A/N - Well I know I promised three in a row of Philip...and we will get that. I just needed to check in with Chloe first, before we do that. Can't mess with the order of things, or the story won't flow.
Thank you to all the readers and for all the comments. I am so glad you are enjoying this. It has been fun for me to write.
As always excuse any and all typos...I will fix them as I find them.
Ok let's get to it...
==================================
Chapter 3Chloe sat in the small enclosed room, hands folded on the table in front of her, waiting. She imagined the room must have been a supply closet at some point in the past. The walls were covered in a thick coat of white paint, but she could still see the holes in the wall where shelves must have been hung. And of course, no windows, barely any of the rooms in the hospital had them. She had been spoiled back in Salem with her private room with its large window. The state hospital provided no such luxuries. White walls, no windows, glaring fluorescent lights, and roommates.
Iley was her name, or so she had been told. She hadn't actually met her roommate yet, just saw the evidence of her arrival, strewn all over the floor of the room. Chloe hadn’t stayed for a meet and greet. She had gone to the recreation room, her first earned privilege; to read a book, watch TV, to get some light. The recreation room was one of the few areas in the hospital that had windows, large almost floor to ceiling windows that gave the room almost a cheerful glow in full sunlight.
She had found a seat away from the other patients. Chloe wasn't much in the mood for mingling. She just wanted to try to block out her thoughts. The television was playing, a commercial for floor cleaner. She hoped a movie or sitcom was what they had all been watching, something to let her escape from harshness that had become her life. No such luck. It was a replay of the previous night's 3T, Titan Tattler Tonight, the entertainment news magazine.
Sinking a little in her seat, as all eyes turned toward her. The feature story, the transfer of the mother of the Kiriakis heir to the state mental institution. Life was definitely mocking her. Years of wanting fame, only to get it this way, under these circumstances. Even the patients at the hospital knew her face now. How would she ever get past all of this? The media had placed a spotlight on her for months, not to mention on Philip. His miraculous recovery had made 3T as well, although no in depth report was given. Chloe bet Victor had placed a gag order on the media and threatened legal action against anyone that invaded Philip's privacy. Chloe on the other hand was fair game. She was sure Victor even fed them information just to insure she was always shown in the worst possible light.
When the aide came into the recreation room to escort her to an impromptu therapy session, it had felt like a rescue to Chloe. The other patients were slowly inching closer to her, looking ready to pounce. She had escaped for now, but she knew in time she would have to address the countless questions the other patients were going to have for her. She briefly entertained the idea of doing something dramatic to get placed in solitary confinement, or the suicide room as it was nicknamed by the other patients. Patients that attempted to kill themselves or others were placed in a room alone with no furniture and padded walls. Apparently the phrase padded cell wasn’t just a term people used when they talked about mental institutions. They actually existed. Alone in a padded cell almost seemed like a better alternative than facing all the questions, or worse yet the judgment. If she were to believe the whispers, even mentally unstable people watched the news and took sides. She had been there a little over a week and already her life was fodder for the hospital gossips.
Chloe adjusted the sleeves on her white cotton sweatshirt. It was a pullover, zippers were not allowed. Another not so subtle reminder about the reality of her situation, Drew had been right. Every detail of her life was planned for her now. If only she had listened to him and not snuck out of the hospital. Maybe she would be free right now, and on the road to getting her son back. It was done, she couldn’t dwell. The drugs the hospital had given her had clouded her judgment, although Chloe wasn’t so sure she wouldn’t have made the same choice even if she weren’t drugged up. She needed to be with her son. She would do anything to be with him, including this. Enduring this place, becoming the model patient. Just maybe that would get her a reprieve, an early release, a chance to visit him at least. Anything would be better than being stuck here hours away from the most important person in her life.
Persons, if she were being honest with herself, Chloe was locked away from the most important persons in her life. Not being able to see Philip, to make sure he was truly okay with her own eyes, was starting to physically hurt. Almost as much as being away from Parker hurt. That strange link they forged when Philip woke up grasping her hand was stronger than ever. Being away from Philip, from Parker, it was starting to feel like someone had severed a limb from her body. She didn’t understand it, couldn’t explain it, but since that morning, Chloe had changed. She was no longer alone, and she could feel it. That feeling is what got her out of the bed every morning, kept her faking smiles, cooperating with staff, kept her from giving up. She had too much to live for, and it all was waiting outside the hospital doors, in Salem.
A female aide, with brown hair pulled tightly into a bun, dressed in too tight pale green scrubs entered the room, placing a black telephone in front of her on the table.
“What’s this?” asked Chloe. “I thought my doctor was coming.”
“Your doctor is on the phone. Apparently she is conducting her session remotely. But don’t get any ideas, we may not be able to hear you in here, but we are watching.” And with that, she promptly left the room, leaving Chloe to stare at the phone.
With shaky hands she picked up the receiver, not sure what to expect. Dr. Hill wasn’t supposed to meet with her until later in the week, and she couldn’t imagine the woman opting to consult over the phone. She seemed to like face to face interaction way too much. So Chloe suspected that Nicole could be role playing again, masquerading as her doctor, to get her a message.
“Hello? Dr. Morgan?” she asked into the phone. She had almost used Nicole’s name but thought better of it just in case. The hospital said they weren’t allowed to listen to patient sessions, just observe, but Chloe still didn’t trust them. Privacy didn’t exist for people like her.
“Chloe, it’s me, Melanie,” the voice on the other end responded.
“Melanie? What’s wrong? Why are you calling me?” Chloe got chills at the sound of Melanie’s voice. It had to be something truly awful for Melanie to make contact in this way. She almost wanted to hang up the phone immediately, to avoid the probable pain to come.
“Brady told me to use the doctor’s name. I hope I don’t get you into trouble,” said Melanie. She sounded a bit uneasy, almost nervous.
“Just tell me why you called,” urged Chloe. “Is something the matter with Parker?” She wanted to mention Philip too, but she stopped herself, trying to respect the boundaries of her position. She didn’t have the right to question Philip’s wife so eagerly.
“Oh no, no. Parker is good. That’s not why I’m calling.”
“So you called just to check up on me?” Chloe asked a puzzled expression on her face. “I mean that’s nice if you did…”
“It’s Philip,” stated Melanie abruptly.
Chloe’s stomach twisted. “What about Philip?” she asked not able to expand further on that question. She didn’t want to say any of the scenarios that had suddenly popped into her mind.
“Well you know he is out of his coma.”
“Yeah. I was there,” said Chloe slowly.
“Right. I know. I mean, Nicole told you about how he’s doing?” Melanie asked.
Chloe’s tension level was rising. It seemed like Melanie was deliberately being obtuse. Chloe wondered what she was trying to avoid.
“Yes she did,” responded Chloe. “Did something change? Has he taken a turn for the worse?”
“Not exactly. He’s still not talking, but he’s getting better every day. It is amazing actually. I never thought,” she hesitated. Chloe could hear her getting choked up on the other end of the line. “I just never thought it would be like this. He’s really back.”
“I’m so glad Melanie,” Chloe paused, her eyes filling with tears. “I’m so happy for you both. Must have been some reunion.”
“Well he’s not talking yet, and we are trying to ease him back into things. Not jar him, you know? So he hasn’t been told anything,” Melanie paused. “About anything.”
“About Parker you mean?”
“Right. It’s too soon still.”
“I can understand that. You still didn’t tell me why you called.” Chloe nervously chewed on her lower lip, awaiting Melanie’s response.
“I don’t know how to put this. I can’t even believe I’m about to say this. I mean just to be having this conversation with you of all people,” she said, words stopping and starting as she tried to explain.
“Can you please just tell me Melanie?” asked Chloe cutting her off mid ramble.
“Philip needs you.”
There was silence. It was as if they both were holding their breaths after that statement, unsure where to go from there.
“What?” asked Chloe, confused. “I don’t understand.”
”He’s been asking about you? Asking for you.”
“I thought you said he couldn’t talk.”
“We have been communicating with a Speak & Spell.” Melanie giggled slightly after she said it, as if she were remembering a private joke.
“A what?”
Nothing was making sense, and Chloe was starting to wonder if she were having another allergic reaction to her medication. Why would Philip be asking his wife about her?
“It’s a toy. Doesn’t really matter. The point is Philip has been asking where you are and wanting to see you. I can’t tell him anything about what has gone down these past nine months yet, but I needed to do something. He’s getting upset.”
“Upset?” Chloe asked trying to keep the alarm out of her voice, She clearly failed because she could hear Melanie let out a disgusted sigh on the other end.
“I think he’s worried about you.”
The strangest feeling passed over Chloe’s body. Her heart lifted and broke all at once. Philip was thinking about her, but he was in pain because of it. She didn’t know how to take that information and the worst part of all was that there was nothing she could do about it anyway.
“Melanie I’m so confused. What can I do for him? I am stuck all the way here. There’s no way they’re letting me out to go visit Philip.” She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. Once again she was letting down someone that needed her, first Parker and now his father.
“I need you to talk to him, reassure him you’re okay.”
“Over the phone?”
“I am going to put you on speaker and you can talk to him. If he responds I will read what he types. Can you do that?” asked Melanie.
She could hear the almost desperation in Melanie’s voice. It must have taken a lot for her even to make this call. Philip must be really upset if Melanie was willing to do this for him.
“I will do anything for him.” She paused, cursing herself for her choice of words. “I mean I will help you guys anyway I can.”
“Just remember you can’t mention Parker or anything that has happened.”
“I understand,” replied Chloe, her heart pounding in her chest.
“I’m going to put you on speaker now. Hold on.”
Chloe heard Melanie talking in the background. “Philip I’ve got a surprise for you. Someone wants to talk to you.”
It felt strange, after all of these months she was actually going to talk to Philip again. Well she would be talking, he would be listening, but still it was a rush to imagine that he was awake on the other end, hearing her voice. There was so much she wanted to say to him.
“All set. You’re on speaker now.”
“Philip? Hi,” she said timidly. Now that she was on the spot, her mind went blank.
“He’s smiling and he typed in your name. He knows its you Chloe.”
“I am so glad to hear you’re feeling better. You had us all so scared.”
“He typed ‘he’s sorry’,” said Melanie.
“Don’t be,” replied Chloe softly.
He had absolutely nothing to be sorry for. If he knew all the things she had done, while he was in the coma, he would be appalled. Chloe shook those thoughts from her head, trying to remain focused on the present.
“Wait he’s typing something else,” said Melanie. “He wants to know when you are coming to visit.”
“Philip I would love to see you.” Chloe smiled into the phone. “I can’t wait to get that chance, but I’m sort of busy right now. Out of town.”
“He typed in ‘singing’.”
“That’s right. I’m singing, so I can’t leave just yet. You know the show must go on, gotta face the music.”
“I think he’s trying to say he’s proud of you. Is that right Philip? Yes, he’s proud of your singing.”
“Thank you Philip. You’ve always been my biggest supporter.”
Chloe wiped the tears that were falling down her face. Philip was just back among the living and he was already being her cheerleader, trying to boost her confidence. She made a silent vow, to return the favor one day. She was going to become a positive presence in his life, be the friend he had always been to her.
“He typed, ‘so talented’.”
“You’re making me blush. No more compliments.”
“He typed,” Melanie hesitated for a moment, her voice cracking as she continued. “Beautiful.”
Her cheeks warmed, as she imagined him saying those words directly to her, instead of through Melanie. She could almost see him, smiling at her, his eyes sparkling.
“Always the charmer Philip Kiriakis. Has he been laying it on like this with you too Melanie?”
“Well…he’s typing. He wrote, ‘cute little nurse’.” Chloe could hear the smile in Melanie’s voice as she spoke. “There’s something really creepy about you flirting on a child’s toy Philip. He’s laughing now.”
Chloe pressed her ear closer to the phone, hoping to hear some sound from Philip, some evidence he really was there listening.
“I’m glad you’re in a good mood. How do you feel?”
Melanie laughed. “He wrote ‘hungry’. I guess your liquid diet is not holding you? He is shaking his head no.”
Chloe let out a sob. She covered her mouth with her hand, hoping that her reaction could not be heard over the phone. She was glad Philip seemed to be in good spirits, but it was killing her to be so far apart from him. All of those months of praying for her friend to open his eyes and talk to her, only for him to finally do it when she was three hours away.
“I wish I could see you Philip. I want to see your face.” Chloe knew she shouldn’t have said it, Melanie was probably scowling, but at the moment she couldn’t bring herself to care. She needed him to know how much she missed him.
The line went quiet. Chloe almost thought Melanie had hung up on her, but then she finally spoke. “He said he wants to see you too.”
“I need to go now Philip,” Chloe said, no longer able to contain her emotions. She had to hang up before she broke down in tears on the phone. “I hope to see you real soon. Okay?”
“He typed ‘you promise’,” said Melanie softly.
“I do. I promise.” She closed her eyes and sent a mental hug to Philip, hoping somehow he could feel it.
“I’m going to talk to Chloe before she hangs up okay? Chloe?”
“Yeah,” responded Chloe her voice hoarse from crying. Once Melanie had taken them off speaker, the tears just started flowing.
“Thanks again for doing that. You made him very happy,” she said. Melanie had been crying too, Chloe could hear her sniffling.
“Happy to be of some help. I hate that I’m stuck here useless.”
“You’re not useless. Philip is back because of you.”
“I don’t think that’s true..” Chloe drew slow circles on the table with her finger.
“It is,” Melanie interrupted. “He came back for you,” Melanie added in a tear filled voice.
“Doesn’t matter who he woke up with,” said Chloe feeling a sudden need to reassure Melanie. She was only guessing, but it seemed like maybe Melanie was struggling with the fact that Philip had responded to her. “We just have to be glad he’s back right?”
“Right. Well hopefully this will put him at ease. I think he was wondering why you weren’t around.”
“It seems a little strange though, him being so focused on me.”
“I wouldn’t say focused,” said Melanie. Chloe detected an edge of defensiveness creep into Melanie’s voice. “He’s been getting lots of visitors and the doctors are here constantly.”
“Oh I know. I didn’t mean…I don’t want you to think I meant anything by it. I just meant I don’t get why he was asking about me specifically. He has you and his family around.”
“Maybe he remembers you were there when he woke up.”
The brown haired aide opened the door to the room, and stood in the doorway. That was Chloe’s cue that therapy time was over.
“Could be. I better go now. The aide is giving me a funny look.”
“Okay. Take care Chloe.”
She glanced at the aide in the doorway. “And Dr. Morgan?”
“Yeah.”
“You take care of them…Parker and Philip.” Chloe took a breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Knowing they’re safe is sort of what’s keeping me going in here.”
“I’ll always take care of them. They are my family.”
Chloe wanted to say they were her family too, but she thought better of it. “I know.”
“Goodbye Chloe.”
“Bye,” Chloe said softly as she hung up.
The aide came over to the table, retrieving the phone, before indicating that Chloe should leave the room as well. Back to her regimented life, and her new roommate. She wasn’t looking forward to any of it, yet Chloe couldn’t contain her smile. Philip had been thinking about her. It probably was wrong for her to be feeling this way, especially about another woman’s husband, but Chloe didn’t care. It was the proof she had been hoping for, evidence that something wonderful had happened between them that morning he woke up. It wasn’t all in her head. He had felt it too.
===========
Next update - Chapter 4 - Philip speaks his mind.
( So good!!
