shower stalls used at the public pool areas. I
step into one of the stalls, and as soon as the hot water runs down over me I
feel safe.
Out in the woods, I was on the verge of tears, but right
now, deep down inside I feel angry . The urge to hit something or someone
is so strong that I have a rough time washing my hair without smarting the lump
on my head. At least I should be thankful that I didn’t get hurt worse, but
mostly I want revenge. My shower is short but gratifying, and the female nurse
helps me back to my room with my wet hair in a braid down my back and a fresh
gown around me.
Two police officers are stationed outside of my room, and
the way they’re standing reminds me of toy soldiers with their right hands
grasping their left wrists as they remain rigid. When I get closer to the door,
the one who is taller than his comrade nods his head once at me, and I can’t
help the quizzical feeling that runs through me. The perpetrator has been
caught, why do I need armed men stationed outside of my room?
This just seems like overkill for someone who was missing
for less than twenty four hours.
“Ms. D’Salvatore, I was wondering when you were going to get
back.” My cheeks flush immediately, but I’m not sure why when the man in his
forties greets me. I hold out a hand to him, and feel silly for standing here
in a hospital gown. He reminds me of cops in television shows with his strong
jaw, a five o’clock shadow on his face, and hard, blue eyes. I immediately feel
intimidated around him, but I’m sure he’s used to people reacting that way to
the fact that he’s wearing a uniform.
“Sorry about that, but a shower sometimes helps to clear my
head.” The female nurse helps me settle into bed with the back raised so that
it makes me look like I’m sitting. I definitely don’t want to be in a lying
down position with company around, especially not the Chief of Police. “Thank
you.” I tell the woman quietly, wondering if she ever told me her name. She
probably did while I was in LaLa land walking down the hallway; perhaps I’ll
have a chance to get it later.
“You’ve been home less than ten days, Ana. Already you’re
getting into worse trouble than when you were a kid.” I roll my eyes at him and
look him up and down from head to toe.
“You’re only about ten years older than me, so I don’t think
you were dealing with my troublesome behavior back then.” I fluff the pillows
behind me and cross my arms over my chest as I lean back. A walk back through
memory lane is not what I need right now.
“You don’t remember me do you?” My lips curl up at the
corners, and I take a long time to study him, but nothing clicks in my mind.
“No, sorry, I don’t.” He takes off his hat and runs a hand
through his thick, dark hair. I might take this as flirtation if I weren’t
lying in a hospital bed with a thin sheet over me.
“I arrested you once for stealing a candy bar at the
grocer’s in town. You were nine.” I squint at him and try to remember the
incident he’s talking about, but nothing really clicks. “You were arrested a
lot when you were nine for stealing candy bars, so I guess I’ll understand if
you don’t remember.” And then it finally clicks when he smiles, and my eyes
widen.
“Oh, you! You put me in the back of the police car and
actually drove me to the precinct, I remember now! Boy was my father pissed
when he had to come pick me up there after he was done his grocery shopping of
course.” We both chuckle at the old memory, and something inside me feels more
at ease in this man’s presence.
“Well, enough reminiscing. I’m going to take a verbal
statement here if you don’t mind. Then when you’re feeling better I’ll get a
signed, written statement from you. I’m going to record this for my own
records.” There’s a manila envelope sitting on an uncomfortable-looking plastic
chair with a small device sitting on top. The Chief picks up the little
recorder
step into one of the stalls, and as soon as the hot water runs down over me I
feel safe.
Out in the woods, I was on the verge of tears, but right
now, deep down inside I feel angry . The urge to hit something or someone
is so strong that I have a rough time washing my hair without smarting the lump
on my head. At least I should be thankful that I didn’t get hurt worse, but
mostly I want revenge. My shower is short but gratifying, and the female nurse
helps me back to my room with my wet hair in a braid down my back and a fresh
gown around me.
Two police officers are stationed outside of my room, and
the way they’re standing reminds me of toy soldiers with their right hands
grasping their left wrists as they remain rigid. When I get closer to the door,
the one who is taller than his comrade nods his head once at me, and I can’t
help the quizzical feeling that runs through me. The perpetrator has been
caught, why do I need armed men stationed outside of my room?
This just seems like overkill for someone who was missing
for less than twenty four hours.
“Ms. D’Salvatore, I was wondering when you were going to get
back.” My cheeks flush immediately, but I’m not sure why when the man in his
forties greets me. I hold out a hand to him, and feel silly for standing here
in a hospital gown. He reminds me of cops in television shows with his strong
jaw, a five o’clock shadow on his face, and hard, blue eyes. I immediately feel
intimidated around him, but I’m sure he’s used to people reacting that way to
the fact that he’s wearing a uniform.
“Sorry about that, but a shower sometimes helps to clear my
head.” The female nurse helps me settle into bed with the back raised so that
it makes me look like I’m sitting. I definitely don’t want to be in a lying
down position with company around, especially not the Chief of Police. “Thank
you.” I tell the woman quietly, wondering if she ever told me her name. She
probably did while I was in LaLa land walking down the hallway; perhaps I’ll
have a chance to get it later.
“You’ve been home less than ten days, Ana. Already you’re
getting into worse trouble than when you were a kid.” I roll my eyes at him and
look him up and down from head to toe.
“You’re only about ten years older than me, so I don’t think
you were dealing with my troublesome behavior back then.” I fluff the pillows
behind me and cross my arms over my chest as I lean back. A walk back through
memory lane is not what I need right now.
“You don’t remember me do you?” My lips curl up at the
corners, and I take a long time to study him, but nothing clicks in my mind.
“No, sorry, I don’t.” He takes off his hat and runs a hand
through his thick, dark hair. I might take this as flirtation if I weren’t
lying in a hospital bed with a thin sheet over me.
“I arrested you once for stealing a candy bar at the
grocer’s in town. You were nine.” I squint at him and try to remember the
incident he’s talking about, but nothing really clicks. “You were arrested a
lot when you were nine for stealing candy bars, so I guess I’ll understand if
you don’t remember.” And then it finally clicks when he smiles, and my eyes
widen.
“Oh, you! You put me in the back of the police car and
actually drove me to the precinct, I remember now! Boy was my father pissed
when he had to come pick me up there after he was done his grocery shopping of
course.” We both chuckle at the old memory, and something inside me feels more
at ease in this man’s presence.
“Well, enough reminiscing. I’m going to take a verbal
statement here if you don’t mind. Then when you’re feeling better I’ll get a
signed, written statement from you. I’m going to record this for my own
records.” There’s a manila envelope sitting on an uncomfortable-looking plastic
chair with a small device sitting on top. The Chief picks up the little
recorder
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