Butterfly

Thirty Two

They said I had been dead for 26 minutes.

That I had flatlined just after the success of the surgery.

I wasn't sure what to think.

I didn't know if they would believe me if I told them what I had seen.

Mom and Dad we're both here.

Dad seemed like someone had taken a huge burden off his shoulders.

Mom seemed like she would never stop crying.

I even felt on the edge of tears.

Hope was stuffed in the corner.

My necklace must have been somewhere else in the room.

Mom held my hand, rubbing her thumb across my knuckles.

"We thought, you, that you."

She was breathless.

The nurse came in.

"The room is only open to family, right?"

"Right."

"Ah, well, the volunteer boy came by earlier. Do you want me to tell him what happened?"

I thought of Hobi sitting on the other side of the wall.

Thinking I was gone.

I suddenly wanted nothing more than to be able to run out there and be with him.

"Let him in."

Mom looked confused.

"Mina, why would-"

"He's close enough to family now, right?"

"Mina that's-"

"Mom he still thinks I'm dead."

She shifted, letting go of my hand.

I think if she had been paying attention she would know.

But she only cares when it's convenient.

"Sir, ma'am, can you please step out into the hallway for a minute? We need to discuss some more financial issues that have come up due to the complications during surgery."

So they left.

And Hobi came in.

He walked through the door.

The nurse right behind him.

He looked unbelievably small.

His face was red and blotchy, glistening with tears.

When he saw me awake he seemed to forget everything and ran straight to me, wrapping his arms around me.

He nestled his head in my shoulder.

He moved his hands all around, as if trying to feel every bit of me take make sure I was actually here.

I hugged him back, tightly clenching the back of his coat.

He sobbed.

I felt his tears soak into the hospital gown.

"I thought you had left me."

His voice cracked like a vase.

"I can't do that, Hobi."

He laughed lightly, tightening his arms around me.

Then, forgetting about the nurses and doctor, he halfway stood up and wrapped his arms around my head.

Then he kissed my head, right where little hairs were growing.

I felt my heart melt.

He moved down and kissed me softly on the lips.

The chain was hanging from his hand and hovering over my shoulder.

I wanted that moment to last for a lifetime

I've never felt so thankful to be alive.