The Slap Shots

Chapter 11

I hate hospitals. I despise them. I hate the cleanness of the hospital. I hate how everyone around is always so nice, or in tears.

I hate how everything is white or a gross shade of pale blue or pale pink. Hospitals are just...

Ugh.

But, I'm here because I pushed Freddie a little too hard. He hit his head on the floor of the gym and he's passed out because of it.

I cried. I cried for so long it was unbelievable. I just couldn't believe that I managed to push my supposed strong boyfriend to the ground. And the fact that he wasn't responding to my kisses, to my touches, to my tears on his chest made everything even worse.

I called Connor and he came rushing in.  He called 911 right away, then I called my dad and told him to run across the street and tell Freddie's mom. They're both here now, but I don't care.

I just want to see Freddie.

"Miss Lower ?" I stand up faster than Freddie's mom can, and the nurse looks at me quite surprised.

"You can come see your son now." She smiles and tucks her purse underneath her arm. I sit back down, my head hanging low.

"Come on sweetie." Miss Lower grabs my hand and pulls me up from the chair.

"I can come ?" I ask.

"Of course Emerson. You're his girlfriend. " She shoots me the sweetest look, the cutest little smile and so gripping her hand tightly I wave to my dad and follow Misses Lower to Freddie.

"You know. He's never had a girlfriend. And I'll tell you right now. I'm happy that his first is you." I smile  to myself as she wraps her arm around my shoulders.

My hands are shaking, and my breathing is heavy.

I turn to the nurse.

"He's not awake yet is he ?" I ask, hope in my eyes. She frowns and shakes her head.

"No not yet. But we're hoping that he'll wake up tomorrow morning. His vitals are good, he's breathing just right. He has a bruise on the back of his neck and few on his spine but other than that, he's just fine." We stop in front of an opened door, where the nurse turns to us, and gestures her hand towards the door.

"Go right ahead. Take as much time as you want." The nurse smiles and me and Misses Lower walk into the room with caution. Our feet are so quiet on the linoleum, as if were scared of waking him up.

We eventually make it to him and when we do, I need to hold my breath.

The tubes running up and down his body sticking into his arms, and his nostrils. The blanket is pulled up to his waist, and he's wearing one of those goddy gowns.

Misses Lower reaches for him first. She heads for the nearest chair, so I head for the one on the other side.

She grabs his hand, and rests her forehead on  his shoulder.

I can hear her whimper and it's everything in me not to cry myself.

Eventually, after a solid ten minutes of her shedding a few tears and praying that he'll be okay, she sits up and smiles.

"I'm going down to the cafeteria.  Would you like anything ?" I want to cry at how sad she looks.

I feel so bad. I did this to her son and yet she's asking me if I want anything from the cafeteria.