scars

15

"You ready?"

He asks as I step outside of the cafe.

Its been months since I've left the comfort of this small shop.

"Yeah I'm ready."

He takes hold of my hand,

Locking them within his.

I flinch at the sudden movements,

But he pulls in closer.

"Its okay."

He whispers into my ears.

His car is parked right outside on the curbs of the sidewalk.

He walks around and holds the door open for me.

Such a gentlemen.

I chuckle at my own thoughts.

"Thank you."

He gives me a quick nod before rushing to his side of the door,

As soon as we arrive at the hospital,

He quickly grabs hold of my wrist,

Guiding me to where the rooms are located.

225.

The number of of he door reads.

A slight push, and the door opens.

A small bed is placed in the middle,

The large IV drawn close,

I see the small head of dark brown curls,

Laying miserably in the stiff beds.

Her eyes are closed as we walk closer.

"Nikki?''

Her brother places a hand to the side of her cheek.

"I know your awake."

He teases.

"Look who's here."

She slowly lifts one of her eyes open.

Then both.

A small smile tugs across her small face,

"Hey, you came!"

She responds, sitting up in her bed.

''Your pretty....like mommy."

Her head of curls shake up and down as she swings it from side to side.

"Thank you, your really pretty too."

I respond back to her in a quiet voice.

"Your hair is long."

She says pointing to the back of my ponytail.

"The doctor said that she's gonna have to cut my hair real short."

She points to her hair now tugging it real hard.

Without even knowing I move closer, and embrace her into a bear hug.

She giggles, and hugs me back tightly while whispering in my ear.

"Are you his g i r l f r i  e n d ?''

The way she said it makes be break out in a laughter.

I put a finger on my lips,

"Shhhhhh."

Caleb's head jerks in our direction.

"What?"

He asks staring at Nikki.

"Nothing just our little secret."