The Hurt

Chapter 5

Being near Jake feels so unreal. When I left I thought I was leaving for good. I kept in tough with my parents but everyone else I left, meaning I cut all ties with. I thought that was what they wanted. I burned too many bridges before I left. Now coming back I still feel as if my departure was for the best. Jake's fiancé seems to make him happy in a way I didn't. He has not said much about her but I see when she text or calls him, his face smiles that beautiful smile. That smile that I would dream about even during my time in New York.

"Question?"

"Okay I might have an answer depending on the question." I nervously say back.

"Not that it is not nice to see you, but what made you come back?"

I would like to say it is because I missed my parents, but honestly in New York work was my whole life. I had friends in medical school but once I graduated I stayed at the hospital almost 24/7. My life was medicine for a year. Then after taking my boards when saw everyone run off and celebrate with people they loved I released I had no one. I knew I was the one who left everyone and I had people here. You asked and you got a honest answer. Is what I wish I could say to him. However he is happy now, and my problems should not be his problems.

"I just missed my family and thought it was time for different scenery"

"Oh well it is nice to see you again." I can tell he did not believe me. His face looks so cold. I can not tell if he is mad because he knows I am lying or because I came back. Either way I know this whole time in containment with him probably wont be that pleasant.

Walking outside of the hospital is so different than my first day. People are everywhere in dirty clothes fighting each other for food. It looks like a scene out of one of those futuristic novels I read in high school. Nothing is coming in or out of this area so it might be a while before more food get to us. While walking I see this old man holding his arm with his hand on the side walk. I motion to Jake and we walk over to the guy.

"Hey sir, is something wrong with your arm? Can I take a look?"

"I might have fell really hard on it. It will be okay though, I just need to get home to my wife. She is probably worried about me now."

"I have a sling actually in my bag. I want you to wear it and rest that arm until you can get back to the hospital so I can take a better look at it. It might be broken and need a cast."

"Okay I will make it back to the hospital I promise. I just cannot go now. I know my wife is probably worried about me." Many people have probably passed him and no one stopped to help. With the current situation I understand though. "Could you also help me up?" Without hesitation I reach for the man and help him up. I look over at Jake and he gives me a worried look before coming over to help me.

"Hey Jake can we walk with the him just to make sure he is okay?"

"Yeah I do not see why not."

As we are walking I decide to start a conversation with him. "Sir, can I ask you your name?"

"My name is Eugene but everyone calls me Gene other than my wife who calls me Asshole." He starts to die laughing which makes me laugh. "We are two very different people. She is so hot headed and I am more 'go with the flow' type of person. I guess that is why we have been together so long we balance each other out. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else if I'm honest"

"That is so sweet! How long have you two been married?"

"March 15th, last week, we just had our 35th anniversary" We finally reach his house and say our goodbyes.

We start to walk away when Jake stops and speaks to the man one last time. "I do not want you out by yourself it is safe. If you want we can pick a time ones a week and I will come and get you and walk with you to were you need to go."

"Yes I could also come with you every once in a while. I know how to use a scalp" We all laugh and I can feel my smile covering my whole face. Just seeing this sweet old man and his determination to get home to his wife just showed me how beautiful love really is.

We are walking back to the hospital when a woman starts waving us down. "Help! You need to help my son! He does not look to good!" We walk over to this woman and see her son. I notice right away he has caught the virus and I know he is too far along to move him to the hospital. He will most likely be more comfortable here with his mom.

"Ma'am have you touched your son"

"My son is in pain of course I touched him!"

"Okay Ma'am can we speak over here?" I need to tell her there is nothing I can do to help him and he probably only has minutes left to live. She follows me and I stay a distance away from her. "I am afraid I have seen what your son is going through before. I am a doctor at Atlanta midtown hospital. Your son does not have much time left to live. I would recommend you start to say your goodbyes now and afterwards we need to get you to the hospital. I believe you most likely caught the virus from your son." She is in tears at the point and there is nothing I can do to comfort her. I cannot hold her hand or hug her. I cannot tell her it will all be okay because she is losing her son before she ever thought she would. Not only that but she might be losing her own life. I hate this so much. I usually have the right words to say to patients but in this case I do not.

We sat with the woman and her son until he took his last breathe. Jake got the body moved and I walked with the woman as we went to the hospital. As soon as I got the woman in her room I walked around down the hall were no one was and broke down. I have seen person after person die. No one has survived this virus that has got it. Bodies are piling up and people are becoming more and more scared. I am becoming more scared. I moved back down her for a fresh start. Maybe this is karma?