Disrobed for Death Read Online Free PDF

her fall and going into surgery returned. The smell, the sounds. She had to be in a hospital. Was she given a second chance? Maybe she really didn’t die, but…it was all so real.
    “Oh, no,” Susan moaned.
    A chair scraped against the floor and someone grabbed her hand.
    “Welcome back, honey. It’s A. K.”
    “You’re real,” Susan said, focusing on her friend, who shouted toward an open door.
    “Nurse, she’s awake!”
    A woman in scrubs entered the room. “I told you it wouldn’t take long for her to come around once we stopped the medication.”
    She checked Susan’s eyes and pulse. How do you feel, Ms. Griffin?”
    “My head hurts. Where am I?”
    “That’s normal. I’ll get you something for that. You’re in the hospital. Your surgery went well.”
    “No, I can’t be here. I don’t want to be here.”
    “I can understand that, but it’s up to the doctor when you can be released.”
    “No, you don’t understand. I’m not supposed to be here.” She reached out to A. K., who stepped closer.
    The nurse made a few notes on a chart. “Once the medicine gets out of your system, you won’t be confused. I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake. He’s making rounds.” Tucking the chart under her arm, she left the room.
    Susan squeezed A. K.’s hand. “It’s really you.”
    A. K. peeled Susan’s vice-like grip from her hand. “In the flesh. Hey, not so hard. I’m not going anywhere. Your mother and dad are here, too. I knew you would have wanted me to call them. They’ve been waiting for you to wake up. Wouldn’t you know the minute they left to get a bite to eat, you’d wake up.”
    Susan ran her tongue over parched lips. “Could I have some water?” A few minutes ago, she had no desire for food or drink. Now she had a craving for both. The cool liquid slid down her throat. A few minutes ago, she couldn’t believe she was dead. Now, she had a hard time believing she was alive. “This is real, isn’t it?”
    “Girlfriend, whatever he gave you sure has you messed up.”
    Susan handed A. K. the glass. “I died, A. K.”
    Deep furrows crossed A. K.’s brow as she stared down at Susan. “I don’t think so. The doctor said there were no complications. Whatever you thought happened was all in your mind. You’ll see things more clearly once you’re up and around, once you’re free of all medication. Right now, I’d say you’re still tripping.”
    At the sound of footsteps, they both turned to see Susan’s mother and father entering the room.
    “You’re awake, my dear,” her mother said. “I so wanted to be with you when you opened your eyes.”
    “I’m afraid that’s my fault,” A. K. said. “I insisted you get something to eat.”
    Susan’s father stepped closer. “Don’t look so surprised, Susan. You knew your mother and I would be here, and we’re going to stay a few days until we’re sure you’re able to do for yourself.”
    What startled Susan wasn’t her parents’ presence, it was the way they were dressed. Her mother’s black, crepe dress and pearl accessories and her dad’s navy suit and pin-striped shirt were the exact outfits they wore at the wake.
    “Where’d Edward go?” Susan asked.
    “How’d you know he was here?” her mother asked. “He left after he was assured you were going to be okay. You know how it is. His job is so demanding.”
    Susan wanted to talk privately with A. K., but for the next hour, she could do nothing but listen while her parents doted on her. Finally, she figured a way to have time alone with A. K.
    “Seems the doctor is running late. A. K., would you please give Dad your key to my apartment?” Then she said to her dad in her best pleading voice, “I want you two to go and get some rest. As soon as I hear from the doctor, I’ll let you know what he says. Hopefully, he’ll let me out of here—if not today, at least by tomorrow. A. K. can see to getting me home.”
    “I am tired, and could do with a little nap,”