Obscurity

Chapter 29: Time Will Tell

Alma

The nurse escorts me back to my Medical room after my shower. Libby is waiting there when I enter back through the curtain. She's sitting on the small stool next to the bed with a tablet in her hands. She's typing something into the screen and looks up when I come in.

"There you are." She says. Her eyes are bright and her smile warm.

"How are you feeling? I was notified you bumped your head."

"I'm okay." I sit down on the end of the bed.

"No headache?"

"Nope."

"Dizziness? Ringing in your ears?"

"No and No. I'm just incredibly tired. Exhausted is more the word I'm looking for." I explain.

"I see." She says as she stands up, placing her tablet on the end of the bed. She pulls a light out of her jacket pocket and shines it in each of my eyes. She examines how my pupils react.

"Looks like you don't have a concussion. That's great news." She says enthusiastically.

I cover my mouth as I yawn. "Yeah. That's good news." I say as I climb farther up the bed and lean back getting comfortable.

"Is there anything else wrong?" she asks.

I look at her, brows raised. I'm not sure she's the one who does all the psych stuff.

"I mean physically." She says as though she read my mind.

I shake my head and close my eyes.

"I think I'm going to leave you alone for a while. I'll check on you a little later. I think you just need some rest." She says as she collects her tablet and heads for the curtain.

"Thanks." I say as sleep starts to close in on me.

I don't hear her actually leave, but I'm sure she does.

Everything is quiet in Medical. I let the silence envelope me. I readjust my body to get more comfortable and stretch the hospital gown out around my legs as I curl up. I lay there on my side and stare at the yellow bracelet on my wrist.

To me, yellow bracelets mean trouble now. Although I don't know what they actually stand for, trouble is going to be what I associate with them. I spin the plastic band around my wrist absentmindedly.

I'm completely spent but for some odd reason; I'm unable to fall asleep. It's like I'm hyper-vigilant right now. It's no wonder really. What with everything that's went on today.

It takes a little while before I realize I missed my appointment with Dr. Summers. I get the impression it's already dark outside because the window past the hospital curtain doesn't let in any sunlight. If it's dark outside, the odds the doctor is still here are slim to none. Which would mean I will be here another night and probably another day before I know for certain if I will be able to get out of this place.

The thought depresses me, but I don't cry. I'm all cried out. I feel like I need to get stronger and be more clever with this weird situation I'm finding myself in.

My thoughts are interrupted by the curtain being pulled back, and a nurse comes through it carrying a dinner tray.

"Dinner time, Alma." She says sweetly. At the sound of her voice, I immediately remember what her name is.

"Sue? Is that you?" I say, not bothering to turn over. I continue playing with my wrist band.

"Yes. It's me. I've got orders to make sure you get your dinner since you're not on your unit." She says as she places the tray down on the end of the bed in same place Libby had placed her tablet earlier.