Escape

Realization

With the doctor gone a silence fell over the room. Evangeline was propped on her pillow into a relaxed sitting position and Joseph was seated in a chair between the entrance to the bathroom and the doorway of the room. He was staring quizzically at her and she was pretending not to notice while fiddling with her covers.

"Are you comfortable enough" he asked.

"Er yea I guess" she mumbled terribley embarrassed now for her previous fits.

"Well if you think you will be alright in this room alone for a while, I'll go place your lunch order and tend to some of my other patients."

"Yes I will be fine thank you, and um, well I'm sorry about earlier" she replied still fiddling with her blanket.

"Sorry for what" he winked. " Ok, well Im sure you need some time alone to gather your thoughts. There is a remote there on the stand next to your bed for the tv" and he gestured toward the tv hanging from the ceiling at the south end of the room.

" And if you need anything just hit the call button. Oh, I almost forgot is there anyone you would like me to contact for you?"

She looked to him and quickly nodded " Not at the moment but thanks".

" Ok well I'll be back with your lunch at noon. Try to relax and just take it easy" he encouraged as he slipped out of the room and quietly closed the door behind him.

Evangeline rested her head back onto the pillows and released a heavy breath. This didn't seem real. Three years, Three whole years lost! She didn't know weather to laugh hysterically or break down and cry.

On the up side she was now eighteen which meant no more foster care and that meant Vlad had no legal rights to her anymore.

On the down side she was now an adult and would have to fend completely for herself. Not that it bothered her in the least, she had basically raised herself anyway, but now she would be absolutely alone. There would be no more social workers checking in to see that she was fed, and she would have no place to live. After she finished her care here at the center she would be homeless and on the streets.

Shuddering off her worries for now she stopped to take in her surroundings. The room was very well kept and clean. There was a large set of dark cherry wood cabinets that stretched the length of the wall underneath the tv. She guessed that they were used to store supplies and linens. Along the right wall was a large window covered with a light blue curtain and in front of it sat a quaint little table with two chairs. On top of it sat a beautiful glass vase which housed three white elegant roses. They looked to be fresh and she wondered if every patient had a flower vase in there room. The bed frame and all of the furnishings in the room were of the dark cherry wood and matched the cabinets. It was a shame she thought. This was probably the fanciest bed she had ever slept in and it was a hospital bed.

Evangeline tried to wiggle her toes and suddenly noticed an uncomfortable tugging sensation coming from her private parts. Pushing down her covers and lifting her light blue hospital gown up past her waist she looked down and gasped. There were two separate catheters inserted in her down there! She followed the treaturous tubing to see that each one hosted a bag and the two bags were hanging of the beds metal railing which was currently folded down on the left side. Silently she prayed that it wasn't Josephs responsibility to change them and quickly covered herself back up. Wondering exactly what Josephs duties consisted of when caring for her all this time she drifted off to sleep.

Later that day Joseph returned with Evangelines lunch.

"I ordered you some chicken soup with crackers and tea"he cheerfully said while settling the tray on a stand and positioning it in front of her. " I figured it would be easiest for you to digest, being that it is your first real meal in three years" he said smiling.

" It smells fantastic "she exclaimed while looking eagerly at the steaming soup. Her mouth watered at the flavorful smell and she realized that she was ravenous.

"Do you need my assistance" he asked.

" No I think I can manage" she replied as she picked up the spoon and began to sip at the soup.

Joseph watched as she ate. He admired her strength and perseverance, and her will to do it herself. He watched the spoon shake a little every time she got it to her sweet lips, and longed to reach out and steady the spoon for her.

Shaking off the thought he stroke up a conversation" so miss Tempelton are you from around this area?" She went on to tell him of her situation and circumstances of her past and Joseph was moved with concern for her. They conversed for a while and he made her laugh with his own stories about his own lonesome living situation and his beloved gold fish.

Finally Joseph had to leave, but not before making sure that Evangeline was snugly tucked in for bed with a glass of water in case she got thirsty. She politely thanked him and he left.