A Love Never Forgotten

Chapter 3

I woke up to Charlie holding my hand. He didn't know I was awake so I just watched him and stayed as still as possible. I could tell by his red eyes and blotchy face the he'd been crying. The question was, was he crying about me or something that happened between him and Tanith? Charlie looked up and noticed I was awake and said, "Meryl! How do you feel? Are you in pain? Are you hungry or thirsty? You know what; I'm going to get the doctor." Charlie ran out of the hospital room. While he was gone, I wondered why he was so jittery. Was he excited to see me? Or was he tired? Before I could even answer my rhetorical questions, Charlie and the doctor came rushing in. Charlie was grinning ear to ear and the doctor looked quite confused at why he was so happy. "Good morning uh, Meryl. How do you feel?" the doctor asked me. "Could be better but I'm breathing." Charlie looked down at me and smiled. "Why in the World is he so happy?" I thought. "Do you remember anything that happened about the accident?" The doctor asked with his pen and paper ready. "All I remember is mister man here picking me up in a lift and our coach clapping. Then it all went black." I tried to remember but I just couldn't. "Okay, let me just tell you what happened. When you heard your coach clapping, it startled both you and Charlie, which caused you to loose your balance. You fell face first onto the cold, hard ice." "I tried to catch you but, it was too late." Interrupted Charlie. "The damage is severe but not severe enough for your career to be over. Just a mild concussion and a few stitches. You'll be able to skate again in about a month." The doctor said and then walked out of the room. "A month!?!?!??" I asked Charlie. "Meryl," he said soothingly. "It's only a month. I know it seems like forever, but it'll be over before you know it." Charlie say down in the chair next to my hospital bed. "What in the world am I going to do for a whole month?" I asked worryingly. "Well, your mom and I talked about that. She said that you can stay at my house while they go on a European cruise. Since I won't be able to skate either, it seems like I'm the perfect person to care for you." Charlie said hesitantly. "Wait, let me get this straight. While my parents go on and extravagant cruise, I'm left in the arms of my partner who can barely take care of himself. Charlie, you can barely get to practice on time!" I was furious that my parents could just abandon me like that. It's not like I don't trust Charlie, I definitely do. I am a grown woman and I can take care of myself. "I will leave you alone..." Charlie said as he walked out with a hurt expression on his face. When I saw him leave, I began to think about the good things that might happen if I stay at his house. What if we become close again? That would be the best thing that could happen in our relationship.