me?”
I instantly look up at him.
“I promise, all I want is to help you. We are a lot more alike than you think and our kind doesn’t fare well on their own.”
I cock my head, silently thinking about his offer. I pick slowly at my food as using a knife is proving terribly challenging with my busted arm.
“I’m sorry I didn’t notice earlier but it seems that your left arm is injured. Would you like me to cut your steak?”
I nod my head as I push it towards him.
“I’m serious Colton. I really do want you to come with me. I can do a lot more for you than what you’ve seen here. No harm will ever come to you at Shadowlands.”
Food, water, shelter; I can’t help but cave into silently admitting that I’m in need of help and somehow, this guy seems to get it.
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