Most of the Time

Chapter 15

The weeks following were somehow even better than the beginning of the summer. I contribute that to the weight that is Justin lifted off my shoulders. I no longer thought of him. No more he likes me, he likes me not. He is just a friend and I'm okay with that. That made hangouts with the group much easier. David and I were able to goof around without being criticized by Justin because I might "hurt myself." But we never did anything too unsafe. I was able to talk to Hannah without giving her a jealous glare, which was nice. We actually felt like a healthy group of friends, drama free.

I went to my appointment at the hospital by myself this time. I made my Dad wait in the car. The receptionist knew my name, so I didn't have to talk. I sat in the waiting room, wrapped in my oversized hoodie. It was colder then usual. The distinct hospital smell filled my nose. Like clockwork "Lets Make a Deal" played on the small television hung at the top of the corner wall. Soon I see Angie in her green scrubs walking toward me.

"Why are you alone?" she asks

"I'm not, my dad's in the car" I tell her

"Well I can't hold your hand and change your dressings at the same time" she reminds me

"I know" I assure her
Angie tried to be extra gentle, but you can only be so gentle pulling tape off flesh. I clinched my fist, digging my nails into my palms. It didn't pale in comparison to squeezing someone else's hand.

"You're wound is almost closed Em."

I picked my head up from the exam table to see what she's talking about. My eyes were shut so hard that a tear fell down my face when I opened my eyes. She was right. It was almost closed. I wasn't sure if I should be happy or sad. Who am I when I'm not the injured girl? The crippled girl. Or who will I become? I asked myself these questions as Angie taped fresh gaze to my belly. The infection was gone so she pulled the two tubes out of my right butt check and right side. It hurt less than I thought it would.

"Great Em, so you're taking all your medication right"

"Yes" I answer confidently

"And on time?" she asks

"Yes" I answer with the same confidence. Between my mom, Lily and Justin there was no way I could forget

"How are you feeling?" She asks

"Pretty good. I'm not died" I say and surprisingly I wasn't lying. I felt weak, nauseous at times, my nose even stopped bleeding so overall pretty good. Angie was skeptical and I couldn't blame her. I lie to her too much.

"Well I'm still going to refill your tramadol prescription just in case. Take it only when you need it and eat slowly" she reminds me

"okay doc" I answer

I walked out of the hospital to the car tube free. I gave my dad a twirl before getting in the car so he could notice

"Wow look at you. You're a whole new girl" my dad says

The entire car ride I clutched the door handle. I don't mind my dad's driving, it's just a little too fast for my liking. We picked up the prescription from Walmart before heading home.

I text Lily, "Let's get ice cream"

"Should I invite everyone?"

"Yes"

"I'll be there in 15"

I love how Lily would drop everything to hang out me. She is the only one that I can depend on. I go to the kitchen to show my mom my tube free body.

"Look mommy I'm free" I say

"What she took it off?" she explained. "I should have been there. Why did Nurse Angie do that so early? I would hate for you to have to put the tubes back in. I think she did it too early" She says laying her cold hands on my forehead to check my temperature/