The Acceptance of Change

Chapter 19: Reality II.

I woke up and Sadie was gone. I wondered if she was ever truly there. I looked to my left, and my mother was asleep. I saw an IV plugged into my skin. I sat up and stared at the wall in front of me. I began to fall forward into an awkward slump when The Mange caught me.

"Glad I stopped by, I guess," The Mange said.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"Just wanted to make sure that you're still ok."

"What are the doctors saying about me?"

"They said you're physically stable, like there's nothing wrong with you. But your brain state right now is just a bit confused with itself. They said you just needed some rest. You're gonna be ok."

"How's Sadie?"

"She's ok, what's wrong?"

"When do I get to leave?"

"Soon, probably today if you can walk."

I sit up on my bed. The Mange calls the doctors in and they watch me as I try to stand. Thankfully, I can stand perfectly, it seems I overstayed my welcome here. I am then given a change of clothes my host mom brought me from home because I've been sleeping in the same clothes for at least a few days now. I then take a shower in the bathroom provided for me in my room. The shampoo provided was almost out, but it was enough. I dry myself off and start putting on my clothes. I need something to eat.

My foster parents were at work at the time so they got it approved for The Mange's mom to take me out of the hospital.

"Hi Jonas, it's nice to meet you!" Said The Mange's father, "my name is Mr. Smith."

"Hi, I appreciate you picking me up. I did not want to stay there any longer."

"That's completely understandable."

"Can we get something to eat for Jonas, he mentioned something about being hungry in the hospital."

"Sure, that's fine. What do you want to eat?" Mr. Smith said.

"What do you want to eat Jonas?" The Mange asked me.

"Isn't there a Buggie's down the street?" I asked.

"The burger place?" The Mange responded.

"Yeah."

"Hey, isn't that the place we always used to go to with Sadie's mom? There was another boy she met there once right? What was his name Tommie?" Mr. Smith said. The Mange kind of froze, almost as in he was in shock. He was forced to reveal something to me that I knew would rock me, because I remember going to Buggie's with someone as well.

"Well that was before she was Sadie," The Mange said. "And I'm not sure if it's my place to say."

"Well why is that?"

"Because Sadie didn't want me talking about it, at least not yet. Not until she's ready to."

"I guess that's what she wants." The Mange froze and I could tell was intentionally not wanting to make eye contact with me, as though even the slightest glance would reveal everything he's been keeping secret. But I think I know what he was hiding, so no eye contact would be necessary.