Revelation by Michael Mancini - Chapter Six

Chapter Six - Blinded by the Light

            His eyes still adjusting to the drastic change in light, Michael rubbed them in disbelief.  He peered through squinted eyes at Gina Wilcox as she stood in the doorway of his hospital room.  It was past 11:30 at night and he wondered how she even got into his room.  He recognized her from the huge photo of her that dominated the cover of the New York Post.  Still a little bit shaken from the flashback of the rape he saved her from, he blinked his eyes as if he was looking at a ghost.

“G…Gina? What are you doing here?” he asked while he cleared his throat and sat up in his bed.

“I’m sorry Mr. Raphael; I really don’t want to intrude.  I know I should have knocked but I didn’t expect to find you awake.”  She clutched a small white envelope in her hands.  “I was just going to sneak in and leave this for you.”

Gina wore a long shimmering black rain coat synched around her waist with black leather riding boots.  Beaded droplets of water from the light rain outside dotted the coat like tiny diamonds on a shimmering black surface.  Her long blond hair hung loosely around her face, the ends damp from the rain with a slightly relaxed pony tail that fell over the front of her right shoulder.  Michael saw small, barely noticeable bags, under her eyes.  He assumed she had spent the last twenty four hours crying while the horrible event played over and over in her mind.  She wore little make up but her high cheek bones and delicate nose framed her big blue eyes perfectly.  Gina needed little help to look pleasant.  She was easy on the eyes even in her emotional state.  Make up would detract from her natural beauty and delicate features anyway.  Michael suspected a distant Nordic heritage as he witnessed her delicate light coloring and graceful facial features.  She walked with the grace of a woman of class.  She spoke clearly and intelligently through her supple pouting lips, her half-smile exposing her perfectly positioned white teeth.

“I suppose I should tell you personally instead of sneaking around leaving notes behind your back, but I just don’t know how to put my gratitude into words.” she looked at Michael’s large bandage affixed to his flank.  “I feel terrible about what happened to you.  I blame myself.”

“Let’s start by how you snuck in here so late.” Michael attempted to save her from the embarrassment of a long winded thank you by changing the subject.  Or perhaps he saved himself from hearing it.  He was not very good at accepting gratitude or apologies so he felt a little uneasy sensing the inevitable soliloquy that would soon follow.

“I seem to have a familiar face I guess.” she shot an animated look at the Post resting on the side table next to Michael’s bed.  He followed her eyes to where she glanced.

“I guess so huh?” They both laughed uncomfortably.  An uncomfortable silence ensued.  Looking down while she wrung her hands, Gina broke the deafening silence.

“Well.  I guess I should start by telling you how lucky I feel that you happened to cross my path last night.  And, how sorry I am you got hurt in the process.” Her eyes began to well up with tears.

“I, I really can’t tell you how, how indebted to you I am Mr. Raphael.” She sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her trembling hand.

“Well you can start by calling me Michael.” he said in a comforting voice.

“Um, I’m sorry.” she cleared her throat as she corrected herself, “Michael.”

“That’s better.” Michael smiled at her and looked deeply into her eyes.  “I didn’t do anything anyone else in my position wouldn’t have done Gina.” “I need you to know that.”

“I don’t believe that Mr. Raph… um, Michael.  I heard people passing outside of the ally way.  I know they heard me.  Nobody stopped.” A single large tear escaped from each of her eyes and streamed down her soft white cheeks.  Her lips started to tremble.

“Now come on. Don’t cry Gina.  I can’t take the crying, it kills me.  Everything turned out fine.” Michael tried to console her.  He melted when a woman cried.

“How can you say that?” she said.  Holding back the tears she knew made him uncomfortable. “Look at you!” she pleaded.  “You almost died!”

“It’s not that serious Gina.  Come on, don’t cry.”  Michael made a move to get out of the bed.  Gina moved closer.  “Don’t get up.  I’ll stop.”  Her hand shook as she hurriedly wiped the tears from her face.

“I just want you to know,” she paused.  “I believe in angels.”  “I believe you were escorted to that horrible place at that specific time.”  “I believe in fate Mr. Raphael.”  Gina’s voice sobered as she said the words with conviction.

“What if I told you I dropped my cell phone?” Michael joked.

“Sorry, Michael, I don’t believe you.”

“Suit yourself.” Michael shrugged.

Gina walked towards the Michael’s hospital bed cautiously.  She extended her feminine hand to touch the bandages.  Her knuckles were bruised and sore.  She had broken and jagged nails on most of her fingers and her palms looked scrapped.  The defense wounds were evidence of the recent trauma she had suffered.  Placing her hand delicately over the bandages and closed her eyes.  Michael was as still as a frightened cat as she began to pray.

“Father in heaven I ask you to help this man.  Please heal his wounds and make him whole.”  She trembled slightly as she continued.  Michael remained still looking at her face while she held her eyes closed.

“He is a good servant Lord and a good man.”  “Please let him leave here quickly and continue your work.  I thank you for sending him to save me.” “Amen.”

She opened her eyes, while gently resting her hand on the bandage.

“I want you to know that if you ever need help, no mater what it is, you can rely on me.  I owe you my life Michael and I thank you deeply.”

It was Michael who fought back the tears now.  Her words and sincerity touched him deeply.  As she stood close to him he could smell her delicate scent.  She smelled of gardenia; he thought he smelt it when she entered the room but now it was even more prevalent as she stood over him.  He touched her hand.

“You remind me of my own daughter.” “She’s only two years old now, but there is something in your eyes that remind me of her.  I saw you helpless there and I was compelled to help you; just as I would help my own child.” His eyes became watery but no tears fell.  She could see how emotional he was becoming and knew they now had a life long connection.

“Thank you for being honest Michael.” “It means a great deal to me.” She smiled at him and placed the card on his bedside table on top of her picture on the cover of the newspaper.

“I’ll let you rest now.  I said what I came here to say.”

As she turned to leave the room, Michael couldn’t help but say one more thing to her.

“Did you know the guy?”

“What?” she turned to look at him.

“The rapist, did you know him?”

“I don’t know, and I’m too afraid to look at him again to find out.”

There was a short pause. Then Michael looked deep into Gina’s eyes and said, “I’m scared to see him again Gina.  If I do, I’ll kill him.”  Michael grated his teeth as he delivered the words and he meant it.  Gina smiled at him and quietly left the room.

At the morning nurse diligently made her rounds, she opened the curtains beside Michael’s bed.   Sunlight flooded the room and penetrated his closed eyelids.

“Rise and shine!” she said in a bubbly voice.  “You have an important visitor this morning Mr. Raphael.”

Michael wiped the sleep from his eyes while he raised the back of his motorized hospital bed.

“My wife?” he asked. “Nobody could be more important than her and my little girl.”

Michael spoke loudly as he noticed his wife carrying Vixy into the room from the corner of his eye.

“Good answer babe.” Kalina looked dazzling as she walked across the polished vinyl tile floor. Her long, shining hair flowed gracefully as her high heels clicked with each step.  She was a sight for sore eyes.  Her makeup was applied perfectly and her sun dress clung to her upper thighs as she walked.  A thin leather belt with a multicolored rhinestone encrusted buckle accentuated her narrow waistline.  The light material fell gracefully over her toned and tan shoulders while a single white gold chain holding a large pink tourmaline stone encircled by tiny diamonds dangled between her breasts.  She looked as if she just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine.  In turn, Vixy looked adorable.  She wore a beautiful pink flowered headband holding her light golden back from her cherub face.  Her brightly colored dress was spotted with a wild flower pattern.  It hung above her white leotard and pink patent leather Mary Jane shoes.

“What the hell is going on here?” Michael asked with a chuckle in his voice. “You guys are dressed for a photo shoot.”

“Don’t you know Mr. Raphael?” the nurse said as she disconnected Michael’s monitors.  “The Mayor is here to see you.”

“Seems like everyone knows but me huh?”

“We brought you a change of clothes.”  Kalina looked down at a leather duffel bag at her feet.

“I have some good news babe.” She could barely fight the smile back, “You’re coming home today.”

Michael was elated but he never really stopped to think about how quickly he was healing.  He just wanted to get out of the hospital bed and go back to his life.

“Wow, so soon huh?” Michael shot a glance at the nurse.

“Well, the doctor has reviewed your progress and determined that you’re able to be discharged.”

“Discharged babe! Isn’t that great?” Kalina said with a song in her voice.  “I have all your clothes here.  Just wash up and get dressed.”

“What about the mayor?” he asked reluctantly.

“They are downstairs in a private conference room waiting for us.  His assistant told me to take as much time as we needed.  They’re nice people babe, really.”

“Well, let’s get this over with.”

Michael scooted off the bed and stood up.  He stood still for a moment to gather his bearings.

“You okay babe?”

“Just a little light headed.” he replied.

“It’s to be expected Mr. Raphael.” the nursed added. “After laying down for over twenty-four hours you’re body has to readjust itself.  No need to worry unless it continues or intensifies.”

Michael gathered his composure for a brief second and walked over to his wife.  He looked deeply into her eyes and hugged her tightly.  “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be able to hug you baby.” he whispered in her ear as they embraced.

“I love you Michael.” she whispered back.  Little Vixy clung to Michael’s leg moaning softly indicating she wanted Michael to pick her up.

“Daddy’s hurt baby.” “He can’t pick you up yet.” Kalina bent over to pick up Victoria and raised her to Michael’s chest so she could hug him.  Group hugs were a common practice in the Raphael home.  The three locked in a warm embrace for a few moments.

“I love you guys so much.” Michael said quietly.

Michael walked to the bathroom and closed the door quietly behind him.  He paused and looked at his stubble in the mirror.  Michael looked in the shaving kit for his razor and began to shave. 

“Much better.” he said aloud as he emerged from the bathroom.  He wore a crisp, white collard shirt, black Marino wool, v-neck sweater and perfectly pressed black trousers.  His gold St. Christopher medal hung from his neck prominently.

“Wow!” Kalina said when she saw him emerge clean and fresh. “You look like my husband again!” she smiled at him lovingly and he smiled back.

“I guess we should get this over with.” Michael said referring to meeting the Mayor.

“Come on babe, people eat this stuff up. They love real life hero stories.”  Kalina took his hand and smiled at him.

“Yeah, yeah.” “I guess so.” “Let’s go.”

Michael scanned the room one last time and realized he forgot the note Gina left him on top of the newspaper.

“Wait a sec hon.  I forgot something.” He reached for the note in the envelope and grabbed the newspaper with it.

“What’s that?” Kalina asked.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.” “I had a visitor last night.” He looked at her to see her reaction.

“You forgot?  Who was it?”

“Uh, Gina, what’s her name?”

“Wilcox?”

“Bingo!” Michael tapped the tip of his nose with his index finger.

“When did she visit you? I left you dozing off at 10 o’clock, what time was she here?”

“Around 11:30 I think.  I had woken up just before she came.  She was pretty shaken up.”

“I bet she was, poor thing.  I couldn’t imagine what she must be feeling.  What did she say to you?”

“Well, she said she didn’t expect me to be awake and that she was just going to leave this note.” he showed the envelope to her. “But she found me awake and spoke with me for a little while.”

“And?”

“And what?” “She just told me how grateful she was.”

“What did you say to her?”

“I just played it off.  I told her anyone in my position would have done the same for her.”

“Then what?”

“What do you mean?”

“Was that all?” she asked.

“Yeah, pretty much.  She cried a little bit.  I felt bad, but what can I do? Then I asked her if she knew the guy.”

“Knew him?” Kalina wrinkled her forehead when she spoke. “What kind of a question is that?”  “Why the hell should she know him?”

“I don’t know babe.  I was just curious.”  “Sometimes things like that happen.”

“Yeah, I guess.” “It’s still a weird question though.”

“Maybe, but it just popped in my head.  Sometimes I talk before I think.  My bad.”

She took his arm just before they left the room and looked him in the eye.

“Are you going to keep in touch with her?”

“Now why would I do that babe?” Michael asked the question but knew why she asked.

Even though Kalina knew Michael would never cheat on her and he loved her more than anything, she hated to vie for his attention.  He had a tendency to give his attention willingly at times and she wanted to be sure the field was clear.  Something deep inside her felt a little twinge of jealousy when he gave another woman his attention.  She couldn’t help it, it was in her nature, and he loved it.  It underlined the fact that she still was “in” love with him.

“I doubt it babe.”  “I just want to put this whole fiasco behind us.”

Michael spoke the truth and he knew Kalina needed to hear it.

“We’ll see.” she said with skepticism.

They left the room holding hands.  Victoria held her daddy’s other hand as they made there way down the hallway.  Michael’s imagination was running wild.  He was anxious about the meeting with the Mayor.

“Hey, I forgot the cigars the Mayor sent!”

“I didn’t.” Kalina smiled and showed Michael what was in the hand he was not holding.   He grinned.

“What would I do with you babe?” he squeezed her hand a little and kept walking down the ICU corridor with his family by his side.