Mr. Tan

Chapter 14: Bright Lights & Better Places.....I Hope

 I've been in Bolivar County General Hospital for a week so far, besides Earl and occasionally Christina visiting me, no one else came. Dr. Trung would come in a check up on me and give me my pain medication. I had a big ugly scar beneath my naval where they had to cut out the dead fetus. I was allowed to get up and go to the bathroom, which was located in my room, so all I had to do was walk a few feet. Dr. Trung and the nurses on duty made sure I ate plenty. They would take my blood pressure and weighed me. One nurse, Mrs. Sophia Collins was nice enough to comb and style my hair every day on her break. If I wanted to leave my room for anything, I had to be confined to a wheelchair. One of the white and young orderlies, who I later on learned that his name was Melvin was nice enough to push me wherever I wanted to go, including the hospital library. The trays of food that was bought to me for breakfast, lunch and dinner was okay at best. For snacks between meals, I always requested pie, cake or ice cream. One afternoon after Christina left, she brought me some magazines and a card on her visit. I had another visitor after she left, I was expecting Earl, instead it was my mom. I was sitting up in my hospital bed and reading a magazine when she walked in. When she saw me, she smiled. She had on a dark red wig with bangs in the front, pink animal print stretch pants and a sleeveless solid white blouse and a pair of dirty white sneakers. She pulled up the chair closer beside my bed and sat down.

   "Hi, baby girl", she said softly. How have you been?

 "Wouldn't you like to know!", I shot back. What do you want, anyway?

 "I got news that you were in the hospital cause of your miscarriage", she replied. I just came to check on you.

 "You want me to come back home don't you?", I asked.

She couldn't answer my question. She kept her eyes on her hands that were folded in her lap.

  "I really have nothing to say to you, leave!", I snapped.

  "Where are you gonna go to once you leave here, huh?", she asked.

   "None of your business!", I snapped.

  The tone of her voice suddenly changed. She grabbed the railings on the side of the bed and leaned in close. I could smell the liquor on her breath, some things never change.

 "You lookit here, lil girl", she said between clinched teeth. I am your mamma and you belong at home with me! When you are released from the hospital next week, I will be here to get you, you can bet on that, honey! You better be awake and ready to go when that time comes!