KATHRYN

"You don't mean that,"I mumbled.

Tears started to stream down my cheeks. I didn't mean to insult him in any way. I didn't know he was in that situation. I didn't know anything about him at all.

"I got the car started. Go back to the hospital,"He spoke.

He let the hood down on his car. I wiped my tears. He looked down at me. A small smile left his mouth.

"You're a piece of work rich chick,"He said.

I smiled at him. I was going to let that comment slide. I just hurt his feelings. I got out of the car.

"Where ya get this car from ma'?" He asked.

"Well that's a long story...let's just say we need to be back at the hospital in..."I looked at my phone, "...15 minutes."

"A'ight, follow me. Ya take a damn hou' ta get ova hea',"He said.

I flicked him off. I got in the car. He pulled off in front of me. I started the car and drove off. We ended up getting to the hospital quickly. He did some illegal stuff and had us there early.

Just as I pulled in the lady who's car I had came walking out.

"Oh ma'am, I pulled the car around for you! Please have a wonderful day!"I said.

She smiled and took the keys. Hopefully she ain't notice her gas tank was on E. As she pulled off I got in the car with Andre.

"Where to now?"I asked.

"Ya gon get ya ass back in that hospital bed na'. Ya know ya almost fell out earlier. I'on want tha problem again. So gon on and get in thea'."

"Andre I'm hungry,"I whined.

He rolled his eyes. I rolled my eyes back. I felt a slight pop on my hands.

"Stop copyin' me."

"Did you have to hit me though? You ain't my father little boy."

"Where ya wanna go ma'?"He asked.

"Yay!" I squealed. "I think I want some Wendy's...wait no maybe Steak-n-Shake."

"A'ight. We can go thea. I'an had that in a hot minute,"He spoke.

"Wait I think I want Chick-Fil-A..."I whispered.

"Chick-Fil-A cost ta much. We goin ta Steak-n-Shake."

"Where ya wanna go ma'?"I mocked him. "I have money,"I said.

"Let me see it," He said.

I reached into my pocket and acted like I was searching for my card. I looked in my bra, shoes, pockets, hair, phone case. I put my hands down my pants.

"That's enough ma'. Don't nobody wanna smell that. Ya ain't got na' money,"He said laughing.

"My pocketbook smells great. Thank you very much."

"Whatever."

I reached towards the radio. I put it on 107.5. This was the only station that played music I knew. I was in a coma for two months. I didn't know music would change that much.

A little piece of paper stuck to his windshield. I took it off and began to read it.

Dear Daddy,

You are extemiely ugoly. I still luv you.

                                             Sinceely,
                                                       Marah

I laughed. This was the funniest and cutest note I think I ever read. Amarah was so cute. She kind of reminded me of myself. Her relationship with Andre was basically my relationship with my father.

My father and I did everything. My mother, who was a drunk, was never with us most of the time. I lived in a predominantly black neighborhood. I wasn't like my friends or my neighbors. Most of them didn't have fathers, or if they did they were drunks or drug addicts. I remember being teased for having the name Kathryn or not having my hair done.

My father didn't know how to do hair very well. He could braids to the scalp but he could only do it straight back. I rocked corn rows until the 8th grade when I finally learned how to do it myself.

My mother was never home to help out. She was always out with friends. She used to tell me when I get older I would understand. I don't drink that often, because I do not want to be like her. I know it runs in our genes. Many people think drug and alcohol problems are not hereditary but they really are. Both of my grandparents on my mother's side were drunks. Then came my mother. She had a rough childhood, so turning to drinking wasn't hard for her at all.

My father kept me from doing that. I was bullied from elementary school to high school. There was so many times I could've picked up a bottle of something and started drinking. She always had drinks lying around everywhere.

I ran into the house crying. I threw my book bag down on the floor. I slipped my shoes off. The door quietly shut behind me. I heard the taunting voices of the girls outside.

My mother was passed out on the couch. I looked at her. Why would she let this happen to me? I picked up the glass bottle she had on the floor. It was a bottle of vodka. There was another bottle beside it. The drinks were mixed to make a dark liquor.

I put the bottle to my mouth. She stirred in her sleep. I looked at her as tears fell from my eyes. My eyes started to get cloudy. I was crying so much. The girls at school made fun of my name. They said I was a white girl. They spread a picture of my face on a white girl's body. They were slowly killing me everyday. I turned the bottle upwards. The liquid began to move towards my mouth.

"How was your day baby girl?"I heard.

I dropped the bottle on my feet. I screamed out in pain. My mother jumped in her sleep. She rolled over, looked at me, and rolled back over to her side.

Little pieces of glass were on the floor. Some of the glass was on my foot. The liquid began to spread out over our wooden tiles.

"Clean the shit up Deshawn. You owe me another drink too bitch,"My mother slurred.

I cried in pain. My father ran over to me. He picked me up and placed me on the kitchen counter. I grabbed my foot and began to pick the pieces of glass out of it.

"Hey hey, stop that! We gotta take you to the hospital. Imani! Where's the keys?"He shouted.

My mother threw the keys over the couch. It hit my right in the middle of my forehead. I cried out in pain. My father shook his head. Blood started to stream down my face.

"Before we go, I gotta tell you something, Kat. Don't you ever pick up another bottle. I don't care what the situation is. Don't you ever pick up alcohol,"He whispered.

I nodded. I opened my mouth to say something, but a little blood slipped into my mouth.

"Taste good doesn't it?"He joked.

He picked me up and carried me to the car.

"She wrote that last week. Ha class working on writing lettas. She just had ta tell me I was ugly,"He talked.

"Amarah is hilarious,"I said.

"Bout damn time ya done responded. I done said that bout eight times, and we already at Chick-Fil-A."

I looked in front of me. Wow that was fast.

"A'ight ma' what ya want? Ima ru-"

"I wanna go inside too!"I whined.

"Gi'l, stay in this ca'e. What tha hell ya want?"He asked.

I crossed my arms. If I wasn't going on, I wasn't going to talk.

"Kathryn, we can play this all day. I got a six yea' old. This ain't na' problem ta me,"He said.

I looked him in his eyes. He huffed. I turned my head and looked out the window.

"Ya really doing this? Ya acting wo'se than Marah. Ima bout ya order ya dirt if ya don't tell me what ya want."

"Let me come inside then,"I mumbled.

"Get ya big ass outta the ca'e. Oh ya act like a damn baybeh. Get on up outta this ca'e Kathryn,"He said.

He pulled the keys out of the ignition. I smiled and opened the door. I pulled my scrubs off myself. I closed the car door as he looked at me.

"Why ya got on two pairs of clothes?"He asked.

"It was cold,"I said.

He rolled his eyes. He held the door open for me. It was 9:45. We literally made it just in time.

"Hi! Welcome to Chick-Fil-A! My name is Lillian! How may I serve you two on this lovely night?"She asked.

"Preppy ass,"Andre mumbled. "Tell ha what ya want."

"Umm I want two chicken sandwiches, and some nuggets,"I said.

"They fries good?"He asked me.

"Our fries are the best in town!"Lillian said.

He turned his head towards her, "Did I ask ya Lila? No, I asked this girl right hea'. Stay behind tha register,"He spoke.

"Andre you can't talk to Chick-Fil-A employees like that! What's wrong with you?"I whispered.

"I asked ya a question. Na' answer it."

I got closer to his ear.

"Have you never been to Chick-Fil-A?"I whispered.

"Na', why? This place can't be that good,"He mumbled.

I went back to the counter.

"He'll have a number one please. Add extra pickles since he wanna be extra,"I said.

I pulled out my phone and paid with Apple Pay. He looked at me like I was crazy. I told him I had money. He just ain't believe me.

"I oughta beat ya. I was gon pay fa it,"He said.

"Thank you so much Lillian!"I said.

I turned towards Andre, "Do you have any change or something? She needs a tip."

"Ian givin that girl nothin. She ain't do non' fa' me."

"Andre,"I mumbled.

He pulled $5 out of his pocket. He wanted to pay so bad. He can give the girl a tip. He don't know how to act. Chick-Fil-A workers are respected. She ain't do nothing to him. He just acting stupid.

"Your food will be ready soon!"She said.

I laughed and grabbed Andre's hand. I pulled him to a table in the back corner. Don't get me wrong Chick-Fil-A workers are nice but they bossy. I don't feel like dealing with them in my business today.

"Ya gon stop grabbin me like I'm ya chil',"He joked.

"You look like it,"I said, "There's no way you can be twenty-one dude."

"In tha flesh. My ma' tell me tha same thing e'eryday. Black don't crack mama."

"This black does. Look at me. I look like I'm thirty seven,"I cried.

"Ya look like ya seventeen. Ya don't e'en look close ta thirty se'en,"He said.
"Except them wrinkles on ya forehead."

I covered my forehead with my hands. I had a bad habit of scrunching my face up. Then these lines just appeared. My mother suggested getting surgery. I would've done it if she hadn't said it. I do everything she tells me not to do, and I don't do what she tells me to do.

That's how much I dislike her.

"I'm kidding, ya look young as hell,"He said.

"Tank you, Tank you."

"Ya so corny."

"You like it though,"I shrugged.

"Whateva ma',"He said.

His phone began to ring. He looked at the caller ID. It said 'Phrey'. He picked it up and put it towards his ear. He mouthed some words to me and left out the door.

I didn't know what he was saying cause I wasn't paying attention. I didn't really get to meet this Phrey guy. I just met PJ.

PJ was so cool. Even though we didn't talk the whole time, and I kept forgetting his name. We kind of clicked. We had a few conversations about a lot of things. My favorite topic that we talked about was grown men who don't use deodorant. That conversation connected us in so many ways. We both hated the fact that's it's men who be twenty, almost thirty years old and be forgetting to put on deodorant. It's disgusting. I've encountered so many patients who have failed to put on deodorant.

Andre walked in with a big smile on his face. He sat down beside me. I smiled back. His smile was so pretty.

"Marah just called ta day good night."

"Oh where is she at?"

"Ova Phrey and PJ's."

"Are PJ and Phrey a...thing?"I asked.

He chuckled, "Yeah ma', they engaged."

"Wait, are you serious?"

"Why would I lie? Them dumbasses been datin since Phrey and I used ta live in Louie,"He mumbled.

"Aw! PJ seems so great! I want to meet Phrey."

"Na' ma' ya don't wanna do that. He gon talk ya ears off. He so annoyin'."

I looked at him, "He can't be worse than you."

"I wanna go inside too!"He mocked me.

I threw up my middle finger at him. He laughed.

"Ok here's your order! Is there anything I can get you guys?"Lillian asked.

"No ma'am! Thank you so much!"I said.

"Ya', thank ya,"Andre spoke.

She looked down at me. Her eyes locked with mine.

"I know this may sound weird, but aren't you Kathryn? Kathryn Stevens?"She asked.

"Uh-"

"Why ya need ta know?"Andre asked back.

"She just looks so familiar. I'm sorry! I'll leave you two alone!"She said.

She walked away from our table. I cut my eyes at Andre. His stupid ass always scaring people away. I can't have a decent conversation with nobody while I'm around him.

He picked up his sandwich. He took a small bite. He gave me a thumbs up and continued to eat. I laughed. I knew he would like this.

"This place good,"He spoke.

"I told you boy. My father used to bring me here every Sunday,"I joked.

"Oh really? That's cool."

He so clueless. Chick-Fil-A closed every Sunday. I laughed and continued to eat. These nuggets were so good. I could eat about ten of these boxes. I haven't ate real food in two while months. My body has been craving outside food. I hate hospital food. Now I know why patients don't wanna be eating that shit. It's nasty.

"Ya good ova thea?"He asked.

"Better than ever. This is so good Andre,"I mumbled.

"Stop calling me Andre. Just call me Dre or somethin ma'. I hate being called by ma' government."

"Okay Andre,"I said. "That rhymes!"

"E'erthing amuses ya ma'. Ya laughed at Marah's note fa 20 straight minutes. Ya played with ice and was laughing like it was hilarious."

"I did not play with ice,"I said rolling my eyes.

"Then what was ya doing?"

"I was watching it melt. Thank you very much,"I crossed my arms.

"Ya gon stop catching an attitude every five seconds."

I rolled my eyes again. I began to stuff my face with more food.

"I used ta think ya was such a good girl. That's until ya started talking outside of ya work. Ya so professional when ya working."

"If I talk like this I would lose my damn job,"I said with a mouthful.

"Cova ya mouth when ya talking. I don't wanna see all that Kathryn,"He said.

I opened my mouth and showed him the mashed up contents in it. He made some gagging noises. I rolled my eyes. His ass was so dramatic.

We got done eating quickly. I was so tired and I had to be back in the hospital before someone came to check in on me. I threw my trash away and Andre did the same. We made our way towards the door.

"Kathryn! Wait don't go yet!"A voice shouted.

I turned around and saw Lillian with some of her coworkers.

"We finally figured out how we knew yo-"

"Come on ma' lets go,"Andre barged in.

"Andre, let the people talk. It's obviously very important!"I said.

Lillian looked me up and down. Her eyes kind of filled with tears. Another coworker gave her a tight hug as she sobbed into her arms.

"Kathryn I said lets go,"Andre said.

He tugged at my arm. I pulled back and walked over towards Lillian. I patted her back. I didn't know what was going on but I totally felt for her.

I've had patients cry to me a lot. I've only been working for a short time but is crazy. Working in the emergency room requires a lot of sympathy for people. There's crying patients, family members, children, and friends. I had to learn to deal with these types of situations.

"You're Kathryn Stevens. The woman who was shot in the Clark Hospital shooting,"One of the girls said.

I kind of nodded my head. I didn't know the details of the shooting. My memory still hasn't came back, and no one had really told me anything.

"We didn't think you were alive. Everyone else who was injured ended up dying,"Another one of them said.

Wait, everyone else who was shot died? I felt my heart drop down to my toes. I couldn't believe it. Who else was shot?

"Her mother was there the day of the shooting."

"I'm so happy you're alive. The only surviving victim. I just saw those pictures and I knew who you were. You look amazing,"Lillian said.

I smiled. There was pictures? I didn't even know that.

"The blood spewing and everything. I'm so sorry you had to go through that Mrs. Stevens. I'm so sorry,"One of the girls said.

I looked back at Andre. He shook his head.

"Thank you girls. I have to get going. It was nice meeting you though!"I said.

I gave each one of them a hug. I even left my hospital room number with Lillian. I walked out of the door. Andre was already in his car.

I swung the door open with all of my force.

"Why the fuck did you not tell me everyone else died?"I shouted.