Trials

chapter 18

– The Hospital **
“Eva baby, what’s wrong?” a concerned voice said. Her father answered the phone on the second ring and she could tell he’d been roused from sleep, but obviously didn’t care. It was a very odd hour to be calling him and he answered the phone without even a ‘hello.’

“Nothing’s wrong with me, daddy,” she sighed. “But I am in a hospital. One of the guests at my hotel got hurt. He’s a friend of Howie’s.”

“What happened?” James’ senses immediately perked up.

“I don’t know many details, but he was stabbed, and um… I’m not sure about this one, about ninety percent, but daddy, I think he was raped.” Eva’s voice faltered. James wished he was there to wrap his empathetic daughter in a huge hug, but he was in Los Angeles.

“Does he need me?” he asked. He would do anything his little Eva wanted, if it was possible.

“I haven’t talked to him yet. I’ve only known him for a few hours total, so I’m waiting until his…”

“Eva, honey, I only know my clients for a few minutes before I talk to them. I think you should,” James broke Eva off momentarily to give his opinion. “Were you invited in to see him?”

“I was, but not by him. He just woke up from surgery, daddy. He probably doesn’t remember me right now, the nurse said he’s a bit groggy.”

“Honey, do whatever you think is best, I’m not perfect. Listen… in a couple of hours I have the signing and then I’m free for a month. I’ll have George schedule me a flight out to Orlando as soon as he can. I can be there, probably, within the next eight hours or so, if there’s a good flight time. I like that Howie friend of yours, and if I’m needed we’ll skip the father-daughter time and I’ll help out. If you want me to, and if he wants me to.” George was James’ personal assistant and brother, Eva’s step-uncle.

“I love you daddy,” Eva said, a smile on her face, “I can’t wait for you to get here. I miss you. And yes, I think you’re needed… if not for him, maybe he already has a doctor, but for me. Because I’m a little shocked…”

“Of course you are, sweetie. I’ll be there in a few hours, for either one of you, if everything goes right. What hospital am I going to?”

“ORMC.”

“Okay sweetie, I’ll see you there.” Eva pulled the small phone from her ear and pressed the button to hang up. Just as the ‘beep’ of the phone being turned off resounded in the room, she thought she heard a bit of an exchange of words outside the waiting room, and then heard the definite sound of the door opening and slamming shut. In a huff, whomever had entered plopped onto the chair next to her, and practically growled in frustration. Eva finished stuffing the phone into her purse and looked to see if she knew him. It was Nick.

“Where’s Jenn?” Eva asked, startling the young man.

“Huh?” he looked at her, and she could see the anger in his eyes. “Who are you?” he asked her, though there was no angst to the question.

“I’m um… I’m Eva.” She extended her hand and, confused, he took it into his and shook gently.

“Okay, why are you here, then?” he smiled as best he could. He was cooling off a little, but he was still a little irked that they wouldn’t let him into AJ’s room.

“Well, I gave Kevin a ride here,” Eva said, matter-of-factly.

“Oh… um, well how do you know who Jenn is?” Nick asked, “and why do you look familiar?”

“Alrighty, well, Jenn is a friend of mine. That should answer both questions,” Eva smirked at the completely baffled look on Nick’s face.

“How does that answer both of them?”

“Um… could be that you’ve met me a few times before, and I’ve been introduced to you each time,” she lied.

“I have? For real? Oh man…”

“Just kidding. You might have just seen me with Howie.”

“What?”

“I’m kidding. I do know Howie, though how you’ve ever seen me I don’t know. I’m just trying to get rid of that pissed off look on your face. I also know Jenn, but I’ve never met you before.” Yeah, she was trying to get the look off his face, but she was also trying to forget where she was. Luckily, Nick didn’t notice her lack of manners and never mentioned that she was, or so she thought, being a bit insensitive. “Why are you mad, anyway?”

“They won’t let me see him. Only one at a time. It took me forever to get here, and I feel bad, and I just want to see him, and they won’t let me in,” Nick’s voice wavered but Eva didn’t dare comfort him with anything other than words.

“He’s gonna be ok, you know. He’s not going anywhere. Just got out of surgery, so he probably couldn’t take more than one person at a time. Trauma like that does that to you, it fucks with your mind, Nick. He might not even…”

“How would you know?” Nick asked suddenly, exasperated.

“My father deals with people like him all the time…”

“People like him? What do you mean?”

“Well… um… people who go through what he went through. Rarely on that end of the scale, but… let’s just say I know a lot of things… I didn’t mean to be crude about it,” Eva mumbled. Just then, the door opened and Kevin walked in the room. He smiled when he saw Nick.

“Get your ass in there. AJ heard you outside and wants to see you, said something along the lines of, ‘tell Nick to get his big ass in here,’ so here I am, telling you to get your big…”

“Kev, I get it,” Nick stood, and playfully hit Kevin on the shoulder. Before leaving he remembered something: “Kevin, I’m supposed to let you know that Brian’s driving down right now. Howie is stuck in some airport because the plane is having issues, and everyone else should be here soon. So stop calling!” he laughed lightly and sadly turned towards Eva. “I’ve also been told by Kevin to tell you that you’re next, whatever that means.” Nick then turned and walked out of the room. Once the door shut Kevin shook his head and sat next to Eva.

“So, I’m next, huh?” Eva asked.

“Just thought I’d bring it up again through someone else’s mouth,” Kevin elbowed her suggestively and she shook her head.

“My dad’s on his way here, too. Should be here in a few hours, at least.”

“Really? So he’ll really be okay?” Kevin’s question had a childlike ring to it that nearly broke Eva’s heart.

“Of course he will be okay, Kev. You know what you need to tell yourself?” Eva asked, turning to face the older man. Her hands clasped one of his and she looked him square in the eyes. “Right now, what you need to remember is that he is still alive. You just talked to him, and yeah, he’s been hurt, and he was scared, and you think it’s all your fault, yet at the same time it’s all his, but Kev… he’s alive…”

“Yeah, but…”

“No, no but’s. Kevin, think about it. All you have to worry about right now are trivial things. At least you’re not sitting at your house planning a funeral.” She hated to put it so bluntly but sometimes things need to be thrown into the open with no remorse. She was forward with her words to hide her own fears and attempt to keep others happy. If they were satisfied, maybe she would be, too. Kevin sighed and looked away.

“You’re right… I should be happy in some sense, right?” Kevin responded.

“Exactly. He’s in Intensive Care, not the morgue. And I have other news, too,” Eva grinned, “Steve, from work, called my cell. They arrested the guy.” It seemed like Kevin’s green eyes glimmered with a sense of hope at that moment. Eva would never forget that look. “I don’t know any details about it, but I know he didn’t get far. I guess they got him by the pool.” Kevin and Eva both smiled.

“That’s… awesome, I guess… I mean, awesome really isn’t the word for it,” Kevin slung his arm around Eva and squeezed. “Thanks.”

“Thanks?” Eva was confused.

“For your little… pep talk. I feel better.” Kevin squeezed her again.

“It’s the least I can do,” she leaned against Kevin’s firm chest and sighed. He felt better but her mind was still reeling. She wanted to see AJ so bad it was killing her. As her wishes traveled through her mind the waiting room door opened again. It was Nick, who was looking at her, waiting for her to acknowledge him.

“AJ just told me to ‘find the hotel lady.’ Are you the hotel lady?” Nick didn’t even laugh or bat an eye at what he said, but Eva and Kevin both did.

“Yeah, I’m the hotel lady. How can I help you?” Eva shook her head and waited.

“Shut up. AJ’s asking for you. He wants to see you,” Nick entered the room fully and Eva stood, running to catch the door before it closed all the way. Now was her chance.

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