in 273 days we'll meet again | hardzello

faint

— Guess there is no need for further heavy treatment, now it's time for rehabilitation. Of course I'll prescribe you some supportive medicine, but the best way to fully recover sooner is to leave this city and go to the countryside. You know, have a rest from the polluted air and dirty streets.
Understand, Mr Mazzello? - said a middle-age doctor, looking through the thick glasses at someone under the snow white blanket.

Huge, hazel eyes, looking like deep lakes on pale skin, examined the doctor, and their owner - a young man - gave a deep sigh.
— Joe, what an amazing idea! Don't you think so, my boy? - a blonde woman stroked the hair of a patient, giving him a kiss on cheek. - That will definitely help you to feel relief and forget everything that was happening during the past six months.

The young man coughed, and started talking in veiled voice.
— Will I be able to return in sport? Continue my career?
The doctor and woman looked at each other for a second, saying nothing. A tear started running down mother's face, and she had to turn away from her son.
The professor took his glasses off and moved a look at the guy. He breathed out heavily, and said:
— I know that you were the best in your team. You had a great future
But...you kn-n-ow...I'm sorry to say th-this...but...the injuries...
The doctor breathed in and continued.
— You will never be able to go in for sports professionally. I'm sorry.

A ruckle full of pain came out of Joe's throat. He wrapped the blanket in his hands and threw it away, looking at the doctor angrily.
It seemed like everything was against him, like everyone was his enemy at the moment. Joe jumped on his weakened legs.
— I will return! I will show you! I will prove it! Don't ever dare not to believe me! You'll regret your words! - he screamed furiously.
But suddenly the mind became blurry, and like a tree, stroke by a lightning, he fell on the floor.

— Joe is too weak to have stresses like this. Always be close to him, don't leave the guy alone. I'll prescribe some sedative pills too. - the low voice of doctor came somewhere from the darkness, starting to become recognisable.
— Go out. You, mom, please. Leave me alone. - a young man whispered.
— But Joe...The doctor told me not to leave you...
— Mom, please. Leave.me.alone.
The woman broke down in tears, so they both went out, leaving Joe alone.

No more sport. These three words were echoing in his head, obsessing all the thoughts.
What to do next? Where to move on when sport was your everything? It was, there's the main problem!
Men don't cry, as it was said a long time ago, but they're not emotionless machines.
Salty and sharp tears were streaming down Joe's eyes while the luckiest episodes from his games were playing in his head.
He tried to calm them down, throw out of his head, but they wouldn't go. Scary and dark thoughts appeared among all the warm memories.
Joe cried and sobbed, cried and sobbed silently, trying not to attract anyone's attention. Tired and devastated, he fell asleep, forgetting all the troubles for some hours