Paper Cuts | Luke Hemmings ✔

30. wake up

{ for those of you who may be confused over the time line, let's just say it's almost June. }

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Four weeks passed, and Luke hadn't woken up. His condition never seem to get better. He just worsened, or stayed the same. No evidence of him waking up any time soon. Corrine finally pushed down all the negative emotion, and was starting to return back to her normal self. Each day she brought in her book, sat down next to Luke, and read to him. It seemed to be the only thing keeping her calm enough. Sometimes they'd join her, and listen to her read. Reading seemed to be everyone's therapy at this time.

Corrine walked into Luke's room on Tuesday morning, a small smile on her face. She lied down on the bed next to Luke, curling into his side. She held her book in her hand. "We're almost done." she said sadly. "Only a few chapters left." she opened the book to the last page.

" 'Minny?' Miss Celia says behind me.

'Ma'am.' she keeps her voice quiet. But I hear the shame in it. 'They didn't even ask me into the house. They made me stand out on the steps like a vacuum salesman." I turn around and her eyes are down to the floor. 'Why Minny?' she whispers. What can I say? Your clothes, your hair, your boobies in that size nothing sweater. I remember what Aibileen said about the lines and the kindness. I remember what Aibileen heard at Miss Leefolt's, of why the League ladies don't like her. It seems like the kindest reason I can think of.

'Because they know about you getting pregnant that first time. And it makes them mad you getting knocked up and marrying one of their mens.'

'They know about that?'

'And especially since Miss Hilly and Mister Johnny went steady for so long' She just blinks at me a second.

'Johnny said he used to date her but . . . was it really for that long?' I shrug like I don't know, but I do. When I started working at Miss Walter's eight years ago, all Miss Hilly talked about was how she and Johnny were going to get married someday.

I say, 'I reckon they broke up right around the time he met you.' I'm waiting for it to his her, that her social life is doomed. That there's no sense in calling the League ladies anymore. But Miss Celia looks like she'd doing high math, the way she's got her brow scrunched up. Then her face starts to clear like she's figured something out . . ."

Dr. McCarthy stepped into the room, and cleared his throat. Corrine stopped reading and looked up. "Hi." she said.

"Hello Miss Lancaster." Dr. McCarthy greets.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" she asks, sitting up on the bed, and closing the book.

"Yes, I know you're reading, but I'm afraid we're going to have to steal Luke right now."

"Can I ask for what?"

"We just want to run some tests, make sure he's still functioning properly." Corrine nodded, getting off the bed. "Have you eaten today Corrine?" Dr. McCarthy asks.

"No. I think I may go get lunch though." Corrine said.

"By the time you're finished, Luke should be back." Corrine gave another nod, and walked out of the room.

Lauren and Mali accompanied Corrine to lunch. The three sat around the small cafe table, not really doing much. Corrine stirred her soup with her spoon, and then took a bite. It tasted weird, considering she'd let it go cold, but she ate it anyway. Corrine frowned. "I hope she rots in jail when they find her." she finally mumbled. Lauren nodded her head in agreement.