This Time Around (17 page)

“How is the little man?” Butler asks.

“He is okay. All glued up. In fact, Marta, could you possibly do me a huge favour?”

“Of course, chick, what's up?” I hand her the bottle of medicine for Knox.

“Can you take this to room four please? It is for Knox Bradley. I need to go umm.” I look around thinking of something to do, but nothing is coming to mind.

I am running scared.

Freaking coward.

“Sure, honey.” She smiles sweetly at me. I watch her walk into the room and I let my shoulders sag. I turn to Doctor Butler and see him frowning at me. I turn to the desk and busy myself, hoping he doesn’t ask any questions, but I guess I am not getting what I want today.

“You want to tell me what that was all about? Do you know that bloke in there?” I nod my head and swallow the lump in my throat. Bugger, I did not want to cry at work.

“He is, umm was. Umm, shit. He is my boyfriend.”

“What? And you treated his son? Bloody hell, Penny. You know you aren't
supposed to treat family or friends,” he whisper yells at me.

“I know. It all happened so fast. I’m sorry.” I look to the floor, like a child being told off for stealing a cookie before dinner. My nose burns with unshed tears that are fighting so damned hard to leak. “I am actually off the clock. My shift finished a half hour ago, I will hand my patients over to Grace and then I’m gone, so I can’t screw up anymore today. Bye Doc.”

It doesn’t take me long to hand my remaining patients over to Grace. I avoid Knox’s room but I am not sure if they have left already. I think my heart is both relieved and sad that I didn’t see them leave. I sling my bag over my body and walk out to my car.

I sit in my car but don’t start it up. I just sit here and think over Liam’s reaction to me treating Knox. He must know that I care for Knox. That I would never intentionally hurt him or care less. His words really hurt me today. His lack of trust in me goes to show that maybe we shouldn’t be together. If he can’t trust me to treat his son, then there is no hope for us.

I guess that it isn’t meant to be this time around!

Do you know what a knobhead looks like? Well I do, and I am looking at one right now. He is staring back at me in the mirror. I fucked up five days ago when I mouthed off to Bambi at the hospital. And in front of the Doctor she was working with that day. He had a pop at me about my behaviour and to be honest, I deserved it. I know that she doesn’t care any less for Knox than she does for Connie, I see that in the way she looks at my boy. But seeing him cry out in pain made my last nerve snap. The way he screamed when he fell took twenty years off my life, I swear it.

I splash cold water on my face, and let the frigid temperature wake me up. I have slept like shit the last few nights. The first night I wrote out a text four times, but chickened out and I didn’t send it. It just didn’t seem right saying sorry over the phone. I know I need to do this face to face, but I also wanted to give her some time for - I don’t really know what for. Forgiveness maybe? Shit, I have no fucking clue. My life is all about taking one step forward and then being knocked three steps back. Every time something good happens, shit comes running around the corner.

Drying my face off and throwing the towel into the hamper I go and find Knox. He has been pretty quiet since we came home from the hospital, he won’t tell me what is wrong, he just shrugs his shoulders and leaves the room. I have my thoughts and I think it has to do with the fact that Bambi and Connie have not come around and we haven’t gone over to their house either. He told me when we left the hospital that I was wrong for shouting at Penny, and that was that. I have had mostly one word answers from him and some grunts. I know how he is feeling because I miss them too. I know I need to man up and make the first move; I screwed up so it is up to me to fix things.

Walking into the living room I see my boy sitting in the recliner that belonged to my grandfather. It is brown leather and very worn, but Knox loved it so we brought it with us. He is zoned out watching some cartoon on the TV, his broken arm resting on a pillow and a blanket covering his knees. He takes after his great-grandad, that's for sure. I walk over to him and crouch down in front of the chair, I touch his leg and he jumps a little.

“Whoa, bud. Are you okay there?”

“Yeah, Dad."

“How's the arm and the head?”

“Good.”

“Just ‘Good’?”

“Yep,” he answers again, without taking his eyes off the TV.

“The arm isn’t itchy? I remember when I broke my arm, the cast made my arm itch terrible.” As if on cue he starts rubbing his free hand over the blue cast covering his arm.

“I’m fine, Dad,” he states.

“Okay. Do you need anything?” I say, standing up. He takes his eyes from the TV and looks up at me. He stares a little, before he opens his mouth.

“You could try and talk to Penny. I miss her, Dad. Connie too,” he says, his voice almost breaking with emotion. Shit, I really messed up.

“I know, bud. I miss them, too. So, what do you say we come up with a plan to help me show Bambi how truly sorry I am.” That gets his attention. He springs to his knees, forgetting about his injured arm. He is wearing a big smile that mirrors my own.

“Really, Dad?” I nod my head.

“Yeah. So, what’s the plan?” I say, winking at him.

“I am eight, Dad. What do I know about girls?” He shrugs his shoulders. Okay, he has a point. How the hell am I going to show Bambi that I am truly sorry for the shit I said the other day? I have never had to chase a girl before, they always chased me. So what the fuck do I get her? I know she likes helping people. She is always putting people’s needs before her own.

“Dad?” Knox says, poking my thigh. I didn’t even see him climb off the chair.

“Yeah, Kid?”

“Girls like nice things, right?” I nod my head. “Well, buy her something she likes. She likes chocolate and strawberries. Get her a fruit- flower-thingy that my teacher had when we broke up for the summer.”

“You mean a fruit-bouquet?”

“Yeah?” he says, but he is clearly unsure. He walks into the kitchen and I follow him. Opening the fridge he takes out a can of pop. I stand there and watch him struggle to open it one handed. He is like me in so many ways. He knows he has the help there, but finds it hard to ask for it.

“Do you need a hand there?” I nod my head in his direction. He looks up at me and nods sheepishly.

“Thanks,” he adds. Manners have been drummed into him, just like they were me at a young age.

“You’re welcome. I am going to text Claire and see if she knows anyone who makes them. Then we can set our plan into motion.” He smiles at me and I send a text to Claire.

My neighbour had really come through for me, she found the lady who makes the fruit-bouquet’s. So I ordered one for Bambi. It is a special chocolate covered strawberries bouquet. The strawberries are covered in different chocolates and different patterns. It looks rather tasty if you ask me. Knox is practically bouncing in the back seat as we drive over to Bambi and Connie’s house. I have dressed him in a pair of denim shorts that come to his knees, a red polo shirt and his red Converse. I am going for the cuteness factor here, so I decided to match him. Right down to the red Converse, that I had to buy brand new by the way. We stop at a red light and I turn the radio on to try and calm my nerves. Well the song that plays through the car is that. Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’ is playing on the radio. Knox’s burst of laughter fills the car as he recognises the song.

“Haha, perfect, Dad.” He starts singing along with the song and I join in with him. Part of the song describes my predicament, so it really is perfect. We sing to the song and a few more on the way to our final destination. I indicate and pull up outside Bambi’s house. I turn the car engine off and climb out of the car. Knox smiling through the window, you would swear he is going to get the girl the way he is acting. I open his door and take the fruit-bouquet out of his hands and help him climb down from the car, being extra careful of his arm. I hand the basket back to Knox and open the little white gate for Knox to walk through. Our plan is for me to stay at the gate, while Knox charms my girl with his baby face and the good charm that I gave him. I am hoping that Penny will take pity on Knox when he tells her how crap it is living with a sad arse like me since I screwed up. I watch as he places the basket on the floor and knocks on the door.

My heart is racing a mile a minute waiting for her to open the door. I know she is here because the car is in the drive, plus she has all the windows open. I place my hand over my heart, praying it doesn’t break through my chest. I swear I am going to have a fucking heart attack if she doesn’t open the door soon. My heart is thankful when I see the door open, and there she is in all her fucking beauty. She is wearing white short shorts and a blue vest-top with white stars on it, and she is barefoot.

My Bambi

She smiles down at Knox, but then confusion covers her face as she looks up at me. I give her a little wave but she doesn’t return it.
Shit.
My smile falls from my face. Shit, she is really upset with me. I have really ruined any chance for us?

“This is from my dad. He is really sorry, Penny. He misses you. I miss you, too. And Connie.” I watch as he offers her his best Bradley smile, it is our signature smile for getting what we want.

“Well thank you, Knox. That is very thoughtful of you. But can I ask you something?” He nods his head, yes. “Why are you knocking on my door and not your dad?”

Knox turns to look at me, while Bambi glares at me. Well shit, this hasn’t gone to plan.

“He was scared that you would close the door in his face. He is really sorry. He has been moping around the house and let me tell you, that is no fun for me.” I try not to chuckle but it escapes my mouth. Bambi's head snaps in my direction and I swear if looks could kill, I would be six feet under right now.

“Well since your dad has been a grump for the last few days, even though it is
his
fault that I am not talking to him, why don’t you come in and enjoy this delicious treat with Connie and me.” She cocks an eyebrow at me, daring me to challenge her, but I know better than that. Any man stupid enough to challenge a pissed off woman, deserves everything he gets. I watch as my woman walks my son into her house, with the fruit-bouquet in her hand. She doesn’t even give me one last glance before she shuts the door. Damn. Why does that hurt? I rub the center of my chest, trying to ease the stabbing pain there.

I turn and stumble back to my car. I numbly open the door and climb in, even though my body feels like lead. I have well and truly fucked up. I let my worry for Knox hurt the one woman that I can see my future with. God, if my grandfather were alive he would kick my arse from here, to Kingdom Come and back. He would have loved Bambi and Connie. He taught me how to treat a girl the right way, to respect her, to cherish her and to love her. And to never ever disagree with a woman, because she will make my life hell. Well I fucked that part up didn’t I? I am so lost in my own head, that I don’t see Adrian’s car pull in behind mine, until he is ripping my car door open. I haven’t seen him in a few days, because he went away to see Claire’s parents. I am wishing that I had put my seatbelt on now, as he is drags me out of the car by my shirt. His fist connects with my face and I stumble back as the pain radiates through my jaw. Fuuuck, that hurt like a motherfucker.

“You fucking prick. The one thing I tell you not to do, you fucking do it. You don’t deserve her.” He goes to hit me again, but Claire screams his name. He freezes mid punch and tilts his head to see his wife.

“That is enough. You are scaring the kids, babe.” She angles her head towards the car where Harry and Jorja are sitting, watching their dad, punch my lights out. He uses the hand he has on my shirt to push me back down. His face showing pure hate for me right now, and I totally agree with the way he is feeling, because no-one hates me more than me. I lay flat on the ground and close my eyes, trying to calm my breathing. I cover my eyes with my arm and take in a deep breath. My son's startled voice has me whipping my head around to see him running down the garden path towards me. I see Bambi following quickly behind him and Connie following behind her. I quickly sit up, but the world spins a little and I have to put my hand back on the ground to steady myself. Adrian doesn’t bother to help me, he just stands there scowling down at me.