What Came Down the River

Chapter 5: His Visit

Before I know it, another day in the hospital has passed and I wake up to the smell of fresh hospital food on my desk. Did the nurse bring it in while I was sleeping? She's usually quite loud, I'm surprised she didn't try to wake me up to say good morning.

      Glancing down at the tray I see a small note...too bad I can't read. Sighing slightly disappointed, I plop the note down on the desk as I put the tray in my lap. Although, I smile slightly seeing a poorly drawn heart on the paper.

      As I look over the breakfast, my stomach growls, and I flinch a little. I've never been served so much food in this amount of time. I think my stomach is finally telling me to stop eating so much. Groaning, slightly nauseous, I place the tray back on the desk.

     No one is even outside on the streets. Maybe it's too early, or they are all at work. Either way, I'm cooped up in here I think I've had more than enough time to heal. Slowly I begin to toss my legs over the bed. My spine sends a spike of fiery pain up to my brain, which causes me to hunch over slightly and take a sharp inhale of breath. Stupid back.

      Without letting it get the better of me, I plop my bare feet onto the cold hardness of the tiled floor. Taking another deep breath in, I gradually put my full weight onto my feet. It feels like I haven't stood in forever. Mumbling to myself slightly I move my right foot forward an inch. Instantly I become unstable and have to lean back to grab the bed and keep myself from falling. Come on don't do this to me. Don't be useless. All I'm asking is to go outside for a few minutes and come back in.

      I push myself back up onto my feet and try again. This time holding the bed just in case I fall. Taking two steps forward now, I feel the dead weight of my legs struggle to lift and fall. I know I'm not paralyzed because I can move my legs. But why is it such a struggle? Pushing through it, I let go of the bed and extend my arms the same way a ballerina would to keep their balance. Fumbling with every step, I finally make it to the door.

     Giving a big heave of breath, I rub off the accumulated sweat on my face. Alright, first part of the mission is a success. Round 2.

         Mustering up some more strength, I pull the door open and let the breeze fly past me. It feels good to have a sense of freedom hover around me and travel through my lungs. This is the air that i fought so hard to experience. This is the freedom I longed for.

         Stepping outside, I see a few patients wandering around and talking to each other. A few nurses are rushing back and forth to different rooms to aid the doors with their red blinking lights on. So this is what my nurse has to do all day? I feel bad. It looks like she's always super busy.

      A few of the patients look up at me as I walk out, but none seem to come my way. Maybe Mr.Ross told them about me...that I'm a weirdo who has PTSD and can hardly talk to or trust anyone. It's alright. I just came outside to be by myself anyways.

          As I examine the open field I notice a little area with stone benches. It makes a circle around a tall stone fountain. Water spews from the top, smaller, bowl into the, larger, bowls beneath it. Even a few birds are washing and singing to themselves as they enjoy each other's company. How cute I think to myself as a small speck of a smile appears on my face.    

      Knowing my destination now, I push my feet forward. It's a struggle to stay balanced, and I fall a few times on my way, but I manage to get back up and sit on the wooden bench. A few of the nurses glanced at me and gossiped. Probably about how I'm the newcomer that was kidnapped by outside groups. It doesn't bother me though. I've had much worse things happen to me other than gossip. Tuning it out rather easily, I stare up at the open sky and let out a soft exhale. This was a good start. Hopefully, I'll be able to get my balance back soon and start walking around.