Running Towards A Place

Everything Will Be Alright

Brandon's POV

The three of us sat staring intently at the doctor like 3 children gazing at their teacher.
"Right then Edith" the doctor began, earning a snigger from Ron in the corner, "what first, good news or the bad news?" He asked, pushing his clipboard under his arm. I felt Eddie pause beside me, "bad first" she replied, her voice timid and anxious.
"Ok - so the scans show your head is ok, you have a mild concussion, any symptoms should clear in a day or two. As for your knee, you have torn your acl" the doc paused for a moment, a serious look in his eye, "so, surgery will be needed to get you back on the pitch. A specialist will come to discuss that with you soon. They will organize for surgery, probably in a month or so time ideally then recovery time is roughly 9 months" the doctor explained reluctantly . I felt Eddie deflate beside me, instinctively I draped my arm over her shoulder, pulling her into my side. "The Good news, as soon as the specialist has seen you, you're free to go and I'm prescribing you with some strong painkillers. Take care of yourself my dear" the doctor finished giving us the verdict before scurrying off to tend to more patients.

I turned cautiously to Eddie. She looked defeated and unimpressed. Ron stayed quiet in the corner, anxiously fiddling with his boot.
"You ok darling?" I pondered, turning my attention to Eddie. She sat forlorn. The blue bruising of her wound was starting to shine through her temple now.
"I don't know" she sighed, using a finger to trace the outline of the red splint on her leg.
"Oh baby" I whispered, turning to place a tender kiss on her good temple, "I'm here, I'll help you get through this". Without a word, she wearily reached out for my hand, in turn, I gripped hold of her little hand, steadying it in mine. We remained in a comfortable, contemplative silence for a little while before the knee specialist arrived.

Ronnie left to get his car when the specialist knee lady arrived. She was a sweet lady with immaculate red nails and blonde hair pulled into a tight pony tail. I watched a timid and rather overwhelmed Eddie as she listened to the lady. 20 minutes later we knew the deal. Eddie was booked in for the surgery a week before Christmas and until then she was to have weekly physio sessions three times a week. The lady fitted her with a brace and gave a pair of crutches before seeing us off. Watching Eddie walk with the crutches was like watching Bambi on ice. I just wanted to dive in and help her but I knew it wouldn't be any good.

"Take it steady darling" I encouraged her, fearing the concentration on her stern face. I carried her bag and walked patiently beside her. She didn't say a word. In a bay, in front of the hospital was Ron in his car. I allowed Eddie the space to get herself into the car but she struggled coordinating her sticks as well as her weakened leg. "Here, pass me your sticks" I told her, reaching out for her crutches as she leaned against the car awkwardly. She released the crutches and slowly maneuvered herself. I could see the pressure building behind her eyes. "Mind your head" I gasped, as she nearly bumped her head. She was in. I quickly put the crutches and her bag in the back before joining her in the back seat. Once We were buckled in Ron pulled off. I turned to Eddie, tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Oh my darling" my voice was soft, "it's ok to be upset, you've just received some pretty devastating news" I told her, taking her trembling hand in mine. I quickly slid my self to the seat next to her. She needed me close. Instantly, she collapsed into me. Her head on my chest, her hand fell to my knee. She sobbed quietly, my shirt muffling the sound of her heart breaking. All I could do was hold her. Hold her together physically and mentally. I looked uneasily at Ron in his mirror, he looked concerned. "Shhh" I cooed, doing my best to keep my girl calm. "It's ok Eddie, you're not alone in this, I'm here with you" I kissed her head.
"I-I'm being stupid" she said between sobs, "I-it could could've been so much wor-se" she began, her jagged breath making her speech awkward.
"Baby you hit your head too, remember" I prompted, my concern growing.
"Mm, e-exactly, I could have a-a serious brain injury but I d-don't so what am I-I crying for?" She continued, gripping the slack of my jeans so tightly her knuckles turned white.
"Oh baby, you still hit your head badly, that messes with you in ways you don't even realize" I rubbed her back soothingly. "I've had concussion a couple of times from falling off stage" I began, lightly sniggering at myself for how daft it sounds, "and I got really emotional one time and I didn't even realize, another time I just had a very slight knock but it sent me dizzy and I threw up everywhere" I began to ramble, feeling Eddie's breathing gradually become more regulated. " our brains are very temperamental and unique things darling, it's not your fault" I kissed her once more, now her sobs had subsided. I felt a relief as she slowly settled into a calm state.
"Keep talking" I heard her little voice ask, "please?" her hand no longer gripped my jeans, instead it rested softly on my knee.
"Are you hungry?" I queried, unsure what to talk about. She gave a weak nod. "Hey Ron, next food place, call in, we're hungry" I called to Ron, whilst also giving him a friendly, thankful smile.
"Gotcha" he nodded, as he continued to drive us towards home.