BeForeplay Read Online Free Page A

has a clue
except Tasha. But that’s only because she lives next door and sees
us coming and going or his car staying all night. Plus, she is my
best friend, whom I’ve sworn to secrecy. She says she’ll keep her
mouth shut as long as I keep giving her details. I would give her
details anyway. I want to tell her everything, after all I am a
girl.
    We were working one night when we got a call
about a level one pediatric trauma coming in. This is not good. The
department looks to be in chaos after the call but in reality we’re
synchronized getting everything in place and ready.
    I can’t believe my eyes when they bring the
baby in. She’s three and is tiny from malnourishment. She’s black
and blue from her head to her feet, her eyes are almost swollen
shut. I can tell her humerus on the right arm is fractured. So is
her right tibia. I don’t hear much after that except the orders
being given. I have to shut my mind down and be in total nurse
mode. They lost her on the way here, but have been doing CPR for
only ten minutes when we take over. We try for another thirty even
using the defibrillator and still nothing. Jack finally pronounces
the time of death. The tears are streaming down my face on their
own accord and I know I’m not the only one.
    We leave the room and I hear one of the
paramedic’s saying that the boyfriend of the mother should be here
soon because he has a broken nose and a contusion above the
eye.
    I know what happened to her, but I have to
ask. “Is he the one that tortured and killed that baby?”
    Brady looks at me with fire and sadness in
his eyes his body stiff. “Yeah, that fucker did it. So did the
mother. He’s lucky he didn’t wind up in my rig. I’d be bringing him
in DOA.”
    I nod my head and walk away. I want to go
home now but need to finish up my paperwork so I can leave. I’m at
the nurses’ desk on auto-pilot when Jack comes up. He sits next to
me and asks, “Are you okay?”
    “I will be. I’m getting ready to go home. How
are you?”
    “It’s hitting me pretty hard right now. Can I
come to your house when I get off?” I’d rather be alone but I can
only imagine what it’s like for him having to pronounce her
death.
    “Of course. I’ll leave the front door
unlocked, just come in when you get there.
    “I’ll see you later. Please be careful on
your way home.” He stands up and leaves. I finish my work, go to
the locker room to get my purse and leave. When I walk out the
doors I know I’ll never be back. I’m not okay and I don’t know if I
ever will be.
    When I get into my truck I let loose all of
the tears and anger. Once I’m calm enough to drive I head home.
    When I get in the shower I cry and scream
while the hot water relaxes my muscles the best it can. After I’m
all dried off I braid my hair, get dressed and head for the
kitchen. It’s going to be a long night. I like to bake when I’m
upset. It relaxes me better than anything else I’ve tried.
    By the time Jack arrives I have an Italian
crème cake cooling and am working on my second batch of snicker
doodle cookies. He comes up from behind, wraps his arms around me
and buries his face in my neck. I can feel him shaking. I wipe my
hands off and turn in his arms to hold him. He’s crying and in turn
that makes me cry. I let go of him, shut the oven off, put the
cookie dough in the fridge and take him to my bathroom. I start the
shower, undress myself and then undress him. If I focus my
attention on him and take care of him the less time my thoughts
have to run wild.
    I grab a washcloth and lead him into the
shower. “I’m going to take care of you. Relax, let the tears flow
and just feel.” He nods, puts his head down with his arms on the
wall and lets the water run over him. I make sure his hair is wet
enough and have him lean back so I can wash it. I massage his scalp
for a few minutes and pat his shoulder so he knows to rinse. I get
the washcloth wet and soapy and touch his shoulder again. He