Chapter 11
11
Nico
“The ophthalmologist on call will be in to see you shortly,” The nurse says after settling Summer down in the examination chair.
“Can she have something for pain?” If Summer’s not going to speak up and advocate for herself, I will. “We’ve been here for a few hours, and her pain is getting worse.”
“I’ll consult with the attending and see what I can do.” With a smile, Nurse Betty, or whatever the perky nurse’s name is, sashays out of the room.
“How do you know I’m in pain? Am I being bitchy?” There’s the unsettled look in her eyes I’m becoming familiar with.
“No.” I try not to smile; she’s defensive. Despite my best effort, my lips tilt upward. I can’t help myself. Summer’s adorable right now, but if I tell her that, she’ll probably throw something at me. “I hear you groaning when you think I’m not listening.”
“Oh.” Her head drops, and her eyes focus on the floor. Her cheeks tint pink. They almost match her forehead. “I don’t mean to—” She gasps. “Nico! What are you doing?”
Sitting on the doctor’s stool, I roll from the far end of the room to the examination chair. Good, she forgot that she was embarrassed. I want to get her mind off of her pain, too. If that’s possible. I inspect the instruments on a long, retractable arm off to the side of the examination chair.
“Don’t touch that!”
Ignoring her, I press a button, and a bright light turns on. The light shines close enough to her eyes that she groans and turns her head.
“Give me a sec.” I move the instruments to the side to give Summer relief. “I’m figuring out what these things do.”
“That’s the problem. Stop. Touching!”
“But there are so many gadgets to look at.”
“They’re not toys.”
“Says you.”
“And the doctor.”
“He won’t mind if we have a little fun.”
“This isn’t the time or place for fun! Someone might see.” Frustrated, she looks toward the door as if she’s afraid to get caught.
I’ve got news for her. This room is hidden away in the back corner of a back corner. No one’s looking. In fact, the room is so out of the way, I don’t think anyone will find us. Ever. Which explains why we’ve been sitting here for what feels like an hour already.
“If you lean forward and put your chin on the cushion, I bet I could see what’s wrong with your eyes.” Not that I could find anything wrong with the gray irises that tint blue. Quite the opposite. I could find everything right with them. They’re deep. Endless. If I look close-up, I risk falling in.
“Nico, stop! We’re going to get in trouble.”
“Trouble?” She makes it sound appealing. Like we’re cutting class in high school. The possibility of getting in trouble with her in the hospital could be fun. So many halls to run down and rooms to hide in. Rooms with beds we could lie in. A strange sensation runs through my body. A sensation that I need to ignore. “You think they’ll kick us out?” I tease.
“Nico!”
“Okay. Okay.” I flip the switch and turn the light off. “You’re no fun.”
“Fun? I’m here because I’m in pain and look like a freak, not so we could play doctor.”
Okay, she went there, the door is open. It’s better than taking on her freak comment. I tilt my head. “If you don’t want to play doctor, how about I’ll show you mine if you show me yours?”
“Oh my God!” She laughs in spite of herself. “Ouch! Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.” While she’s not crying, tears drip from her eyes, as they’ve been doing all morning.
“Sorry.” I roll to the counter across the room, grab a few tissues from the box, and push off, sliding back to her with my peace offering extended. “I didn’t think the thought of seeing me with my clothes off would make you cry.”
She takes the tissues and dabs at her eyes, saying nothing. This time, her face gives nothing away, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through her mind. I swallow the thick lump in the back of my throat when I’m saved by an unlikely intrusion.
Enter the ophthalmologist. The doctor, definitely younger than us, like everyone else we’ve come into contact with in this hospital, gives me a dirty look. I give the room a quick scan looking for hidden cameras. Not seeing any, I get to my feet and roll the stool toward the uptight teenager.
“Sorry, man.”
“I was told you want something for pain.” The kid says to Summer. Seriously, though, what is he? Twelve? Thirteen?
“Yes, please.”
“When we’re done putting drops in your eyes, I’ll see to it that you get some medication administered through your IV. It should give you some relief within twenty to thirty minutes.”
“Okay.” I really need to teach Summer how to hide her emotions better. Disappointment is written all over her face. I can always read her, except when she’s dealing with me. Every time I think she’s going in one direction, she has a sharp pivot in the opposite direction and throws me for a loop.
“For now, I can give you some numbing drops. They might burn for a few seconds, but then you’ll feel better. I promise.”