And On

303

Liberty
"Would you like to go see him?" The doctor asks me after telling me the damn news.

My bottom lip is trembling from the oncoming tears as I nod. Trey's blind in both eyes. The bullet that hit his neck damaged the nerve that was connected to his eyes. My mind can't take it. He won't be able to see Judiah grow up. Watch him make his first steps.

"I'll get one of the nurses to wheelchair you up,"

She leaves the room and two nurses enter a minute later with a blue hospital wheelchair.

"Your son is too young to go up so we'll watch him till you come back," the black nurse says.

"Okay," I say reluctantly agreeing.

I don't realize how much leg hurts until I try to stand on my own and nearly fall flat on my face. The nurse catches me and helps me up.

"Careful! I got ya," she says while guiding me to the chair and helping me sit.

"Thank you," I say while getting comfortable.

"It's a long walk. You want water or something?" She asks me.

"Nope. I'm okay," I reply anxiously. Let's go! Dang.

The walk feels like it's for hours. We take two elevators and walk down a whole bunch a hallways before we finally make it. They have to buzz us in. The huge automatically open wide.

It's very quiet in here.

"Liberty Markson is here to see Tremaine," the nurse announces.

The nurse behind the desk nods carelessly and continues to click away at the computer. Trey is in here.

"Room 303," she says.

ICU is always quiet. Trey is breathing. The sounds of the machines beeping is the only thing that can be heard. 298, 299, 300, 301, 302.... There's a pit in my gut. 303. I'll always remember that number. The door is open as if they were waiting for me. The room is dimly lit.

There's a form on the bed. I'm guessing that must be him. The nurse wheels me closer and closer. A small squeal comes up from my throat. His eyes are wrapped in white wrappings. There are patches of white surgical bandages that identify where he got shot.

Arms, side, neck, chest, probably his leg. But, he's breathing. He's breathing. I touch his arm. He looks skinny. Gaunt.

"I'll be back in an hour," the nurse says before leaving me in the room alone with Tremaine.

"Trey," I sigh.

I take his hand into mine and squeeze it. I feel a squeeze back and nearly jump out of my skin.

"Tremaine, you're awake," I state quietly.

"I wasn't in a coma Gee," he says with a bit of humor.

I lay my head by his arm and sob. I hate when he does this.

"I thought you were dead," I cry.

"C'mere," he gently says.

I support myself with the sides of my wheelchair as I get up and get in his bed.

"I missed you," he states while I get comfortable.

"I missed you too baby," I say before kissing his lips. I missed kissing them.

He uses his left arm to touch my face when I break the kiss. I'm scared that I might hurt him.

"I'm blind, Lib," he whispers.

My face twists as I fight back the tears. His fingers move over my eyes, nose, and lips. The tears fall from my eyes and onto his face.

"You're crying," he states while wiping my tears,"Don't."

"I can't help it. I love you so much," I cry in a strained voice.

"I'm right here, baby. I'm right here. I love you,"

Our lips meet in soft bliss.

Trey
It's dark. I've been living in it since the day I got attacked. I quickly figured out that I was in a hospital by the smell. Antiseptic. They pain medication they've been giving me has been knocking me out cold. I was hallucinating at a point and broke down because I couldn't see.

I quickly knew Liberty was in the room. It's weird to say that I could smell her, but I could. There's just a sense of relief as I touch her face to find that it's still perfect and to hear her beautiful voice and to kiss her soft lips.

"Judiah, is he okay?" I ask while we chill.

"Yeah, you saved his life Trey," she says gratefully.

"Natural instincts,"

I can sense her hesitation in asking about my new burden.

"You wanna talk about this? My nonexistent vision?" I ask bluntly.

"Trey, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or get upset,"

"It's fine, babe. I mean, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to leave me. How can I protect you and Judiah if I can't see. I'm useless,"

Liberty places a finger on my lips to shut me up,"I'm not leaving you because you can't see anymore. That's ridiculous. I still feel safe around you. Blind or not,"

She cuddles me awkwardly and sighs,"Maybe it was a sign from God saying that we're not ready for marriage,"

"But we're ready to have sèx? I can't do that anymore without us being in wedlock," I state honestly.

I can sense the tension.

"You're right. I'm sorry," she says,"No more until marriage,"

We lay there and talk quietly about how we're gonna figure all this out. Now that I'm blind, Lib will have to take control until I figure out how to function as a blind man.

"I wish I could hold him," I admit to Gee as we talk about Judiah.

"Nurses said no kids under the age of 12 allowed. Don't worry. I got him,"

Someone knocks on my door,"Everything alright in here?"

It's that nurse.

"Yes. It's all good," I reply.

"I'll have to leave soon. Don't scare me again or I'll-"

"Alright. I gotchu. Lay down. Dang!"

She lays back down and kisses my shoulder. This no sèx thing is gonna be hard since we've been doing it since we met.