Read Online Ethans Fal by Dee Palmer - Free Book Online
Authors: Dee Palmer
Tags: A Choices Novel
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We both grin at my new moniker.
“I guess. How long have I been here?” I have tried to work it out because I was too stubborn to ask. There is no television, radio, or any newspapers. In my self-inflicted silent world I honestly have no idea how long I have been here. The colour drains from Joan’s face and I take an involuntary shaky breath. Joan mirrors my steady exhalation and in a voice I know she thinks is calm shatters my fragile world once more.
“Ada, you have been asleep for two years. What I mean is, you have been in a medically induced coma for eighteen months, and then I had you put on a more gradual sedation, which has taken nearly six months to reduce in an attempt to assuage some of the side effects of such a long sedation.” She pauses to gauge my reaction, probably anticipating a meltdown of biblical proportions. But it’s strange; it’s like she is telling someone else and all I can hear is a muffled jumble of words I don’t understand. The words swirl and drift until they settle, and I finally comprehend the magnitude of the revelation. I have lost two years of my life– of Pip’s life.
“Why?” I can see her shoulders relax at my quiet voice. I don’t have the energy for hysterics. I feel utterly devastated and my body reacts the only way it can. Tears; unstoppable tears flood my eyes and pour down my cheeks. The liquid too abundant to be absorbed by the waxy coated pillows and it pools behind my ears and trickles to the back of my neck.
Joan looks almost as distressed, but how could she be? She doesn’t even know the truth. “Oh, sweetheart, I know this is a shock, but you are back now and together we will get you well again.” The irony that I wasn’t sick when I was brought here, isn’t lost on me. I was happy, healthy, and loved. I wasn’t depressed, or unstable; I wasn’t unwell. I can’t help but feel that Joan now has a mammoth task ahead of her, if she thinks she can ever make me well. She squeezes my hand, holding on tight enough that the pain breaks through my dazed state. I repeat my question. I deserve answers.
“Why?” I take her hand and hold it just as firmly. She glances down and her lips tighten with sadness and frustration.
“I don’t know. There has been some irregularity…” She shakes her head, but then pulls her shoulders back. “Honestly, I don’t know what happened with your case, Ada. Even if I never find out, I promise I won’t let you down. Together we will get you out of here.” Her smile is fixed, her declaration resolute, and I feel the first surge of something warm burn inside my chest. It feels a lot like love, but I think it might be hope. Definitely hope because I don’t believe I will ever feel love again. I won’t risk it again.
Now
“You didn’t have to be such a jerk, Ethan.” Buddy punches me on the shoulder with more force than his playful tone merits. I turn away but not because of the punch, it has more to do with the massive erection currently trying to cause me as much pain as possible. She is so my fucking type; but then pretty much any woman is my type. Still, there is something about Ada. I adjust myself and slump down onto the low sofa. My subtle attempt to hide my bulge with the only cushion doesn’t go unnoticed. “Don’t fuck with her, Ethan. She’s…” He hesitates and I sit up a little, too keen to learn more. What is she exactly?
“Yes? She’s what?” He shrugs to brush off my question. “You are giving me warning for a reason, I take it, Buddy? So what is she and why shouldn’t I fuck with her?” I narrow my eyes because I can see he is serious; but so am I.
“Look, she’s just had a bit of a time of it. I’ve known her over a year, but I mean I don’t know the details. Not even Sky knows the whole story and they are tight. All I’m saying is, no one lives like a nomad half the year for fun. She’s a bright girl and works hard. I like her, so as a favour to me I would like it if you
“I guess. How long have I been here?” I have tried to work it out because I was too stubborn to ask. There is no television, radio, or any newspapers. In my self-inflicted silent world I honestly have no idea how long I have been here. The colour drains from Joan’s face and I take an involuntary shaky breath. Joan mirrors my steady exhalation and in a voice I know she thinks is calm shatters my fragile world once more.
“Ada, you have been asleep for two years. What I mean is, you have been in a medically induced coma for eighteen months, and then I had you put on a more gradual sedation, which has taken nearly six months to reduce in an attempt to assuage some of the side effects of such a long sedation.” She pauses to gauge my reaction, probably anticipating a meltdown of biblical proportions. But it’s strange; it’s like she is telling someone else and all I can hear is a muffled jumble of words I don’t understand. The words swirl and drift until they settle, and I finally comprehend the magnitude of the revelation. I have lost two years of my life– of Pip’s life.
“Why?” I can see her shoulders relax at my quiet voice. I don’t have the energy for hysterics. I feel utterly devastated and my body reacts the only way it can. Tears; unstoppable tears flood my eyes and pour down my cheeks. The liquid too abundant to be absorbed by the waxy coated pillows and it pools behind my ears and trickles to the back of my neck.
Joan looks almost as distressed, but how could she be? She doesn’t even know the truth. “Oh, sweetheart, I know this is a shock, but you are back now and together we will get you well again.” The irony that I wasn’t sick when I was brought here, isn’t lost on me. I was happy, healthy, and loved. I wasn’t depressed, or unstable; I wasn’t unwell. I can’t help but feel that Joan now has a mammoth task ahead of her, if she thinks she can ever make me well. She squeezes my hand, holding on tight enough that the pain breaks through my dazed state. I repeat my question. I deserve answers.
“Why?” I take her hand and hold it just as firmly. She glances down and her lips tighten with sadness and frustration.
“I don’t know. There has been some irregularity…” She shakes her head, but then pulls her shoulders back. “Honestly, I don’t know what happened with your case, Ada. Even if I never find out, I promise I won’t let you down. Together we will get you out of here.” Her smile is fixed, her declaration resolute, and I feel the first surge of something warm burn inside my chest. It feels a lot like love, but I think it might be hope. Definitely hope because I don’t believe I will ever feel love again. I won’t risk it again.
Now
“You didn’t have to be such a jerk, Ethan.” Buddy punches me on the shoulder with more force than his playful tone merits. I turn away but not because of the punch, it has more to do with the massive erection currently trying to cause me as much pain as possible. She is so my fucking type; but then pretty much any woman is my type. Still, there is something about Ada. I adjust myself and slump down onto the low sofa. My subtle attempt to hide my bulge with the only cushion doesn’t go unnoticed. “Don’t fuck with her, Ethan. She’s…” He hesitates and I sit up a little, too keen to learn more. What is she exactly?
“Yes? She’s what?” He shrugs to brush off my question. “You are giving me warning for a reason, I take it, Buddy? So what is she and why shouldn’t I fuck with her?” I narrow my eyes because I can see he is serious; but so am I.
“Look, she’s just had a bit of a time of it. I’ve known her over a year, but I mean I don’t know the details. Not even Sky knows the whole story and they are tight. All I’m saying is, no one lives like a nomad half the year for fun. She’s a bright girl and works hard. I like her, so as a favour to me I would like it if you
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