Saving Bagel ↠ Editing

Chapter 6: E for Elephant

The next twenty-four hours went by in a groggy blur of nurses and needles. And by the time I was time done being poked and prodded, I was ready to go home.

At about 11:30 in the morning, my nurse allowed me to change back into my pee-stained clothes, and I drowsily pulled them back on, and not-at-all-reluctantly handed back the hospital gown.

"You ready?" Dad asked, once I walked out of the bathroom.

I nodded, feeling uncomfortable in my skinny jeans that had a large, dark stain around the zipper and between the thighs.

His lips tightened into a thin-lipped smile, and grabbing his gray hoodie from the back of the chair, he began to walk towards the door. I followed closely behind, very aware of the fact that I looked nothing more than shit.

Our destination were the elevators, and we turned and turned left and right down long, narrow hallways in an awkward silence.

"Uh- Dad?"

He sighed. I rolled my eyes.

"I think the elevators might be the other-"

"Shut up, Gable."

My fists clenched at my sides, but I said nothing else because I was probably wrong.

But what happened to the man in the hospital room just yesterday? Who was gentle and sarcastic and loving? He obviously wasn't here with me.

Backtracking a few times, we eventually found the elevators hidden in a white alcove by a vending machine, and he pressed the button that lit up blue with a sigh.

I tapped my foot, shifting uncomfortably in my jeans that were beginning to cling awkwardly, when the metal elevator doors slid open, revealing a small mirrored enclosement.

We walked in, watching from the corner as dad pressed the lobby button, before running his hands through his balding brown hair with a bloodshot eyes.

And down we went; one, two, three floors, the elevator enveloped with the same silence that always hangs over us.

I glanced at him and opened my mouth to say something, but thought better of it and looked it away, saying nothing.

But being a dad, he noticed, and muttered, "What is it?"

"It's, it's nothing really."

He sighed; and sighed and sighed and sighed, just like he always does.

"If you have something on your mind, just say it."

Damn, this elevator ride is long.

I looked down at my blue converse, before fixating my eyes on the silver panel of buttons by dads hip.

"I was just thinking... I don't know, it's stupid, but I thought that the reason Jacoby left was because he was embarrassed."

There was a small pause.

"Why the hell should he be embarrassed?"

I shrugged, avoiding the stare he was burning onto me.

"Of being with me, I-I guess."

"Well, even if he was, which he shouldn't be, then he's a fucking idiot."

I grinned, and looked over at him, watching as he looked blankly at me like he hadn't said a thing.

Then the elevator doors slid open with a whisper, and out we walked. After signing a few sheets of paperwork, we were given the okay, and we rushed out of that wretched white prison to our car, parked underneath the blackest of Ohio clouds.