Patins et pilules

Chapitre 20

Liam

19 février

"There you go...Hi Liam!"

I'm opening my eyes and I see Virginie standing next to me. It's blurry but it's a familiar kind of blurry. I can see Virginie smile. I'm definitely not at her apartment or at my house and I wear a weird blue thing... Virginie is all dressed up and that's not how she usually is when I wake up next to her. I see her waiving at someone. My eyes hurt a little with all the light in the room. I think I have an idea where I am, I've been here before.

- Could you dim the light a little please? And do you know where my glasses are?

- Yeah...Sorry, they had to take off your contacts so they didn't scratch your eyes... Just a moment, I'll find the switch and your glasses...

The light fades and I can open my eyes a little more. Virginie seems to look for something in a bag, as an unknown lady comes next to me.

- Hi, I'm Harpreet, I'm the nurse who's taking care of you today. I have a few questions for you. What's your name?

- Liam Owen O'Connor

- And what's your birth date?

- March 21

- And do you know where you are?

- Euh... not really, but I guess I'm at the hospital...

- Yes, you're at the MUHC, in the intensive care unit, do you know why?

I try to remember what I'm doing at the hospital, but I really have no clue.

- No... I really can't remember that part...

- It's OK. Do you know which date we are today?

- I'm not sure about that... We were in February... we were supposed to celebrate Jay's and PO's birthdays...so I guess around the 16th or the 18th...

- You're good, today is the 19th and it's 10:30 AM. What do you do for your living?

- I'm a professional hockey player, for the Canadiens...

- Which position?

- Forward, right wing, mostly...

- And what's your number with the Canadiens?

- 21, like my birth date

- Good, and who's the lady next to you?

- It's Virginie, my girlfriend....

- Perfect! How do you feel today? Do you have any pain?

I close my eyes to focus on what I feel but I don't feel anything actually.

- Nah... I don't feel much, I'm more like numb...

- It's normal, we just gave you a sedative... Don't hesitate to tell me if you start to have some pain.

The nurse looks at Virginie with a smile.

- I think this time is the good one. The doctor will come to see him shortly. I'll be just over there if you need me.

Virginie gives me my glasses, takes my hand and sits next to me. Her other hand is gently combing my hair. I see her better now that I have my glasses and I can tell that she's tired. She smiles at me, still...

- Hey, I'm happy that you're awake...

- What happened?

- You really don't remember?