As I pull into the almost vacant parking lot of the hospital and get out of my car, I see an ambulance pulled up to the Emergency Room doors. Running over, I can see Addisen's still body being carted out of the white and red vehicle and through the automatic double doors.
Catching up to the gurney, which is being hauled by two burly paramedics, I hold on to the rails to see my darling girl laying there hazy as all hell, "Addie, don't worry. I'm here." A firm male hand meets my shoulder in which I hadn't even noticed had been shaking this whole time. "Sir, I am going to have to ask you to go sit down, please. This girl needs to get tests done immediately." Tests? That was rather vague. "What tests need to be done? What is happening to my girlfriend?"
Another nurse makes her way over to me. I recognize her from the house. "Justin- I hope I have your name correct." She halts, as if for clarification. I nod. "Please, sit down. Somebody will be out shortly to talk to you to get some information on your girlfriend and everything that happened." She gives a comforting smile and I stand still as I watch my baby girl get carried away by strange men. Hesitantly, I turn on my feet and go to sit in the waiting room to, well, wait.
Looking around the room, my eyes meet that of a young boy- about five or six- sitting at the feet of a woman who I assume to be his mother. She is sitting in the same uncomfortable seat as mine, disputing angrily with someone over the phone. Looking back at the boy, I notice he winces and cringes as his mother's voice gets louder and angrier. I send a reassuring smile his way, which he returns before continuing to fiddle with his shoelaces.
Just then, a loud crack echoes throughout the entire lobby. I break out of my trance when I realize it is now down pouring. How long have I been sitting here, I wonder? Checking my watch, I see that I have been waiting here for 15 minutes.
With a great quickness, I jump up and rush over to the check in desk. Slamming my hands down on the counter in front of me, everybody switches their gaze to me, including the mother from before. "I need to see Addisen Montgumory. It's urgent!" I find myself yelling at this innocent lady behind the desk and I instantly feel regretful. "I'm sorry, sir," she says to me with one last click on her desk top. "this is telling me that she can't have any visitors at this moment. If you inform me of what is so urgent, I may be able to get a doctor to let-" I cut her off. " Do you not hear the rain? She's terrified!" Taking a deep breath, I lower my voice. "I only want to go back there to comfort her. I don't want her to be alone right now."
"Sir, I can assure you she isn't alone. There are plenty of doctors and nurses back there with her. She'll be-" Again, I cut her off. Only this time, with more rage than before. "Listen here Bitch! My girlfriend, who is absolutely terrified of thunder and lightning, is back there right now, probably freaking the hell out, and you have the fucking audacity to tell me I'm not allowed to go back there and comfort her in her time of need? I do not give a rat's ass what their Doctorate Degrees say! They most likely are making things worse for her. Now, tell me what room Addisen Montgumory is in. I need to see her." At that, she goes silent. Giving in to my protest, the lady frantically begins pressing buttons on her desk top again. "Room 315. It's just down that hall, after you make a left."
"Thank you." I turn left, just as the woman said to, and make my way down the hall. "300. 305. 310. Aha! 315."
I open the door to find two nurses and a doctor standing over her. "I'm sorry, sir. You can't be in here right now. We need to take this patient's blood pressure." One of the male nurses attempts to brush me away, but fails. "Well, you aren't going to get an accurate result with all this rain. Can't you see how frightened she is?" Sitting uncomfortably on the hospital bed with her knees to her chin, Addisen stares blankly at the reactions of the men before her. Her skin pale. Her hair a mess. Her entire body fragile at sight. She gives a weak smile, though I can tell how fake it is. She's scared.
Cautiously, I walk toward the bed that sits in the middle of the almost empty room. I glance at the men standing above my beautiful girlfriend. "Do you mind? You aren't going to get an accurate enough blood pressure right now anyways. Not until the rain stops, that is. So, I would really appreciate it if you could leave us for the time being. I'd rather enjoy spending time with my girlfriend so I can comfort her." They exchange awkward glances, followed by a shrug of the shoulders from the doctor. They were finally giving in to my simple request.
Once the men exit the room, I make eye contact with my darling girlfriend. She is looking back at me with terror in her eyes. Without any words spoken, she scoots over, lifting up the covers and inviting me to lay with her. Accepting her invitation, I crawl into bed with her and we just lay there. My arm is wrapped around her frail body. As I look down at her beautiful face, I find her to already be fast asleep in my arms. Kissing her softly on the forehead, I whisper "I love you dearly, my sweet Addisen."
