Tales of Purple Lake

chapter two - discharged

I opened my eyes easier today, waking up with less of a headache but still hardly any energy. The police had picked the perfect time to visit, filing into my room to question me and fill me in.

The problem was, I don't remember...

I had been unconscious for a week, part of me wishes I still was. The truck driver ran a red light due to fatigue, the police mentioned that he had been assisting with any questions.

The police had to tell me my story..

The police stated it was a lady in the other vehicle that our car plowed into, that she has suffered minor cuts, bruises and whiplash but she would be okay. She was released from hospital the next day. The truck driver would also be okay, he suffered some whiplash and a few bruises on his knees.

It was just me who wouldn't be okay..

The police told me that once I was discharged they would organise a ride to bring me to my new home, that I'd have a volunteer carer for a few months until I could function on my own. At least I wouldn't be fending for myself.

I thanked officer who spoke to me.

"No problem" he smiled kindly which reached his green eyes, and pushed his blonde hair back off his face before flattening it down with his hat.

"This is my contact number, if you need anything please let me know." He handed me a card which I quickly glanced at before popping it on my side table.

'Constable Ivan Saunders - Purple Lake Police Department' and under that was phone number and an email address.

"I know that your memory may not come back, but if it does please contact me. I also want you to call if you need to, I can get you in contact with people who can help you in situations like this."

He glanced at his watch and frowned, before looking up at me again. "I need to head out, honestly call if you need anything. We aren't going to leave you stranded." He nodded his head before standing up and heading out the door with a wave.

I waved back, honestly appreciating any help I could get. I didn't want to face this by myself.

The nurse was hoping that I'd be discharged today, she spoke about the Dr running behind schedule and that he would be doing the rounds on the patients this afternoon and not to get my hopes up.

I just nodded, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to go home. Physio had done their rounds not long after the police. They showed me how I could walk with a boot and how to excersise so I wouldn't lose any muscle mass.

They told me to excersise everyday, because if I didn't the boot would be on for longer and that it would take me even longer to get better and stronger. I wasn't going to have that, I needed to support myself now no matter how depressed I felt.

After the physiotherapist had come around to see what I could do, the nurse popped back in with another man. He was old, grey hair, freshly shaven face. He had a dark grey business suit on, and a solemn look in his eyes.

"Miss Monday," he nodded in greeting. "I don't come to you with any good news." He pulled out the clipboard folded in his arms and clicked his pen. "I know you probably aren't ready to talk about this, but unfortunately we don't have a choice."

He rested himself in the chair next to my bed. "Your family, I came here to talk about what you wanted to do." He frowned a little. "We cannot preserve their bodies any longer."

The man went on about burials and cremation, he offered different services for funerals which no one but me would attend. I couldn't help but cry as he went though all the options that involved families attending.

"Sir, it's just me. We don't have any family or friends. My family cut all ties." The tears were pouring. "I don't- don't know what t- to do.." I started sobbing.

It just reminded me of how alone I was..

"I can offer you cremation, a small ceremony just for you so your family can at least have headstones." He rubbed my arm sympathetically. "It will give you piece of mind later on knowing they still have a resting place, and a place for you to mourn their loss."

"Miss Monday, it's entirely up to you the only cost will be the headstones." He glanced down at his clipboard, "We will pay for everything else. I know your story, and our business would like to offer you a piece of mind. You have so much else you need to worry about and here at Fisher and Sergio's Funerals we try and make the organising as painless as possible."

I agreed, not really wanting to hear any more. At least my family will be put to rest and I will be able to visit them. The man thanked me and left, not before telling me he will be in contact about headstones. I had to choose the style I wanted, but in all honesty I wasn't ready for that just yet.

I was discharged that night, they offered for me to stay til morning but I couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't be there.

I was falling into a state of depression..

The taxi was waiting for me out front of emergency. He greeted me with a smile.
"No bags?"

"No, sir." I hopped into the front passenger seat and told the driver my address. I was scared. I would be heading to my families new house all alone, fending for myself for the first time.

I paid the driver after thanking him, and made my Way up to the front steps.

The garden was beautiful, paved concrete lead the way to the front porch. A rose garden was out front of the patio and a small white wooden table setting was sitting by the door.

My family had organised a truck to deliver our furniture and a woman from a different company to design the house while we were driving there. My parents would have had to start working as soon as they got home, and they wouldn't have had time to put the house together.

Even in our old home I never really got to see them, I had school and they worked long hours. I would have dinner with my Mum before she went to bed and my Dad would always be home after midnight.

I pulled out my keys, taking a deep breath. "Here we go," I whined under my breath, before opening the front door to my house.