London Harmony: Feel the Beat (14 page)

It was all a blur after that. There was so much action around me and people talking that I couldn't track it well with my head feeling like it was split open. At some point I passed out again, I think when they moved me onto the stretcher. Even immobilized, the pain in my arm was too great.

I woke when the ambulance arrived at the hospital. I asked, “Belle?”

Instantly I heard, “I'm here. We're at the London Royal now, Abi. You're going to be fine.” Then the men were unloading me and bringing me in.

I asked to the air, “Mum?”

Tink replied from behind us, “I called her. She is on the way.”

The next couple hours went by so slowly. They didn't allow anyone in the emergency room with me. I answered dozens of questions. At one point, I had passed out again when they re-set my broken arm. Even with the local anesthetic they gave me to dull the pain. I saw bright spots in the pitch black and then lost consciousness thru the sharp pain.

I was aware of them rolling me around from room to room on gurneys, but I was feeling no pain anymore. It was kind of fun.
Wheeee. Oh good lord these are some good meds they have me on. I'd giggle if I could figure out where my mouth was. Hmmm... I can't see anything. Is that bad?
I felt a bandage over my left eye.

We came to a stop and some people transferred me to a really soft bed. I was almost in a sitting position in it. That was sooo cool. I needed one of these.
I wonder if they'll let me keep it. Heh, I think I'm high.
I tried to sit up straighter, but the pain that made it through the meds discouraged me.

Someone grabbed my hand. “Baby?”

Oh hey, mum is here.
“Hi, mum.” Some urgency battered its way through the fuzziness in my head. “Percy was hurt. Is he okay?”

I heard rustling and she said, “He's in surgery at the vet clinic. His jaw and one leg is broken. He had a rib puncturing a lung, that's what the surgery is for. The vet is optimistic.”

I was sobering quickly. “He was protecting me. It's my fault he was hurt.” Then I said in a meek voice, “He has to be okay mum.”

She said, “He's tough, he'll pull through.”

I heard the challenge in my own voice and almost let a drug induced titter slip out when I said, “Bloody right he is.” She squeezed my hand.

Then I repeated the tiny voice in the back of my head, where primal fear lived. “I can't see mum.”

I heard a rustling, but she didn't say anything. I think she was nodding. Then she said, “The doctor said he would be in in a moment.”

A minute later I heard someone walk in, their shoes squeaking gently on the floor in tangerines and reds. I heard some papers shuffle and a kindly tenor voice say, “Miss Addison. Let's see what we have here.” As he spoke, someone else who must have followed him in started taking my pulse and blood pressure.

He hmmed then said, “The most obvious is the compound fracture to your left arm. It was a clean break so Nurse Bhatti here will remove the splint and get you into a temporary cast as we speak, until a orthopedic doctor can have a look at you.” The woman was manipulating the bandages that were wrapping my arm.

He paused and the papers shuffled and he said in a careful voice, “You have a hairline skull fracture, a concussion. Your MRI was clean, it doesn't look like there is any cranial pressure. We'd like to keep you a couple days for observation, but all indicators are that you will recover fully.”

He paused again and I heard him inhale. He was trepidatious about something. I prompted, “My eyesight? I can't see.” I was getting scared again. It was irrational because I knew that some day I would lose my sight altogether. I had been prepared for it.
Bloody hell, where were the damn drugs when I needed them?

Someone... mum, was squeezing my hand. The doctor shuffled papers again. If he didn't speak soon, I was going to scream. He finally said, “You struck something hard, thus the four stitches. You suffered an orbital blowout fracture on your right side. A bone fragment is pressing against your eye and increasing the pressure. We recommend surgery to remove the fragment to prevent further damage.”

I swallowed and mum asked the question I was afraid to ask, “Will she regain her sight?”

He paused again. Then said carefully, “At this point, we can't say. I don't want to give false hope, but it will relieve the pressure on the eye. We'll know more after the surgery.” I grasped mum's hand more firmly and she gave a reassuring squeeze.

I tried to play it off and said, “Well, we knew this would happen one day.” The crack in my voice at the end ruined my false acceptance.

He answered a few other questions, but I really wasn't listening. Now that the drugs were wearing off a bit, worry for my dog was consuming me. I was knocked out of dwelling on it when they allowed visitors.

I cried like a weepy baby when my Belle came in. I couldn't control my emotions, they were all over the board. I guess the drugs weren't out of my system yet. She shushed me then I said for no apparent reason, “I'm moving in with Izzy mum. If she'll still have me, that is.”

I got a slap on my shoulder then a pause. Then an amused pixie said, “Of course I'll still have you. Then there was a pause and she said in an even more amused tone, “You're stoned Abi.”

I snorted a laugh and put a finger to my lips to shush her and whispered, “Just a bit.”

Oh dear lord, did I really just tell mum I was moving out like this?
Mum said, “It's about time. You basically live with her lately as it is.”

We all chuckled as I let out an imaginary breath in relief, I thought it was going to be a battle when I told her. She is so over-protective. Then I thought about it. She really did like Tink... a lot. I smiled at that.

Then my girl said, “Your glasses are broken, and I found your prosthetic about three meters away, you must have hit the SUV hard. It is pretty buggered up.”

Then she made a movement and then mum said thoughtfully, “It will need to be replaced. Even a single scratch would make it painful for her. This one is duff.” I released my girl and held my hand out and mum placed it in my hand. I could feel several scratches in the glass and a chip out of the surface near the pupil. I handed it back and grasped the air until a familiar hand was back in mine.

The nurse stood and patted my shoulder. “There you go love. Someone will be in in a bit to make sure you are all situated. I hear the police want to speak with you.”

Mum replied for me, “Thank you.”

Then the questions started. I had to re-live the entire incident again. The, when a bobby came in I, had to give a statement. He asked what was taken and I described my equipment, my bracelet, and then added as an afterthought “Oh and my busking lolly for the day.”

But Belle spoke up, “No, actually I organized that and and put it and all the business cards in an envelope in your bag.” She gave the impression from her movement that she shrugged. “I got bored while you and Ray got ready for the night, and it is just silly how much money you leave in your case.” I smiled in her direction.

Rayleigh showed up just to be kicked out with everyone else a minute later. They were instructed to come back during visiting hours. She did share that Randall was still with Percy and they'd let me know how he was doing when she came back in the morning. And that everyone, including to her shock, Trina, was worried about me.

I curled my toes when Belle gave me a soft kiss on the lips, whispering, “I love you lady. See you in the morning.” Then she left with mum. I was alone with the colors of the sounds of the hospital at night swirling in my vision. I felt sort of vulnerable. I realized it was only because of the attack. I decided I wouldn't be a victim of the man twice so I pushed those feelings away. I thought about Isabelle and Percy until I drifted off to sleep.

The next couple days were hectic. You'd think laying in a hospital bed would get boring. But with all the people visiting me and my adventures sneaking off to the loo on my own without the nurses; I'd have to get my cane until Percy was back; and the surgery on my eye, I didn't have time to relax.

Belle was by my side through everything. I got a nifty eye patch for my left eye until I could get a prosthetic fitted, I really hated that fitting process. Belle picked out the patch. She says it is plain black like a pirate's, but everyone else says it is bright pink with Hello Kitty on it. The bloody minx.

The news came in after my surgery that the mugger was caught. He was a bloody git. He spray painted the case black then was trying to sell it to some street performers. Everyone knows my gear and I hear the Robinson brothers caught up with him and kicked the living hell out of the man and Amy stood on his neck until the authorities showed to take him away. I'd have to testify at his trial and would get my equipment and my bracelet they found on him afterwards.

The parade of people caught me by surprise. I had just a few close friends I called family, but I was amazed at the vast network of friends I had amassed outside of that group. I was pleasantly surprised when Bear came to wish me well. My girl cutely told me that he had dropped off a single daisy for me and a get well balloon. It must have looked a sight, a giant of a man holding a flower and a balloon.

The following day they took the bandages off my right eye and shined a light on it, but I was still in a world of black. They wanted to see me again on Friday. They said the swelling would be down by then and they'd check for any improvement then.

I have to admit, that after they had taped a new pad over my eye, I was ready to get out of there. I felt useless just sitting there. I needed music and Percy. They were letting him go home today too. I needed to feel the beat of the world again with him. Mum arrived and handed me my cane from my bag. Then I whispered to her while my girl looped my arm in hers, “Take me home please mum...” then added as I squeezed Isabelle's arm, “To Belle's?”

The next week was hell since my girl confined me and Percy to bed... well, to the futon. She took a week off from work to sit with me and to nurse a mostly mobile Sir Percival. Rayleigh was working with Bear on our demo CDs since I couldn't contribute much to the design without seeing them. My only excursion was when mum showed up to bring Belle and me to my prosthetic fitting.

They could have used the mold from the previous one, but the tech insisted that all sockets change over time so it would be smarter to get a new one done. It would be a week before it would be ready and I could get rid of the silly Hello Kitty eye patch.

Friday we went to my optometrist the hospital scheduled me to visit for my follow-up. I was unfortunately getting good with the cane, I couldn't wait until Percy's leg cast was off and he was recovered from surgery. He loved all the bedtime, the lazy bloke. But he deserved it, he was my hero.

We made our way out to the Piaggio and when it sputtered to life, I turned to Isabelle, “Izzy... I love you. Thank you for... everything.”

Her sweet tones flowed over me. “Always. I love you too.”

Then I hesitated and asked, “What if, you know... what if this is permanent?”

She almost hissed as she replied, “You think I'm that shallow? I couldn't give a flying fuck if you can see or not, just as long as you are mine.” Then her voice softened. “Don't bring it up again or I'll withhold sex from you.”

I blinked as a warmth only she could give me radiated through my body. I said in a silly tiny voice, “But... I like having sex with you.”

She chuckled and said, “Stop being so bloody cute, I'm trying to stay mad at you.”

I smiled in smug satisfaction. I think she knew the fear I was covering for, because her hand was in mine, her thumb stroking mine.

When we met with Doctor Vaughn, Belle had to wait in the front lobby while I was brought back to the eye exam room. Doc Vaughn took the pad off and I opened my eye. I blinked a couple times. The darkness wasn't as profound. She asked, “Better?”

I shrugged. “I think, I think I can see something. Not as much as before, it is almost black but I can tell when my eye is closed.”

She said, “Good, the light is off Abigail. Now I'm going to shine a light in your eye. Ready?”

I nodded then my vision was flooded by bright yellow fuzz. I blinked rapidly and I was starting to breathe hard. “I can see it!” She turned off the light as I started fidgeting with nervous energy. She turned the room lights on and the world was back how it had been. My world of fog and shadow and I admit I had never been so relieved in my life.

She had a smile in her voice when she said, “The pupil is reacting normally. Let's run some tests and get you fitted for some glasses. Your eyesight may change over the next four or five weeks so we might have to go through a pair or two during the process.”

I nodded enthusiastically and we started the testing. At one point, she said, “Hmmm...” Then punched up something on her terminal then “Hmmm...” again.

That was killing me. “Don't leave me hanging doc. Hmmm, what?”

Her shadow turned to me and she said, “Your eye pressure is down significantly. It is in the safe zone. Whatever happened with your injury has had a positive effect.”

My excitement was building, but I had to force it down as I asked cautiously, “What does that mean?”

She paused then said just as cautiously, “At this point it means that if the pressure stays at these levels after you are finished healing...” She paused and I could hear a smile in her voice when she asked, “How'd you like that cataract surgery then?”

I swallowed down the lump in my throat as I fought a tear. “Really?” I was afraid to hope.

She replied firmly, “Really. Let's monitor it and if it is still manageable in four weeks we can schedule the surgery. Keep using your eye drops though.”

I had to cover my mouth and stopped a sob as I just nodded at her. I didn't realize how important it was to me. I had prepared myself most of my life for the loss of my vision, but after experiencing it I knew how much I wasn't ready.

Again I could tell she was smiling when she said, “Okay then, let's get you set up with some temporary glasses then.” I nodded again, not trusting my voice.

After a bit, I walked out to my girlfriend who was pacing the lobby almost frantically. I was wearing the most god awful pair of thick black rimmed glasses that had to weigh twice as much as my last pair. All those thoughts left my mind when she turned to me.

I said in a cracking voice, “You're so beautiful.” I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I covered my mouth with a hand. I was so bloody emotional after the mugging. Maybe I was broken in more ways than one.

She was super smiley with glittering eyes. “You can see!”

I nodded and we hugged as Doc Vaughn came out and smiled at our display as she handed me some paperwork. “Fill these out and we'll keep them on file in case all goes well. There is a prescription for antibiotic drops that you need to take as well as your existing prescription.”

We thanked her and started to leave when I caught my reflection in one of the mirrored walls of the frames. “Bloody hell! I look like the arse end of a baboon!”

Tink snorted and tugged me along. I had the last yellows and browns of healing bruises on my face and a row of neat stitches below my right eye. The ugly glasses over the Hello Kitty patch looked ridiculous. I looked emaciated like I hadn't eaten for a week and a pink cast on my left arm. She whispered in my ear as we made our way to her van, “You're beautiful Abi.”

Then she brought me home and let me see me through her eyes. She made me feel sexy and desirable. She was in full control and I couldn't have felt any more loved and wanted. I had for the first time ever, made love to her with my glasses on. I wanted to see her. I had missed her face so much when I couldn't see. I stopped when I saw something new, the blank spot on her left side above her breast had a new tattoo, an anime caricature of my face with “Abi” written below it.

I was afraid not to look at my girl in case my sight was only temporary. I think she realized what I was thinking because she stayed in my vision the entire night as she made me sore in all the right places.

She whispered as she held me when we finally had to stop to get something to eat. “I was so afraid. When I went looking for you and saw you and Percy on the ground that night.” I nodded and we just held each other for a while then she made us a light supper but dished me up more than her. I scarfed it down remembering how gaunt my reflection was.

The next three weeks went by excruciatingly slow. Once I had my new prosthetic eye and my cast was removed, Belle “cleared me” to start busking again. I craved the music and she knew it. She took the day off on my first day to help me out.

After the mugger pleaded guilty and was sentenced, she had my case that was recovered by the police repainted to my now signature colorful paint job. She made me feel safe instead of making me feel she was being overprotective like mum.

I looked down to my brave knight who was plastered to one leg as we walked into the Garden. Percy had a slight limp now but was otherwise back to his normal handsome self.

The various performers would stop and applaud when I walked past, causing me to blush. The Robinsons stopped to sing with me while I was at the Apple Market. I had thanked them for catching the mugger and they all showed me predatory grins as Amy said, “It was our pleasure, believe me. The boys gave the wanker what he deserved.” Then her look softened. “Welcome back Abi, the Garden hasn't been the same without you.” I nodded, not trusting my voice and we hugged it out.

The next day I had a visit with Doc Vaughn. I wished she would have allowed Tink in the exam room with me, I was so nervous. She ran some tests then took my eye pressure and then just stopped and started typing on her terminal without saying a word.

I stared at her back, imagining burning holes in her shoulder blades with my intensity. The silence went on when I finally blurted out, “Well?”

She turned back to me with a straight face. I deflated, but then I could see a waver and she couldn't hold it anymore and her face split into a huge smile. “How does Tuesday sound for your cataract surgery?”

I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding as my heart started racing. “Really?” She was nodding and then I frowned at her. “That was bloody cruel. I hate you.” Then I smiled at her. “Tuesday would be brill.”

She bobbled her head and returned my smile. “It was so worth your reaction.” I shook a fist at her and she chuckled. Then she printed out a form and said, “Sign here.” I read it quickly and signed. Then she handed me some paperwork. “Be at the clinic there on the form at nine in the morning. It is on the sheet. Try not to eat anything the night prior, you can but it is just better if you don't. It should take about ten to fifteen minutes to perform, then you'll need about thirty minutes to recover. Have your mum or your girl out there drive you home.”

I started wringing my hands as I felt the anxiety. “How long before we know if it worked?”

She reached out and gave my hand a squeeze. “Right away.” Then we'll need to fit you for some glasses after you recover for a week. If all goes well, you should have pretty normal vision, but you will need reading glasses. We may go through several sets the next eight weeks.”

I nodded and smiled as she led me out. She said in a playful tone, “She's all yours,” to Isabelle then disappeared back into the exam room.

My blue haired angel tilted her head at me in question and I just nodded rapidly back at her as I fought off tears again. She was hugging me suddenly, saying, “That's brilliant!”

I was so frightened the following Tuesday. I was nervous the entire weekend and didn't go out performing. Ray practically lived with us those three days and they kept my mind off the upcoming surgery. I loved my girls so much.

Mum had dropped by to see where I would be living and brought by a few of my things I had forgotten when we moved my stuff over Izzy's... well to our place I guess. That made me smile.

Tuesday, Belle, took off time again. I chastised her and told her she didn't need to get into trouble with Scooter, which she replied with, “Let me handle Scott. I need to be with my girl today.” I was on could nine.

Mum and Ray also showed up at the clinic and I was starting to get anxious. It is a scary thing having surgery on your eyes. You are awake for the process. They do give a mild sedative and some anesthetic drops in my eye. Before I knew it, they had gauze over my eye and wheeled me into recovery. My three ladies were there. Though the mild sedative wasn't the quality drugs they had me on in the hospital after the attack, I still said some embarrassing things to them before my head cleared a few minutes later.

Before long a doctor was there with a nurse. He slowly removed the gauze. “Keep your eye closed.” I could tell he turned the overhead light off even through my eyelid as things darkened a bit. “Okay, now open your eye slowly, it will be really sensitive to light for a few hours.”

I opened my eye slowly and blinked at the bright glare of lights in the other areas of the clinic. My first impression was how sharp the lights were besides bright. None of the cloudy halo blurs I was used to. Then the slow realization that I saw those sharp lights in the ceiling without my glasses on.