Christmas

Chapter Two : Puzzle With a Piece Missing

Christmas
Puzzle With a Piece Missing
_____________________

Beyond the white, plain hospital corridors, horrors and miracles exists side-by-side. Reality. A hospital; an essential institution that promotes healing and recovery.

People fail to accept and understand the interiors of the facility, on all the departments that perform both miracles and horrors out of fear of acknowledgement because ignorance is bliss. Fully unaware of the struggles and hardships until they experience it themselves.

The atmosphere and the aroma, dull and stale, are indications that the contributions of a hospital are more than just saving lives. The air - often reeling of strong chemicals and hand sanitisers - permeates anxiety, hopelessness and grimly thoughts. The medical personnel - quick on their heels, pushing wheelchair and beds - bespoke dedication, fight and promises.

But beyond the shut doors, closed curtains and sliding doors, people still choose to fear acknowledgement. And beyond that, right now, a life was taken for one to live.

"Is she-"

"She's alive."

Oh, thank goodness!

Words cannot describe the sense of embellishment he's feeling at this exact moment. It is the same sense he felt four years ago - solace - and coincidentally - not really - at the same exact place. But four years ago didn't end so well, didn't end as they had planned for months, and it just created a larger hole in their broken hearts.

She's alive.

Relief flooded him, warmth from head to toes. A wondrous sensation at knowing that fact. He feels like he's about to cry.

She's alive.

But he knows she being alive doesn't mean anything because it doesn't mean she's unhurt and untouched. He still doesn't know what happened to her.

"Is she - conscious?"

His brother's face was set. All business. He knows that look. He knows him too well. He has given him that look one too many times. It's the look of all seriousness, no time for joking around, no time for walking around the bushes. Straightforward. It's the same face he gave him when he had to explain to him and their younger sister why their father won't ever be coming back.

That he's in a better place.

"They're trying to warm her now. It isn't clear how long she was outside. EMT brought her - hypothermic. Her core temperature dropped significantly. Jay -"

He looked up at the hand on his shoulder. Over his coat, his brother's fingertips felt icy, much like his. So, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and looked up at him.

"Why was she wearing your clothes, Jay? I mean she had your coat on. The one mom got you for Christmas years back. And the beanie Kathleen gave you. Were you together last night?"

Mutely, he nodded his head.

He more than just saw her tonight. He drank with. He kind of spoke with her. He definitely argued with her. He drove her to his apartment where they argued some more. He put her to sleep after she emptied half of Joe's into his porcelain toilet and now they're here in a hospital.