Always Out of Reach

Charlie

I walked past the ambulances and endless doctors, up to the hospital before me.

"Joey...are you sure?" Daniel asked me.....again.

"Yes. No.....yes." I said."I have to do this....otherwise I really am gonna lose it."

"Ok. Let's do this." Daniel held out his hand.

I've never really liked hospitals....who does? The overpowering smell of disinfectant and the constant rush of doctors and visitors was very overwhelming. Not to mention that some of the patients were......scary....

"How can I help you?" The cheery receptionist said as we approached her. I dont know how she managed to stay so happy in such a harrowing place. Then again....she probably witnessed miracles aswell. Unexpected recoveries, lives being saved etc.

"We're here to see...." Daniel trailed of as he realised he didn't know the man's name. He looked at me, his eyes asking for help.

"He was brought in 4 days ago. Attacked by.....some peop.....my dad." I stared her dead in the eyes.

"Oh.....you must mean Charlie. Charlie Adams." She didn't seem phased by what I said. "He's in room 307."

"Thank you." Daniel said.

We walked down the corridors, twisting and turning, the bright lights making me feel dizzy.

What was I even going to say to "Charlie"? He'd probably hate me. But, for some reason,  I had to do this.

"Here we are...."

"Here we are." I took a deep breathe and opened the door.

He lay there. He looked so weak. His face was littered with purple bruises and his arm hung limply in a cast by his side. I did this.

I froze by the door, not taking my eyes off of him.

"Joey....you don't have to do this you know? It's not too late to back out." Daniel reassured me.

"Who are you?" Charlie suddenly spoke. His eyes opened. He was quite good looking once you got past the bruises. His eyes were hazel brown and his hair was an dirty blonde.

"Urm......" I stood up straight and took a deep breathe. "I'm Joey...this in Daniel....I'm responsible for you being in here." I looked down shamefully. I also felt Daniel stiffen beside me but he didn't say anything.

"You're the one who attacked me?" Charlie's eyes clouded with fear and he became very tense.

"Well....not exactly...."

"What do you mean?" I could tell he was tired. He didn't want to hear this.

"It was my dad who attacked you....but it was because of me. I was the reason he got drunk and then he lost control of his actions and attacked you." Charlie just stared at me, not saying a word.

"I'm so sorry." I said quietly. Daniel put his hand on my back and smiled at me comfortingly.

"Can you say something please?" I begged.

"What is there to say? You didn't do anything." Charlie laughed. "I don't blame you for what happened."

And, just like that, the weight was lifted off my shoulders. He didn't blame me.

"What did I tell you?" Daniel grinned at me.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and pecked him on the lips. "Anyway....I'm really sorry."

"Don't apologise for him." Charlie brushed off my apology. "So....you two are together?" He smirked.

"Yes." I smiled up at Daniel. "Yes we are."

"It must be hard then....Having a homophobic father." Charlie said softly.

"Ye.....it's not easy, that's for sure." I sighed. "But I manage."

At that moment, the door clicked open.

"Oh...you have visitors. I just brought some chocolates." A fairly tall man stood at the door. His hair was dyed a deep purple and he was carrying.....a lot more than "some chocolates".

He had a bunch of flowers, a bags of clothes from topman and some books.

"Here let me help." Daniel took the bags of the man and set them down on the chair.

"Joey, Daniel, this is Kyle my boyfriend. Kyle, this is Joey and Daniel." Charlie introduced us.

"I don't think I've ever been in a room with so many gays." I laughed.

"First time for everything." Kyle said.  He seemed nice.

We talked for a while about how Kyle and Charlie (or Karlie as me and Daniel called them) met. And about how Daniel and I met.

"It was nice meeting you." I smiled at the couple as we left. "Maybe we'll see you both again some time. I hope you get better soon, Charlie. "

"You too. Don't blame yourself, Joey." Charlie replied.

And that was it. I left feeling like a new person. The guilt was gone.

Authors note.

Thanks for reading
Erin xx