Cut by Emily Duvall Page B

she had a chance to look very hard. Red-hot guilt overcame her. Before she could answer…
    â€œI’m Brent Harrison,” he said, shaking Carl’s hand. “Melanie is my sister-in-law.”
    â€œDoctor Carl Hughes,” her fiancé answered with a subtle tone of self-importance.
    Jessie watched Brent with wide eyes.
    The bathroom. It must be in Brent’s bathroom!
    She put her hand behind her back.
    â€œI’m Doctor Carl Hughes,” he repeated to Luke a split second later. “I’m more than willing to talk to Melanie’s doctor—”
    â€œThat won’t be necessary,” Luke cut him off.
    â€œI’d like him to talk to Melanie’s doctor,” Jessie said.
    â€œThe answer is no.”
    â€œIf you don’t mind my asking, what tests has her doctor done on Melanie?” Carl said.
    â€œShe’s had a CT scan and an MRI,” Luke answered. “The main impact was on the left side of her head, right above her ear.”
    â€œThe brain can have somewhat of a delay in reaction to the trauma,” Carl said, tapping his fingers against his chin. “Is there swelling on her brain?”
    â€œThere was some initially, but the doctors alleviated it with surgery. They haven’t mentioned it since last night.”
    â€œIs her body responsive to the doctor’s physical examination?”
    Luke looked on the verge of telling Carl to go to hell, but instead he said, “No.”
    Jessie knew this wasn’t good. She looked at Luke and she felt sorry for him. “I’d like for Carl to see her,” Jessie said.
    â€œI won’t allow it,” Luke interjected and stopped Carl. “He’s not immediate family.”
    â€œHe’s not family, but Carl has known Melanie for some time,” Jessie said. “Even before she ran off with you.”
    Uncomfortable laughter escaped Carl’s mouth. “Not to worry, Jess. I agree with Luke and I respect hospital rules. I am not family. I apologize,” he said to Luke and Brent and continued to explain, “Jess knows how I feel about protocol. Don’t let her fool you either. She used to be a medical student. She understands these situations can be sensitive.”
    Jessie couldn’t make eye contact with any of them. She didn’t want any of them, particularly Brent, to be let in on the secret of having dropped out of medical school. She didn’t know why, she just didn’t want him to be privy to her failures.
    Carl reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and looked at the dollar bills. “On a different note, I’m starving. Jessie, let’s go to the cafeteria and get something to eat.”
    â€œI’m not hungry.”
    He placated her with a smile. “Very well. I’ll get a bite and be back soon.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
    The semi-circle dissipated. Carl left them. Luke returned to Melanie’s room. An empty, dreadful feeling moved through her. She watched Luke take a seat at Melanie’s bedside and her heart felt tight in her chest. Her mouth froze. Her feet just wouldn’t take her the thirty steps to put her on the other side of those doors. She had her reasons and she didn’t expect anyone else to understand.
    A movement to the side caught her attention and she moved her head. “Luke should have let Carl in there,” she said to Brent.
    â€œI’m on Luke’s side with this one,” he answered.
    â€œOf course you are, he’s your brother.”
    â€œNo, not because he’s my brother. Luke’s a man. That’s his wife. He doesn’t want anyone unnecessary around her. He wants to protect her and keep her safe. He feels helpless. All the time in the world isn’t enough for him with her. He needs more time with her. Carl would steal that away from him. I get it. I would do the same.”
    The deep conviction in his voice got to Jessie. Tears