Breathe

Chapter 20

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." -Dr. Seuss

"What are you doing here?" my mother asks me.  I can't tell if she's worried or if she's scolding me.

"Well, uh, I was at Luke's house tonight and I went to grab some water.  I slipped on the floor and the glasses shattered, and I cut my hand," I say and lift my left hand for her to see.

"Oh my gosh!" she gasps and grabs my damaged hand in hers. "How bad is it?"

"Dr. Anderson said it wasn't very deep.  It was just really long," I say and trace the approximate length over the gauze.

"Way to go kid," my father jokes.  "Kidding, but I have to go see a patient.  Try to be more careful," he says.

"It was an accident," I frown but end up laughing.  My father laughs back and walks down the hall and into a room.

The nurse that was leading us down the hallway earlier returns with a slip of paper that has the details of my next appointment, and I thank her quietly.  A delayed feeling of relief washes over me when I realize my mother isn't upset with me for staying over at Luke's without her permission.  She never knows when I stay at his house anyways since she works the night almost every night during the week.

"I'm going to go find a bathroom, will you go see if you can find Anne and Jake?" Luke asks me.

"Sure," I smile.  I start walking down a hallway before I remember that I need to ask my mother a question before I leave.  My feet turn and trace my steps back down the hall but stop right before I turn the corner.

"Just mail me the hospital bill, or I can pick it up from your house," Luke says.  Is he talking to my mom?

"Luke, really, it's fine.  My husband and I both work here, so we get great medical insurance," my mom replies, confirming my thoughts. Dammit Luke.

"Please? I feel horrible, and it was my house that it happened at.  She was worried that the bills would carry a burden on your family.  I don't want her to be stressing over anything," he says. Fuck.

Why does he always do this?  I honestly do not understand.  We've only been dating for a month but I swear he offers to pay for everything that is linked to me.  It's really sweet but I just feel weird accepting everything he's offering.  I need more time to adjust.  I almost turn the corner to tell him off for doing this even after I told him I wouldn't let him, but I decide against it and walk back towards Anne and Jake.  I'll talk to my mother later and make sure she understands that we will be paying for the medical bill.

I push open a set of double doors and inside is Anne reading a magazine and Jake playing in the kids section with a red toy train.  They both look wide awake which is surprising because I'm pretty sure it's around five in the morning.  I haven't checked a clock since we left the house.

"I'm fixed," I announce.

"Oh honey! Are you alright?" Anne asks.

"Good as new! Well I will be when it heals," I laugh.  

Jake pokes the white gauze with his finger. "Does it hurt?"

"Not right now.  The doctor numbed it before he stitched the skin back together," I explain.

"That's good."

Luke walks through the doors and his eyes meet mine immediately. "Ready?"

I nod.  Anne exits the hospital to pull the car up to the entrance while Luke, Jake, and I make a detour to grab a cup of complementary coffee before we leave.  Anne's waiting near the entrance by the time we walk out the doors.