Til Death Do Us Part

Chapter 6

John

The next morning, I woke up to a new surprise. “You can leave the hospital John.” My nurse had just said as she smiled down upon my bed. Her eyes were full of joy and she seemed genuinely happy that I could go. I looked around and saw my parents at the foot of my bed holding my clothes. I was free again.

“I thought I was supposed to say here a few more weeks though,” I said trying to keep my feelings hidden. I wasn’t ready to leave the hospital. If I heard this news in the past weeks, I would have jumped out of bed and ran out. I probably would have done that today if it weren’t for that girl. I had to see her again before I left.

“You were originally supposed to stay, but we were able to get a therapist appointment for today. If you go to the session and he clears you, you can go back to school and see all your friends!”

My nurse was enthusiastic when she said these words. She probably felt so bad about me being cooped up here and it’s my fault she felt that. It was probably me muttering the stupid numbers in front of her. I knew it was time to go so I slowly dragged my body out of my bed. I took the clothes that my mom had put on my bed. As I went into the bathroom, I silently prayed for a way to not get cleared so that I could come back and see this girl. If I knew her name, I’d be satisfied for life. I just needed to know her name!

I got changed slowly, but I knew eventually I would have to finish and come back out. My parents didn’t seem irritated with the fact that I took so long. They just were happy to have their baby boy back home. That’s the only problem being an only child. Your parents never can let you go. This was the longest I’ve ever been away from home that I could remember. I was holding on to my hospital clothes when my nurse just told me to throw it in the laundry. In this moment, I realized I had some time left. There was paperwork that needed to be done and it was already past breakfast. I saw the girl right after lunch. That means I had a chance. I threw it in the basket when an idea popped into my head.

The paperwork took a few hours to complete. For once I was thankful to wait in the hospital. I checked my watch. It said 11:25. I knew it was still very early but I needed to risk it. I asked my parents if they would allow me to go the library before we left. I didn’t want to tell them but I had a small hope that the girl was possibly there. They looked at me with surprised faces and I didn’t blame them. I was never a big reader when I was at home with them because I didn’t want them to know that I love reading. My friends thought it was stupid so I figured my parents would as well. All I ever did was play video games or hang out with my friends at the beach (even though i was really smoking with them). They didn’t know what I was getting at, but they agreed. If she was in there, I could tell her everything I wished I could.

I could tell her that I was sorry for scaring her by grabbing her arm. I was sorry that I made her run out so quickly. I was sorry that I felt her scars. I could have apologized for my mistakes but I could also explain that I wanted to know her. Not just know her name and face, but also really know her. I wanted to explain my story to her because I knew she would understand it. I know it sounded corny, but I wanted to say that I loved her. When I thought that, I realized I really did. I loved this girl. This was my final chance. If she was there, I’d be able to look at her and explain everything.

I led my family down the hallway trying to keep my cool so they wouldn’t be suspicious of my anxiety of seeing her again. I was at the door of the library, which was closed. When I came yesterday, it was open. I turned the knob in hopes of seeing her inside. My smile started to appear on my face from all the hope building up. But like all hope, it didn’t last. I looked inside the library. She wasn’t there.

 I walked inside to look like I was checking for a book, but what I really was trying to do was remember her. I replayed all the images from yesterday in my head. The book I was reading and where I was. I went towards my old spot and thought about sitting down as if it would make the girl appear. I looked at my parents as they stared back at me. I checked my watch. I wasn’t sure about the exact time that I saw her last time, but I was sure it was a little later than this. I fidgeted with the watch trying to stall to see if she would show up eventually, but it was time to go. I looked around the room really quickly and turned and left. Before I went, I took off my watch and placed it next to the book. My one chance was gone for today, but I wasn’t giving up that easily.