Immaculate

Packing up

Part 107

I was sat in the waiting room that held patient's relatives, it didn't seem that long ago when it was Gabriel in here, but this time I was alone with my thoughts. Mr Blackbourne and Dr Green had gone straight to where Victor was, but because his parents were there I had to wait here until one of them came back for me. I sat perfectly still, my eyes fixed firmly on the fish tank that sat in the corner of the room.

Victor had said he was cut up; what if his hands were affected and he was unable to play the piano anymore. I knew he said he hated it, but it wasn't the playing he hated, it was the way he had to perform for people. If he could never play again, I don't know how that would affect him.

I moved over to the corner beside the fish tank and drew my feet up on to the edge of the chair. I hugged my skirt around my knees as I stared into the tank, not really seeing the fish as I worried.

The door opened and I looked up hurriedly, hoping it was Dr Green or Mr Blackbourne saying I could go and see him now

"Well, what on earth was he doing over there anyway, George?" I recognised her before I could even see her face. It was Victor's parents.

"That kid, the gay one lives there, Jasmine, you know that."

"Oh him." She shook her head. They both came into the room, I was given a quick once over and dismissed and it was obvious that neither of them recognised me, which I was grateful for. I kept my face hidden in my knees, just my eyes peeping over the top of them. I could see their reflections in the glass of the tank, so I watched them.

"The car is totalled. We're going to have cancel most of January," his father said. "But at least it's not permanent, Jasmine."

"We're going to have to work out a reason..." she stopped, her eyes on me and she realised that I could hear them.

"Excuse me, miss, would you give us some privacy, please? I need to talk to my husband, our son has been in a serious accident and..." she sobbed and brought a handkerchief to her face. I got up and crossed to the door quickly, anger burning through me at them. They didn't care for Victor, they only cared for his image and what he could provide for them. I hated them.

I went out and tried to slam the door, but it was one of those spring loaded one and it did nothing to ease the pent up emotions boiling inside of me. I just wanted to see him.

I leant against the wall but I was feeling jumpy so I pushed myself away from the wall and decided to walk down to the vending machine. I was feeling sick still but maybe a packet of crackers might help settle my stomach. I looked through my pockets when I got there and brought out my loose change. I put the coins in and pressed the button for what I wanted, I watched the metal spiral whirl forward, dropping the packet into the slot below. I bent and fished it out.

"Well, hello again." A friendly voice spoke up and I looked around as I put the rest of my money away. Kathy was coming towards me with a wide smile on her face.

"Hello," I said and tried to smile at her.

"I wondered if I'd see you today at all," she said as she put coins into the coffee machine and selected white coffee.

"Is it Alice that brings you here?" I asked, not really knowing what to say.

"No," she laughed. "Not this time, no, Karen's appendix had to be removed."

"Oh, I hope she's ok," I murmured and she smiled at me, taking the cup that had filled with coffee.

"She is now," she said. "It was quite sudden, but they got to her in time and she's already bitching about the food."