Head Above Water

Chapter 7

When Kim opened his eyes a ceiling he did not recognize blurred in front of him and he heard a male voice. He focused and looked around at a hospital room. He lifted his arm and glanced at the IV in it. Then he followed the voice and saw his father near the window, his back turned to Kim.

"I miss you too" he said in a soft low voice. "I have to be here though and figure out what's wrong with my- Kim" he sighed heavy "My wi- Karen and I are taking turns watching him"

He listened for a while before he spoke again "Maybe he is seeking attention. I mean he has everything he wants. Anyway I just hope he wakes up soon then I'll come to you. I love you. You are the most important person to me. I just need to sort out this mess" He sighed heavy once more then switched off his phone. He looked out the window some more then turned slowly and in that moment Kim closed his eyes.

He did not want to give his absent father the satisfaction of seeing him awake. He wondered for how long he slept and as he pretented to still be asleep, he recalled all the times Ken Young was there and not. He spend his days in the study, fighting with his wife, Karen at night before retreating to the guest bedroom. Sometimes she would lie that he was away on business trips but during their fights he would tell her how trapped he felt and how he needed space.

He didn't understand why she kept trying so hard, maybe she felt trapped too and they were punishing each other for it. One thing was clear and that was that there was no love between them anymore. There was no love in the house for anyone living there.

Yet before all that, there was a time when Kim was little his father used to attent every soccer match he took part in. He used to dance with his wife, kiss her when he came home and helped Kim with his homework. Then he distant himself and Karen threw herself completely in her work submerging herself maybe to forget or not to think. In the process, they forgot they had a son, they forgot Kim existed and he faded slowly. No one helped him with his homework anymore, cared about his grades. No one came to his soccer matches after he became captain. No one cared where he went or how late he stayed out. He might as well have not existed and the friends he had became outsiders as he drowned in everyone's presence. Living became a full-time job opposed to being happy and grateful to be alive.

Kim pretended to be asleep until he heard his father's footsteps leaving and more footsteps entering his room.He heard soft sobbing and he felt a warm hand wrap around his and squeezing. He wanted to open his eyes but decided not to. He did not want to disappoint her anymore than he already did. He only opened his eyes when he felt the doctor's cold touch on his wrist.