Broken Ice {w.b.}

Chapter 25 Part One

"I have good news and bad news."

We were supposed to be told today if I would have to have the surgery, but Paul has instead come into my room with a slight smile on his face. Does that mean I won't have to have surgery? I'll get to keep all my body parts? 

I could hardly sleep last night. All I could think about was what the answer was going to be, and whether or not I would have to have the surgery that could very well end my skating career. Will stayed with me all night. The few times I woke up in the middle of the night, I saw him sleeping in the chair next to my bed. And, he was still holding my hand.

"Can we hear the good news first?" I asked. I needed some good news, I needed something to relax me. The nerves have been eating me alive, I have literally been shaking all morning. My mom had come in around nine with Hilary trailing behind her. Now, with the three most important people in my life, we're going to finally get an answer.

Paul nodded. "Of course. Well, Jasmine, we've been watching how the frostbite has been healing over the past two days..." I grimaced. Frostbite was not the prettiest thing to see, especially when you're looking at it on your body. "It looks like we won't have to take as much as we thought. The frostbite is healing normally for you leg."

My face lit up. I heard my mom sigh in relief. Hilary jumped up from her seat and hugged me. Will gave me a smile and gave my hand a squeeze. "But, here's the bad news..." Paul said, causing the room to fall silent. "The frostbite is not healing on your foot. It's getting worse as the days go by, and I'm afraid you will not leave this hospital all in one piece."

I stared at him with wide eyes. "Wha-What are you saying?"

He sighed. "Jasmine, you will still have to undergo surgery. From just above your ankle down... Well, I think you understand. If you like, we can do the surgery today, just so you can get it over with."

I was silent. I knew everyone was looking at me, waiting for my answer. Why did I have to answer? I was just told I wouldn't leave this hospital in one piece. I'm going to need a prosthetic foot so I can walk straight. I didn't want to answer. I only wanted to wake up from this nightmare.

"Jasmine, honey," my mom said softly, "do you want your surgery done today?"  My eyes fell down to my foot, that was black from the frostbite. I know it looks ugly now, but I'm still going to miss it. 

"Um, I-I guess," I stuttered, looking up to meet Paul's eyes. He nodded, a sad look now on his face. 

"I'll inform the other doctors, and we'll come and get you when we're ready." He walked out of the room, leaving us in silence. I looked from Hilary, to Will, to my mom, then at my hands. 

"Don't worry," Hil said, breaking the silence and trying to make me feel better. 

"How can I not worry?" I snapped, looking up at her. Hurt crossed her face, and she looked down at the floor tiles. I sighed. "I'm sorry, Hil. I'm just scared." She only nodded, but I knew I shouldn't have snapped at her. Everyone is worried, even Hilary. There was no denying it. 

"Can someone hand me my computer?" I asked, looking at my silver MacBook that was sitting on the bench in front of my bed. Will stood up from his chair and let go of my hand for the first time in hours. He walked over to the computer and picked it up, then walked it back to me. 

I logged onto my Twitter and a small smile played on my lips when I saw 5er's tweets telling me to feel better. "5ers are so sweet," I muttered, reading through the tweets.