An Act Of Kindness

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13.11.2014

It had been a week since I woke up from my coma.

And as I stood in line at a flower shop, I couldn't help but to reminisce about the last week.

I had spent the whole week begging the doctors and nurses to tell me where Alice lived.

And after I received her address, I began a new cycle of begging;

This time for the chance to be discharged early.

After spending days pathetically asking, they finally allowed me to leave a few days earlier.

I couldn't describe how great it felt,

Leaving the one place where I was told I would die.

I gave the cashier enough money and walked out with the flowers.

A small smile fell on my lips when I saw my mother waiting for me in the car, smiling at me.

Ever since I had left the hospital, the way she treated me had changed dramatically.

But my brother and father were another story.

"Ready?" she asked me.

I nodded as I put on my seatbelt and took a handwritten card that I had spent many hours writing.

I didn't know what to say;

I was just so grateful that it felt like there were no words which could do justice in describing how I felt.

No too long after, we arrived at the house which matched the address I was given.

I took a deep breath before leaving the car,

Feeling my heart pounding as I got closer,

Hoping that she would be there.

I rang the doorbell and waited.

A middle aged looking woman opened the door with a large smile; a smile which reminded me of Alice.

"May I help you?" she asked, looking at the flowers and card in my hands.

"Is Alice home?" I asked her nervously.

"Yes, may I know your name?"

"Leo."

I was looking down at the ground when I smelled a familiar perfume, causing me to look up.

"Do I know you?" she asked puzzled.

I felt my heart get heavy with disappointment.

"It's me, Leo."

How could she not recognise me?

"I only know one Leo and he doesn't look like you."

I saw tears begin to pool around her eyes before she looked down and wiped them away.

"But Alice, it's me."

"Please just stop. Leo's gone. The doctors told me there was a very small chance that he was going to survive."