breathing. You probably won't experience any of those reactions anymore. But to be safe it's imperative you stick to the medication regiment I am going to prescribe."
"Will the medication make me normal again?" I inquired.
"Well like I said, you 'might' start noticing different behavioral patterns. It's not certain at this time. It's too early to tell. If you have any more questions feel free to ask." The doctor's pager suddenly went off. He hoisted it up to his eyes then bustled out of them room.
"Do you mind if I ask Duane a couple of questions about the shooting?" Detective Bernhardt amiably asked my parents.
"No, that's fine." My father responded while embracing my mother and escorting her out the room.
"Duane, I want you to meet Detective Wu. She works in the homicide unit."
"Homicide?" I inquired. "Did someone die?"
"Duane, you don't remember what happened at all?" She asked.
"No I don't, who died?" I persisted to inquire. "Was it one of the employees I work with?"
"No, it wasn't them. Duane, I'm going to play back a recording. It's from a cellphone that was recording during the shooting. It may jog your memory a bit." Detective Wu said while retrieving a small tape recorder from her blazer pocket. She pressed the play button.
"Hey Duane!" "Lani, what's up?"...
"Wait, wait. That's my girlfriend's voice. OH GAWD PLEASE NO! PLEASE TELL ME SHE'S OKAY!" I blurted out interrupting the recording.
"Duane please, try to listen to the recording." Detective Wu pleaded.
"You like my new phone?" "I guess. Why are you holding it up like that?" "Because I'm recording you. It has a built in video camera. Isn't that cool?" "Lani, c'mon, put the phone away." "C'mon smile for..." (In the background I heard a loud banging noise and the sound of glass shattering) "YOU THOUGHT WE FORGOT ABOUT YOU MUTHAFUCKA!" "WHOA, WHOA!" (I then heard some rumbling. Then I heard three gunshots followed by screaming and more rumbling) "PLEASE MAN PLEASE!" "Hoyt! Let’s go!" "You snitching mutha..." (Then I heard another shot, the screaming grew louder. It was followed by two more shots and the cries suddenly stopped) "Call nine one one!" (The voice sounded like Mr. Delancey’s) “Oh my God, they're dead. I think they're dead. Duane! Duane..."
"DID HE KILL HER?" I growled.
"Duane, Lolani is... S he's dead!"
Never in my life have I ever felt a surge so strong; so filled with fury. Anger overwhelmed me and I had no control over it. I suddenly let out a roar so loud and disturbing the detectives lurched from my bed. My concerned parents, the nurses and the doctor rushed back into my room. "Get security!" My cries convinced the staff to put me in restraints. Just as I lunged out of the bed, I was met by able-bodied guards that tackled me back onto it. "NO!" I hollered while trying to fend them off. My attempts were short lived as all four of them collectively managed to confine me. They fastened my wrists and ankles to the bed railings with padded leather restraints. But my roars persisted. My parents' efforts to calm me down were useless. I remained combative and struggled with the restraints until I managed to loosen one of them up. The security team continued wrestling with me as the doctor retrieved a syringe and injected it into the intravenous drip feed. Moments later I felt unsteady and weak. Then I drifted off.
I came to after the doctor flipped a light switch on. The fluorescent light fixture is directly above my bed and it’s awfully intense. It triggered a headache. I must’ve been out for a couple of hours. I don’t feel as angry anymore. Whatever he injected into the intravenous drip feed must’ve calmed me down.
The doctor sauntered in with four individuals. All but the doctor wore disposable 4ply face masks. The four of them also sported white lab coats but
John Freely, Hilary Sumner-Boyd