Strangers

Happy Christmas

   I had long prepared the fruit cakes for Christmas. In the morning I started baking, and two days prior I bought eggnog. I put my favorite red Christmas sweater, it had reindeers and a Christmas tree. To be more in the spirit, I put on a reindeer headset and put some black leggings. I even got gifts; one for the nurse that takes care of Harry, one for Harry, and...yeah you probably guessed it; a gift for Gianna. I had felt pretty terrible, and I know that Gianna was going to spend it alone. I couldn't just waste a friendship of over ten years because Gianna finally grew the balls to tell me I'm weak; because I am. I am weak, and frankly stupid, and I feel incredibly terrible and I need my best friend back.

   I dropped by the hospital first. Harry still lay there. Literally nothing has happened; nothing to give me hope that one day I'll see those devious emerald eyes again.

   "Hello Harry. Merry Christmas. But maybe you're accustomed to Happy Christmas, since you're obviously from the UK and all." I sigh and lay my purse in a chair.

  "I'm here again, like I have done so these weeks, like I have promised. I wouldn't have liked you spending it alone. That would be terribly...sad. I brought fruit cake and eggnog as promised, I would have sneaked some liquor if you would have been awake." I tidy up his pillow since it was too low for my liking.

   "Surprisingly, I haven't touched liquor since the incident with you." I was surprised myself, but I've been too busy to serve myself a glass. "But since it's Christmas I'll probably do a cheer for you." I started to eat some of the fruit cake and drink some eggnog.

   "I feel terrible that no one visits you. I brought you a gift, but you can only open it if you wake up." I seemed to bargain. I sighed, gosh it was no use. "I would have thought your mother, your father, or even that Cathy girl," I paused hearing his breathing more evident. His heart accelerated a bit. I stared wide eyed. "Who's Cathy, Harry?" The same response, a sigh now escaping his lips.

   "Cathy...Cathy...." I was starting to freak out. This?! This is what it took for a response? A girl's name?? I've been visiting him and he doesn't respond to me, but he responds to this Cathy?! I was a tad jealous, and giddy that he was having a response. I quickly ran off and told the nurse the news.

  "That's normal, my dear. They can talk, but that doesn't mean they're going to wake up." She has small crinkles in the side of her eyes as she gives my hand a squeeze. I almost cried. I felt too hopeful for my own good. I walked back to his room, everything evened out, as if he never talked.

   "Do you remember me Harry? It's Vienna." No response, not even a heart flutter. There was a pang in my stomach. "Happy Christmas, Harry." I smothered his hair and kissed his forehead lightly. I quietly exited as a dark cloud floated on me.

  Is he ever going to wake up?

• • • •

   I drove to the similar apartment complexes with the fruit cake and gift in hand. I was going over my apology one last time as I buzzed the doorbell. There was laughing on the other end, something didn't feel right.

   I knew who that laughter belonged to.

  Gianna opened the door, her face was being composed of laughter, but once she saw me she was as white as a sheet.

   "Gianna who's there?" Oh I definitely knew that voice.

   "Holy shit." Gianna muttered, she quickly closed the door and the two of us were outside. My hands were trembling as my vision became blurry.

  "Oh my God." I laughed, tears coming out on full blow. I dropped the fruit cake and the gift. "To think I was going to apologize to you." I shook my head, feeling stupid. I started walking away until Gianna grabbed my arm.

  "I could explain! Please let me explain!" Just then the door opened, and Joshua resurfaced. Seeing his face made me see red. That face I used to caress and kiss, was now doing God knows what with Gianna (who made me believe that hated their guts by the way!) were now here seeing me as a mess. I wiped my eyes viciously, hating the tears that were cascading off my cheeks.

  "Vienna..." Joshua spoke, deciphering whether to go to Gianna or me. I knew what was going on here.

   "Just don't. Enjoy your fucking fruit cake." I spat, and started walking away. I felt so much betrayal... So much damn anger. I knew I shouldn't but...really?! I started to hysterically cry on my car, my head in the wheel as I let every damn thing I felt out, even if I wasn't done, I left feeling extremely numb. I looked toward the clock, 12:12 am. Christmas now.

  Wow...what a Happy Christmas.