AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She can sleep?”
“She can sleep at her normal time. You might not, but she will.”
The doctor walked off, and I returned to Emily. She was still watching TV, enjoying the cartoons. I poured water into a cup and added one of those flexible straws hospitals are famous for. She sipped and smiled.
“I’m going to get some coffee and make some calls,” I said. “I’ll be back.” I pointed to the call button. “If you need something, hit the button.”
“Am I ok?”
“No, you have a concussion, but you’ll be ok in a day or two. In the meantime, try to remain still. I think the less you move, the better.”
“Sure.”
I kissed her forehead…no fever…and I left the room. The nurses directed me to the cafeteria, where I could get coffee and something to snack on. I found a table and called the people who needed to know what was going on. I would be at the hospital overnight and probably the next day. HR could run itself for that long. Doak was kind enough to talk to me directly and told me to take as much time as I needed. My daughter came first. I debated whether or not to send a text to Codrin. In the end, I succumbed to my desire for attention and sent him a text. I was on my way back to the room when the tears started.
My mother had always told me that tears were a good thing. They washed out the eyes and allowed strong emotions to dissipate. They were natural. Sometimes they came with joy, sometimes with anger, sometimes with relief. There was no need to stifle them. Just find a quiet place and give them free rein. In my case, I found a small divan by the elevators, where I sat and stared at my phone. I hoped the people who saw me would think it was nothing more than a mom fixated on her phone. I wiped away the tears as needed. I controlled my breathing. I sipped my coffee. I was coping.
Concussion.
I told myself that all would be well. Children fell all the time. They broke arms and legs and collar bones, and occasionally, they banged their heads. It was all part of growing up. There was no real protection against accidents. There was only recovery and learning. As difficult as that was to swallow, I forced myself to accept what had happened. The past was the…past.
Emily was still watching the cartoons. I handed her a candy bar, and she grinned. I knew then that she was basically fine. Had she turned down the chocolate, I would have been worried. As she munched, I sipped my coffee and walked through the replies to my texts and email. Everyone understood. Everyone wished for the best. Everyone prayed.
Almost everyone.
There was no reply from Codrin. That stung. I thought he would reach out in some fashion. Emily was practically in love with him. And I needed attention. No, I didn’t need it. I wanted it. I remember something my grandmother used to say…what can’t be changed must be endured. When I was Emily’s age, I didn’t really understand the wisdom of that phrase. Now, I knew exactly what grandmother meant. Life often produced tiresome and painful burdens. If the burdens couldn’t be shed, they must be carried. I reminded myself that Emily would get better.
During the evening, nurses arrived regularly to check on Emily. They always asked for her name, her address, and her phone number. They checked her eyes. They told her she was a very pretty girl who was doing great. The nurses were wonderful. They even brought Emily ice cream, which she ate hungrily. My nervousness shrank. Everything was going according to the laws of the universe. She was healing…enough said.
The pace of the hospital changed as darkness arrived. I managed to fetch another coffee before everything shut down. The caffeine would keep me awake long after I hoped Emily was asleep. Fewer people plied the halls. The noise of the hospital was dampened. A nurse arrived with a pillow and a blanket. The chair I occupied reclined, so I would be able to sleep in a fashion. I knew any sleep would be brief and cramped. A small price to pay for staying with Emily.
I closed the door and dimmed the lights. I checked on Emily one last time before I turned off the TV. Time for sleep. She closed her eyes, and that was all it took. I kicked off my shoes, wrapped up in the blanket, and settled into the recliner. Despite the coffee, I yawned. I closed my eyes. I was more than ready for sleep. I heard the door open. I peeked.
Even in the half-light, I recognized the man with the stuffed teddy bear…
Codrin.
Chapter ten
“Codrin?”Iasked.
He stopped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t. Well, you did, but I can’t really sleep in a hospital room where my daughter is getting through a concussion.”
“Yeah, I know. I got your message.” He held out the teddy bear. “It’s for her.”
“Thanks” then I stood. “We can talk in the hall.”
“Sure”. He said.
We stood to one side in the quiet hall, speaking in low tones, as we did not wish to wake anyone.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I rarely look at texts or emails during the day. I’m focused that way.”
“I thought as much. I sent you a text with the hospital address and room number because Emily likes you. She asks about you.”
“That’s…flattering. You know, I’m not the most social guy in the world. It’s not that I don’t like people. I have things to do. I don’t want to get sidetracked.”
