A Loving Tragedy

The Courtyard

The first thing to hit me was the beeping noise my heart monitor was making. I felt so cold that I was shivering uncontrollably. It took me a minute to realize where I was. I was in the post op of the surgery center right after my foot surgery. Once I looked around and saw my surroundings, I started to think "Where is Matt? Where is my cute guy from the rec?" I knew he wouldn't be there because we barely know each other, and I wasn't quite sure why he was the first person to pop into my head after surgery, but I decided to enjoy the thought. It wasn't until a nurse came by to check on me that I came back to reality.

"Hi hun, how are you feeling?" the short blonde nurse asked me. She walked all around me checking my vitals and looking at my foot which was covered in a brown gauze. I was so hazy and tired that I barely squeaked out "Fine" before closing my eyes again. My eyes felt so heavy, which I knew was from the drugs they had me on.

"I'm going to bring your parents back okay?" the nurse said to me. I opened my eyes a little just to see her smile briefly, and then walked away to grab my parents. All I really wanted to do was go home and sleep, but I knew the drill. They had to check on me for a few minutes, and then put my boot on and transport me to our car so we can go home. Before I fell asleep again, my parents came by and kissed my forehead saying that we will be leaving in a little bit. I nodded, and let my mind drift to Matt before falling peacefully to sleep.

***

It took me two days after surgery to finally be feeling normal and cognizant again. The meds they had me on for pain were strong and knocked me out for a couple hours at a time after taking them. I finally was at a point though where I just wanted to take ibuprofen instead because I hated being out of it and not being able to do anything. Not that I would be doing anything anytime soon, but I wanted to be in a good mindset.

The day before surgery was my driver's test which I (surprisingly) passed with flying colors. I saw endless possibilities with the little piece of plastic that I now held in my wallet. I could drive wherever I wanted now. Or at least when my foot heals. While it was extremely exciting to finally have my license, it was going to be a while until I could drive. And the worst part, it would probably be a while until I can work out again at the rec. I figure though that even if I can't work out, I can bring a book and read while my mom swims. So that still gives me a chance to run into Matt. Mainly, he will have to run into me because I really need to just sit most of the time and try not to walk on my foot.

The entire weekend I just laid on the couch watching One Tree Hill and icing my foot. I could walk on it because it was wrapped and I had a boot I needed to wear, but it got sore and swollen after a while, so it was honestly best if I laid and rested it. But by Monday morning, I was going insane from staying in the house, so I begged my mom to take me to the rec so she can swim and I can dip my good foot in the pool while reading a summer book for school.

When we got to the rec, there was no sight of a silver Audi in the parking lot, and there was no sight of Matt in the building. So, I had no problem sitting on the edge of the indoor pool with my headphones in and my book. I was about twenty pages into Let the Great World Spin when I saw a dark-haired cutie walking around the building. I seized my opportunity and went to the courtyard in the middle of the building. Since the building was made of windows that faced this courtyard, I knew that eventually he would see me. And (fingers crossed), Matt would grow a pair and come out to talk to me. I sat at a little metal table and propped my leg up. I sat there reading my book for five minutes when I heard the door open behind me and a voice saying, "Oh uh, there's trouble!"

I turn and smile as I see Matt and his gorgeous smile walking towards me. "Hey! How's it going?" I ask him as he sits down on the other side of the table I was sitting at.