BUTTERFLIES FLY AWAY (28 page)

She knew that it would be difficult to repeat
everything again but she wanted to get it over with.

“I left after several cups of coffee, about an
hour later I guess, I remember the rain had stopped.”

Nico reached over to try and comfort her. 
It was difficult with her bandaged hands.

“I was a bit distracted and didn’t notice him at
first, I walked through the parked trucks, dodging some puddles and then the
next thing I know, I felt something push me and knock me off my feet.  I
didn’t land too great,” she gestured to her bandaged hands.  “I scrambled
back up; I could feel my hands and knees stinging but had to ignore it.  I
just knew he meant to harm me.”  The last words came out in a bit of a
wobble.

“Carrie baby leave it for now”

“I’m okay, I’m okay” she repeated.  “I have
to tell you both now because I don’t want to talk about this again”

Nico nodded not trusting himself to speak
another word.

“He wanted my bag, any money I had, and the car
keys.  I refused told him to fuck off.  The next thing I know I’m
trying to keep my balance as he back hands me across the cheek knocking me
down.  When I tried to pull away and get some distance he grabbed my
shoulder,” Carrie pulled her hand from the sling, it was easier to move than
the hand that had the drip.  She pulled the gown lower and showed them the
bruises on her shoulder that he had inflicted.  Belle gasped and started
to cry.

“I kind of wriggled free from his grasp; I
couldn’t remember much from that self-defence class I took years ago.  But
some of it must have sunk in.  Thanks Dad for insisting I go!  Oh my
God, Mum and Dad, I need to tell them what happened!”

“Carrie, hush its okay, I will call your parents
later when I go back to the Inn for some things for you.”

“Okay, he’s going to be so mad.   So
will Mum, they will be on the next flight out.  You have to stop them
Belle, I can’t cope just now.  Tell them I’ve had a little accident and I
will let them know everything when I get home.  They have so much on just
now with Claire, she needs them.”

“You need your parents too, Carrie.  But I
do know what my sister is like.  I might have to be a little creative with
the truth.”

That was an understatement.

“I need to speak to them but I don’t feel up to
it just now, I’m tired.  Let me finish telling you my story because I know
you will want to know more.”

“Carrie this can wait, I think you should get
some rest,” Nico interjected. 

“No it won’t take much longer.  There isn’t
much more to tell.  Where was I?  Oh that’s right he had grabbed my
shoulder.  I knew I couldn’t turn my back on him, and then I saw the
knife.  Time was running out so I threw the bag away to distract
him.  It’s beyond repair now.”  She gestured sadly to her bag which
was on the table.  “When he went after the bag I took my moment and kicked
his knees out from under him.  He reached for the knife and I kicked it
away from him.  He fell to the ground, pulling at me.  I remember
trying to pull free from his grasp as he hauled me lower.  He was grasping
my arms, my clothes.  I didn’t have many options left so I head butted him
away from me.  They told me I broke his nose.  I guess you could say
I malkied him.”

“Oh Carrie that’s what you said last night when
you were upset, this word malkie, is it a head butt?”

“Yip it is.  I wouldn’t have done this to
you even though you made me so mad!  When it was over, I lay on the
ground, picked up a rock and threw it at the diner window to get some
attention.  The lady, the waitress was so nice to me, I would like to get
her flowers or something oh and I need to get the window fixed”

The emotions of the last few hours finally
caught up with her and she started to sob. 

“Don’t worry Carrie, we will get that sorted.”

Nico felt paralyzed with anger that his Carrie,
yes he already thought of her as his, was harmed.  Her beautiful skin that
he had kissed every inch of was cut and bruised.  But he couldn’t let her
know how enraged he was, each sob and tear that trickled down her face tore at
him.  He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her forward into his arms
as gently as he could.  She sobbed into his shoulder and he held her as
tight as he could without causing her pain.  It had been such a long time
that she had felt the comfort of a man’s arms and she had missed that so
much.  Her head settled into the crook of his neck and sobbed. 

“You are okay, you are safe now.”  He
peppered light kisses on her forehead aware of the bruise and not to hurt
her.  Gradually the tears subsided and Carrie fell into an exhausted
slumber.  He lay her back down on the bed.

“What the hell happened here Belle?”

“Don’t be mad Nico, it won’t achieve anything
now.  For the moment we have to help her recover without any lasting
effects.  Oh and I have to speak to my sister now that will be the tricky
thing.  I swear she is like a bloodhound sniffing out the facts.  But
Carrie is right, her sister is six months pregnant and a bit on the edge just
now.  It’s been a difficult time for the family.”

“I want my security team here.  I want
someone to watch her 24/7.  But first of all I want to speak to the
doctor, see what their prognosis is.”

“That’s a good idea, I think some security,
discreet though will help Carrie, give her some reassurance and I should get
some more facts from the medical team here too.”

At that moment a nurse had entered the room.

“We just have to do Mrs Reynolds-Davies obs,”

“She’s sleeping, can’t it wait,”

“I’m afraid not, with a head injury we have to
carry these things out.  She will be fine; I will be as gentle as I can”

Nico stood aside as the nurse carried out her
duties.   Blood pressure, temperature and a check of speed of the
flow of the drip of fluids.

“We would like to see the doctor in charge,”

“Of course Mr Devanti, I will check if the
doctor is available”

“I see the Devanti influence at play again!”

“Belle sometimes the name does have its
advantages”

Within minutes the MD had returned to the room.

“Hello, I’m Dr Petersen, Mrs Reynolds-Davies
physician”

They made their introductions.

“Carrie has had a traumatic experience
today.  What I can tell you is that she put up quite a fight.  She
has a mild head injury and with any concussion the symptoms vary.  At the
moment Carrie is presenting nausea, sickness and headache.  This will take
around 7 to 10 days to settle, I don’t think her plans to fly home in a few
days will be achievable!”

“Oh no” Belle whispered. 

“She has some bruising to her left shoulder. 
A sprain on her left wrist along with lacerations to the pads of her hands and
knees.  We will continue monitor her and keep her fluids up with an IV to
replace what she has lost.  The vomiting was a concern but hopefully that
is under control now.  Are you aware of any of Carrie’s medical history as
we don’t have the full access here to her notes?”

“Yes,” Belle replied, “I’m her Aunt.  What
do you need to know?”

“Her x-rays and scans showed a previous head and
ankle injury, both of which were confirmed by Carrie.  Do you have any
more information on how the injuries occurred?”

“About ten years ago she had a bad fall down a
flight of stairs.  She was unconscious too then.  The break to her
ankle was quite severe.  She spent a few weeks in hospital then.”

“That explains it; we will take extra
precautions as she has had a head injury before, thanks for sharing that
information.  She did lose consciousness briefly when her accident
occurred today.  She hasn’t had any further episodes.   Do you
have any questions for me?”

“How long will she be in hospital?”

“For the next three to five days at least Mr
Devanti, we can’t rush these things.  Carrie needs rest at this time and
we need to see a reduction in the symptoms she is presenting. 
Particularly with her history.  We will gradually reintroduce her to some
food tomorrow but for the moment keep her on the IV drip.”

As the Doctor left the room, Carrie continued to
sleep and Belle prepared herself for the onslaught of questions from Nico.

“What happened ten years ago?”

“It’s not really my tale to tell but I’m sure
Carrie would tell you eventually.  I guess I can fill in some of the
gaps.  From a child she would perform little ‘shows’ at home. 
Dancing and singing at family parties.  What a proper little show off she
was!  She was full of beans, full of confidence.  We knew that all
she wanted to do was dance.  My sister had her enrolled in ballet lessons
at a young age.  Then Carrie wanted to go to dance school.  Fast
forward and Carrie is almost ready to leave school.  University beckoning,
drama, dance, theatre; the whole works then she had her accident.  It has
tormented my sister for years.”

Belle paused, her mind thinking back to those
events.

“It was just an accident, a simple accident that
changed her future forever.  Kate, that’s Carries Mum, oh forgot you will
know that from your ‘file’.”  Nico ignored the jibe.  “Well, she
wanted the house decorated.  Some scaffolding was erected for the high
ceilings in the hall way.  The usual chaos that ensues with that type of
work in progress.  Carrie rushed down the stairs on her way to school,
slipped on some tool or piping that was hidden under the dust sheets.  I
only know what my sister told me as she witnessed it first hand as she was
waiting for Carrie.  She toppled down the stairs, pulling the scaffolding
down after her.  I don’t know if it was the fall or something hitting her
but she was out cold and her ankle broken.  They repaired the break but
she couldn’t dance again professionally.  My poor girl.  All those
dreams shattered with her accident.”

“I guess that explains the scars on her
ankle.  I had no idea Belle, ha I even told her not to worry if she
couldn’t dance when we were together on Saturday.  Mr Sensitive!”

“She doesn’t dwell on it Nico, that girl has had
more heart ache in her twenty eight years than most.  I love her dearly, I
make no secret she is the daughter I never had.  I took her under my wing
that summer when life gave her its first cruel twist of fate.”

Belle smoothed the bedcover and plumped the
pillows for Carrie.  Nico was surprised to see this maternal side in
Belle.  The time they had spent together she had been professional and
driven in trying to save Forest to working at the Esperanza.  Not at all
the protective aunt she was presenting now.  He could tell she loved
Carrie very much. 

“I need to go back to the Inn and get her some
things of her own.  Then make that call back home.  That I will not
be looking forward to but they need to know.”

“I will stay with her until you return; I don’t
want to leave her alone.  I can call Jay to take you back to the
Inn.”  They made their arrangements and Nico made some calls to change his
schedule.

Nico did not move from Carrie’s bedside. 
They were at a delicate stage in the fit out at the hotel.  It wasn’t
widely known but Gino had a heart attack a few years ago and that was when Nico
stepped up to the plate.  He gave up his partying when faced with his
father’s mortality.  He had been cossetted and allowed to go his own way
in life but the prospect of losing his father changed all of that.  Gino
was very much a figure head for the company and had finally stepped down from
the day to day running of their company.  There was no one Nico trusted at
this stage and he wasn’t leaving Carrie.  A point he was explaining.

“Dad, this is a crucial week we need to be on
site and have a presence there.  The kitchen re-fit is starting. 
It’s a shell there.  The contractors should have completed the electrical
work but that’s not what I am being told.  I’ve had a conference call with
the project managers already and they have assured me we are on track.  We
have invested 3 million dollars in this kitchen alone.  We need to stay on
them.  The main works are due to complete this week and then it’s on to
the remainder of the fit out.  We have only allocated a month for
that.  Can you clear your schedule to fly out for a few days?”

“Okay son but tell me, is this girl worth it?”

Nico paused before replying, “Yes, she is”

“I’m in then, when will you be home?”

“An hour or so, I’ve sent you some emails from
today’s call, we can go through them when I get back in, pick up some of the
areas I’m not happy with and you can pitch in with your thoughts on it.”

“I will go tell your Mother the good news I’m
out of her hair for a few days, unless she wants to join me in LA, you never
can tell with your Mom”

Belle returned with a holdall for all the
essentials Carrie would need.  She had not woken fully during this
time.  A few murmurs but she didn’t say anything.  As he watched her
sleeping form he could observe in more detail the injuries she had
sustained.  God, she was impulsive, why hadn’t she given up her bag? 
She could have been stabbed or even killed.  What the hell was she
thinking?  He wanted an answer but now wasn’t the time.  All he knew
was that as every moment passed he didn’t want to be parted from her.  He
wanted to protect her, keep her safe and never let anything happen like this
again.  She had already gone through so much.  The injuries she had
sustained ending her dancing career but she had coped.  Widowhood and she
had again survived.  Yeah, she was a survivor and there was his
answer.  No one would get the better of her knife or no knife.  Hell,
he was still angry with her for putting herself in danger. 

The nursing staff had popped in and out to
continue their observations but didn’t make any comment on her condition. 

“Terri helped me pack few things.  Just
some toiletries and her own pyjamas, I’m sure she will want to get out of that
very fetching hospital gown as soon as possible.  Everyone is very
concerned about her at the Inn.   Tansie and Terri both want updates
on her condition.   They are in shock that something like this could
have happened.”

“We all are, I’m going to call the Sheriff’s
Department for an update and I need to get back home and reschedule some
meetings.  Are you okay to sit with her until I get back?”

“Yes Nico, I am more than capable.”

Belle continued to unpack the bag, dispersing items
where necessary.  She found Carries phone and put it on to charge. 
It began to beep with announcements of messages.

“Did you speak with Carrie’s parents?”

“Yes, despite Carrie’s pleas not to, I told them
more or less the truth.  It took a lot of persuasion to stop them getting
on the next flight out.  I had to tell them what happened as they wanted
to speak to Carrie immediately.  They were worried she hadn’t responded to
any texts or calls today.  Well she couldn’t really when she was in the
ED!”

“I’m sure Carrie will understand,”

“I told them there was an attempted mugging
which she had been caught up in.  That she had some injuries and the
doctors had decided it was best she had some rest in hospital.  I have to
get her to call home as soon as she can,”

Nico left a short while later, promising to
return as soon as he could.  He had a security team in place much to
Belle’s relief. 

It had started to get dark outside.  Belle
had a magazine on her lap and flicked the pages without noticing any of the stories
trying to distract herself from a sleeping Carrie.  She was so worried for
Carrie and not for the first time in her life.  These last few days she
had seen a change in Carrie.  It wasn’t that she had moved on or finished
her grieving for Rob.  She thought that Carrie would always have that
pocket of sorrow within her.  But the change she saw was a little of the
‘old’ Carrie.  The carefree teenager with the world literally at her
feet.  Belle had genuinely liked Rob and was very fond of him.  It
was clear for anyone to see that he had adored Carrie.  He gave her the
stability she needed and she had no doubt that it was only death that parted
them.  But Nico was different.  He brought that spark back to
Carrie.  Was it too soon for Carrie to find a new love?  She didn’t
think so having seen the changes in her niece.  Would their family think
the same?  That she didn’t know. 

“Hi Belle” startled she lifted her head from the
magazine.

“Carrie darling, you’re awake.  How do you
feel?”

“Oh Belle I feel like I have been hit by a tonne
of bricks.  Every bone in my body aches.  Where is Nico?”

“He’s gone home but will be back soon.  He
was very worried about you Carrie.  We both were.  Even before we
knew you were in hospital.”

“I didn’t mean to worry anyone.  I was so
mad this morning with Nico.  It seems like a lifetime ago now.  Sorry
Belle, I feel a bit queasy.  Can you help me up to the bathroom?”

With seconds to spare Carrie vomited again,
which while hooked to drip was difficult task to do.  It took her a few
minutes to regain her composure after her sickness spell and found her
toothbrush which Belle had left earlier.  After a brush of her teeth she
struggled to wash her face with her bandaged hands.

“Do you want me to get a nurse?”

“No, I’m okay; can you just help me with this drip?”

Between them both they manoeuvred her back into a
sitting position in bed after adjusting the levels with the control pad. 

“So, do you want to tell me the bits you missed out
earlier?”

“You know me so well Belle, the only part I missed
out, I wasn’t giving up my bag easily,”

“Why ever not Carrie?  It’s just a material
thing that can be replaced, you can’t!”

“I have some of Rob’s ashes in my bag, that’s why I
didn’t hand over my bag.”

“Oh Carrie, what’s going on?”

“I’m not some grieving psycho.  Remember when I
stayed with you and the light house book, the messages from the medium. 
Well since I got back home, I find pennies everywhere, I got the book out and
it seemed to me, that I had to come here.  Like it was some sort of
message from Rob.  Crazy I know.  I looked at the butterflies and I
went to the lighthouse at Portland with ‘Rob’.  It felt right.  As if
it was what I had to do here.  I scattered some of the ashes there.”

“So that’s what you were going to do today at Bug
Light?”

“Yes, but it didn’t feel right.  That’s why I
left but stopped at the diner to kind of compose myself.  To calm
down.  I was upset with Nico, upset I had let him get close to me, under
all the barriers that I’ve put up.”

“Why didn’t you tell me Carrie?  I would have
understood, I don’t think you are crazy darling,”

“I feel crazy sometimes Belle, not lunatic asylum
crazy but that I have no control in my life.  I had some purpose coming
here.  No one knows me.  Not the ‘tragic widow’.  The people I’ve
met here Terri, Tansie and Monique they have welcomed me as ME.  I have
cried so many tears, that I am surprised I have any left.  I don’t want to
do that anymore.  People tell me Rob would want me to be happy, I know
that, he was a good man.  But I miss him and meeting Nico is different.”

“Nico has given you a spark Carrie, are you ready to
have a man like him in your life?  Because from where I am standing, he’s
not walking away.  He was beside himself today, we both were when I got
that call but he sprang into action.  I had to practically throw him out
the door to go and attend to some business, that’s not the Nico I know.”

“I can’t explain how I feel about him.  Part of
me thinks it’s too soon to have intense feelings like this, that I need to distance
myself or get hurt but I think it’s too late for that.  Saturday night was
too late for that.”

“Did you?” the words unspoken but implying the
intimacy.

“Yes, I slept with him, that’s why I was so angry last
night and this morning.  I felt as if I had betrayed myself in trusting
him and that I had betrayed Rob’s memory.”

“Okay  ... well erm.  I won’t ask you
anything else, spare my blushes but … was it good?”

“Belle!”

“I will take that as a YES” the yes shouted out.

Carrie started to laugh; only her Auntie Belle could
turn the conversation around to sex. 

“What time is it Belle?”

“It’s just after eight now but when I spoke with
your Dad earlier he said they would both be home, waiting to speak to you.”

“Okay, I guess I better call them now, can you hand
me the phone?  Oh and dial home for me too please, with these bandages I
would probably dial Timbuktu”

The phone was answered within the first ring. 

“Hello Daddy”

After hearing her father’s voice, she promptly burst
into tears.  Belle had to take the phone from her for a moment until she
composed herself.

“I’m okay, just a little teary, sorry about that”

“Tell me from the beginning, I want to know exactly
what happened not the version Belle told me earlier”

“Dad there isn’t much to tell, honest, I should have
known better.  I just didn’t think it out.”

“Hmm hmm”

“I erh well remember you insisted I had those
self-defence lessons for university, well you can be assured you got your
money’s worth.  I got into a tussle over my hand bag.  Some guy tried
to mug me when I stopped at a diner for some coffee and I was walking back to
my car.  Things got a little heated.  I kicked out at him to get away
but he grabbed me and when I pulled away our heads collided.  I’ve got a
mild concussion and because I had a head injury in the past the hospital are
taking precautions, that’s all.”

She didn’t mention the cuts or other bruises to her
body.  The reference of the concussion was enough to pacify even the
questions from her persistent mother.   

“How are you feeling now?” her Mum asked.

“I’m fine Mum, just a bit nauseous and dizzy.”

“Okay, I’m glad Belle is with you, makes me feel a
bit better but I still think your father and I should come over.”

“No Mum, I’m fine, just stay at home and look after
Claire for me.  I won’t be home for her birthday.  I feel terrible
about that.  This year was going to be a return to some normality. 
They want to keep me in a few days until my symptoms settle.  I don’t know
when I will get the all clear to fly home but it will be as soon as I get the
thumbs up.”

“Carrie your sister will understand.  Your
father is on the other line just now giving her an update as we speak.”

“Mum, I’m going to put you back onto Belle. 
I’m feeling a bit sleepy now,”

Carrie said her goodbyes to both parents and handed
the phone back to Belle.  She could feel her eyes drooping she was so
tired. 

“Belle you don’t need to sit with me, I will be
fine.  Have you had any dinner?”

“Carrie, food is the last thing on my mind.”

“Well I’m sorry to hear that Belle” A voice boomed
from the doorway.  Nico had returned.

“I brought some coffee and snacks.  Sorry
Carrie, none for you Doctors orders.”

She was happy to see him despite feeling awful but the
aroma of coffee added to her nausea.   “I don’t think I could drink
coffee which is not like me at all.  Nico, please persuade my Aunt to go
back to the Inn.  She has been here for hours.”

Carrie couldn’t fight the waves of sleep that were
encroaching as her eyes closed she heard their soft bickering.  When she
woke it was light outside.  She had slept through the night and Nico was
still at her side.  He was sleeping in the coach next to her, sensing she
was awake he opened his eyes. 

“Good Morning, I finally got to wake with you but I
had hoped it would be in different circumstances,”

“Good Morning Nico, you stayed all night, you
shouldn’t have”

“Carrie, I didn’t want you waking alone during the
night in a strange place”

“Thanks for that, oh I need some coffee but first
can you help me to the bathroom?”

Nico helped her once again move from the bed, the
drip had been removed at some point but the needle remained taped to the back
of her hand for access to the fluids.  Her legs shaky as she crossed the short
distance from the bed to the bathroom.  Her head was beginning to ache but
she dismissed it needing to use the bathroom.  Nico took a call just as
she closed the door.  Locating her wash bag that Belle had left she
brushed her teeth relishing in the minty taste it brought.  Trying to feel
a bit more human.  She found the face wipes and scrubbed at her face a
little difficult to do whilst her hands remained bandaged.  What was that
on her face?  Oh no, it was blood and it wasn’t hers.  It was that
mans.  A mixture of panic and revulsion filled her.  She needed to
get clean; she needed to get every bit of her body scrubbed free from his
blood.  Her stomach was churning in nausea at feeling dirty and she threw
up what little there was left.  Washing her face again and teeth she only
wanted to rid herself of any trace of him.  As she removed the shampoo and
toiletries she didn’t think of her actions or needing assistance.  She
only thought to cleanse herself of yesterday’s events.  Holding on to one
of the many handles for support she removed her clothing and stood in the wet
room area.  She had struggled to cover her bandaged hands but still she
moved on in her goal to get clean.  She must get clean.  Must get
clean was her mantra.  Nico was waiting outside and it didn’t occur to her
to tell him what she was doing.  Standing under the warm water she
couldn’t raise her arms to wash her hair, pain shot through her wrist and she
couldn’t bend her right hand due to the needle that was still in place. 
Tears of frustration began to slide down her face.  She cried out all of
her pain and anger as she tried again in vain to wash and do even the simplest
of tasks.  But it was impossible.  She lay on the floor and wrapped
her arms around her knees sobbing.  Utterly defeated.  She felt dirty
and wanted to clean everything away.  Clean the last 24 hours away.