visiting hours
.
angle / noun
a particular way of approaching or considering an issue or problem.
8 hours earlier...
The hospital, late afternoon, inside one of the patient’s room. Weak light seeps through the blinds and falls gently on the linoleum floor. All beds are empty except one, a woman in her late-fifties passes an open door and walks in without hesitation, not her first visit here. She’s wearing a burgundy jacket and a skirt to match, a gray coat hanging loosely on her right arm. She stops abruptly and slowly judges the scene before her, eyes growing wider, a worried and anxious expression changing her features. The only people that she would expect here were the doctor, a nurse, or some cleaning staff. The person sitting on a plastic chair by the bed was none of the above.
Excuse me, who are you?
A young woman jumps up and stands there awkwardly, not sure what to do.
Well, answer the question; who are you and what are you doing to my mother?
Oh hush, Connie. You have always been so demanding, even as a child.
Connie O’Reilly stares in shock at her mother and doesn’t manage to even utter a word. Her mother gives her a dry smile and waves at the girl to sit down. She puts her hands on the covers and waits. It doesn’t look as if she might add anything more. The room goes quiet. Connie’s stare falls on the young woman that scrunches her face and picks up the book from a chair.
I’m just reading to her, you could say I’m a volunteer here, a bit self-proclaimed but all in all dull and harmless. The staff knows that I am here, you can check - I’ll wait here and finish the chapter first if you don’t mind; it’s a good one.
Mrs. O’Reilly stands there indecisive, not sure what she should actually do. Take the girl’s words as the truth or kick her out of the room and barricade the door? She holds the strap of her bag tighter, fingers turning white as she looks for the phone with her other hand, but can’t seem to find it. It was here just a moment ago - she thinks frustrated as the sound of two distinct sighs fills her eardrums at the same time; one is frustrated and belongs to her mother, the other one just seems tired and used to the cluster of it all. Connie looks up and sees the girl get up and hand her a cellphone.
You can call from mine, just not too long - I’m trying not to spend too much money; had a lot of expenses this month.
She stares at her for a moment but manages to get her act together. She lifts her hand and pushes the phone away.
That’s fine, no need. If you were bad news, my mother would have gotten better just to get out of bed, alert the entire hospital, kick you out and then return to her coma state - that’s just the kind of person that she is.
Ah, that’s why we get along so well, it takes one to know one. I’m Eleonore by the way, and you can ask Joan later about me, I know she is your mum’s nurse. No, really, I would do the same if I were you.
Alright, I probably will. One can never be too careful, especially when a family’s well-being is concerned. My name is O’Reilly... Connie.
Well, nice to meet you. It’s good to know that Clare has such good defenders.
Like a bulldog after a bone.
Our stares fall to my mother. She moves her shoulders and looks impatient.
Sorry, Connie. My boss just called. Do you want to listen in too, or maybe have some coffee and a rest at the cafeteria? The choice is up to you; it’s between my bad reading and some dark liquid that pretends to be something better than it is.
I will go with the coffee if you don’t mind.
Not a problem, say hello to Joan from me on your way there.
The girl pretends to look for the right page in the book, but I see the corners of her lips move up.
That I will.
Mrs. O’Reilly can’t help it and smiles as well. It’s been so long since she has been in this hospital room and had anything to smile about. Must be a miracle afternoon, today. She watches as the girl looks up and scrunches her face a peculiar expression; it looks like guilt.
Ehm, Connie?
Yes?
Do you mind being so nice... if you see a handsome and tall male nurse called Charlie, could you deny ever meeting me? Just for now?
And why is that?
Her stare turns suspicious even though she feels it’s a safe choice for her mother; oddly enough.
He’s my friend and tends to be a nosy person, so he can always make sure that I am alright. Drives me crazy and I like to keep things to myself. Is that okay?
She stares at her and then just nods her head.
If I meet him, I will be sure to leave you out of the conversation - for now, that is.
All I’m asking.
Connie leaves the room and goes to look for Joan, just like they both knew she would. As she passes the door, low words break through that seem to flow almost effortlessly.
‘What is Mr. Darcy to me, pray, that I should be afraid of him? I am sure we owe him no such particular civility as to be obligated to say nothing he may not like to hear...’
Her eyes widen a bit, but then she relaxes with a small smile on her face. Pride and Prejudice; her mother’s favorite, how strange. She walks out and after a moment notices the nurse she was looking for. Her body language immediately changes - back straight and jacket fixed - she charges on, moving like a professional.
Joan, I have been to my mother and found a peculiar guest there. Do you wish to fill me in on anything?
Mrs. O’Reilly. Good to see you.
Thank you, but leave the pleasantries for now.
Alright then. Let’s call it a book club meeting and senior therapy put into one. I don’t think I got more satisfying words for it, but that girl’s presence seems to make your mother feel better, so I let her stay on probation.
On probation, you say?
She has a strong character.
Just like my mother, they seem to work well together. I’m just in a bit of a shock.
Don’t worry, she is known in the hospital, and despite her somewhat harsh appearances, she is trustworthy.
I should hope so, Joan. How long has she been seeing her?
Not too long, about a week. Clare’s vitals have improved.
How could that even happen in such a short time? How did she manage it?
It’s a mystery, but if I can be honest with you, I think that girl has gone through a lot and can relate to loss. You can just tell when her guard isn’t up - and she seems to lower it for your mother. It’s hard to explain the whole situation, but somehow it works.
Alright, I see. Yes, we all came across with loss sometime in our lives. I’m going to the cafeteria now since I unexpectedly gained a babysitter. Could you possibly...
Of course, I check up on them every so often. Couldn’t be doing this job if I wasn’t always on alert.
Good, thank you. When I’ll come back, you will explain to me exactly how her health is.
She passes the reception and heads down the hallway. Her stare drifts absentminded while a tall frame comes into view. She looks up and notices the name tag. His name slips out of her mouth before she can even notice it.
C h a r l i e.
He looks up and furrows his eyebrows, a polite smile appearing on his face as he comes over.
Yes?
Excuse me, I don’t know why I said that out loud. My mind is all over the place today, you wouldn’t even believe.
That’s quite alright. Not a problem.
His smile turns warmer as if he understands and then turns back to the desk and starts to look through some medical files. Oh, what a day, Connie, what a day. She walks up to the elevators and thinks about a strange girl in her mother’s room and her handsome friend. Maybe she should go for tea instead, God knows that she had too enough excitement for one day - she thinks and hears the door to the elevator slip open. Once inside she presses the right button and feels the machine spring into life. A little break will do her good.
____________
Everything alright in here?
I look up and see Joan walk in. Ah, then the gossip had already spread. I get myself prepared for whatever she had to say. I didn’t want to leave Mrs. Wilson just yet, but I was prepared for any option.
Yes, perfect. Was just finishing up, I’m so tired that I almost fell asleep during the reading.
My gaze falls on Clare, and she sends me a look as if she knows better.
Fine, I fell asleep and snored. Is that better?
I look at my temporary patient, and she just nods once. My stare drifts to Joan as I put the book away on the nightstand.
I had an unexpected visitor today and I’m guessing you already got the report in two copies and signed.
I did. That and a humble list of demands from her after catching up with her mother’s health.
I can imagine. But she’s alright with me being here or do I need to pack my bags and never come back into town?
You’re on double probation.
Same old, same old. Message received and understood.
I nod and grab my bag. Then I look back to the woman.
And, how is she? Because she seems better but in truth, I have no medical knowledge, so I rather hear it from you.
She’s improving but it’s a slow process. We try not to look too far into the future, but the prognoses look promising. Yet, we must also remember about her age and physical state, there is...
I hear my phone ring and slid it out from a back pocket, then check the screen. I gaze at Joan and put a finger on my mouth, to let her know to be quiet. She rolls her eyes and her expression clearly states, “You’re going to have to tell him someday”. I shake my head but smile. I pick up and listen to his voice.
Ehm, no. I’m actually back at the hospital... to see you?
I pause for a moment and hear him out, I try not to moan. Then the corners of my lips lift. I start to pace back and forth in the hallway and then return to the room. I was getting impatient quickly. The pains that started in the middle of the night really took away my energy, I felt drained. I notice my left hand begins to shake, hold the phone tighter and put my other hand into my jacket. Too much coffee, no sleep, no food. I try to focus on his words.
You’re overthinking. I can sense it... The same thing if you ask me, equally annoying. But beyond the point. Why are you calling; to check up on me?
I listen to his answer and feel my stomach shrink by half. Finally, after a moment, I manage to finish the call.
I’ll be waiting by the entrance in 20 minutes.
I put the phone away and look at Joan.
You’re going to have to tell him.
I know.
Then, where’s the problem exactly?
She crosses her arms and gives me the same stern expression that all my teachers gave me at school. I wasn’t an easy child, and as a teenager, I broke my own records. I take a deep breath and outstretch my hands as if looking for the right words.
It’s difficult to say. If I tell him, he will start to ask all these never-ending questions and I just don’t have the patience for it now. My health is off and... alright, I know how this will sound weird, but for now, I want this to be just for me.
He’s a good and caring man, Eleonore. I’m sure he will understand whatever you fear to tell him.
I look surprised at her and feel a blush spreading on my face, feeling naked and exposed when she stares at me like that. As if she knows the real me and all the things that I have done.
What do you mean?
I think you know. We all have secrets we are not willing to share, but it’s also good to open up once in a while. Trust me, I have seen what keeping things inside does to your body and mind. After all, I do work in a hospital if you haven’t noticed yet.
She gives me a small smile. We spend a few minutes talking about Clare, and then she leaves the room. I turn my head and look at the fragile woman lying on the bed, and her peaceful body as she sleeps. I felt there was still hope for her and liked to think that I had something to do with it.
I move past the hallway and head for the entrance. On my way out I notice Clare’s daughter; we pass each other, nod, but don’t say anything. Time passes and a few minutes later I see him coming my way. My thoughts return to the state I got myself into this morning and how he wasn’t at the hospital. The growing pains and not being able to reach him. I make a decision; It was necessary for me to always reach him, while he still let me be around. So, after that exhausting day, I made him take me to his place; because I needed to feel safe in a world that wanted me gone. A world filled with universal laws of cause and effect that in some dark and twisted way set me as its personal prey. Someone made sure I paid for my bad deeds. Unfortunately, I knew who that someone was, yet couldn’t let my mind focus on it in fear that I might fall apart completely.
I didn’t have that luxury anymore.
_____________
Last 3 chapters
14. https://theprose.com/post/268834/captured-moments
15. https://theprose.com/post/270473/living-arrangements
16. https://theprose.com/post/274615/the-socializing-street
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