Drawing Love

21 - Waiting

Calum

"Here," I said blankly, holding a cup of coffee each to them.

"Thank you, Calum," Mrs. Dearling sniffled.

"Yes, thank you," Mr. Martins said, covering the mouthpiece of his phone momentarily. Turning away again, the man continued to speak to whoever was in the other line.

I sat down in the chair next to Rose's bed. Mrs. Dearling was sitting in the bed near Rose's waist.

I looked at Rose's face. The doctors and nurses had taken the tube out of her throat when they had realized that the two more heart rate spikes were due to natural discomfort from the tube. Her body could breath on its own, basically, so now there was just a thin tube running under her nose to give her enough air.

Her face was covered in cuts and bruises. The nastiest bruise was on her cheek bone just below her right eye. There was an ugly, jagged cut surrounded by green and purple tissue. And it was swollen. I doubt she could have opened her eye if she were awake. There were smaller bruises and cuts all over her body. They said the worst ones were along her ribs. I saw the stitches when the changed the gauze there and they were right.

But she looked beautiful, you know. She never stopped looking gorgeous one second that I stared at her, wishing she would open her eyes.

Damn Rose, you've got me drooling over you even like this, I thought. That would've made her laugh, hearing that.

- - -

Rose

God could I use a laugh right about now, I though morbidly. I'd made two failed attempts at waking up so far. The second attempt was idiotic anyway, but the first really had me discouraged.

I had been so close! I had gained feeling in my arms, legs, lungs, ears, mouth. Everything had hurt and burned and my mouth felt as dry as if a cotton ball was stuck in there. All I had thought I needed to do was open my eyes. And then I had passed out.

When I'd woken up shortly after I'd foolishly tried again and this time the pain from the first lung made me fall into a deep deep sleep. I couldn't tell how long it'd been this time.

     I just can't stand to wait long enough  to get the amount of strength I obviously need. Gaaaaaaaaah!!

- - -

Calum

     "I'm so sorry, Michelle, they haven't given me any choice," Mr. Martins was apologizing to Mrs. Dearling while grabbing his light jacket off the end of the bed.

"Peter, it's fine, I understand," she grasped the hand he held out to her and squeezed.

"I'll be back tonight," he kissed her cheek, "Calum." He nodded at me and I returned the gesture.

When he had gone, Mrs. Dearling turned to me, "You should go home and rest, dear."

"I could say the same to you, Mrs. Dearling," I tried to smile but I don't think it worked.

"I would say that you look exhausted but I'm sure I look the same," Mrs. Dearling wore the same expression I think I was wearing: barely present humor.

"This chair is really very comfy, I don't think I could part with it," I said.

Mrs. Dearling really did smile. She looked down at Rose with her sad smile, "I can see why she cared so much for you."

"I love her," I said softly. I felt Mrs. Dearling look at me. And I knew she must be showing a look of pity. I was looking at Rose when I said, "I was going to tell her that yesterday."