Forever and a Day (26 page)

“Thanks, kind of nervous, it’s a long flight.” He said, only telling her half of the truth.

“Ok, we are all going to the airport. Did you try and call the Malaka again?” She asked.

“I left him a message. If he calls here please tell him I will call when I land.”

Evie nodded and grabbed her large black Jaclyn Smith purse and waited for Xander at the door. Xander placed the food in his carryon bag. He walked over to Evie, set his cheek against hers, and whispered, “I love you, and I am going to miss you Koukla.”

Evie kissed his cheek, “Me too. I will miss you.” With that said, she grabbed her keys and bade her husband to follow her to the garage where Athena and Yiayia were patiently waiting by Evie’s van.

JJ put her phone back into her purse and gave Halo a thumbs up, “He’ll make the flight and he extends his gratitude.”

Halo felt relief as she nodded back. It felt like she could finally breathe easier as well. A knock came at the door and her doctor poked his head in. “Come in Doctor.”

The elderly, tall and dark skinned man who was her emergency room doctor strode in with his hands full of charts and x-rays, “If I may get straight to the point? Miss Raines, as a precaution I really do suggest an MRI, and soon. That hematoma on your head is quite pronounced, it does have me concerned, as your x-rays are non-conclusive. At the least, you have a mild concussion. Your other injuries should heal up fine with plenty of rest.”

Halo nodded, “Fine, when can we get this done with?” Halo asked.

“We do not have one here on the island Miss Raines, I am sorry. We transport medical patients in need to Apia on Samoa.”

Halo sighed and adjusted her paper like hospital gown with her hands, “I really don’t have time for this. Every day we are not filming it costs around fifty thousand dollars for people to just sit around.”

“I understand Miss Raines. I recall another actress some years ago who suffered a minor head injury while skiing, she passed away a few days after…”

JJ stepped closer to Halo and whispered in her ear. Halo perked up at her suggestion, “Doctor Apulu, would a hospital in Brisbane have an MRI?”

“Yes, I do believe they do being a large metropolitan city. Oh, yes! As I recall now, they do have a level one trauma center there. It is a longer flight, but it is better than not going at all in my opinion.” Dr. Apulu stuck his hands in his white lab coat pockets and waited for Halo to reply.

“I will see what I can do, thank you doctor. May I leave now?” Halo asked.

Dr. Apulu winced slightly and he began fumbling with his prescription pad in his lab coat pocket, “Miss Raines, there is another subject I need to discuss with you. I am uncomfortable in bringing this up, but officially, I need to. I apologize in advance.”

Halo figured something was up, “Go ahead Doctor.”

“Miss Raines, the police are requesting photographic evidences of the excoriations, the scratches, to your um, groin area.”

JJ spoke out, “I bet they are.” Halo shushed her with a conciliatory pat on her hand as the doctor continued.

“We can cover enough of the surrounding area as to limit what is distinguishable or viewable. In my report to them, I did describe the excoriations in detail. I can have the nurse photograph you with your friend her assisting. Is this acceptable?”

“Do I have a choice?” Halo sighed.

“Yes you do. You can say no. The case against Mr. Stone maybe a little more difficult to prosecute…”

“It’s fine doctor.” Halo looked up to JJ who gave her a tight-lipped smile.

“Very good. Miss Raines, for your swelling on your foot, all your contusions, I suggest Naproxen or Ibuprofen with alternating hot and cold packs. For your back strain I will prescribe you some muscle relaxants.” He gave her a nod, “The nurse will be in shortly, when she is done I will return to discharge you.”

“Thank you doctor.” Halo replied as Apulu quietly let himself out of the examination room.

“Halo, I think if you just pull your gown over and keep your hoo hoo covered you can show your inner thigh and hip.” Halo pulled up her gown as JJ suggested, “Damn, that looks like it hurts—that fucker!” JJ exclaimed in a hushed voice, “Does it?” She asked and hugged Halo around her shoulders.

JJ’s arm felt good, she almost wanted to start crying but bit it back as she answered, “I’m ok, thanks JJ. Yeah, I think your idea will work.”

JJ turned to look squarely at Halo, “Girlfriend, I have never seen you so… I dunno… scary? I think if someone didn’t stop you, Johnny would be dead or at least in a full body cast.”

Halo looked down and fumbled with her gown. She bobbed her head in agreement with JJ, “I know…” She looked up a little and met JJ’s eyes and changed the subject, “I was expecting at the most a little fondle or slip with the hand… I don’t know what got into that fucker’s mind. Did he plan it or what?” Halo let out a long breath, “He’s going to go down for what he did, I will make sure of it.”

“Well, I am happy you kicked the shit out of him. I hope he gets worse in prison.” JJ added.

“Hey, have you heard anything when you were out there?” Halo asked in a hushed voice.

“No, sorry. Everyone is being tight lipped.” JJ shrugged.

“Oh my, I can’t believe Joseph was aiming for the trees!” Halo said wide-eyed.

“I can’t believe how far Joseph threw him! Good thing you waved him over, everyone was just standing there in disbelief at what we were seeing. You know it did look like what was supposed to be going on, I knew something was up when your handcuffs came off. Uh, how did you break them?”

Halo smiled then smiled bigger, “I had the prop guy fix the chain link so it would break! Like hell I am going to be handcuffed for real, well unless…”

“Ah… oh! Don’t know how you can think naughty right now.” JJ chuckled.

A knock came at the door and a woman’s large, dark haired head popped through a partially open door, “It’s Patricia your nurse, honey.”

Halo waved her in, “Hello Patricia, this is my friend JJ.”

Patricia opened the door wide and let herself in, Halo would politely describe her as ‘big boned’ and jolly. Patricia shook her head at Halo with a frown on her dark face, “Honey, so sorry about what happen, it was great to hear you taught that shameful man a lesson!” Patricia’s frown went to a smile and her dark eyes twinkled.

Halo nodded and returned the smile. JJ spoke up, “Pardon me, uh… how is Johnny Stone doing?”

Patricia looked back in forth as if she was looking for someone then stepped close to the girls, in a hushed voice she told them, “I’m not to be discussing it, but I tell you anyway! He has a broken nose, two loose front teeth, a concussion, a broken and a cracked rib, oh and his arm is broken too. Um his,” She pointed down with her finger, “uh penis has three stitches and so does his sack, I mean his scrotum. They thought he might lose one of his marbles.” She shrugged and patted Halo on her leg.

“Wow, you did a number on him!” JJ said quietly.

Patricia looked to the door then back and held up a finger to her lips, and whispered, “I heard the sergeant talking to him. John Stone said ‘what happen to him?’ the sergeant told him he got beat up by a girl! All the police outside the door began laughing! The doctor had to tell ‘em to shut it!” Patricia patted Halo again, “You did good!”

“Thank you Patricia.” Halo said, trying to sound proud.

“Let’s take the stupid pictures and get done. I don’t know why, it be really silly.” Patricia said with a deeply furrowed forehead.

“It’s ok, here is this ok?” Halo adjusted her hospital gown.

“Honey, if they don’t like it they can stuff it.” She smiled then from her pocket, she produced a small digital camera and aimed it at the fingernail gouges in Halo’s groin. She snapped two pictures and checked the screen. She showed it to Halo and she gave Patricia a thumbs up.

Patricia put the camera back in her large pink smock’s pocket and pulled out a small pad then gave Halo a questioning look, “Honey? I hate to ask…”

Halo smiled and gave Patricia’s hand a pat, “An autograph?”

“Yes! My kids would be happy to see it! They love the movie you sing in! Such a beautiful voice you have honey!”

“Thank you.” Halo smiled and accepted the small paper pad and pen. She wrote:
To Patricia, thank you so much for taking such great care of me. You are my favorite nurse! With love, Halo Raines. XOX.

Halo handed the pad back and Patricia read it, “Honey, you be such a sweet thing! Thank you!” She held the pad to her large bosom and smiled, “I’ll be goin’ now. So nice to meet you, take care of yourself, ok? You go and get dressed now.”

Halo nodded, “I will, thanks again Patricia.” The nurse let herself out the door all smiles. Halo turned to JJ, “Did you bring my clothes?”

“Oh! Yes in the bag!” JJ walked over by the examination table and handed Halo a plastic bag with some clothes from the set, “Lemme help you.”

Halo began slipping out of her paper gown and JJ gently got Halo into her bra and T-shirt. Deciding to go commando, JJ helped her pull on a pair of white denim Capri pants. JJ handed Halo a pair of black leather flats, Halo bent over and came right back up grimacing, “Oh hell, it hurts to bend over.” She winced with tears forming.

“Here let me.” JJ said and slipped Halo’s shoes on for her, “There you go.” JJ gave her a pouty lip in sympathy.

“Thanks, JJ. I keep saying it, but really I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

JJ smiled and knew what she would do without her, she would be forced to find a guy and be happy. Hell even a good dog would be good for her. She always felt that she was holding Halo back. She loved her friend and boss, but she thought of herself as her crutch,

“You would manage just fine, but you know I love you.”

“Love you too, JJ.”

A knock came at the door but it did not open. Halo called out, “Come in!”

“It’s Doctor Apulu. I have the sergeant from earlier. He would like to ask you a few more questions?”

“Please, come in.” Halo responded.

Apulu came in and another very muscular Samoan man, wearing a dark blue short sleeved button up, a badge, darker blue pants and black combat boots. His complexion was lighter than Apulu’s and Patricia’s both, the sergeant standing in the doorway reminded him of a bull in a china shop.

“Hello again, sergeant.”

“Good day, Miss Raines. Sorry to bother you again.” He replied and came in and stood next to Dr. Apulu.

“The sergeant is happy with the pictures, correct?” Apulu turned to the sergeant and looked him eye to eye.

“Yes, they will be helpful.” Replied the police sergeant, “Just a question or two…” He reached into his back pocket and produced a clear plastic bag marked ‘Evidence’ in red. He held it up to Halo, “Ma’am do you recognize what this article of clothing is?”

Halo saw what it was and stifled a giggle, as did JJ, “Uh, yes that is referred to, I apologize in advance, a ‘cock sock’, and male actors use them to cover their genitals in sex scenes…usually.”

“Very good. Did you hear Mr. Stone at any time before the attack say he was wearing one?”

Halo and JJ both nodded, “Yes. He did.” Halo said.

JJ added, “He made a joke that it was too small and he would have to make due.”

“I think just about anyone who was on the set heard it, there were many groans at his joke.”

“I see. Miss Raines, earlier you said that you did feel skin on skin contact from Mr. Stone’s penis,” He looked through his notes on a pad, “on your thigh. Is this correct?”

“Yes, sergeant.”.

“And when you delivered a kick to his groin you stated you were on your back underneath Mr. Stone. Did you see Mr. Stone wearing, uh this sock?” He held up the bag with the flesh colored sock.

“No he was not wearing it. Nor did I feel it on him when my foot hit his thing.”

“I see. I think that about covers it. Thank you Miss Raines.”

“One moment please, sergeant. Am I in any trouble?” Halo asked a bit worried.

The big sergeant smiled, “No, Miss Raines. You defended yourself admirably, and in this officers’ opinion? You made sure he wouldn’t retaliate. I see what you may be thinking by my questions. I can tell you this, this uh… sock was found in Mr. Stone’s pants pocket. We are making sure that we have a solid case; it comes from all the way up.”

“Oh! Well, I’m relieved, thank you sergeant. Uh, is Joseph in trouble?”

The sergeant cocked his head at her and smiled, “Why, did he do something wrong?”

“Oh, no he didn’t. Uh, you JJ?” Halo quickly asked her friend.

“Who me? No, he was there the whole time, I didn’t see anything wrong.” JJ said and smiled.

“Very good then. Ladies, Doctor Apulu, good day.” With a wave, he left the room with his shoulders coming close to brushing the doorframe as he left.

Doctor Apulu reached out and handed Halo a small box, “Here you are Miss Raines, ibuprofen and muscle relaxers. Here is your medical chart with x-rays and my diagnosis. You are intending on getting an MRI, correct?”

Halo accepted the manila type of envelope and pills, “Yes, we will try and get a flight out as soon as we can, thank you doctor.”

“Ah, one more thing Miss Raines, the medical report in your hands? I did not make mention of your other injuries, just the one to your head due to the hospital being in Brisbane… I thought it would be in your best personal interests.”

“Doctor, thank you for your concern.” Halo said and held out her hand to him with a look of gratitude, “I really appreciate it.”

“Take care and I bid you both good day.” Apulu replied and quietly let himself out.

Halo turned to JJ, “Where is our charter jet at?”

JJ shook her head, “It’s not scheduled to be back here until next week. I’ll make some calls on the way to the hotel and get us on one ASAP.”