Come and Talk to Me Read Free

down this bullshit road already several times. He’s had a procedure done in Miami. That wasn’t a military hospital. They billed Champus.”
    “Well, I’m afraid we can’t do that type of procedure on him here. We’re not authorized to so much as move him until we get their okay. It’s not life-threatening and he can be stabilized. We can keep the pain under control until we get word.”
    “More friggin’ drugs,” she huffed. “When will you be able move him?”
    “As soon as we get the okay. I’m sorry, but all we can do is keep him comfortable until we hear something. It shouldn’t be long.”

    “Fair is fair,” Van said as he delivered two Long Island iced teas. “Now we’re even for the beer. I’ll still take a rain check on that tip, though.” He gave her a wink and walked away.
    “He makes a good drink but he’s a little full of himself,” Reggie said to Bri.
    “Come on, girl. It’s been two years. You need to start dating again.”
    “I don’t feel like dating any man right now, Bri. I wouldn’t care if Matthew McConaughey knocked my door down.”
    “You batting for the other team on me?”
    Reggie laughed. “I’d become a lesbian if I didn’t hate women more than I hated men.”
    “He’s cute and he’s sweet. I like him, Reg. Give him a chance.”
    “I love you, but knock it off, Bri.”
    “So he knows he’s good looking. So what? That smile would melt a blind nun.”
    “You are too much. Besides, didn’t you tell me to stay away from military men?”
    “Since when do you listen to me? Please promise to at least be civil over dinner.”
    “No claws, Bri. I promise.”
    As promised, Regina behaved through dinner. Van minded himself as well, staying away from obvious sexual innuendos to keep peace over the meal. Troy suggested a walk back to the beach for sunset when they finished, and everyone was game. Unknowingly making their friends uncomfortable, Troy and Sabrina shared several long kisses over the sunset. Everything was a romantic moment for those two.
    Idle minutes let Regina feel how much the Long Island iced teas were hitting her. She wanted to get back to lie down.
    “Can we go, lovebirds?” she asked once the sun had completely disappeared.
    “Sure, Reg.” Sabrina threw an arm around her. Apparently she was beginning to feel the alcohol, too.
    After a few paces, Reggie let out a yell and hit the ground hard with her knees.
    “What happened?” Van asked as he dropped to her side.
    She rolled to her butt and held her ankle. A Kiawe thorn was stuck deep in her foot with good part of the branch exposed, answering Van’s question.
    “Aw, shit,” Reggie said softly as she looked at it. The small wound had a bead of blood at it.
    “Shit, Reg. I’ve had my share of those bastards. We shouldn’t be out here without shoes.” Van held her ankle as Sabrina sat behind her. “You want me to pull it out?” Reggie’s eyes remained fixed on the bleeding wound. “Reggie?”
    She held onto her ankle, but stared at the branch as if in a daze. “Hmmm,” was all she could reply.
    “You want me to pull it out for you?” he asked again. Her eyes fluttered. “I think she’s going to pass out,” he said calmly to Sabrina.
    “Over a thorn?” Troy said with an ‘I don’t believe it’ tone to his voice.
    “There’s two and they’re damn huge.” Van raised his voice and turned around glaring, scolding them for making light of the situation. “Reggie?” He held her chin in his hand.
    “Hmmm,” she moaned again, trying to open her eyes wide.
    “She drunk?” asked Troy with a laugh.
    “This isn’t funny, Troy.” Sabrina scolded her husband. “I’ve never seen her go loopy like this.”
    Van gave the branch a swift yank, pulling the thorns out of her foot. She let a scream out again. “Ouch, you bastard!” Reggie flopped backward into Sabrina.
    “Well, that’s more par for the course,” Troy said.
    “Reg?” Van picked her chin up.
    “Ouch,” is all