Everything You've Got
Part 20
by $imone

"Shhh, honey," Gene walked me down to the surgery room.  I was 
trying to say something to him - something important- but I 
guess I was too out of it to be able to sound coherent.  Now, I 
don't remember what it was.  I awoke, what seemed like ten 
minutes later, with an immense incision that reached around the 
right side of my waist, just above my belly. 

My eyes fluttered open to my left, where my faithful husband 
sat, head rested in his hands.  "Baby, what's wrong?" My voice 
was raspy from the tube.  I startled him and he stared up at me 
with tears in his eyes, still wearing his leathers from the MTV 
Unplugged show. 

"Oh, uh, nothing," he dried his eyes, "I'm just tired.  Are you 
alright?"  

"Yeah, baby.  Don't worry about me.  I'm still in one piece… 
right?" I giggled.  He leaned over to me and began to cry.  I 
stroked the top of his head, running my fingers through his 
hair.  He looked up at me, smiling.
 
"Yeah, you're in one piece.  Thank whoever! The surgeon, your 
instincts, maybe even God," he shrugged his shoulders.  "I 
thought I should tell you than Shannon is back in prison doing 
20 years.  By then, she'll be someone's bitch and won't be able 
to move." 

He acknowledged God.  I couldn't believe it. "Can we watch TV?" 
I tried to change the subject. 

"Yes, I had them install cable and pay-per-view," he explained, 
"but first some people want to see you." Moments later, Natalie 
walked in.  I showed her the bandages around my tummy.  She just 
hugged me & wept. 

"Look! I have cable!" I laughed. Choked up, she smiled.  "C'mon, 
you people are depressing me! I'm still alive." 

"Sorry, hun.  I just thought I lost you forever.  That bitch is 
behind bars, you know?" 

I nodded.  "Gene told me.  Would you just please do me a favor? 
Tell everyone to go home and sleep.  I'll be much better company 
tomorrow." 

"Shandi and Kitty still want to come up," she blew her nose, 
"Lorelei went home with Bruce and Lizzy and Eric just headed 
out.  But Paul, Ace & Peter still want to see you."  

"If they insist," I laughed, "Paul knows I am in no shape for a 
blowjob, right?" 

"Hey now!" She gave me the finger. "Get well, girly." 

"Tick, tick, tick," I laughed again. "I can push your buttons! I 
can push your buttons!" 

Next snuck in Shandi with Kitty.  I reassured them that 
everything would be alright, but they appeared to be in shock.  
"Look, you girls, all of you, are the only ones I trust around 
Strutter.  I want you to make sure that you take care of it 
while I'm in here." 
They each gave me a hug and turned around to leave.  Kitty 
waved, "Thank you for the job." Her whisper was almost 
deafening.  I thought about a lot of things: the club, the kids, 
and the scar that would forever be there, that I couldn't have 
kids because they had to perform a hysterectomy on me, and that 
I was falling in love with these drugs again. 

My thoughts were interrupted when I saw Ace walk into the room.  
"Ack! This is nothing like a car crash! It's much worse… I'm 
sorry I wasn't there to save you again."
 
He bent down to give me a hug and I started to cry, "You made a 
girl very happy. '2000 Man' is a great Stones song, isn't it?" 

He hugged me again and wiped away my tears, "You take care, 
Christine Sixteen.  I'll see you soon." 

Paul soon came in my room, "No shape for a blowjob, huh?" He 
winked. 

I laughed, "She wouldn't say anything.  I had to push Nat's 
buttons." 

He sat down in the chair next to me, "You know he plays it up.  
He says he's tired, but he's really torn up about it.  I mean, 
we may joke back and fourth, but today he pulled me aside and 
really told me what was going on.  He said he can't lose you, 
can't live without you, and well, you get the idea.  I just want 
you to make sure that after you take care of yourself, that you 
make sure he is OK.  Please Simone, Gene is like my brother, and 
I can't see him hurting." I nodded, and he held me moments while 
I was sniffling about the entire ordeal.  Soon he sent in Peter. 

"Hey!" I shouted, "Where ya been?" He seemed shocked by my 
perkiness. 

"Hey, Simone.  I already know what you're going through." He 
pulled the chair close to my bed. 

"You do?" I tried to look puzzled. 

"I don't want to start the drug talk with you, but I know how 
much you love this.  I know; I did it too." 

"Yeah," I sighed, "I already have a prescription filled for 
vicodin in my desk drawer.  Please don't tell Gene." 

He looked down, "I promise, but only if you take it like a 
normal human being.  Now bow your head.  I'm going to pray over 
you.  The same prayer my mother prayed over me when I got hurt." 

I closed my eyes as the tears started to trickle down.  Drugs 
are not my life, I prayed.  He kissed my forehead, "Should I 
send Gene back in here?" 

"No, just tell him that I want him to do a favor and go home and 
spend some time with Nicholas & Sophie." 

"No problem," he crossed himself.  "I'll see you tomorrow.  By 
the way, I had someone videotape the show for you, since I 
couldn't be there for the wedding." 
He placed the tape atop my desk and walked out.  Soon I could 
feel my eyelids get heavy.  I turned on the WWF and must've 
drifted off.