Unprecedented Silence

Gail

I couldn't help but think about D. I know I don't have any right to feel this way but I really wanted to know how he's doing. After Wren went upstairs to rest, I knew I have a couple of hours to spare so I decided to go to the hospital and check up on him. 

I immediately went to his room. I don't really want any other nurses to see me sneaking up on him. I was surprised that he wasn't there when I looked inside the room. Another patient has already occupied the room. I started worrying so I decided to take my chances and go to the office to ask if D had already been released. I was waiting for the elevator to open and was surprised to see Paula, one of the senior nurses looking at me. She was a plump woman in her early fifties, a with short, curly, red hair.

"Hey, Gail! whatcha doin' here? She said it like I was her long-lost relative that she had finally seen after seven years.

"I, um, um.. I was.." I sighed. I was trying to make up an alibi but I couldn't so I didn't have much choice but to tell her the truth. 

"I heard D, I mean, the guy who got into an accident in the highway had another episode last night? I was just going to check up on him." 

Paula stared at me and I couldn't read her expression. At last she said, "Come on, let's go grab some coffee at the cafeteria. I need a break."

I don't know why Paula invited me for coffee but I cannot refuse because I knew she would tell me something. We sat in one of the empty tables in the cafeteria and she ordered cappuccino for herself and latte for me. 

"So Gail, about that guy. You wanted to know how he's been, right?" she asked. I was hesitant to answer because it will reveal everything I've been hiding this past few days. She continued,"I've known you for quite sometime now. You're like my daughter and I saw how you cared for that man from the very first day." I couldn't say anything. There's something holding me back but I knew it would be better for me to speak. As if reading my thoughts, Paula said, "Maybe, there are just some things you can't really explain. Or maybe you were just fascinated by him because you were the one who saved that guy's life."

I finally got the courage to speak up. Maybe, Paula could understand me. "I-I-I'm really concerned about him, Paula. From that night I rescued him inside his car, I saw something in him that I can't quite explain. But right then, I knew I should help him." She did not respond but she nodded and looked at me in the eye. I saw that she sincerely understood me. I appreciated that she didn't probe further. 

"He tried committing suicide last night. Frank forgot the syringe and so the guy tried stabbing himself in the throat. Good thing, Frank came to his senses and went back to that guy's room. He saw what the man was doing so he called for assistance. They restrained him because clearly, he was unstable. Dr. Richards came and talked to him but he wouldn't budge. He doesn't want to talk and simply had no reaction. It was decided that he be brought to Dr. Richards' institute. That's why he wasn't in his room anymore."  

I was tongue-tied. I didn't expect that it would happen to him. But hearing everything affected me in such a way that I became certain what I have to do next; I will help him get better. I have known how it feels like to be alone. From the time my parents divorced and lived their own lives, I have managed on my own but it wasn't a tad easy. I struggled everyday and I don't want anyone to feel the same. More so because of his condition; he was alone, confused and broken.  

"Thank you for understanding me, Paula. I appreciate you so much." I held her hands as I said it. 

"No worries dear. I perfectly understood, but, be cautious okay?" she said. I was befuddled with her last statement but I didn't think about it anymore. I noticed my watch and I knew I should get back. Wren could wake up and find me missing. It will be harder to explain that to her. I stood up and thanked Paula again. I told her I owe her a LOT. She waved off my comment and told me to go. 

I got into my car and drove home,my thoughts occupied by a certain man's face without a name. 

I came home, hoping that Wren was still asleep. I checked her in her room and she was still in bed. I sighed a breath of relief. I went inside my room to take a shower and change. 

I heard Wren calling me just as I got out of the shower. "Gailey! I hope you're prepping up already!" she said.

"Yup, I'll be there. Just give me a few minutes." I shouted back. I haven't decided yet what to wear for a night out with my sister. It's been a while since I went out because apparently, my friends were all living out of town. I decided to go with a black skinny jeans and white cropped top and stilettos. I put on a hint of make-up just as not to make my face look pale. I hurried downstairs and find Wren taking a selfie. I laughed so hard I was already crying.

"What? Why are you laughing? Am I not allowed to post my OOTN on facebook?"

"Hahahaha! I didn't imagine you would do something like that."

"Why? You think I'm too old for this? Yes, I've got kids but I'm far from being old. And besides, no one's too old for a selfie. Come here, stop being a priss!"

She pulled me closer  and started taking pictures. I realized that maybe she's right. I kind of forget how to have fun. We make wacky faces, even ugly ones and laughed at the pictures. After our pictorial session, we hopped onto the car and Wren took the wheel while I rode beside her. 

"Let this be a great night." I muttered to myself.