I woke up to my hands throbbing. They stung like there were a thousand jellyfish tentacles on each of them. I stared at them, and then screamed, but no sound came out. I saw the skin starting to peel away, blood gushing out. Then I jumped away knocking my hand against the monitor. It sped up with my breathing and heart rate and a nurse came racing in.
“Owwwww….my fucking hands!” I yelped.
“Oh my goodness…we need to change your gauze and add more medicine, you’re out of it, why didn’t know tell me.”
“I was sleeping dumbass.” I snapped. “Oh...um… sorry…I just had a bad dream, not in a great mood…I’m usually never like this.”
“It’s…okay…” the nurse rushed out of the room. I could hear her whispering to other doctors, but I tuned it out. I noticed something red on the table across the room. I was curious. I got out of bed, and rolled the thing I was hooked up to over to the table.
I found a note and a pair of gloves. They were scarlet red gloves, with almost a leathery texture. Gloves…why gloves? I unfolded the letter and read it to myself.
These are for your hands when they heal. I know they won’t be the same and will always be scared, but these will help you forget these memories and feel better. I know you regret a lot and you go through so much, and you didn’t deserve this, but hopefully these will take your mind of them. I love you.
Your best friend,
Leo
“What are you doing out of bed?!” the doctor walked in with more medicine and gauze and cream. He dropped the things and ran over to me and rushed me back in bed.
“You can be taken off the oxygen soon, you just need your hands to heal.” He said.
“Can I talk to my mom…”
“She isn’t here. She left yesterday after you woke up.”
She left. I’m here alone. I could tell the doctor knew I was upset. “I mean you can call her if you need to…that guy Leo is sleeping in the waiting room still too…”
“Wake him up send him in. I need to talk to him…alone.”
The doctor walked out. I sat there waiting my breathing growing heavier. I was angry; my mom just left me here. What if I died! She wouldn’t care! She just cares about her precious Marco. She’d be devastated if he died! Little brat gets most of the attention in this household. Wait, he gets ALL the attention! A tear rolled down my cheek as Leo walked in.
“Where is my mom Leo.”
“She left, she had work last night.”
“But she didn’t come back?”
“She works late she was probably tired.” He suggested.
“No excuse, I could have died. Where’s Marco.”
“At home with a babysitter watching him.”
“A BABYSITTER? SHE THINKS SHE CAN REPLACE ME?! I’M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF WATCHING HIM!”
“Ami, calm down..” He took a step close to me.
“NO I CAN DO IT!”
“Ami, babe, look you’re in a hospital, you’re hurt.”
“I’M FINE WATCH!” I ripped the tubes off my face and the needle out of my arm. The machine made and long, drawn out beep. “LOOK I’M FINE!” I nurse raced in and stared bewildered at us. I pushed past Leo and then the nurse and raced down the hallway. I followed the signs leading me to the waiting room and knocked down everything in my way. I got outside to the parking lot and kept running. I looked behind me to see Leo burst out the doors and watch me run. He didn’t come after me. He knew I wouldn’t listen.
I ran until I reached the tree line. I sat down to catch my breath. My hands burned and stung from pushing things and the wind lashing against that. I reached into my pockets and took out gloves; red gloves. I put them on and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath.
