A Little Sane

Chapter 123

Jerome set on the hospital bed at the end facing Mercedes. He continued to hold up the easy word practice flashcards the hospital has provided them. He gave Mercedes a genuine smile. The card had a picture of  yellow cartoon duck. Jerome thought this was slightly silly, but he could understand why it might help Mercedes. 

"What about this one doll face? Can you tell me what this is?"

Mercedes stared at the card. She took in a deep breath. This was going to be the time she spoke a word. She opened her mouth to speak, but only broken noises left her lips. She looked away sadly. Jerome sighed. He tried to hold up another card with candy on it.

"What about this one?"

 Tears slowly streamed down her face as she tried to say candy in vain. She shook her head no. Jerome leaned forward and wiped away her tears. He gave her a small smile.

"It's okay baby.. You'll get it.."

Mercedes shook her head no. She was tired of staring at the flashcards. They had gone through the cards a total of ten times at that point. She couldn't say any of them. She was tired of trying. Jerome sighed. 

"Come on doll face.. You just need practice. Mercedes you got this.."

Mercedes shook her head no again. Jerome protested and held up another card. 

"Come on. Just try."

Jerome asked her to try five more times while she continued to shake her head no. Mercedes finally had enough. She slapped the cards out of his hands. They landed all over the floor. She stood up from the bed and paced the floor. Her tears were heavy. Jerome was taken back by her outburst. 

"Hey.. I know this is difficult.."

Mercedes shot him a glare. He stood up from the bed and was firm when he spoke.

"You'll never get better if you don't keep trying."

Mercedes picked up a few of the cards and threw them at Jerome. She started waving her hands around angrily and shouting muffled, broken sounds while heavily crying. Mercedes focused on Jerome. He was annoyed at her acting like a brat. His mood changed when she started speaking to him from her mind. 

"We've done this ten times Jerome! I'm tired! I don't want to try anymore! I want to speak! I don't want to be stuck speaking through my mind! I'm done!"

 Jerome looked at Mercedes who was violently crying. She turned to start hitting the wall, but Jerome grabbed her before she could.

"Don't you'll hurt your hand.."

She started pounding her fists into his chest. Jerome cupped her face and stood still as she took her anger out. He finally started to pull her close.

"Hey.. Hey.. It's okay.."

Mercedes stopped hitting him and buried her face in his shoulder. She wrapped her arms around him and her muffled cries filled the air. Jerome rubbed gentle circles on her back. 

"You can be done.. I'm so sorry I pushed you.. I just want to help.. I should back off some.."

Jerome held her tighter. Mercedes pushed him off of her and placed her hand on her stomach. Her crying continued. Jerome realized he had forgotten her injury. He stepped forward and put his hand on. 

"Mercedes I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your stiches."

She held out her hand to stop him as she caught her breath. Her crying slowed. She finally looked up and slowly nodded. A small knock landed on the wall. They both turned to see Lee.