Disorientation

Chapter Eighteen

Erica

"Mum, I said I'm fine," she continued to check my temperature with the back of her hand whilst carrying a look of discontent. My mum was never satisfied, no matter what I told her. I was still lying on this hospital bed believe it or not. I was literally bored out of my skull, but I guess staying here to recover would be the best thing to do. I was informed by the doctors that I had to stay over-night so I could be monitored; I had no choice but to agree. It was frustrating though, since mum was the only company I had at the moment, and all she could do was question me.

"Are you sure your forehead isn't hot? It feels mildly warm to me," she said.

"I'm fine mum," I said for the fourteenth time.

"Is your pillow okay? You sure you don't want me to re-adjust it for you?" I sighed and rolled my eyes. My patience was really beginning to wear thin.

"Mum..." I began.

"I've had such a scare Erica; I just want to make sure everything is okay. I don't think I can allow you to leave the house as frequently as you do. Anything could happen to you." I watched her as she spoke. She was being so serious, I could tell. I still hadn't remembered much about my mum, but I knew that once she had made a decision, she would stick to it.

"Like I said, I'm fine," I finalised. She was having a hard time believing that I had recovered so quickly, and was trying to find something to comfort me on, like a normal mother would. They tend to be over-anxious, which was understandable.

"What am I going to do with you eh?" I stared her in the eye and she shook her head.

"Mum, it was a seizure, it could have happened anywhere." She nodded.

"I know Erica, you just get me so worried," I turned away from her glare and felt her warm hand rest on my forehead. She stroked my head gently and it began to soothe me, "I spoke to your dad earlier, he said he'll be here tomorrow to pick us up." My eyes widened in disbelief. I was told of how much mum and dad literally hated each other, and how bad supposedly dad used to act towards our mum (Riana was always a good source for information), but now all of a sudden they're talking on the phone?

"Really?" She nodded.

"You know the car recently broke down. I told him we'd need a ride home and he offered. It would be too risky to take the bus." I smiled gently. It was evident that my parents were actually putting their differences aside in order to help me. I'm grateful her car broke down then. Maybe this was God's way of apologising for making me lead such a terrible life, or maybe it's just a mere coincidence. I missed dad terribly though. I can still vaguely remember his distinctive scent and his young face: consisting of that thin moustache he seems to love so much. The last time I saw him was when I last snuck out of the house to meet him, and that was roughly a couple months back. He hasn't rang, or even tried to contact me. Speaking of contact, it's been a full hour since Grey Eyes had left me here, saying he'd be right back. I had a strong feeling he wouldn't come back, but then again, I knew him, he'd be back. It was shocking the way he reacted to me telling him what had happened to my wrist. I was expecting him to be angry, but instead he let it slide like it was a minor situation. It troubled me that he didn't seem so bothered, maybe he was beginning to change.

"You look parched. Do you want a cup of water?" I turned to my mum to witness her watching me intently. My mind was telling me to say no and to shoo her away, but my heart said to accept her offer for help. She was my mum after-all, and I love her for being so concerned about my well-being. I simply nodded my response and she smiled, which was what I was expecting. She stood up to leave.

"Mum?" she turned back, "can I use your phone?"

"It's in my bag," she said before leaving.

I turned to her handbag which was left on the chair and retrieved her phone. I flipped it open before hastily dialling his number. Funny how I suffer with one of the worst cases of amnesia, yet I still remember his number off by heart. I rested back on my over-sized pillow and waited in anticipation for him to answer.