Blood

Chucho left with his insulated bag shortly after the hug. He had other deliveries waiting for him and his father kept him busy with other work. Adonis watched him go arms still folded. I looked at him and waited for his eyes to meet mine. He didn't. Instead he turned around and headed for the engine. His body language was awkward as he walked. He hands swung forcibly when his feet moved. With his back turned to me he entered the Captain's seat and slammed the door behind him. Why was he being so weird, I scratched my head. This felt like that time at the studio. Sometimes being close friends with him seemed like being friends with a toddler, one who did not like to share. Part of me wanted him to be jealous for other reasons, the thought made my heart flutter slightly. If only, I thought. The sound of my phone ringing broke my thoughts. My heart dropped at the prospect of telling my mother her beloved house was gone. I started to feel heat in my finger tips down to my knees. I began to feel a bit weak all over. A cold, weary, darkness filled my lungs, I felt them constrict. It became difficult take in air as I stood in the morning sun. I couldn't reach for my phone, my arms seemed heavy, as if the held twenty pound weights. I wiggled carefully out of my turnout coat, covered in a cold sweat. I tried to suck in air but their was nothing to fill them. I felt heavy and dark. The ground appeared to get closer and closer and suddenly crashed on top of my head. That's odd, I thought, wasn't the ground beneath me? Why? How can something beneath me fall from the sky? I felt warmth bath my face and finally darkness engulfed me.

Light tickled my heavy eyelids and danced across my neck down to my fingertips. I could feel the warmth the sun bathed me in. I tried opening my eyes but they felt so heavy. Maybe I should sleep a little longer, I pondered, but I shouldn't waist the day. I tried again to open just one eye. The brightness forced my lid closed. I tried to raise my hand in order to cover my sensitive eyes from the sun but felt a small tug. It felt a bit achy and as though there were sticky tape. I gently lifted my eyelids again, this time I forced them to adjust to penetrating rays. I appeared to be in a hospital room with an IV in my arm. I tried to lift my head but I only met a throbbing pain at the strain of it. Gingerly, I began to brush my fingers along my face in sections. My left side felt normal though I felt a cannula and some tape along the edge of where I felt. I followed the taped line to what felt like a cotton bandage covered partially withe medical tape. It hurt a bit when I touched the tender spot. Placing my arm at my side I looked around the room. It seemed standard, hospital bed, tv, small couch and finally a bathroom. I moved my head carefully as sensation started returning slowly to my body. My head ached. The oxygen blew into my nose softly and coolly. I breathed in deeply chasing away the tiniest flash of panic. A nurse dressed in navy blue scrubs entered the door after a swift knock. She seemed not to notice that I was awake as she finished putting on her gloves. I tried to clear sky throat but my mouth felt so dry. She turned towards after hearing my feeble attempt to call for her.

"Oh you're awake, Mrs. Jones. How are you feeling?" She looked at my chart quietly and my IV. I tried to answer her but my words came out in a quiet cough. I felt so feeble. She handed me a small cup of water.

"Thank you," I said softly, "Sorry but I don't think I'm too well. I'm not really sure how I ended up her here. How long have I been out?"

"You've only been asleep a few hours. I'll send the doctor in to explain everything. Do you know where your boyfriend went?" She asked cheerfully.

"Boyfriend?"

"There was a firefighter that came in with you, he hasn't left your side since you came in. A, uh, Mr. Grey. I wonder where he went. He's been hovering over the nurses for hours like a helicopter mom." How voice sounded extremely chipper and as she spoke of Adonis her voice raised an octave. Her hair thrown in a messy bun bounced as she rocked back onto her heels. She was short a thin without the appearance of excessive strength. The fact this feminine beauty seemed attracted to Adonis annoyed me.

"He's not my boyfriend." I said coldly while I watched her reaction. Her eyes delighted like the golden rays that danced upon my skin.

"Oh," she chimed, "It seems I misunderstood. I thought he cared for you as lovers do. I can't say I don't mind though. Just between us girls, he seems quite the catch." She rocked on her feet again as she spoke in a sing song voice. It aggravated me to the point I might boil over. I opened my mouth to tell her to shut the fuck up but a voice came from behind her.

"I'm not interested in a woman who gossips to a sick person instead of getting her doctor." Adonis' deep voice grated the nurse. Meekly she exited the room with her head down. Adonis stared intensely as she left and once gone he made his way to me.

"What happened to me?" I tried to sit up again but my head still felt a bit heavy. Adonis gabbed am extra pillow that laid on the couch and placed it carefully under my head.

"You tell me, I get in the truck and next thing I know you're bleeding out on the ground. Smith had already left and the other three guys were collecting tools. Good thing I happened to look over." He scowled down at me. His sandy hair shimmered in the sunlight. He looked worried for me. For that moment I felt warm.