Sun On Sunday

Chapter Eight

I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. I was finally allowed to get released from this prison known as my hospital room. I was in shock.

"Are you serious?" I asked, just to make sure. It didn't seem possible.

"Yes, you're free to go Sunday," Doctor Rivera. "Just remember, you have to come here every Wednesday and Saturday for physical therapy."

'Anything to get out of this hospital sooner,' I thought to myself.

"I have the paperwork you gave me in my purse," my mother said to Doctor Rivera. "Is there anything else you need to give me?"

"No, that is all," Doctor Rivera said. "I'll be right back. I need to go get the wheelchair so we can escort Sunday out." Doctor Rivera slipped out of the room and down the hall. The door slammed shut behind her.

The five of us were left in silence. The room had a joyful mood to it, but there was an awkward silence. No one knew what to say. Finally, Fay gained the courage to speak.

"How do you feel Sunday?" she asked. "Are you glad that you are finally getting out of this hospital?"

"Of course!" I said. "It has felt like a prison. Yes, I was in a coma for a lot of this time, but that doesn't mean I didn't feel trapped."

"I'm happy you can finally go back to school! Everyone has missed you so much!"

"I'm not sure about that one yet, Fay," my mother chimed in. "Sunday doesn't have her full strength yet. She barely has any. She'll have to stay home for a little while longer before getting back to school."

"Oh yeah," Fay looked disappointed and embarrassed. "I'm sorry Sunday. I probably got your hopes up." Her face started to turn red.

Doctor Rivera couldn't have made better timing. She came in with the wheelchair, before there could be any other embarrassing moments. I watched as she walked in, her gaze focused on Fay's face. She looked confused but quickly shook the look of confusion off of her face.

"Are you ready Sunday?" Doctor Rivera asked me.

"Yes," I replied. "Surprisingly enough, a little nervous mixed with excitement." It was true. I haven't been out of the hospital since that fateful February day; the day where everything changed. However, I was happy to finally be getting out of the hospital. I'll finally be able to get back into my normal routine. The change from what I have been used to will be good.

"That's normal for patients who have been in the hospital for a long time. It's good that you're getting out now. You can start getting back into your old routine quicker. Plus, you should be able to start walking on your own as summer rolls around, which is another plus."

I smiled, happy to know I would still have my summer. 'The summer to remember,' I silently deemed it. It would be a summer for the ages. I made a mental note and listened again as Doctor Rivera started to speak.

"Are you ready to go now? Before you get even more acquainted with your hospital room." Doctor Rivera laughed at her own joke. I quickly joined in as well. No one else found it funny. Vaughn awkwardly coughed after Doctor Rivera and I shared our small bout of laughter.

"Yes, I am ready to finally get on with my life." I covered my mouth in embarrassment. "I didn't mean it like that! I mean-"

Doctor Rivera cut me off. It was a good thing she did too. I was just making a bigger fool of myself. "I understand what you mean," she said. "That's a good thing. You'll be able to live your life instead of living in a hospital room." She started pushing the wheel chair over to my hospital bed. "Michael, Deborah, can you come here and help Sunday into the wheelchair?"

"Allow me," Vaughn said. He grabbed my left arm as my mom grabbed my right arm. Doctor Rivera held the wheelchair steady. They succeeded in getting me safely into the wheelchair.

"Thank you," I said, directing my voice towards Vaughn.

"It's no problem," he said. He started to blush. He coughed, trying to clear his throat.

Doctor Rivera turned the wheelchair around and directed it towards the door. My dad held the door open as I was wheeled out of the room. Fay and Vaughn followed behind Doctor Rivera, and my mother and father were right behind them.

We went through a long hallway. We passed a few doctors on our way to the exit of the hospital. They smiled at me. I smiled back.

We reached the waiting room area. The three secretaries started to applaud as we made our way into the small area. I could feel my face become very red as all of the eyes in that room turned towards me. There were only five pairs, but it was still embarrassing for me.

We went through the automatic door and reached the parking lot.

"Michael," Doctor Rivera began. "Could you bring your car around? It would be easier so we can get Sunday home quicker."

"Of course," he said. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

He went off to retrieve the car. We all were silent. About five minutes later, my dad came back with the car. Our blue Honda Accord pulled up in front of us.

My mom opened up the door to the back seat. Doctor Rivera pushed the wheelchair up to the car. With the help of my mother, Doctor Rivera was able to transfer me from the wheelchair to the car. My mother buckled up my seat belt, so I didn't use up anymore energy.

The other car door to access the backseat opened. Fay climbed in and Vaughn climbed in right after her. He shut the door and they both buckled up their seatbelts.

My mother shut my back door and opened the door to the passenger side. She shut the door and buckled up her seat belt. My dad began to pull away from the hospital. I turned around to see Doctor Rivera waving good bye. I slowly raised my arm to wave goodbye as well.

It was real. It wasn't a dream. I was finally going home.