Mini Short Stories: 2020 Volume 1

Sling - Story 20

I stared at my hand in the sling. It had just registered that I wouldn't be playing in the competition. How could I? The stumble mid-performance which had led to a light and painless blow on my right knuckles had transformed into an inferno of pain which radiated up my arm to my shoulder and upper back. It was eerie the way the pain would retreat and then explode at the slightest provocation. I couldn't escape it.

The doctor was watching me in her patient's chair. I think I was just staring at my hand in the sling which felt awkward. "Two days," she continued, "is simply not enough time to heal and begin a strenuous activity. We need to rest, ice, compress and elevate. You can do that but it's just the beginning of the process."

"But you said my bones aren't broken."

"No they're not. No broken bones," Dr Wang admitted, "but you still could injure yourself if you decide to put it to work too soon." Her advice was that two weeks of rest and medication could help. It was still two weeks and not two days. I would miss the competition. I would not be able to play and perform for the crowds alongside my team. I had been working so hard for this. I knew the music. I had all our dance moves down, but now here I was sitting in a doctor's office in pain from being seated. I closed my eyes and I tried not to grimace when I thought of walking. I sighed. It was actually feeling a bit better after they injected me with Valium. The fact that they gave me medication like that was a sign that I was going to get bad news. I was starting to feel woozy and I think she noticed it.

"Do you have a ride home?" "No, but I can make it." "I'm sorry, maybe-" "It's okay," I lied as I got up quickly and braced against the fresh wave of pain. It was there but less intense thanks to the drugs. "I understand that I won't be playing in the competition. Thanks doctor."

We gave each other sad smiles and turned away. She had more patients and I needed to face reality. As I exited my mind swarmed with all the things I needed to do. I needed to redo my budget to buy medication and food over the next few weeks. And I needed to tell the orchestra that I was out. I was out, but we were a team. I was down, but I could count on my team. We'd make that performance still happen and win the show. I smiled for the first time in hours.