Don

Not being able to take the continuous pounding in my head I finally opened my eyes. When I did I looked around the unfamiliar room. When I realized were I was flashbacks and images of what happened started to flow.

I began to thank God for allowing my to survive. I was in such a rush and not paying attention almost cost me my life. My mind instantly went to Kaydence. I tried sitting up to call for a nurse but the shooting pain in my back stopped me in my tracks.

I tried raising my arm to press the button and couldn't. I looked down and to my surprise there was a cast going from my elbow to my hand. I felt a heaviness as I tried to move my legs. I moved the sheet they call a cover and it was another cast from my thigh down to my foot.

I tried reaching across my body to reach but another jolt of pain went through my body making me let out a loud groan.

The bathroom door swung open and Darnell came rushing out coming over to me with quickness.

"Don what's wrong?"

She came up to me and started looking me over. By now I wasn't paying attention to the pain I had. I was more surprised that she was here and how did she know I was here.

"Tell me what's wrong baby. Where does it hurt?" I looked at her eyes seeing how puffy and red they were. The tear stains on her face were still wet and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.

When I tried to speak but nothing came out causing me to have a coughing fit. She grabbed a cup and pitcher of water adding a straw and put it to my lips. I closed my eyes in satisfaction as the cold water hit my mouth and ran down my throat.

I cleared my throat trying to speak again. This time I was successful letting out a couple of words below a whisper.

"My back hurts ma." She nodded and quickly paged a nurse telling her that I was awake and my pain medicine was waring off. A couple of seconds later a nurse came in giving me another dosage.

We were alone again and the room was quiet. Neither one of us spoke but I watched at Darnell's eyes grazed over me. She finally looked up and we made eye contact.

"How are you feeling now?"

"I'm good baby girl. Thank you."

"Your welcome Don." She gave me a light smile but it left leaving her with a blank face.

She bit her lip looking down then back up. "Do you remember what happened?"

I tried getting comfortable again moving around in the bed. She got up and fluffed my pillow putting it behind me.

"Uh some parts. I remember leaving your house then I looked down at my phone to look at a text. When I looked up a car was coming towards me and that's it."

I could see her eyes getting watery. She wiped her eyes with the end of her jacket sleeve and sniffed a couple of times. She reached out and grabbed my hand squeezing it giving me a smile.

"I'm glad your okay. I don't know what I would have done if something happened to you Don."
Her words flowed so genuinely with her sweet soft voice.

Before I could say anything back there was a knock on the door and a doctor came in.

"I'm glad to see your finally awake Mr. Taylor. My name is Dr. Clair and I've been the one that has been watching over you. It looks like all your vitals are good." She said over at the machine that sat next to me.

"Your a lucky man your girlfriend Ms. Darnell hasn't left your side since you came in."

"How long has it been?" I was confused by what Dr. Clair was talking about Darnell being my girlfriend. I let it slide wondering what she meant about me being here so long. It seemed like the accident happened yesterday.

"You've been in here for four days Mr. Taylor." When she said that I instantly thought about Kaydence. Whose been watching after my daughter for the last four days?

Dr. Clair stayed for a couple of more minutes then she left telling us she'll come check on me later. When the room door closed I looked back at Darnell.

"So your my girlfriend now?" I said with a smirk. She looked at me and laughed.

"Naw. The officer who was watching after you told her I was because if he didn't they wouldn't have let me come and stay with you."

"Aight and where's Kay?"

"Yameer and Naree took her to get some breakfast and to the park since she's been cramped up in here with me for the past couple of days. They should be back soon. I know you miss her."

I let out a long breath. "For sure."

Just then the door opened again. Kay ran through the door right to Darnell. "Hey there mamas look who's up?"

Darnell turned her around facing me. I smiled at her and she started smiling uncontrollably.

"Da da.......my da da."

Darnell came and put her on my chest. I held her with my one good arm and kissed all over her face.

"I missed you baby girl. I love you so much Kay baby." She laughed and wiggled in my arms. I'm just so grateful that I'm still here to have moments like this with my daughter. She began to calm down and she sat in my lap laying her head back on my stomach.

Yameer came up and dapped me. "What's up bruh. Man you had me sick as hell my dude. I thought your ass was gone. I'm glad you good cause I don't know shit bought running no club. Fucking with me it would have turned into a strip club."

We all laughed. "I hear you man."

"Yeah Don I'm glad your awake. You had Darnell over hear stressing me out." Naree pushed Darnell with her shoulder side eyeing her and Darnell returned it mouthing 'shut up' under her breath.

I laughed at the two. "Thanks ma."

Yameer stayed and we chopped everything up. Him telling me what I missed during these last couple of days and updating me about the club.

"Aight bro I'm bout to go to the crib for a minute. Your daughter had a nigga out there running and sweating. I need to shower and change clothes." Yammer grabbed his shirt smelling it and making a stank face.

"Me too. Do you think you can drop me off?" Naree asked Yameer.

Yameer looked Naree up and down then looked at me. "Yeah we out."

"Aight bro thanks for coming to see a nigga. You too Naree."

"No problem. You know I had to my dude." We dapped and Naree came and gave me a side hug. They both kissed Kay's cheek while she sat watching a kid show that was playing on Darnell's phone.

After the door closed I looked up at Darnell. "You think they going to fuck?" She looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. "Idk they've been getting close since they've been here. I hope not though." She said with a frown.

A nurse knocked and came in bringing what they said was 'breakfast'. I looked at that shit and my stomach turned.

Looking over I saw Darnell with a container of food that Naree brought her. I cleared my throat hoping she would acknowledge me.

She looked up from her food and frowned. "You not gonna eat?"

"Naw ma that shit look like throw up." I said pushing the tray away from me and Darnell laughed.

"Don you have to eat with those pain killers in your system. If you don't eat they can't give it to you and your going to be in pain."

"Idk cause I ain't eating that." I might sound like a brat right now but I refuse to eat whatever this is they call food.

"Fine Don." She let out a sigh and went into the take out bag and pulled out another fork. She got up and pulled her chair up closer to the side of the bed.

Taking the fork she picked up some eggs and brought it to my mouth. When she realized I wasn't going to open my mouth she sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Open your mouth Don." I took a minute and looked at her. Then opened my mouth letting her feed me. I couldn't resist my stomach was growling and this food smelled too good.

Darnell continued feeding me her food not even saving any for herself. When I was done she went into the bathroom coming out with stuff for me to brush my teeth and wash my face.

Since my right arm was the one in the cast it was hard for me to do anything with my left. With my right arm and leg broken I don't know what I was gonna do. Darnell ended up helping me get myself together.

Me being a prideful dude I tried to at least do it for myself before I let her help me. She could tell I was getting frustrated but she didn't say anything.

After a while she laid down on the couch about to take a nap. Kay was already asleep laying in the bed with me on my left side and Darnell turned the tv on for me to watch.

I wasn't really paying attention to the tv but looking at Darnell laying down. Before she could fully fall asleep I opened my mouth.

"Thank you Darnell for everything."

In a half sleep voice she said "No problem Don." Before going straight to sleep. Not too long after her I was out as well.