What Water Can Do

Tears for the Future

My mom walked in just after the nurse left and tried to comfort me. I pushed her away and just cried into the pillow with my back turned to them. I only wanted to help people and now I may not be able to do gymnastics again.

Brooke sat in the chair next to my bed trying to be there for me. After my hour of tears, I finally remembered a better side to being in the hospital. I turned to Brooke, "Is the little girl I pulled out of the car okay?"

As soon as I spoke both Brooke and my moms heads shot up. I sniffled waiting for an answer.

"Ummm," Brooke was thinking before she answered, "I can go and check." I nodded my head; I needed to know.

Brooke left the room and I turned my back on my mom again and stared at the other half of the room. My mom decided it was time for her to speak up.

"Why did you run into the crash?" I couldn't decide if she was trying to lead into calling me out on doing something stupid or was just generally wondering what my thought process was.

"I...I saw the truck going towards the cars and it was coming right at me and I froze, but when I was okay other people weren't and I wanted to help them." I realize I probably should have evaluated the situation better before running to the car. My mom sighed probably wishing I had not been so stupid.

"I know you wanted to help them all sweetie, but you have to understand how dangerous that was." I nodded my head and started to tear up again. I didn't want to cry anymore, but I felt like I didn't have a choice.

The door opened and a nurse walked in with a pack of different medical supplies in it. I guess it was time for them to look at my back again. The nurse asked my mom to leave so she could clean my burns again. I sighed knowing I was alone now.

I don't think any number of friends could be here to make me not feel alone right now. The doctor walked in and gave me a small smile and started whatever he was doing.

I felt the back of my hospital gown open and could feel the bandages being pulled off. The cold air felt good on my back and gave me a little relief. "Take a deep breath." the doctor instructed me. I took in a big gulp of air and let it out slowly.

"Your back will take a while to heal and so will your shoulder. While your here a PT trainer will come in twice a day to help you. Then, when you leave you will have appointments twice a week." I sighed and nodded and the nurse and the doctor walked out and Brooke and my mom walked back in.

"Is she okay?" I asked immediately. They both gave out a faint laugh. "I'm serious guys, this whole thing has to be worth something." They both looked at me.

"First off, you are the most unselfish person I have ever met," Brooke started, "Second, she is okay. She has a broken arm and a few broken ribs and she is going to be completely fine. Her dad has a sprained arm and a concussion." I sighed with relief.

"Thank god," I completely forgot my problems for a moment, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I hadn't helped them." They both smiled at me. When I tried to move I put pressure on my shoulder and cried out. I was reminded of why I was here.

My mood completely changed and I stopped talking. Brooke and my mom noticed and sighed. They sat with me for the rest of the day trying to make me feel a little bit happier.

It didn't work. I just stared at the wall going through my uneven bar routine in my head.

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I was almost asleep when my hospital room door opened. The light turned on, "Turn it off!" I yelled at whoever just walked in. Don't they know it's rude to turn the light on when someone is sleeping?