Estelle

I stared at Kassia shellshocked. I couldn’t believe her story of what happened to me—her daughter Jessica— at all. Jessica had gotten into a car crash while being with her friend. I managed to stay still and unaffected by her dark tale, but it was hard to listen to. Kassia blew her nose into a tissue right as the doctor rushed back in with a tray that had a bowl of soup and a small container that had my bright red Jello in it. I don’t know why, but the tears started rolling down my cheeks at that moment.

The doctor looked flustered. She placed the tray down on the small coffee table before she addressed me. “Are you okay?”

“It’s just a lot,” I whined. She nodded as she moved her arm behind my back to support me, as she pulled me up a bit into a hug.

The ground started to shake, not doing anything to help with my explosive emotions. Kassia crawled under her chair as well as she could. No amount of air seemed to be enough. I needed more. More, more, more.

“Calm down,” The doctor whispered to me forcibly. I nodded, trying to clear the lump in my throat. “You can do this.”

She moved her arms up and down in the air, leading me in a deep breath exercise. After a few minutes, the ground stopped shaking and Kassia crawled back out of her hiding space and whirled towards the doctor.

“Who do you think you are?” she demanded.

She replied coolly, "I'm Natasha Greene, but to you, I'm Doctor Greene." As Kassia glared at the doctor, her nostrils flared.

She stated forcefully, daring her to disagree, "My daughter and I will be leaving this hospital no later than tonight."

Doctor Greene grinned impishly at her. " Is this something you're doing for her or for yourself, ma'am?"

Kassia moved a step closer, crossing her arms across her chest. "My daughter is the reason behind all I do. I find it unbelievable that you would have that impression of me."

Doctor Greene narrowed her eyes at Kassia. “Is that true?” she mused. “Have you asked her about how she feels about anything?”

Fire blazed in her eyes. “Well, asking her,” she said, pausing to turn and point at me briefly,” in the state she’s currently in is unfair to her. She’s not in a position to make any important decisions right now.”

I interrupted Doctor Greene, speaking in a scratchy voice. “I will make decisions based on what I think I can handle. Not either of you.” I turn toward the doctor in my bed. “Can I go home yet?”

Doctor Greene let out a long sigh. “I can’t restrain you. Honestly, if you want to go, and if you can walk, I will feel somewhat comfortable with you going home.”

Kassia smiles smugly as I hoist myself out of the bed slowly. The doctor offered2 me a hand, but I refused.

“No need,” I said lightly. She nodded and took a step back. My feet landed roughly on the glossy floor, knocking me momentarily off balance. My arms flung in the air wildly until I was able to catch myself.

I walked around the small room, trying to ignore the fact that I was being carefully watched as I did so. I gave a little twirl at the end, to say, Good enough? Am I done?

Doctor Greene nodded with approval and Kassia let out a small breath she was holding in. Greene turned toward Kassia.

“Go to the front desk and sign her discharge papers,” she told her. Kassia nodded and sped away. The doctor anxiously looked out into the hallway before talking to me in a quiet voice.

“You need to be careful,” she warned me. I scoffed.

“Careful of what?” I argued. “A mother who misses her daughter and wants her back home? Yeah, real dangerous.”

Greene walked over to me and grabbed my arm tightly. I tried to wrench it away, but she didn’t let go. Her hazel eyes pierced into me.

“No,” she said without trying to hide her irritation at all. “You have to watch out for those who are trying to get to you. Harm you. Use you. Just be careful.”

I pulled my arm away again and she released me. Her bun was barely wound together anymore. She cracked her knuckles anxiously.

Moving closer to her face, I said, “The only person I have to be afraid of is crazy, superstitious doctors.” She looked at me with a hard expression. Her emotions were being carefully guarded. I was going to question her further, but Kassia entered the room again. Doctor Greene straightened herself and plastered on a fake smile.

She gave me a quick glance, warning me not to say anything about what she’d just told me. She had nothing to worry about. I wanted to forget the interaction myself.

So, I nodded, smiled, and did nothing unusual or that would draw attention to myself. Kassia led me out to her car, and she drove us away from the hospital. With luck, I’ll never have to see her again.