My First Apartment Chapter 14

It was almost 10 o'clock when I woke. At first I thought it was Bunny next to me, It was Charlie! I was stunned at first. Gazing at his masculine form I realized I would never look like him, or even half as masculine. I brushed my hair and put on some light makeup. I only saw Lana in the mirror. I smiled at the thought.

I left Charlie a note that I was doing my rounds and I'd be back soon to make breakfast. I started the coffee machine before I left.

I put on my tight fitting uniform and started my weekend rounds. I dumped the trash like I normally did and went to the pool and patio last.
I picked up some trash and swept and straightened up the chairs like I normally did. I saw a shadow approach me from behind. I didn't think anything about it.

All of a sudden I was pushed into the pool! At first I thought it was a joke!

Three older men were standing on the edge of the pool.

So you're the little bitch that put my son in jail!

He looked like Lou but older, bigger and fatter. I screamed as loud as I could!

Shut that bitch up, Mel! Were going to teach this fag a lesson! I kept screaming for help, but the complex was quiet on Sunday morning.

I tried to climb out of the pool and run. Mel grabbed my hair.

No! No! Umph! They covered my mouth. I kicked backwards between his legs hitting him square in the crotch. Mel let go of me. Lou's Dad, at least I think it was his dad, and the third man blocked me from the gate.

Come here you little bitch! He said.

Help!!! I screamed! I tried to run and jump over the safety fence of pool. But Lou's Dad caught me. He punch me in the face. I was fortunate to land in grass.

I was scrambling backwards when I heard Charlie.

Not another step! Charlie said in very commanding tone.

Stan and Bunny were Running towards the pool.

What are you going to do, Pretty boy?

Touch her again and you'll find out! Lana! Come here! Stay behind me!

Your ass is mine punk!

Problem, Charlie? Stan asked.

Just a little bit! Charlie said.

Bunny take Lana to Mr P! and call 911 again. Stan ordered.

Bunny was helping me limp away when I heard someone splash into the pool. I looked and saw Stan and Charlie throwing them around like rag dolls. They weren't throwing punches. They ended up throwing all three of them in the pool.

Mr Partenza had his holster and gun and running towards us.

Here! Take this! He handed us his keys.

Lock yourselves in my place, I'll be there soon! Don't open the door for anyone! He said. He ran towards the pool.

Bunny and I heard police cars as we locked the door to Mr Partenza's apartment.

Oh my gosh! Lana! Bunny reacted. Your nose!

I felt blood dripping everywhere. The front of my uniform was covered in blood stains.

Bunny filled a Ziploc bag with ice from the freezer and sat me down and propped my head up.

You need an ambulance! Bunny said.

Let's wait for Tony! I said. He said to wait.

We waited almost 20 minutes after we heard the sierens before someone knocked.

Police department! Open the door!

Bunny and I were both terrified.

It's okay Lana! Open the door! It was Tony.

Bunny opened the door. There was a paramedic, a patrolman and Tony standing there.

Let me look at that! The paramedic said.

Lana! Are you alright? Tony asked.

Any dizziness, blurred vision, the paramedic asked.

It's a little hard to focus. I tried to stand up and fell back into the chair.

She might have a concussion! I'll need to take her to the ER! Said the paramedic.

Are Charlie and Stan alright? I asked

There fine! Tony said casually. Lou's father and his brothers got a much needed bath though! Tony chuckled.

Ma'am, I'll be right back with a gurney! You need to have nose and head looked at.

Where's Charlie? I asked.

He and Stan had to file a police report, Tony said. I'll let them know where you're at.

I'll come with you! Bunny said.

Call Chloe! I said.

I'll call her! Tony said.

I need my purse and my phone.

I'll get them. Bunny said.

I was getting dizzier as I waited for the gurney. I heard Tony talking to Chloe. I was just about to pass out when the paramedics came back with the gurney.

No, no, no, no! Don't pass out on me! Come on stay awake! He waved smelling salts under my nose. That's it stay with me! What's your name?

Lana!

Come on! Stay with me Lana! We're almost there!

I was loaded in the back of the ambulance. The bouncing of the ambulance and Bunny and the paramedic kept me wide awake. Minutes later I was wheeled into the hospital.

The doctor ordered a CAT scan and X-ray for my head. I had all kinds of wires stuck to me. I had made Chloe my emergency contact when she hired me.

Everyone was buzzing around me. I was feeling dizzy and foggy.

Doc, Doc! I said. Then everything went black!

I woke up at 4 am in the hospital. Chloe was sleeping in the chair in the corner.

Chloe! I said softly.

Lana! Baby! Just a minute! Nurse, Nurse! Chloe shouted.

You had us worried! The nurse said.

She looked at my chart. Do you prefer, Lana?

Yes! I said.

You're a very lucky person! I'm glad to see you conscious.

She took my vials and checked me over. I had tubes in my nose.

I'm going to get the doctor! I'll be right back! Keep her talking!

I was worried sick! Chloe said. How are you feeling?

Like I was hit by a truck! What day is it?

Tuesday! Everyone is worried about you! Are Charlie and Stan alright?

They're fine! Not a scratch! I had to drain the pool! Those guys were filthy! Chloe said.

We laughed. It hurt! But it made me smile.

Welcome back! How are you feeling? The doctor asked.

Like I was punched in face by a guy three times my size. I said.

He did a number on you with that punch! Relax, I need to take a look.

The doctor carefully pealed back the dressing. He touched my nose in several places. Then he examined my cheekbones.

Well Doctor? Chloe asked.

Nurse, I need a minute!

I'll be at the station, Doctor.

Thank you.

Lana, I'm going to be very frank with you. That punch did a lot of facial damage. He not only broke your nose, he basically crushed it! It also cracked your cheekbones. You are going to need surgery to repair the extensive damage. The sooner we do it, the better!

How long to recover? I asked. Two maybe three weeks.

Lana, I need to ask you, are you in transition?

Yes doctor, I started officially last Wednesday.

But she's been living and working for me as Lana for over two months! Chloe said, sounding protective.

What does that matter, doctor? Chloe was getting serious.

I mean no offense, ladies! I have Lana's best interest at heart here. If Lana is serious about her transition, I want to help! The center of her face was almost completely crushed. I have a friend in San Francisco. She is one of the best plastic surgeons in the country. She specializes in transgender cases. She usually very busy, but she owes me a favor.

You mean she can give me a feminine face? I asked.

Yes, and your scaring would be very minimal! I'm not sure if my insurance will cover it? I said.

Don't worry about that right now. Would you be interested in seeing her? The doctor asked.

Yes, please!

I'm going to step out and make a call.

Chloe?

Yes darling!

Has anyone called my Dad.

No honey, I didn't have his number.

Good, don't!

Why? Wait! You haven't told him yet! Chloe stated

I was still working on it. Bunny and I went out with the guys Saturday night and I wound up here!

Okay, point taken. Chloe relented. But if you're going in for surgery, your father needs to know. If you were my daughter, I'd want to know.

I need to think about this.

Don't wait too long. Depending on when you go in for surgery. It's going to take a while before your father can get here.

Point taken! I smiled at her!

Smart Alec! Chloe said.

We giggled. It hurt but I was glad to know she cared.

It was almost 7 am when the doctor returned.

Lana, here's the deal. She is going call me back in a couple hours. She has to move a few appointments and she has surgery today. Baring any unforseen complications she should be able to get you in on Friday morning. But you will be recovering in San Francisco for a few days. Do you have a parent or anyone who can take you up north?

I can! It was Tony. I'll take her it won't be a problem! Tony said.

Tony! I said.

Hey kiddo! I'm glad to see you awake!

Sir, do you have any medical training? I'm a retired police detective and I'm trained as an EMT.

Good, I'm sure she'll be strong enough to ride up there. Her safety is my main concern.

Lana, we are going to do another X-ray and a MRI today. With your permission I'm going to share your information with my colleague Doctor Sophia Channel. The nurse will come by and get you ready. If you all will excuse me, I have rounds to make.

Thank you doctor! I said.

Your welcome! He smiled.

Chloe, I need a favor?

Sure Lana!

In my closet on the top-shelf there's a black photo album could you get a for me? Maybe some clothes too, please.

Certainly! I'll be back this afternoon! Chloe said.

Thanks Chloe.

Tony, thank you! I can't thank you enough for helping me!

It's not a problem! It's been awhile since I've been to San Francisco. My daughter lives up there. It's a great excuse to visit with her and my grand kids.

I'll pay you back for expenses! I said.

There's no need! I want to do it! He said.

Lana, Detective Perez is going to be stopping by for a statement. I thought you might want some moral support!

Yes, please and thank you! I said.

I'm not sure what's wrong with those people. Tony said.

I swear, I never said anything to anyone. I didn't talk about the incident, or provoke his Dad.

That is obvious! Lou's father and family live in Oceanside. They had no business in our complex. Tony stated.

Why me? I asked.

Their brains are wired wrong, too much hate. Who knows? Don't worry about them. Just focus on yourself for now. You'll heal up long before they get out of jail!

I smiled at Tony.

At 8 am Detective Perez walked in with a young lady in a nice pantsuit. She had a nice tan and auburn hair. She was very attractive.

Ms Simmons! I'm sorry we're meeting like this. This is ADA Amy Rutherford from the DAs office. She will be prosecuting your alleged attackers.

Nice to meet you! I held my hand out to her.

I'm sorry for what happened! She said. Do you mind if we record this conversation?

Only if Tony can stay!

I'm okay with it! Detective Perez said.

Let's begin! Amy said.

Lane, tell me everything you did that morning from the time you left your apartment.

I left my apartment and punched in at the office. I made my rounds dumping trash and sweeping. I had just finished sweeping and picking up the pool and patio area when someone pushed me into the pool. When I came up for air there were three men I never saw laughing at me. They called me names and insulted me.

Did you say or do anything to provoke them? Amy asked.

No! I didn't even know anyone was there until I saw a shadow, that's when I was pushed into the pool.

Did they say or announce themselves when they walked into the pool area?

No, nothing until I came up for air. One man grabbed my hair from behind me. Pulling backwards after I climbed out of the pool. He put his hand over my mouth to stop me from screaming.. I kicked backwards kicking him in the crotch. The other two wouldn't let me past them. I was caught by the biggest man and he punched me in the face! I landed in the grass. They were about to hit me again when Charlie and his friend Stan showed up.

Mr Partenza showed up with Bunny. Mr Partenza gave us the key to his apartment and told us to lock the door. We didn't open the door until he arrived with the police.

Did you see anything else? Amy asked.

No! My eyes were filled with blood. I heard splashing in the pool after I left.

Is that everything, Lana? Detective Perez asked.

Yes, Detective!

I think we have enough for now! Ms Simmons. Amy said. Sign here please. I signed the form. There was a number for the recording on the form that matched the flash drive.

Notify us if you leave town.

Actually she'll be leaving town on Thursday. Tony said. I'm driving her to San Francisco for surgery for her injuries!

That's not a problem as long as we know where you are. We might have some follow up questions.
Amy said.

I'll keep Detective Perez informed, Tony said.

That's good enough for me.

Get better Lana! I hope you feel better soon! Amy said.

Ten minutes later the nurse showed up.

It's time for your exams!

How long will she be? Tony asked.

Most of the day, she should be done by 6 or 7 tonight depending on what the doctors need.

Lana I'll be back in the morning to check on you! Tony said.

Thank you! I said.

Your father is a nice man! The nurse said.

He is a nice man, but he's just a friend!

Lana, Lana! Charlie shouted. Are you going to be okay?

I have some tests I have to do. Text me later tonight! I'll tell you everything! Bye Charlie and thank you.

Who was that? The nurse asked.

That's my boyfriend Charlie. He saved my life!

He's a handsome man!

He's very brave too! I said smiling.