Chapter 34 Wes
“Today’s the day! You get to go home.” Gary, my nurse for the day bursts in to tell me the good news. They’ve kept me here a day longer than they said they would for continued monitoring and I’ve been going crazy.
“That’s great news, thanks,” I say with little enthusiasm. I’m glad to be going home. I’m also completely confused. Erick had told me Rose was here the day that I was hurt, but I’ve barely heard from her since. He said she was struggling with her anxiety again, which I knew was bad before, and I’m sure my accident gave her a shock. After texting her ten times and receiving short answers, I simply gave up. Once I get released I’m heading straight to the Bookery to see if I can find her and figure out what’s going on. I’m not sure how I’ll drive though . . . this cast has got me laid up for at least a month of no driving. Luckily, Tonya said I can be on desk duty for the foreseeable future so I’ll still be able to work, which is great.
“The only thing you have before we can check you out is some cognitive testing. They should be in shortly.” Gary pulls the door quietly shut as he leaves. It’s me, alone with my thoughts again, and I can’t help but turn them to Rose. What is going on?
Yawning, I stretch my hands over my head and flick on the small TV they have in my room. Just as I do so, a man enters the room holding a briefcase-bag of sorts and smiles at me.
“Here to test my intelligence, eh?” I try to lighten the mood, but the man just scoffs and grabs a seat.
He puts me through a number of activities that somehow make me feel completely incompetent. He says that’s normal and I’m doing fine though, so I try to roll with it. He seems nice enough, and after an hour of torturing me, he’s on his way.
Before I’ve had too much time alone with my thoughts of Rose and now of my incompetence, Erick comes in. He’s been by to see me every day, usually multiple times, and even snuck in some unapproved fast food from the McDonalds down the street—Raspberry Falls’ claim to fame.
Today I see he has some food in a to-go container. “What’s that,” I ask, my eyes lighting up.
“It’s some biscuits and gravy from Chloe’s B&B.” He smiles. “They’re the best in the area and I thought you could use some cheering up.”
“Oh. Are you finally going to tell me why Rose isn’t here?” My voice is a little stronger than intended. “I’m sorry. I know you said she’s having a hard time and is dealing with her own stuff. I’m just going crazy not knowing what’s going on with her, or how she’s doing. We had this amazing night together. And then she just up and practically disappears. ”
Erick looks down at his feet, his eyes glancing along the bare walls of the room. “She’s okay. Not in any physical danger or anything like that. Just dealing with a lot.”
I sag into the bed. “Well that’s a relief. She just doesn’t want to see me then?”
“To be honest, I don’t fully understand what’s going on either. I’m keeping her updated on your situation—she asked for that—and I think you two will need to figure all this out once you’re out of the hospital.”
“Which will be soon!” A nurse bursts into the room with a handful of papers and a bag of the clothes and things I was wearing the day I was brought in. “We just are waiting on one approval and then you are free to be on your way!”
“I think we’ll just throw those away . . .” I gesture at the bag.
“Fine by me!” she sings and tosses the whole bag into the garbage. “I’ll be back soon, you have your ride?”
“Yeah, they’re here.” After she leaves the room I turn towards Erick. “You have to take me to see her, right after I’m discharged. I don’t care what you say, I need to see her.”
“I’ll take you to her. She’s over at the Bookery with Chloe right now.”