Ashleigh sat on the hard uncomfortable seats in the corridor of the Brisbane Hospital. All she wanted was some answer to how her father was going. It had been hours since the incident, and she still did not know what was wrong with him. Click Clock of high heels echoed down the hall. Ashleigh lifted her head slightly. She had been at the hospital for 4 hours, and she finally decided to rock up. Must have found a blank time slot in her oh-so busy life Ashleigh thought. There in front of her, Lauren stood. She looked breathless, and her blonde hair fell perfectly around her shoulders. “Ash!” Lauren exclaimed and hugged her sister. “I am so sorry.. I came as soon as I heard. I had meeting all afternoon-
“Too important to miss?” Ashleigh raised an eyebrow at her.
“Yes, thank god you understand” Lauren said oblivious to Ashleigh’s sarcasm.
“I have not heard a thing. Not even one hint to what is wrong with him” Ashleigh said, not to anyone in particular. For the first time, she felt deep sadness and almost was going to cry. No, she thought. I will not cry. I will not cry, she repeated to herself. She tried her hardest to keep it in.
“Well have you asked?” Lauren said placing a limp hand on her shoulder.
“Yes of course I have asked! They said he is still unconscious and they are awaiting results” Ashleigh said hastily, ignoring the solemn presence of her sister.
“Let me check” Lauren said, walking in a model fashion, over to the desk. Ashleigh blocked out what they were saying, and focussed on the tessellated tiles of the corridor. A few moments later, Lauren returned. “The nurse is checking again now. So… what happened?”
“Look. I was in the western boundary paddock and I got a call from Dad. He said he needed help, but did not say what was wrong with him. I rushed as fast as I could go but I was in the old tractor so it is not very fast. I had called the Flying Doctors, and surprisingly they were very fast. By the time they had reached him he had lost consciousness and was not able to tell me what was wrong. He was experiencing bad pain but that was all he could manage to get out. I think he may have had a heart attack” Ashleigh managed to spit out.
“Oh Ash. That must have been hard for you” Lauren said sympathetically, but all Ashleigh could hear was fake resentment. “Yeah well, things happen hey. He will pull through. I am sure he will” Ashleigh had thought it in her head with sureness, but when she said it out loud it sounded like she was trying to reassure herself.
“McClaren?” said a nurse with a tight bun, holding a notebook.
“Yes!” Ashleigh and Lauren both stood up at once.
“Come through” the nurse said smiling thinly and leading them to a dimly lit room.
“So… are you two the daughters?” said a male doctor standing reading through some notes.
“Yes. I am Lauren” Lauren stood forward introducing herself.
“I am Ashleigh.. I live with him. How is he?” Ashleigh said pushing herself forward to know what was going on. “Right. Well.. it isn’t the best news we were hoping for. He is still unconscious. He has had a heart attack. It isn’t looking too good. You can see him if you like… he may still be able to hear you.” The doctor said solemnly.
“Wait. Wait up a second” Ashleigh said raising her hands in front of her. “Is he going to pull through or not? By the way, you still have not told me your name” Ashleigh said annoyed.
“Oh. Sorry my name is Dr. Gregory Marshall” the older doctor said pointing to himself. Hmm. A man with two names which could be two surnames, interesting Ashleigh thought. “Well.. it isn’t looking very good. He may not wake up, but yet he could. It is very grey territory we are talking about. But even if he was to wake up, the damage could be immense therefore making everything more difficult. For now, we play the waiting game. It is getting late though, I suggest you go in and see him. Leave, get something to eat and rest. Come back in the morning, but we will call you if any changes. Okay?” Dr Marshall said.
“Right. Okay, thank you” Lauren said nodding. Ashleigh ignored him and walked to see her father. Walking into the small, bland hospital room Ashleigh laid eyes on her father. Usually, he looked strong with beautiful colour filling his rosy cheeks. Always a larrikin, always smiling. But he was not smiling, his mouth has set in a straight line. His usually lively, gentle hazel eyes were not showing, with his eyelids closed over. He did not look like the man who bought Ashleigh up, he looks like a stranger. A distant, sorrowful stranger. His hands which shows years of hard work through calluses and scars are resting on top of each other. Though he looks so different, a mere ghost of what he usually looks like- he looks peaceful. Ashleigh knows this man best out of everything now, Lauren had not seen him in years. Far too busy for family.
Lauren saw him and let out a gasp, covered her mouth and started crying quietly. “Oh Dad.” She said and grabbed his hand. “I know you may be able to hear me. I just wanted to say, I am sorry. I am sorry that it has taken something so horrible for me to finally see you. I wanted to see you earlier, I should have. I should have made time to see you. I love you, Dad.” Lauren says whilst holding his hand. She sits like that for a moment, then whispers “I am sorry” then exits the room to leave Ashleigh and her father. Ashleigh sits on the hospital bed, holds her father’s coarse hand and sighs. “Dad. I know you can hear me. I do not know why everything is acting like you are dying. I know that is not true. I know, because you are the strongest man I know. You are not going to die from a heart attack.
Truth is, you have been through worse. Seriously, Dad. Look back at what you have achieved and gone through. When you watched livestock die from the horrendous droughts which have torn through our land relentlessly. Or having to put your best mate down, your faithful dog Renny. Watching your brother die from cancer. But most of all, losing the love of your life. My mother. Your wife. I know it hurt you, I know that it still does. But most of all you woke up every day to provide for us. For the farm, for everyone. Right now, I am waiting for your eyes to snap open and you laugh about all of this.
You complain about hospitals and their disgusting food. You will laugh at all these city slickers stuck in the rat race. Then, we will pack up and go home. Right? Dad, I love you. I love you, I love you” Ashleigh said, fighting back the tears. Just as she finished, she felt her father’s limp hand give hers a slight squeeze, and that was enough for Ashleigh. She knew he will be with her forever.
