Never Lost, Always Found

Chapter Six

        It doesn't take long to get to the hospital. I look at my cast, wondering why I had to live like this. Bailey seems to read my mind. "Hey, it's okay. It is all over," she says. "I really don't think it will," I whisper hoarsely.

She shrugs, "I guess it could never end for some." She looks at my unsigned cast. Only her name is recognizable, and I tear up at the sight of it. It's so neat and perfect, and it came from such a good person. She looks back into my eyes. "Well, whatever happens, you are great." "Thanks," I say softly. She smiles, "You don't have to do some remarkable thing, but that doesn't mean you can't be left out to dry." I nod, "Tell me about that one."

Her dad says he will wait in the car for us. He must have been stressed out yesterday because his demeanor has changed rapidly since I first met him. He still looks the same, though.

Bailey lets the both of us out and leads me into the hospital. I feel as if I should sprint away now, my fear is so great, so extensive, so absolutely dreadful, that I'm getting horrid flashbacks of a few days ago. I start to feel queasy as we walk into the lobby. My head starts throbbing extensively as the smell of the hospital hits me like a bus.

Bailey walks up to the desk and asks, "Do you know where..." "Abigail Tristan," I finish, understanding that she has no clue what my mother's name is. The nurse smiles warmly, "She's in room 402, sweetie," she says. Then our eyes meet. "You are the girl who just got out of the hospital two days ago," she says. I nod. "I'm seeing my mom," I say, shying away from the desk.

"Farewell to you!" she says, waving as we depart to go to the elevator. Bailey presses a button on the pad on the wall and makes the elevator's steel frame shudder and roll to life. As it gradually goes up to the fourth story, we sit and talk about the song more and how emotional I have to make it. Emotional. Isn't that all I am is emotional?

I watch as the door slides open and reveals a wing of the hospital I have never seen before. I look around, and to my left, there is a room with a sign that displays 402. I gently push open the door.

My mother is laying there, eyes squinted, her face gaunt, lying on the bed. There is a bucket next to her, and when she extends her mouth to welcome me, she picks it up and retches into it. I turn away into Bailey, who's squeezing my hand comfortingly. When Mom coughs and I pivot around, she brushes the remaining vomit from her mouth.

"Hi, sweetie," she says. "Mom, are you okay?" I ask. She shakes her head. "I feel nauseous," she mumbles. Bailey looks at her, "Should I go get a nurse or someone to help you?" Mom shakes her head, "I don't think that will be required. Thanks for your consideration-" "Bailey," Bailey says, a thin smile beginning against her lips.

Mom looks at me. "I got drunk, right?" she asks. I nod shakily. "Mom, you did.

" She sighs. "I wish I didn't. Your dad would be so upset," she says, tears forming in her eyes. "Mom, don't cry. You know Dad loved you when he was on this earth, now he loves you eternally. Please don't cry Mom," I say, squeezing Bailey's hand. She applies pressure to mine, a soft warmth that calms me down. My lip is unmistakably trembling.

Mom looks at Bailey, "Take care of her," she says hoarsely. Bailey's head shudders into a nod. Mom looks satisfied. She grins, "Now, you kids go have fun!" We both snap out of our depressed states and stare at her. "Okay," Bailey says. She drops my hand calmly. Mom calls, "Tell Benji I said hello!" I pause like a deer in headlights. Bailey turns around. "Benji...him and Paige aren't on great terms right now," she whispers. I stare at my blank cast.

"Mom, can you sign my cast?" I ask. Mom's face breaks into a grin. "I suppose," she says. She reaches with a weak arm and signs my cast. Her letters are barely lopsided, but I don't mind. It's still nice to have another signature.