Learning To Trust Again

Standing with her arms crossed over her chest, looking out the window Rebecca knew the instant he had left the room. Part of her wanted to reach out to him, to tell him how grateful she was for everything he had done for Todd, but a larger part of her was afraid to trust him again. She couldn’t bear to hurt like that for a second time. Not to mention there was the promise she had made to herself. She had vowed that she wouldn’t fall back into that routine of being let down by a man and her forgive him only for it to happen over and over again. Turning around finally she looked at the empty spot Jake had occupied moments ago. There was a look of utter sadness on her face. She turned back to the window. Her shoulders slumped.

Her eyes focused outside the room Rebecca didn’t see the worried look her parents exchanged as they watched her.  

It was lunch time before Todd slowly started to come around. Brian and Bridget had gone to the canteen to get something to eat, leaving Rebecca to keep a lone bed side vigil. They’d told her they’d bring something back for her, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to eat it. She couldn’t, not until she knew Todd would be okay. Putting aside the paper she had been trying to read, Rebecca looked over at her brother for the hundredth time before turning her eyes to the window again. Her thoughts swirled, alternating endlessly between Jake and concerns about Todd. Until today she had thought she was over the worst of it with Jake, but seeing him again had shown her just how wrong she was. She missed him so much it felt like someone had removed a piece of her. Her chest hurt as if someone had indeed inflicted a wound, one that would never heal.

Lost in her thoughts Rebecca had no idea how much time had passed before she became aware of movement next to her. Turning her head back to the bed she noticed Todd was moving restlessly. Standing she moved closer to the bed and looked down at him. His eyes opened for a second before closing again. The next time they were open a little longer as they slowly adjusted to the light. After a few more attempts, each longer than the last, he finally managed to keep them open. He had been silent as had Rebecca, she wanted to let him adjust and orientate himself before she tried to speak to him. Now he looked around the room and she knew he was trying to work out where he was. Soon his gaze came back to focus on her face.

Smiling, sympathy and relief in her expression, Rebecca put her hand on his shoulder as she said ‘hey, don’t try to move, you’re in the hospital.’

Frowning, no doubt trying to recall what had happened, Todd asked ‘what’s the damage?’ His voice was weak and raw.

‘He did a good job this time’ she said, unable to disguise her anger. ‘You have a couple of broken ribs and a fractured cheek bone and yet another head injury. But you’ll be fine.’

Todd closed his eyes again for a minute, digesting the information.

Her training coming to the fore, Rebecca checked his pulse. 

Looking at her again he asked worriedly ‘do Mum and Dad know?’

Nodding Rebecca said ‘yes they’re here. I had to tell them this time but don’t worry they’re fine.’ And pausing for a minute she looked away before admitted ‘by the way they know about what happened at your party.’ 

Her gaze moved back to him and as she saw her brother frown she added. ‘I had to tell them when they asked about what happened with Jake. You know how I feel about lying. They weren’t going to say anything to you, but this changes things.’

Turning his head and looking away Todd replied ‘okay.’ His voice was flat, quiet.

‘Also you should know’ Rebecca said with caution worried she was going to upset him ‘it was Jake who was called to the scene last night. He found you lying unconscious in the street. But since then he has also found the guy responsible and arrested him.’