Safe In Your Heart
Italics denote a Flashback
Safe In Your Heart
Italics denote a Flashback
Part 1
‘Where is she???’ Jimmy asked, approaching the nurses’ station at a dead run, a dark haired man trailing behind closely.
‘In room 223, Jimmy. Dr Morris is her attending today.’
Passing the nurses’ station, Jimmy stopped in front of the door to room 223 and looked through the small pane of safety glass in the door. He could see his friend, Drew Morris examining her. She looked so small and pale in the bed, like a fragile flower.
‘She’ was his almost-sister Adrianna. They grew up together, he–being about five years older–took a brotherly role in her life, protecting her from bullies, teasing her, and letting her tag along on his exploits and misadventures, despite his friends’ obvious annoyance at times. His parents came to view her as a daughter, she was a frequent guest in their home, especially on Fridays, when her step-father got paid.
The man that had been at his heels stood beside him, and put his hand on Jimmy’s shoulder. ‘She’s going to be okay, mate. From what you have told about her I can tell she is a fighter.’
‘I hope so Lando, I really do.’
‘Have faith man, you can’t give up, you are all she has,’ said the man Jimmy called ‘Lando’, Orlando Bloom, actor, heartthrob, and Jimmy’s new mentor.
‘She’s all I have too,’ was Jimmy’s response.
‘No, man, you’ve got me, and I suspect a couple others would say the same too.’
Before Jimmy could reply a hospital security guard rushed up. ‘Most sorry, sirs, but word got out that Mr Bloom is here, and well, I am sure you can hear the result.’ Indeed Jimmy and Orlando could hear high pitched squeals and screams, and girls screaming Orlando’s name.
‘Bloody HELL they even follow me to a damned HOSPITAL,’ cursed Orlando.
Jimmy conferred with the guard, Jackson according to his name badge. Jackson assured him that police would be along quickly, and the head of security was coming in to aid Orlando and him in leaving the hospital without being noticed. He assured Jimmy that he could take his time visiting his sister, there was no rush for them to leave. Jimmy thanked him and turned to go into Addie’s room.
Dr Drew Morris stepped out and put up his hand. ‘Hold up chum. I know you are eager to see her, but we need to chat first.’ He pointed to an empty room, gloomily nick-named the Bad News room, painted in cheery colours, as though that would diminish the impact of words spoken there.
‘I’m going to step into her room, in case she wakes up, she ought not to be alone. Scary enough when someone is there,’ Orlando murmured to Jimmy, who nodded his thanks. The doctor wasted no time once Orlando left. ‘Her injuries are severe. Frankly, I am amazed that she has made it this long. If she survives,’ Jimmy flinched at the use of the word if, Drew noticed, ‘sorry man, at this point it is an if. If she survives, she has a long struggle ahead of her. I’m not even sure she will wake up.’ Drew and Jimmy both looked up in surprise as Orlando cleared his throat.
‘Excuse the interruption, Doctor, but you can be sure of that. She just opened her eyes. And judging by the shock in them I think she recognised me,’ he added with a smile.
Part 2
Jimmy rushed into Addie’s room, with the doctor close behind. Orlando edged into the room and shut the door, leaning back against it.
Jimmy’s smile faltered at the site of his sister, pale, with tubes and wires everywhere, including one in her throat to breathe for her. He forced the smile back to his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He looked back at Orlando, who nodded encouragingly and motioned toward Addie.
When he got to the side of her bed, he took her hand in his. It felt so cool and limp he was afraid she was gone. But her eyes were open, and focussed on him. He could see the fear in them and longed to reassure her that it would be ok. Suddenly a shrill beeping pierced the silence, causing Jimmy and Orlando to jump and the doctor to move to her side. He silenced the shrieking machine and looked at Jimmy.
‘She’s fighting the breathing tube. I’m hesitant to remove it, but,’ just then the machine started shrieking again. ‘But that will keep happening. Can you convince her to let it breathe for her?’
‘Drew, you know her, do you think anyone could convince her to do something she doesn’t want to?’
With a sigh, Drew turned to Addie, ‘All right Addie, I’ll take the tube out. I can’t guarantee that I won’t have to put it back in though.’ A moment later the tube was out. An audible sigh of relief from Addie made all three men chuckle.
A murmur from her had Jimmy leaning forward to catch her words. The breathing tube had left her throat too sore to speak above a whisper. ‘. . . dreaming . . . Orlando Bloom . . . here,’ is all Jimmy could make out. It figured her first words would be about her favourite actor. He grinned.
‘Sweetie you weren’t dreaming, he was here. Remember the surprise I told you about the last time I called? He was the surprise. I’ve been out of touch because I finally landed a good role in a movie–an Orlando Bloom movie.’
Her eyes widened. She opened her mouth but Jimmy cut her off. ‘Before I bring him in, how’s about you tell me how this,’ he gestured to her and the bed, ‘happened.’
Drew looked up from her chart, through which he’d been flipping. ‘I am going to go make my dictations on her case. Call the nurses if you need me.’ With that he took his leave, pausing to shake Orlando’s hand.
‘Well . . . ?’ pressed Jimmy.
She sighed. Haltingly, and in a whisper, she told him the story. A neighbour’s child went missing. Having a fondness for the little girl, Addie volunteered to work with others, searching for the seven year old. She was given a trail to follow, the one that police thought most likely to lead to Gina. Part of the trail passed by a small gorge, with a river at the bottom. Addie made it halfway up the trail and peered down toward the river–standing near the edge of the trail–thinking she had spotted Gina. Without any warning the edge crumbled sending Addie plummeting toward the river. Instead of landing in the water, she impacted the shoreline by the river, landing on her neck and shoulders before the momentum of her legs above her head flipped her to her stomach. That was all Addie could remember.
Jimmy stood in shock, staring at her pretty face, scratched by rocks when she flipped, thanking God she had lived. He knew how much worse it could have been, he himself had worked as a police officer and paramedic before getting into acting.
His careers had actually broken him into the field and led to the role he currently held, playing a killer on the run from a determined US Marshall, played by Orlando. Filming had been wrapping up when the call came, the night before. His mind drifted back to yesterday. . .
Part 3
It had been a dream come true, the last few months. After all his work catching criminals, he was to become one, on film anyhow. His career as a police officer in a metropolitan city had well prepared him for portraying a mass-murderer on the run. The work was more gruelling than law enforcement, but he had never been happier.
He just finished washing the make up (damn that stuff) off his face and was towelling off when there was a knock on his trailer door. The star of the movie, and the man he had fled on-screen, and assisted off-screen as a police consultant, stuck his head in the door.
‘Hey Orlando, c’mon in.’
‘Thanks mate, but I was actually hoping you would come out. Some of my friends stopped by, and we’re going to supper. I wanted to invite you along, my treat.’
No sooner had he finished his sentenced when another voice cried from behind him, ‘like HELL your treat mate, Dom and I told you that this was on us!’
Jimmy laughed when Orlando growled, ‘Fight me for it when the bill arrives Billy. Let’s get going, I’m starved.’
Jimmy grabbed a shirt, and threw it on, not bothering to button it until he reached Orlando’s car. Once they were en route, Orlando looked over, his face serious, ‘I wanted to thank you for all the help, Jim. I know it must’ve been a bloody nightmare holding a principal role and a consulting position, but you did it well, and didn’t show any stress that new actors seem to get. I see good things for you in this business, and would love to work with you again.’
Jimmy was shocked speechless, and was saved from having to answer when his cell phone rang. Flipping it open, he unbuckled one-handed, as they had reached the restaurant.
‘Oh hey Drew, what’s up? I was going to call later, we just finished with. . .,’ Suddenly, Jimmy’s eyes widened, and his ruddy face grew pale. ‘She’s WHAT?’ he cried, voice shaking. ‘When, what. . .’ Jimmy faltered, then grew silent, listening to the caller. He hung up without saying another word and, leaning his head back on the head rest, wept silently. Orlando looked at him in concern.
‘Hey mate, what. . .?’ Dom Monaghan started to ask through the open window, but Orlando shushed him.
Orlando turned to Jim, and reached out, resting a hand on his shoulder. ‘Jim, what’s wrong mate? Is it Addie?’ Jimmy had spoken often of his beloved sister, and though some grew tired of the stories, Orlando loved hearing them. Jim was a natural story teller, and his affection for his sister reminded him of Sam, his own sister.
Without moving, Jimmy replied. ‘That was my friend Drew Morris. He’s a floor doctor in Intensive Care at Albany Medical Centre, in New York. My sister was brought in via emergency this morning. She was badly injured in a fall, and is in critical condition; he said there is a better chance for her to die than to live at this point.’
‘Oh damn,’ said a shocked Orlando. He started the car again. ‘Buckle up mate, We’re going to New York.’
Orlando motioned to Dom through the window. Looking concerned Dom nodded as Orlando explained what was going on. He agreed to let Billy and Elijah know and would keep Addie in his prayers.
Risking a ticket, Orlando sped toward Amarillo Texas, the nearest town where they could get a flight to Albany International Airport. The trip was 125 miles, and around 2 hours drive time. Suddenly flashing lights broke the darkness and a siren wailed behind them.
‘Bloody HELL!’ griped Orlando, turning the engine off and engaging the 4-way hazard lights.
The officer, a Texas Highway Patrolman, err patrolWOMAN Orlando noted, approached the car cautiously.
‘Going a little fast weren’t you? Have you had anything to drink tonight?’
‘Not even water, ma’am,’ remarked Orlando.
‘Not from the area either, can I have your license and the vehicle registration.’
Orlando handed over his Driver’s License, issued in the United Kingdom, and paused. ‘This is a rental, officer. Where might the registration be?’
The officer indicated that Orlando needed to provide the rental forms instead, and he quickly complied.
‘What’s wrong with him?’ she asked, shining her flashlight throughout the vehicle.
Orlando explained about his sister, mentioned they had just finished filming, normally hating to take advantage of his celebrity, but finding it useful on rare occasions. He went silent as the officer appeared to consider what he had said. Excusing herself, she returned to her car, and spoke to the dispatcher. After a few minutes, she returned.
‘I spoke to the commanding officer on duty, I am to escort you to Amarillo International, with lights and sirens, and the Highway Patrol will keep our route clear. Sorry for detaining you so long. Follow me, and I hope things go well with your friend’s sister, Mr Bloom.’
With that she returned to her car, reactivated the siren, and pulled ahead of Orlando. Pausing, she watched her rearview mirror until she saw him pull out behind her, then sped up, Orlando following suit.
True to their word the Texas Highway Patrol had blocked exits as they approached preventing traffic from pulling onto the Interstate ahead of them. Twenty minutes later, they slowed, approaching the exit for the airport. The officer located a parking spot for Orlando, and then bade him farewell.
Rousing Jimmy, Orlando hurried him to the counter. He was surprised to find another police officer inside, beckoning him. The dispatch centre had contacted the airport, and had requested the next flight to Albany be held. The officer guided them at a run to the security checkpoint, and once they were cleared, to the gate for boarding. A flight attendant ushered them to an empty row in the front of the plane, got them settled and spoke to the pilot. The rush over, Orlando turned to Jimmy, who spoke for the first time since he told Orlando what had happened.
‘I don’t even know what to say, Lando. I can’t begin to thank you,’ he started, his voice husky with sleep and emotion.
‘I don’t need thanks. You’re a friend, and when a friend needs help, I do what I can. As for thanking me, just introduce me to this wonderful sister I’ve heard so much about the last few months,’ Orlando returned with a smile.
Eight hours and two stops later, they landed at Albany International Airport, in Colonie NY. Orlando had called a friend of his in New York City, fellow actor Brain van Holt, with whom he had worked in Black Hawk Down. Brian offered to drive to Albany and meet their flight, and drive them to the hospital.
Orlando had little difficulty locating his friend, although he looked nothing like he had during filming. Thankfully, while a talented and handsome actor, Brian had not reached the level of recognition Orlando had, so he was undisturbed while waiting. He rushed them to his car, a roomy SUV. Orlando quirked an eyebrow, recalling his friend’s hatred of the ‘gas guzzling road beasts.’
Catching the look, Brian answered simply, ‘I borrowed it, no room in my car for three men. Barely room for ME at times.’
Orlando laughed and climbed in the back, allowing Jimmy the comfort and ease of the front passenger seat. The ride to the hospital was quiet, the silence interrupted only by Jimmy giving directions to Brian. When he didn’t need to direct the way, he stared out the window, looking much older than his 31 years. Half an hour later, Brain turned into the drop lane for visitors. Orlando and Jimmy jumped out, and Brian told Orlando to call his cell when they were ready to leave.
With that, Jimmy set off for the intensive care centre, with Orlando close behind.
‘Jim?’ Orlando’s soft voice jolted him from his thoughts. ‘Sorry, man, just thinking about the past. . .,’ was all Jimmy said in way of explanation. He motioned Orlando over at that point. ‘Lando, this is my baby sister Adrianna,’ pronouncing her name Ah-dree-Onna. “Addie, this is, as you of course know, Orlando Bloom.’ Directing his attention back to Orlando, he added ‘I need to go call my family, and then I am going to talk to Drew about her future care. I trust you two will get along,’ he concluded with a sad smile. ‘I have to admit I didn’t think these would be the circumstances under which you two were introduced.’ With a squeeze of Addie’s hand, he left, his eyes once again welling with tears.
Part 4
She looked up at him, moving only her eyes as her head was held immobile by a halo, a device that screwed into the skull and prevented the head from moving, preventing further damage to the spinal column. Though she must have been in terrible pain, her blue eyes were clear. He smiled gently and brushed a piece of hair from her forehead.
‘So, are we going to talk? Or just stare at each other. Not that it is anything less than enjoyable on my end,’ teased Addie, with a wry smile.
Orlando laughed then, pleased that she’d not lost her sense of humour. ‘Sorry, love, wasn’t sure where to start.’
Eyes gleaming, Addie sang, ‘start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. . .’ from The Sound of Music.
‘Ahhh, yes your brother mentioned you are a bit of a wise ass,’ laughed Orlando.
A brief shadow of old hurts flickered across Addie’s face just then, darkening her eyes to a slate grey before the thoughts that haunted her passed.
‘Sometimes it’s necessary,’ was all Addie said. Orlando sobered, recalling Jim telling him that their were some things in her past she would rather forget. Out of respect for her privacy he had not said any more.
‘Yes love, that it is,’ he replied, and brushed a light kiss to her bruised and scraped cheek. Her breath caught and her eyes widened at the unexpected and sweet gesture. For such an innocent kiss, the look he gave her after was surprisingly intimate.
Seeing that he had remained standing, she gestured to the chair by her bed, visible in her peripheral vision.
‘Well love, if I sit, I can’t see you’re lovely face, and it would make it harder for you to see me when we talk.’
She acknowledged his kind words with a blush. It had been a long time since anyone had complimented her looks, and hearing it from an internationally renowned star, while she was battered and bruised no less. Seeing the colour rise in her cheeks made Orlando chuckle.
With both of them relaxed, they chatted easily discovering that they had similar tastes in books and movies, similar personalities, and goals they refused to let go of. He shared his hope to become a better actor, desired less for his looks and more for talent. She shared her goal of helping children from abusive homes. He was surprised to learn that her biggest goal was to raise a family, as a stay at home mom. It seemed so old-fashioned from such a forward-thinking girl. It also got him thinking of his desire for a family of his own.
‘Orlando, mum’s at it again. She says she isn’t getting any younger, and wants to know when I’m going to give her grandkids,’ groused Sam. Orlando chuckled at the peevish tone in his sister’s voice. Long had this been a debate between her and Mum. Sam, with her focus on career, had personal life on hold. She went out, but there was no one serious.
Sam thought that Mum bugging her more than Orlando was old-fashioned and unfair. Because she was a girl it was her ‘duty’–Sam spat out the word as though it were foul–to settle down and have a family.
Orlando had talked to Mum; ‘twas like talking to stone. Actually, he grinned to himself, he might have had better success with the stone. He assured Sam that Mum would live if she didn’t get her own way, and promised to try and deflect some of the badgering.
A gentle cough behind him brought him back to present, and turning saw that Jim had returned. He looked down and saw that Addie had fallen asleep while he was wool-gathering. He brushed his thumb across her knuckles one last time and stood, looking at his watch. He was stunned when he noticed that he’d been sitting with Addie for more than an hour.
Jim started to speak but Orlando motioned him to be quiet, and indicated they should leave the room. He looked back at Addie, and started to step away, but stopped. He turned back and pulled the blanket up, re-covering her, before he left the room.
Jimmy was waiting in the hall, a troubled look in his eyes.
‘I talked to my family. Before I could tell them about the accident, Mom told me that Addie’s step-father contacted her looking for Addie.’
This revelation surprised Orlando. Jim had never mentioned anything about Addie’s family. Orlando had assumed she had no living family, by the continual lack of mention of any relatives. He remembered Jim saying that his family was all Addie had.
Seeing the confusion on his friend’s face, Jimmy sighed. ‘Come on Lando, I’ll buy you a cup of tea. I need to tell you about Addie’s family.’ He said the last word with venom in his voice, making clear his thoughts about her so-called family.
‘All right mate, but not here if we can help it, the stuff they call tea here, I wouldn’t serve my dog!’
Jimmy laughed and put out his hand. ‘Deal.’
Part 5
When the waitress came to the table, Jimmy ordered a plate of blueberry scones, and a pot of Orlando’s favourite tea. Within moments they had their order and some privacy.
‘I don’t even know if I should tell you this, Lando, but I have to tell someone. And out of everyone I could talk to, you are the one with most need-to-know.’ Jimmy sipped some of the tea, grimaced and added several heaping spoonfuls of sugar, which made Lando grimace and mutter something about sacrilege, causing Jimmy to laugh.
Jimmy sat back, scanning the café with his eyes, taking in everything. With one phone call he was back in police officer mode, always alert and aware. Of course, he thought, that was probably a good thing given his present company. He returned his eyes to Orlando, and sighed heavily. Deciding the quickest way to get it over with, he cut right to the heart of the matter.
‘Addie is a survivor of child abuse. Her biological father died before she was born. When she was three, her mother remarried. The guy never really accepted Addie as part of the package, and, frankly, I don’t think her mother cared. Every day was bad for Addie, but Fridays and Saturdays were the worst. Frank got paid on Fridays as did Janet. I don’t think either of them was happy with life, and they used their pay to escape. Alcohol, lots and lots of alcohol.’
Orlando looked at Jimmy with combination of anger and understanding on his face. He sensed where this was going.
Jimmy took another drink of tea, and picked up a scone. He broke off a piece, but instead of eating it, crumbled it in his hand, distractedly. With a deep breath, he continued.
‘When Addie was eight, her mom’s mother died. Serena was a wonderful grandmother, and no one really knows why Janet turned out as she did. Serena had been our neighbour, all the kids in the neighbourhood loved her, including me. I was barely 13 when Serena died, and devastated. Everything Serena had went to Janet, her only child. A few months later, Addie and her mother and step-father moved in. Mom and Dad had heard about Addie and how she was treated by Serena, so they immediately adopted her into our family.’
At this point, a couple of police officers that Jim knew walked into the shop. Seeing them, he raised his hand and waved them over. Jimmy introduced the officers as Paul and Eric. He did not offer Orlando’s name, just calling him a colleague, but judging by the double take each officer did, an introduction was unnecessary.
Eric, the older of the two cops, waved the waitress away when she started toward them and simply said, ‘Margrette called.’ Jimmy looked neither surprised nor fazed by this pronouncement.
‘I was just telling Lando about Janet and Frank.’ Both officers glowered at the mention of the names, drawing a questioning look from Orlando.
‘Frank and Janet Rutherford are two of the worst people I have had the misfortune of dealing with. Given my career, that is saying a lot.’ Eric started.
‘I haven’t dealt directly with them, Janet died before I joined the force. I have read the case files though. Some of the shit literally made me ill. I read one report from Children’s Welfare regarding Addie, and had to go throw up,’ concluded Paul, catching a glare from Jimmy.
‘I, uh, hadn’t gotten that far yet guys,’ Jimmy stated. Then he sighed. ‘Not that it matters. That’s probably the prettiest part of the rest of this discussion. Anyway . . . where was I? Oh. Mom and Dad adopted her into our family. Frank didn’t like her spending a lot of time at our house. Probably because he knew my folks asked Addie about the scars, bruises, cuts, scrapes, and broken bones. Fridays however, Frank and Janet were too busy boozing it up to care where she was.’
‘The cuts and bruises, scars, scrapes, broken bones, that is where I came in,’ Eric broke in. ‘I was a second-year patrol cop. Not more than three days after they moved to town, the phone calls started coming in. From Addie’s school for starters; the nurse, the principal, every one of her teachers. They called us and Childrens’ Welfare (CW) both. Margrette called us,’ referring for the second time that day to Jim’s mother. ‘The Smiths, neighbours on the other side, called CW. By the time I made my first school-based visit with Addie, I had a list of no fewer than 16 people to interview.’
Jimmy looked at his watch then. ‘C’mon back to the hospital with us fellas, I know Addie would be thrilled to see you both. Lando and I left her almost 2 hours ago, and with Frank out running around . . . well I think she shouldn’t be left alone too long. Actually, I plan to get round the clock protection for her at this point.’
Orlando stood slowly, trying to digest the little information he had thus far received about Addie’s past. He felt an overwhelming sadness for her, and a desire to protect and take care of her. He sighed, knowing that he was losing his heart to this girl he’d met in person no more than 6 hours ago. And the thought wasn’t nearly as frightening as he would have expected.
