Joseph -
Across the street from St. Davids is a mall about the same size as the hospital. Juliana-Morge, I say to myself. I wait silently for traffic to slow and for a redlight. Across the street on the traffic light pole the sign allowing pedestrians to walk lit up. I walked into the mall's foodcourt entrance and was immidiately put into a trance. The assortment of smells overwhelmed me and I stood in the middle of the door. Only until I heard a tiny voice behind me calling me a profanity did I move for others to pass.
I went to Fire House Subs and ordered a sandwhich cut right down the middle. Half for me, half for Ana. Then I got us both waters and a bag of chips. I hoped she wouldn't mind sharing with me. After paying the cashier I thanked him and started silently on my back to St. Davids.
When I opened the door Ana was sitting in the window seat staring out at the trees spread vast distances from one another. She was absolutely gorgeous in her stillness and presence. "Hey," I said to her. "I hope it's okay but I only got one sub and some water for us. The sub is split in half. If you want anymore you can have mine, I probably won't eat it all anyway."
"No, it's fine," she responded then turned to me anticipantly. "Shall we eat now?"
I nodded to her. She sat back in bed, and I was facing her. A table between us holding our lunch. We shared jokes and laughed but I was more observant. I noticed that when her straight hair fell into her face she didn't move it. She'd tilt her head slightly and it would fall back. She drank with her pinky sticking out, her pinky was also the only nail that still had all of its polish on it.
Analise was always smiling. I wanted so badly to reach over the table and brush her hair out of her face. It was tempting but I kept my hands put. When she talked I could see her teeth pretty clearly. The enamel was worn down. I could tell she threw up in heaps. Lastly I saw her arms. They were bruised and scarred all up and down. Slashes were made on them in every direction. I did my best not to stare but the robe she was in had sleeves that went just barely past her elbow. I wanted to do that cliché 'kiss her scars' thing that I see much of but I didn't. The way I saw it, I was either being a pussy or I was respecting our reformed friendship. But some part of me was doing both and I couldn't take it.
After we ate, after my foot was halfway through the door, after me and Ana talked until the sun went down and the moon was starting to come up I felt her grab me. I spun around and stared at her. "Don't leave," she mouthed to me. I decided then and there I'd do it. It might not have been my only chance ever to kiss her but after all, I remembered her. So I did.
I grabbed her waist and pulled her into me. I stared again. Some people may think I move to fast but I kissed her right then and there. With the heel of my right foot in the doorway. I could feel the red burn through my cheeks. Ana was on her toes. When we stopped the electricity I felt while kissing her was still very much alive.
"You don't know how long I wanted to do that for," Ana told me. I smiled at her and she did the same to me.
"I'll be back tomorrow afternoon Ana. I have school. Oh and make sure you tell your parents you're alright." I said. She started to frown and her head drifted back to the ground. I lifted her chin and kissed her lips again [more electricity]. "I'll be back." She nodded, returned to her hospital bed, turned on the wall mounted television, and I watched as her cheeks grew as stained red as mine felt. Then I left her. A few nurses that I guessed had seen what happened a few minutes ago while my foot was in the doorway smiled and nodded their approval at what I'd done. This only made me more embarassed.
I grew grateful that one of the paramedics gave up a seat to drive my Camaro to the hospital for me. I found him, and my keys, in the lobby area and he showed me where it was parked. I gave him my thanks while he tossed the keys over the hood of the car and I caught them. "Take care, kid," he told me as he walked away waving. Kid, I thought. I unlocked the door. Stuck the key into the ignition and started my lonely, starry night drive home.
