Chapter 26 #4
Mairead also reached out, in between bouts of me screaming into my pillow.
She sent photos of herself in the intense strawberry print dress, with a disgruntled looking fluffy, white bunny.
The creature had this save me look about it, while Mairead squeezed the poof of fur to her chest. I hope that’s her pet and not some poor wild rabbit she found in a park on the way home.
Each time we hang out, I speculate if her free-spirited personality is something to be coveted or medicated.
After the slideshow of candid photos, she texts.
Mairead: Hurry up and get better. We’re doing an Escape Room next time! Bring along your grumpy roommate too.
I’ve visited more attractions with Mairead over the past few weeks than I have in years! I send a thumbs up emoji, silence my phone, and attempt to sleep.
One eye pries open, instantly spotting movement. I blink a few times before my vision clears, finding people coming and going within the brightly lit room. Layered crisp, white sheets cover my body against the cold temperature of the room.
A woman with buttery hair holds her head within her hands, as a tall man in a dress shirt, tries to make her feel better.
The woman is my mommy. She cries at my bedside, while Daddy rubs circles on her back.
They look tired, like they haven’t slept in a while.
Mommy’s hair is sticking in different directions, while Daddy’s top is wrinkled.
I’ve never seen him wear an unpressed shirt before.
I don’t know why I’m here or what’s wrong with my parents, but I don’t like it.
Where’s Theo? I glance around for my brother, finally spotting him across the room, asleep in a chair. My uncle stands by the room's door frame causing my daddy to leave us and to go to him. I don’t see my uncle very much, so I’m surprised he’s here.
Uncle Nicholas would sometimes stop by during the holidays.
I remember when he brought me a present once.
It was a stencil kit, where I could change the plates for the top, middle, and bottom of a dress, then lay down my paper and color on top.
It was one of my favorite things because there were endless varieties of dresses I could make.
Another time, my uncle visited late at night.
Theo was already asleep in his room, but I was still up.
When I went down the stairs to get a glass of water, I heard Daddy and my uncle arguing in the study.
When I asked about it the next day, my daddy said they were just discussing work.
He told me, “Being a grown-up is complicated and to try and be sweet for as long as I can.”
I didn’t understand what he meant at the time, but I was happy to learn anything from him.
I wish I was at home right now, making new dress combinations.
If it was Christmas, my family would be all together, including my uncle.
There would be songs, games, and laughter.
All while enjoying hot cocoa with marshmallows.
Right now, is not a time for merriment. I watch as my uncle and daddy speak with big hand movements. They’re too far to hear, but my mommy is close and she’s talking to a nurse now, but I can’t hear them either.
The lady in a blue uniform has kind eyes.
She comes to my side and takes hold of my wrist, while looking at her watch.
She smiles at me. The corners of her eyes look wrinkly.
I realize that her mouth is moving but still no words come out.
My daddy suddenly noticed me. He walks over and plants a kiss on my forehead as I sit up.
Mommy squeezes my hand from her seated position.
Their mouths move, but still, I hear nothing.
Something is wrong. I try to listen harder. Maybe I’m not paying enough attention. I can hear something! Like a ringing bell off in the distance. The noise gets louder the longer I try to listen. Like a fire alarm sounding, but no one is trying to evacuate the building.
I try to tell them it’s too loud as I cover my ears at the same time.
Pleading with anyone in the room to make the noise stop.
No one is doing anything to help me! All they do is shake their heads and frown.
The lady with the gentle eyes motioned for me to lie down.
My brother is awake now and has joined my parents at my bedside.
A tear streams down Theo’s face. I’ve never seen my brother cry before.
I look away toward the wall of windows that looks into the hall.
My uncle never entered the room and now he’s leaving.
I wish he’d take me with him. Away from this room full of sadness with the itchy sheets.
I watch as my uncle meets a strange looking man at the end of the hall and a boy.
The boy is older than both me and Theo. He stands next to my uncle as the two men speak.
Another nurse and doctor come into my room, checking wires and screens, making it hard to see my uncle… to see the boy. At one point, the boy looked at me. He seems sad. Sad like me. Maybe my uncle could bring the boy next time he visits.
They all leave together. I wanted so badly to leave with them.
I didn’t like it here. There was an awful noise that wouldn’t stop, but no one else could hear it!
It was too bright and cold. I don’t want to be in this hospital bed; I want to go home!
Everyone cried. The doors at the end of the hallway swung shut. Closing me out. Keeping me in.