Shattered Tears

Chapter 10

Despite the cold winter days, the hospital was bustling with activity. The flu seemed to be spreading, causing long lines in the emergency room and constantly filling up the inpatient units. Amidst her busy schedule, Rebecca found herself gravitating towards Nathan's room whenever she could spare a moment. As he recovered, she noticed his withdrawn demeanor and couldn't help but feel drawn to him. Though she had cared for many patients before, there was something about him that stood out to her. He reminded her of her best friend's ex-husband, albeit much younger.

As the chilly afternoon sun peaked through the window, she finally found a moment to visit Nathan in his hospital room. She pushed open the heavy door with a soft creak, immediately noticing him sitting up in bed. His eyes were fixed on the barren trees outside, their branches stretching towards the grey sky. His slender fingers rested on his lap, absently tracing the edge of the thin hospital blanket that covered his legs.

At the sound of the door, Nathan turned his head and met her gaze. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but it was quickly overtaken by weariness and surprise. "Hey, Nathan," she greeted him with genuine warmth as she approached his bedside. "How are you feeling today?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a hint of gratitude in his tired expression. "A bit better, I guess," he replied with a small nod. "Thanks for checking on me." Their eyes locked for a moment before she reached out to gently squeeze his hand, offering silent support and comfort. The room was quiet except for the rhythmic beeping of machines and the muffled sounds of bustling nurses down the hall. But in that moment, it felt like nothing else existed except for the two of them in that small hospital room.

Rebecca dragged over a chair and sat down beside him, making sure to give him enough space. "I was thinking we could chat for a while, if that's okay with you," she suggested. "I'm interested in getting to know you better."

Nathan observed her face, his guarded stance gradually softening. It wasn't often that he let people in, but something about Rebecca's calming presence made him feel comfortable. Eventually, he gave a slight nod. "Alright. What would you like to know?"

She paused, searching for the right words in order to not pry too much. Her gaze lingered on Nathan's face, hoping he would open up to her. "You mentioned once that you don't have any family. It made me wonder if there's more to your story."

Nathan's eyes shifted downwards, his fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on his shirt. For a moment, she thought he might push her away, but then he took a deep breath and began to speak. His voice was low and filled with an underlying pain that tugged at her heart. "My mom passed away when I was thirteen," he began. The memories seemed to flood back as he spoke, his eyes becoming distant. "She was all I had. After she was gone, I felt like I had nothing left."

Rebecca's heart clenched at the sight of his pained expression and the raw hurt in his eyes. The scars etched deep into his soul were evident in every line on his face. "I'm so sorry, Nathan," she murmured softly, her voice laced with empathy.

The weight of Nathan's words hung heavy in the air, his voice barely above a whisper as he recounted the hardship he had endured. The constant upheaval of being moved from foster home to foster home, never knowing what would come next. "When my mom passed away, I was left with nowhere to turn," he shared, the pain evident in his voice. "My father had never been in the picture, and there was no one else." A deep sadness crept into his tone as he recalled the loneliness and uncertainty that consumed him during that time. "That is until my father's mother mother suddenly appeared," he continued, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Someone I had never even met before. But she took me in..."