Coffee cups

17

Jonathan

I walk down the dimly lit hallway of the hospital. Mrs Leanna walks infront of me. Many of the nurses and other doctors say hi to her as she walks past. She stops infront of a door, turning to face me she smiles sadly.

"This is her room. I'm gonna go now it's my lunch break." She gives me a hug as she walks away. I stand with the bouquet of flowers in my hand for a minute. I want to go in and see her but I was scared.

Finally I open the door. The room smells like the rest of the hospital, sterile is the word I would put to it.
She's sitting in the hospital bed with a drawing pad in her lap. She doesn't realize me yet and I watch her as she sketches.

Her face is scrunched as she focuses on the picture. I can't see what it is from here. Her strawberry curls are pulled up into a ponytail. Her cheeks are sunken and she has bags under her eyes.

I finally clear my throat. Her blue eyes meet mine and I almost feel like I can see them brighten in that second.
She sets her drawing pad on the nightstand and sits up a bit more.

"Hey Jonathan, I'm glad you could make it." She says. Even her voice is weak and doesn't hold it's usual happy tone.

"I'm glad that you let me come. I was scared for you. You kinda dropped off of the face of the earth." She laughs at my lame attempt at a joke.

"Not yet, don't stand there, sit." She points to the chair that's placed next to her bed. I 2lak forward and do.
I remember the flowers I have in my hand and reach them towards her.

"I bought these for you." Her eyes light up as she takes them from me.
She smells them, closing her eyes as she does.

"Thank you they smell wonderful. I'll have doctor Robbins get me a vase later." She reaches over and sets them on the table. I realize that there's no other gifts in the room.

"No one else got you anything?" I ask curiously. She shakes her head, a few of her curls falling out of her ponytail.

"My Mom doesn't have money and my dad is spending it on his fiance." She spits the word fiance with anger. I don't know why but I reach out and touch her hand.

"I'm sorry, I'll bring you something everytime I come." She laughs as she looks at me.

"Don't do that or I won't let you come." She says as she moves her hand. It shoots a pian through my chest, but I ignore it.

"Oh yeah well I know where you sleep." She smiles and I smile to.
Her eyes crinkle as she smiles. I find myself staring at her. I couldn't help it she was beautiful.

"Well all small talk aside I should tell you what you came here to hear." She says brushing her hair behind her ear.

I nod sadly. I didn't want to hear it but I needed to. She takes a deep breath before starting.