Out of Place [Cobra Kai OC x Robby Keene]

148 - Broken Record

I told Robby, Miguel, Mr and Mrs LaRusso, and Sam to go on home without me. Normally I would've gone with one of them, of course... but this situation isn't normal. While I was in the waiting room, one of the nurses who was with me when I almost died recognized me and mentioned something about my abuela. When I asked how she could possibly know about my abuela, she told me she had been checked into the hospital here in the Valley not too long ago. I asked if I could see her, and the nurse told me visiting hours were almost over, but then said she'd let it slide—just this once. I thanked her. And now here I am. Standing outside the door, hand on the handle. It rattles ever so slightly because of my shaking hands. I take a deep, steadying breath, then open the door and walk in.

Most of the lights are off in the room. I like it this way. Hospital lights are usually far too bright and sterile for my liking. Abuelita lies unmoving in the bed. I can almost trick myself into thinking she's just asleep. I feel frozen, almost. Maybe part of it is because I'm probably not supposed to be here. Abuelo never really wanted me to visit Abuelita, and I don't think she would want me to see her like this either. I suppose I've already been in one place I probably wasn't supposed to be in today already. What's one more? But I don't think the fact that I shouldn't be here is the real petrifying factor.

"Hola Abuela..." I say hesitantly, gripping the strap of my gear bag a little tighter. The beeping of the heart monitor moves at a much slower pace than my pounding heart. Gentle whispers being echoing in and out of the beats and the beeps, pushed by another deep breath from me. Enough...

"I'm sorry I didn't come see you sooner. I- I didn't know you were here... and Abuelo didn't let me come see you," I continue, tentatively stepping closer, "I know the only reason he wouldn't let me is because you would never want me to see you like this... I didn't want to either... I- y'know- I just- I just thought I'd never have to... but right now you're the one person I wish I could talk to more than anyone... I just- I just- I- no sé qué hacer... (I don't know what to do...)"

I finally drop down into the chair at her side, holding my head in my hands, elbows on my knees. Tears sting my eyes and throat, threatening to pool and fall at any moment.

"You always knew. You always knew what to do. I'm just... so... lost, and I don't know where to go. I run through these motions, even the ones I'm familiar with, and everything still feels like I'm someplace completely different, like I'm someone completely different. I might as well still be in Barcelona," I vent, rubbing my eyes. The mention of Barcelona reminds me of something. I dig around in my gear bag until I find the two shells that I picked up on the beach when I walked back to the hotel that one night. They're still so perfect. I keep one clutched in my hand, then gently place the other in Abuela's hands.

"I thought you might like it," I explain, "ay dios, you would've loved it there. It was so pretty— the architecture, the beaches- I wish we had gotten more time to explore— and that the circumstances hadn't been so... cómo se dice... shitty?"

I chuckle a little to myself, as if there's anything humorous currently happening.

Your use of humor to mask your fear is fascinating...

The faint smile is wiped off my face in an instant as I do a scan around the room. Silver is sick. It's entirely possible that he could be at this hospital right now. After confirming that—to my knowledge—Silver is not here, I relax a little, letting out a deep breath of as much relief as I can muster considering where I am right now.