Better than Friends

Chapter 5: You're still here

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"I choose me now."

- Unknown

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". . . the biggest physical evidence that you'll notice now from the stroke she suffered is that she can't speak or move the left side of her body—we call this condition aphasia and there is treatment but the likelihood she'll recover from it is unlikely."

Dr. Sin Clair's words echoed horribly in my ears like I was listening to her with my head underwater. I was giving her that look that Dawson didn't seem to like, that quivering pout and furrow-browed look that showed the distress I was under. I had my arms crossed over my chest and my nails digging into my arms to distract me from the pain in my heart and the disturbing noise I was hearing in my ears.

Katharina, my sibling's nanny, had her hands rested comfortingly on my shoulder, squeezing them as if she sought comfort for herself as well. Despite Mama Lita's attitude to the help at times, she was one of those people who'd extend their hand to help whenever she could and Katharina had lived with us long enough to form a connection with our beloved grandmother.

Nana bent down when she noticed how tense I was, barely moving. She pushed my hair away and whispered into my ear, I could feel the tears on her cheek as she pressed close to me.

"Your Mama Lita will come back to us, dear, Dr. Sin Clair will make sure of it," She reassured me with a shaky voice. "The doctor cares for her as well."

It was true, Dr. Sin Clair was a close family friend and was Elenor's mother. She had known Mama Lita longer than I did and had always been polite to her whenever our families would come together. As I stared at the woman who resembled my ginger-haired friend a feeling of confidence and comfort filled my being. I knew that she wouldn't let Mama Lita down.

"Thank you Tita," I told her with a sad smile on my face. Nana squeezed my shoulder, showing me that she was here.

Dr. Sin Clair smiled back and nodded her head. "No need to thank me, dear, your Mama will receive the best care. We'll need to keep her for a couple more days and you're free to stay in her room for the night if you wish but . . ."

Dr. Sin Clair trailed off, looking over my shoulder at something. I followed her line of vision and saw my siblings curled up on the couch within one another's embrace, their eyes closed and their mouths open as they slept. I understood their weariness, the day had been long and we'd been at the hospital for more than three hours waiting for more information.

Next to them sat Dawson, who was also sleeping with his head tilted back and arms crossed over his chest. His brows were knitted together and I noted that he looked worried even in his sleep.

He had taken me to the hospital as soon as I explained what had happened. Dawson was like a man on a mission as I spat out the most unstructured sentence in all history of grammar, my emotions overwhelming me. He had given me his car keys and told me to wait for him in his car while he went to grab my things from the table, saying that it'd be quicker and easier for myself if I went to the car first. Then, in an attempt to get me to St. James hospital without wasting time, he sped down the roads of Mercedes as best as he could without causing harm to other drivers. It was the most responsible kind of speeding I had ever seen, not that speeding is responsible in any way.