LoveBite [2]

77

Down in the first floor waiting room is where Peter sits on his own in the crowded room, head in his hands, mind on repeat, he can't forget the way she looked before she broke out into full-body tremors. The fading and sunken eyes, pale skin, short breaths.

As it's clear to see and say that he's going through a rough time, he feels a light pressure in the seat beside him. He picks up his head to turn and see a short old woman staring right at him.

"What's the matter, Hun?" She asks and he pauses confusedly. "You got all eyes on you, son." She smiles a bit.

His eyes search the room for a moment to find that a few lookers turn away as soon as his gaze hits them.

"Uh..." He clears his throat.

"Who're you here for?" She speaks in a softer tone and he turns back to her.

"I'm...here for my wife."

"How long have you been married?" She adjusts her purse in her lap.

"Ten years." He sits back. "Almost eleven."

"You're going to last a long time then." She nods with a smile.

"I don't know that we will." He crosses his arms with tears in his eyes and she sighs with wrinkled brows while hanging her head. "She's not doing great in there."

"What happened to her?" She asks sorrowfully, almost like she's a friend.

"She, uh..." His brows furrow before he takes a deep breath while sucking in his cheeks. "Uhm..."

"No pressure." She nods and he licks his lips. "You don't need to tell me. What's her name?"

"Satine."

"Beautiful name." She smiles softly and he grins a bit and nods.

"Beautiful girl." His bottom lip quivers and he rubs the crevices of his eyes and runs his finger through his hair.

"There's always hope that she will heal. Don't give up on her." She shakes her head.

"I won't." He agrees and she nods while reaching into her bag.

"Can you do me a favor?" She asks and he looks at her. "Can you give this to Satine for me?" She hands over a baggy of homemade cookies and he grins slightly. "Tell me that Anna wants her to smile."

(On-uh)

She places her hand on his shoulder and he nods before she pushes herself up and turns back to him.

"Your wife is a lucky woman."

"I'm a lucky man." He nods and she smiles before she steps away.

"They've got a long way to go."

-

Back in room 446, Satine opens her eyes and looks to her left, causing Peter to grin slight behind his fist.

"I got you something." He nearly whispers and she turns her head a bit more.

He places a tan teddy bear on the bed beside her and she slowly smiles before taking a deep breath.

"Oh, Peter." She sighs sweetly while placing her hand on his to slide it to the bear. "I love him." She looks at him as he leans his head on his palm.

"I got him for you yesterday, but when I left to see Anya, I had him washed." He sniffles and she chuckles softly. "It grossed me out too." He jokes, making her smiles.

"Thank --" She starts before she begins to cough and covers her mouth with her inner elbow.

He stands to help her struggle to sit up and props up the head of the bed for her to be able to breathe properly again as she relaxes into the pillow beneath her head.