Chapter Six
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“Eileen…Eileen. You need to take some more medicine,” the nurse says gently.
“Is it tomorrow already?” I ask.
“Yes, and rumors of your story time yesterday have spread like wild fire. There are children who want to hear another one today if you’re up to it,” the nurse says.
I yawn and smile, “Well, bring them on in when they are ready. I’d like the distraction.”
Within minutes I hear the children shushing each other in their eagerness so I can begin. I smile at their excitement, then…
With a deep breath I begin my story, my voice like a symphony conducted by me, “This story is about a girl and her cat. The young girl’s name was Alana and she had violet eyes the same as her feline friend. They were the best of friends…”
After the story the children leave to get back to their daily routine. My nurse takes me outside for some fresh air after changing the bandage on my arm again. Listening to the birds, the laughter of children, and the leaves rustling in the trees makes me feel like I can see again. The image of the courtyard pulses in my mind when I hear someone walk across the pavers or the creak of a bench when someone sits down. Smiling at the image I touch my bad arm with my good hand trying to feel it. My smile falters when I notice I still don’t have feeling in my arm. It is cold and lifeless resting in my lap. Being blind is hard enough but not being able to use my arm on top of that… How am I going to be able to live my life? I let a tear fall not bothering to wipe it away and tell the nurse I am ready to go inside.
Doctor Kota comes in to look at my arm. I can tell he is worried that there is no progress. He tries to give me slight comfort; “The blood is circulating well so that is the good news. We need to exercise the muscles in your arm until you can move it on your own. We don’t want them to get too stiff. I’ll have the physical therapist come in to work with you.”
“So you think I will be able to move it then? You don’t think it will stay the way it is?” I ask afraid of the answer.
The only noise is the beeping of my vital machines for a good while. I start counting to keep my mind off of the idea my arm might never be mobile again. 1. 2. 3. 4…10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15…
Then he sighs, “I wish I knew the answer to that Eileen. More than likely… you will not be able to use it again, but there is still hope and we are not going to give up,” he says taking my good hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.
Sadly, it isn’t reassuring at all. “When will the therapist come by?” I ask trying to seem optimistic. Even if it doesn’t help, it isn’t like I have anything better to do while I am here.
“She will come by after you eat something. Get your energy up first. Every little bit helps. Tonight there will be another doctor on the floor but I am on call if you need to talk to me,” he offers.
“On call?” I ask confused. “But you’ve been here for the past four days. Have you even gotten any sleep? Why would you be on call?”
He laughs, “I do get some sleep here at night you know. But you are right. I normally wouldn’t be on call. But your nurses know I am on call for you tonight.”
I take in a sharp breath surprised, “For me? Why? I’m not a high risk patient or anything.”
“Because I know how hard this is for you. I know you don’t have any support from home or otherwise right now and I want you to know that someone is there if you need to talk. When my wife lost her sight there were many nights I spent awake with her so I could listen to her express her loss. When she was done crying and talking I would take her out on midnight walks so I could describe everything I saw, so she could see again through my eyes. I know losing your sight isn’t easy. And you shouldn’t have to bare it alone. So yes Eileen, I’m on call if you need me.”
I don’t say anything for a while but I start to cry, “Thank you Doc. That means a lot. I’ll call you if I need to but don’t worry, get some rest. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“You’re a brave, strong young woman Lily. I know you’re going to be all right. You’ll pull through and you’ll learn how to live independently again. It’ll take time, but I know you can do it. I’m going to go speak with the PT then head home. You have a good night Eileen.” He opens the door to leave.
“Thanks, you too Doc,” I say really appreciating what he said.
When the physical therapist comes I start to zone out feeling like I am on autopilot as I try to absorb all that has happened to me since the car accident and the shooting. For the next three days I do the daily routine not really concentrating on what’s going on. Instead my mind wanders. I missed four years of my life. I missed out on Prom, college, life at home with my mom, possible dates with Brad… Now I’ve pushed Brad away, my mom can’t stand to look at me, and I have no one but the hospital staff and the children who listen to my stories everyday. The worst part is, I’m useless. I can’t see and my right arm is dead at my side.
A week has gone by since my surgery and I am just finishing a story I was sharing with the children when I hear someone enter the room.
“Miss East may I talk to you privately?” the male voice sounds familiar.
I nod, “Of course.”
The nurse says in a slightly concerned voice, “Okay children. Story time is over.” She must be confused why this person would be visiting me; “I’ll come and check on you in a few minutes Eileen.” No one has visited me since Brad left, since before my surgery.
“Thank you,” I say to the nurse.
When the door closes the man who came in walks over to the side of my bed.
“What is it you wish to talk about?” I ask. He doesn’t say anything. Where do I know his voice from and why is he so quiet? “We better hurry up. My nurse will be returning soon.”
Another moment of silence, then he says, “I was sent to make sure you really were blind and could not time travel.”
“Oh,” I start to feel my heart beat faster with sadness at the words he just spoke, “You know I almost forgot I was blind for a moment. The stories give me energy and it is like I can see them in my head. Can you imagine almost forgetting what a color looks like? I guess it is a good thing I can’t time travel, right? I can’t see anyone or anything.” I cry a little. I have always hated the fact that I can time travel, but now it seems part of me is gone.
“I am sorry Miss East. I wish there was something I could do,” he sounds sincere.
“Me too,” I wipe my tears.
“I really must be going,” he gets up from the chair.
“Wait. Can you tell me how the Trinity’s are? Did they get the information on the terrorist mission?”
“Better ask Brad,” he says.
I feel my hand start shaking and grasp the blanket tightly to try to calm nerves, “He…He…umm…hasn’t comeback.”
There is a long pause before he says, “Oh.”
“Has his dad heard from him at all?” I ask in desperation. It would be nice to hear some kind of news of him.
“No. We just thought he was here.”
Oh no. My heart rate picks up slightly and I feel a little sick. Where has he gone? Will he ever come back? “Well I’m sure he’s fine. You think he’s fine right? Maybe I should call him or…”
“I don’t think it will be much help. He won’t answer his phone. Maybe he’ll answer if you call though,” he says the last part realizing he probably just shot down any hope I had.
“Oh…where is time travel when you need it? If only I could go back a week ago I could take back what I said. I shouldn’t have told him to get out. I just didn’t want him to see me cry. I hate when people can see me cry. I don’t want them to think I’m weak.”
“I would never think you were weak Miss East. Not after what I saw you do in area 57. I saw you jump from the vent and craw your way to the gate. I had no idea a girl of such a young age could have
such determination. That was amazing. I have never looked at women as the weaker of our species since.”
So that’s why I recognize his voice, “Thank you Tom.”
“My pleasure…wait how do you know my name?”
“I heard you and the other guard lady talking before I jumped out of the vent. She was talking about the FBI wanting to run tests on me.”
“Oh. That is some good memory.”
I nod, if only I could remember what everything looks like, “It is all I have left. Do you know if my mother is okay? It’s just, now she works two jobs and I haven’t seen her or heard from her since I woke from my coma. The doctor said she was here every Tuesday and Thursday for the first year. Then the bills got to be too much for her, so she had to work.
“She’s fine. Actually we have a little surprise for her. She won the lottery and so we are going to present it to her. She has only bought one ticket in the past 5 months and yesterday she won.”
“How do you know? The lottery comes on tomorrow.”
“Statistics. Dante is really smart and he always knows who will win.”
I feel more tears, this time of happiness for my mother. Maybe this will help her heal a little. Especially after all she’s been through due to my accident, “Wow. That’s great. So now my mom won’t need to work. Thanks for letting me know. I really appreciate it!”
“Anything for the Legendary Miss East,” he smiles through his words.
“Oh I have something for you to take back. Do you see a bag over on the wall? In my right shoe I have my hologram. I think I got the information while I was in a coma. I know that sounds weird but I just kind of have this feeling I finished that assignment. I just can’t remember.”
“I’ll take a look and send you word about it. I need to get going. Thank you Miss East.”
“Thank you Tom. Be careful!”
“I will,” he walks out and closes my door behind him.
Before I even know it I fall asleep. About an hour later someone pulling on my hospital sleeve awakens me. It turns out to be one of the children asking for another story. Of course I can’t say no to him. When the other children come back I share one more story. My voice is sore from the story telling - and possibly the long nights crying. It is nice though. The children make me feel like there is something to live for.
Using the phone by my bed I call my mom feeling the buttons before I press them and hoping I don’t misdial.
“Hello?” she asks quiet sleepily.
“Hi Mom. It’s me Lily.”
She starts to cry, “Oh Lily. You’re awake! Oh, I’m so glad.”
“What?”
“You finally came out of the coma.”
“Mom, I have been out of a coma for a week now. You were here, but then you left…”
“Oh my God.” She pauses. “I’m so sorry Lily. I thought that was all a dream… I didn’t know how to deal with your situation and didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Please forgive me Lily. I have been working two jobs. I get home at mid-night. I am so tired I can’t even go up the stairs to go to bed. I have just been sleeping on the couch. When can you come home?”
I guess I can understand her trying to forget it ever happened. I would if I could, “I had an operation on my arm. I needed to get the bullet cut out of it.”
“Lily…I am such a bad mother…I don’t know how to handle all of this. Once I started to get final notices I knew I really needed to buckle down and work. Then when you told me you couldn’t see… I just couldn’t take it all.”
“There is nothing to forgive. Mom, you have done so much for me. You have given up your life so you can work and pay for me to get better. We are both going to have to cope with my blindness but it will work out as long as we have each other. I promise.”
“Oh darling, my precious angel, I am so sorry I wasn’t there with you”
“Mom, can you promise me something?” I ask.
She sounds as if she smiles at that, “I can try.”
“If something happens tomorrow sometime around your lunch break will you come visit me?”
“Why would something happen then?”
I smile, “I just have a feeling.”
“Good or bad?
“Good. Really good,” I give a big smile through the phone hoping she can hear it.
“Alright I promise. I need to get back to work honey. I love you!”
“I love you too Mom,” I say hanging up the phone and laying my head back on the pillow.
I breathe with relief when I hear someone enter my room. How am I just now realizing that someone visited me last night while I was sleeping? This must be the same person. I hear them gently pull out the chair and sit down.
Then I say in a solid voice, “Who’s there?”
They don’t say anything.
“Don’t act like you aren’t there, I heard you come in. You came in here last night too, didn’t you? What do you want from me?”
The person slowly gets up, puts the chair back and takes a step toward the door.
“Don’t you dare leave without telling me your name.”
They keep walking. I sit up quickly, slip off the bed and try my best to walk to the door. I trip over something and land on my bad arm. I fall on it and I still can’t feel it! I scramble to my feet and move again for the door. “Who are you? Why won’t you say anything? Do you enjoy hurting me like this? Just because I am blind does not mean I can’t see you are a coward. So scared of a girl who can’t see. The next time you come in my room without letting me be more than aware of your presence I’ll call the police, and if that doesn’t work…”
“Okay. I get it,” he says.
“Brad?”
“Yeah it’s me,” He takes my good hand and pulls me towards him. He gives me a hug.
I draw back, startled by his secrecy. “You jerk. How could you do that to me? I thought you were dead.” I pull him into a tight hug, with my good arm, crying into his shoulder. “I’m so glad to finally hold you. I just wanted you to leave, as in to sit in the waiting room for an hour, so I could cry. I hate when you see me cry. I hate when anyone sees me cry. I guess now I am more immune to it. I’m not as embarrassed, since I can’t see anything. I was scared.”
He pulls back, “You were scared?”
I nod. “Yes. I’m just normally brave about it. I can handle getting shot at and breaking bones but I can’t handle being blind and heart broken.”
He pulls me back into a hug, “I’m sorry I worried you so much and that I wasn’t here for you. I didn’t think you wanted me here. I thought you were mad because I said I loved you. I thought you must still love Jared.”
“About that… I was never in love with him. Jared broke up with me before the mission. I tried to tell you, but you just assumed I had a boyfriend. It seemed easier than explaining to you my rules that I have set for myself. Rules I set to protect myself from men. The last time we saw each other at my car, you know, after the mission? That was my first kiss. That is why Jared broke up with me. He broke up with me because I wasn’t ready to kiss him, because I didn’t love him. Brad, I love you. I loved from that first mission. I loved you when you carried me to the helicopter. I still love you. I know I’m just your assignment. But I feel so relieved to finally say, I love you.” I feel so full of emotion that my head is spinning. I step back from him and slowly try to find my way back to my bed with the little dignity I have left.
Unexpectedly, he turns me around to face him again, “Of course I still love you!” He picks me up and gives me the most passionate kiss I have ever encountered. Fireworks go off in my head and my heart is pounding so hard; I think it will come out of my chest. I feel as light as a feather. I feel as though I fit perfectly into his arms, as though we were made for this kiss.
Still kissing me he lies me down on the bed. Then we part. “You need your rest. I’ll be he
re when you wake up.”
“Can’t I have a good night kiss?” I smile in the direction of his voice.
He bends down and gives me an even sweeter kiss than that of the one before. I forgot that joy like this could exist after all the pain my heart has gone through. He pulls the blanket over me, up to my chin and kisses my forehead. “Goodnight Lily.”
“Goodnight. Wait, Brad, what ever happened to Chad? You, know, the guy who was driving.”
A sound comes from Brad that could almost be described as a growl, “He didn’t get more than a scratch on him. He’s off at some out of state collage on a football scholarship.”
Nodding, “That’s good. I’m glad he didn’t die in the accident. We never did get around to talking about whatever it was he needed to say.”
Brad sighs, “Whatever it was isn’t important now and you shouldn’t worry about it. Just get some rest.” As I relax into the pillow his fingers trail across my cheek in a light caress just before I fall asleep.
I dream Brad and I are walking through a garden and having a picnic. Just like one of the stories I told the children. We go to the river and he kisses me passionately again like he did tonight. Then when I open my eyes I can see again. I can see Brad’s eyes. Wait. What color are Brad’s eyes? I can’t remember the color of his eyes.
“Wake up Eileen. Eileen I think you having a nightmare. I need to change your bandage,” the nurse says.
I sit up, “Brad? Brad where are you?”
“Who is Brad dear?”
“Well…he is my soldier,” I whisper to her. “He was here last night. He said he would be here when I woke up.” I’m frantic with worry and fear.
“Maybe it was just a dream dear,” she sounds sympathetic.
“No; it couldn’t have been. I tripped over something on the floor and I fell on my arm,” I point to the general area that I fell. “It didn’t feel it but it had to be real. He carried me back to my bed. I can’t see where I’m going, so I couldn’t have found my way back that easily.”
The nurse looks at my arm. “It is pretty bruised and your bandage is ripped. You definitely hit it on something. Maybe he just went to the bathroom. I’m sure he’ll be back. Can you tell me what he looks like?”
“He is over six feet tall. His hair is a golden blonde cut short. He has tan skin. I think he is wearing a t-shirt. Yes, he was wearing a t-shirt and jeans. I don’t remember what color his eyes were. He smells like snuggle fabric softener and Paul Sebastian men’s cologne.”
“That is good enough I think. I’ll let the staff know,” the nurse says.
“Thank you. Wait! What is your name?”
“Lacey.”
Nodding I say, “Thank you Lacey.”
“You’re welcome Eileen.” Lacey pats my hand; “I’ll be right back to change your bandage.”
“Okay.” I lay my head down, but I just can’t sleep.
A little finger pokes my good shoulder, “Claire! Claire! I found your soldier! He was by the coffee machine talking to a very excited lady. I brought both of them to see you.”
“Who might you be?” I ask, sitting up with a smile.
“I’m Charlie,” the little boy says. I can imagine him rocking back and forth on his feet.
“Well Charlie, thank you very much. You can call me Lily. All my friends call me Lily.”
I hear him take in a deep breath as if being a friend to a celebrity, “You’re my friend?”
“Yep. Now who have you brought to see me?”
I hear his footsteps run out my door and his grumbling efforts to bring them inside.
“Lily. Oh Lily, dear. Oh how is my baby?” my mom says running over to my bed and giving me the biggest bear hug.
I cringe from the pain where the surgery was, the only part of my arm I can feel, but hug her back with my good arm. “I’m a lot better mom. So tell me why you’re not working.”
“I won the lottery!!!”
I smile, “That’s terrific mom!”
“Do you know what this means?”
“What?”
“I can take care of you now. I don’t need a job. I don’t know how to take care of you, but I am going to try.”
“That’s great mom. I’m so happy for you.” I give her a bigger smile.
“Don’t forget soldier. He’s right here,” Charlie says excitedly.
“Hey Lily,” Brad says sounding a little tight nerved.
Maybe he is embarrassed. I clear my throat, “I thought you left.”
“I didn’t think you would wake up so soon. I was just going to get a drink. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”
“It’s alright. I just was worried it was a dream. The nurse said I looked like I was having a nightmare.”
“Did you have a bad dream sweetheart?” my mom asks with a worried tone and brushing my hair back away from my face.
Not exactly, “No. I’m fine. Mom do you remember Brad?”
“Yes; didn’t he come with those two counselors?” she asks.
“Yes; he did. Mom this is Brad. Brad this is my Mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you again Mrs. East.” Brad says.
Not wanting the little boy to be left out, “Brad, Mom, this is my friend Charlie. He is one of my biggest fans for Story Time.”
“Not one of the biggest. I am her Biggest Fan. And her and I are friends. I get to call her Lily,” he says with the most excited voice I have heard from him yet.
“You have a story time?” my mom asks interested.
“Yeah. I tell a story every day for the children. Today the kids are helping decorate the lounge. The are going to have a party in the play room in a few days so I have a mini vacation so to speak.”
“That’s terrific honey.”
“Are you going to the party Lily?” asks Charlie.
“I guess I could come. I’ll have to see what Doctor Kota says first.”
“Good. Don’t tell anyone but there is going to be a surprise,” he whispers.
“Well then I guess I must be there,” I smile.
“Yes!” he yells.
I laugh a little at that. He is such a sweet boy and he is the one who brought me back my soldier, “It’s good to be excited. I’ll meet you at the party.”
Charlie runs off in his excitement to help decorate.
“Honey, I am going to let you rest. I’ll be back later,” she gives me a hug and a kiss goodbye. Her footsteps fade in the distance.
Brad sits down next to me on the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Happy! Very, very happy,” I smile full of joy.
“That’s great. How is the pain?”
“Oh. I guess I am just so filled with emotion I forget I am in the hospital. You know, sometimes I forget I am blind. I remembered I was blind during my dream. I was standing with you, but when I looked at your eyes I couldn’t remember what color they were.”
“Blue. They are blue.”
I smile, “I like the color blue. I think your eyes have a few gold specks in the center. Do they have gold specks in the center?”
“Yes.”
I sigh relieved to know for sure, “I thought they would. That’s the part that tells your story.”
“Does your arm hurt? From last night?”
“The nurse said it’s bruised but I haven’t been able to feel my arm since the surgery.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
I sigh again not really wanting to talk about it, “The doctor told me the surgery wouldn’t be easy. He said that because the bullet had been in my arm for so long and it was lodged in so deeply paralysis might be unavoidable. So far it looks like I won’t regain the feeling. I was a big risk taking it out bit I could have died from infection if the doctor hadn’t.”
Brad pulls me into his arms, “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you Lily. You needed me and I was too busy assuming you were mad at me to notice.
”
“It’s okay. You’re here now. That’s what matters,” I say not wanting him to feel guilty. It’s not his fault I was shot, not his fault I lost four years of my life. I don’t even blame Chad. It was just three things happening all at once that I didn’t have any control over.
Brad pulls back I guess to look me over. Suddenly I feel self-conscious knowing I have probably lost a lot of weight over the past week. “Do you still have the time stone I gave you?”
I smile. That is not what I was expecting but at least it is something I can answer and it is a change of subject. “Of course I do. I keep it in the pocket of my gown and take it out whenever I’m alone with my thoughts. It helps keep me calm when I feel it’s cold smooth surface. If I’m not careful I might rub away the engravings.”
Brad laughs, “If you do I’ll ask Dante to touch it up.”
“Thank you Brad for the stone. I really do love it.”
“I’m glad. Do you want me to hit the nurse button? I see you still need your bandage changed.”
I forgot, “Yeah. She was probably just giving us time to talk. I forgot about it.”
He hits the nurse button and Lacey comes back in to change my bandage. Before I know it she and Brad have me smiling and happy again. Letting my mind wander away from dismal thoughts.
“How does your face feel?” Brad asks when we are alone.
“My face?” I feel my face with my hand wondering what could be wrong with it.
“Well you have this line that reminds me of Jim Carey’s smile but it is so big it looks painful.”
I smile a little bigger with a laugh, “Is there anything wrong with being happy?”
“Nothing at all,” he says.
“It is hard to believe I have been here for over a week now.”
“The time flew by?” he asks.
I shake my head, “Not really. Actually it went by really slowly. It is just going to take a while to get used to all the change. Tom said that I couldn’t time travel anymore so that should make things easier. It’ll make me less scared of the future. Knowing I won’t end up in the past not being able to see where I’m going.”
“You can’t time travel anymore? How do you know Tom?” he asks surprised on both accounts.
“I heard him and his partner talking outside the vent before I jumped. Anyway, he was sent here to make sure I really was blind and that I couldn’t time travel. I haven’t time traveled since the accident. I used to time travel at least once a day. It looks like you will have to be the next FBOGT agent. Or is it FBOG agent now that I am not a teen?”
There is a pause and I imagine he shakes his head, “They know that my power is not strong enough to help them. They still make me practice and give me exercises to try, but I haven’t really progressed. Are you happy you can’t time travel?”
“I am happy I can’t time travel blind, but I feel like a part of me is missing. Have you talked to Tom?”
“No. I haven’t why?” he asks.
“I gave him my hologram. I think it might have intercepted some of the information when I was in between the time zones. He said he would send me word if it did.”
“Oh. What makes you think it retained some of the information?”
“Because I remember being there. I know it sounds strange but it’s like I’m remembering someone else’s experience there but I know it was me.”
Brad changes the subject not really worried, “Do you want anything to eat or drink? I can go down to the cafeteria if you want,” he stands as if to go.
“No that’s okay. I only eat when they tell me I have to. I am just not hungry or thirsty. Besides I like you right here beside me.”
Brad lies down beside me and pulls me to him. He leans back a little and kisses me like he did last night. We part for a moment and he whispers in my ear, “I love you, Eileen Lillian East. I love you so much.” Then he goes back to the passionate kiss, that is absolutely wonderful and that I don’t want to end.
This time I pull back and whisper my reply, “And I love you. I love you with all my heart.”
He kisses my forehead, my right cheek, my left, and then my lips again. “Just go to sleep now. I promise I will be here when you wake up. I hear you have some stories to tell. You need your rest.”
“Stay with me,” I wish aloud.
“I’m here and not going anywhere.”
So I lean against his shoulder and fall asleep with him gently rubbing my cheek, running his fingers through my hair, and brushing his hand on my arm.
“Good morning sweetheart,” Brad says.
I wake up with Brad’s hand in mine. He must be sitting in the chair. I squeeze his hand three times and he returns the gesture.
“Good morning. Is it time for my PT?” I ask.
“In a few minutes she should be here.”
I nod, “What about Doctor Kota? Has he come in yet?”
“He hasn’t. But I’m sure he’ll come see you soon. The nurse says you’ll be doing PT twice a day now. Maybe that is a good sign,” he says hopefully.
I sigh not really counting on it, “Maybe, maybe not. We’ll just have to see I guess.”
Doctor Kota comes in and is glad to see that I am livelier and actually eating my food. Mom apparently called Brad and told him to make sure I eat or she would hold him responsible. When Doctor Kota looks at my arm though he isn’t happy. “These bruises are not going to help with your therapy and some of your stiches have torn. The nurse told me I needed to take a look but I wasn’t expecting this. I’m going to have to remove them and re-stich your arm to make sure it is cleaned well and bandaged. After all of that you’ve been through we don’t want it to get infected.”
I hadn’t realized the fall was so bad. Brad holds my hand during the whole procedure. Despite the fact I feel nothing in my arm the surgery spot is very painful and getting the stiches out, having the wound cleaned, and then getting stiches put back in is excruciating. I feel worse for Brad though. His hand is stuck in my vice grip as I try to bare the pain. Doctor Kota even gave me something to help numb it but no such luck.
After he is finished my arm constantly throbs in pain surrounded by the void that is the rest of my arm. It is the strangest feeling and nothing compares. The next few days go by much the same as the one before it. Brad is by my side all of the time unless my mother is there to give him a break. The nurses come in regularly to change the bandage on my arm and Doctor Kota comes in to look at it resulting in his disappointment.
I try to keep a smile on my face for my mom and Brad, to stay strong for them. I know it is hard on me but it might be harder on them. They can’t do anything to help me and they don’t know what it’s like for me no matter how badly they want to. Getting my mind off of my situation seems to be their goal and sometimes it works.
Mom tells me about what it was like working her two jobs. All the people she met and funny stories about the strangest customers. Brad updates me on the news and anything Dante has come up with from my hologram. Surprisingly he has gotten a lot and keeps getting more. Maybe I am in two places at once. Why not? I was in one place twice at the same time when I saw me at a younger age.
It’s the day of the party and Doctor Kota has just come in after my therapy to take a look at my arm.
“Doctor Kota, is it alright if I go to the party in the lounge today?” I ask him.
“I don’t see why not. As long as you go in a wheelchair and have someone with you the whole time, even if it is not a nurse, then you should be fine. Just don’t try to get around on your own again. We don’t want your stiches to come out,” he says seriously.
I shake my head, “I promise I won’t try to do anything on my own and I’ll ask for help if I need it.”
“Have you eaten today?” he asks.
I nod, “Yes, Brad made sure of it.”
“Good. Then I give you the go ahead. Have a good time,” he says.
Just as he opens the door to my room, “Wait! Doctor Kota?”
“Yes Eileen?” he pauses.
“How long until the stiches come out?”
He sighs, “It normally takes about two weeks, but since we had to redo them, that time is going to start from scratch. Why do you ask?”
I drop my head in disappointment, “I want to go home.”
The room is awkwardly silent for a moment. Then the doctor says, “Just because you have stiches doesn’t mean you can’t go home. Let’s see how you’re feeling after the party. There is a lot to talk about for your care at home. You’ll probably want your mother here for that conversation as well.”
I nod understanding his reasoning, “Okay. We’ll talk about it later then.”
When he leaves I ask Brad, “Do you know when the party starts? I promised Charlie I would be there.”
“I’m not sure when it starts but you will have plenty of time. We just have to wait for your nurse to change your bandage again. I’ll go let her know you’re ready.” Brad leaves to go to the nurses’ station. While he is gone I breathe in the left over scent that lingers in the air where he was sitting. I will never get tired of his smell. He is my home.
Walking back into my room Brad stands next to my bed and takes my hand in his. With his thumb he traces a pattern of circles over my skin making my nerves tingle. “Why did the little boy call you Claire?” he asks.
What brings this up? “All the kids think my name is Claire because the first story I told them of a girl named Claire. They also think you are the soldier who saves me and that we will fall in love like in the story.”
He stops rubbing my hand for a moment, “I guess the story is true then?”
“Mostly.” I laugh again. Gosh, it feels good to laugh.
Brad starts to rub my hand again, making warmth spread all the way up my arm, “How did you get to telling your first story?”
I pause trying to remember how it started, “A nurse took me out to the court yard so I could enjoy the sun. When a young boy accidentally landed his Styrofoam plane in my lap, he came over to fetch it. I felt kind of lonely and I always love telling stories to children so I asked if he’d like to hear one. He agreed and sat down in front of me. I guess other children saw us and heard me telling a story. After that, story time just became a regular thing.”
“Sounds like you are very popular.”
I laugh a little, “I think I am. But don’t let anyone else know.”
“God, I love that laugh,” he kisses me passionately. When he breaks the kiss and sits down in the chair next to me making me, I feel off balance.
Suddenly the nurse, Lacey, comes in. I recognize her quick step, “Eileen. It’s time change your bandage. Doctor Kota asked me to show you and Brad to the lounge for the party. Is that alright?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” I say with a smile.
After she changes the bandage she says, “I’ll go get you a wheelchair.”
When she comes back Brad lifts me off my bed, sets me in the chair, and pushes me as he follows Lacey to the party. I hear a door slide open and a switch flipped on.
“Surprise!” many voices yell.
“Happy Birthday Lily,” Brad says in my ear.
“Birthday? Oh my. I completely forgot today was my birthday.”
Someone kisses me on the cheek. “Happy Birthday Sweetheart!”
“Thanks Mom.” I smile. “Thank you everyone. I had no idea that the party was for me. You are so sweet.” I wish I could see everyone.
“Do you want some cake? I can tell you what it looks like.” Charlie excitedly pulls at my hand. “It’s chocolate and marble cake. It has purple icing with green star-shaped leaves and orange fire lilies. That’s what they are called, right Ms. East?”
“Yes dear,” my mom replies.
“Oh it sounds beautiful. That is my favorite flower. How many layers?”
“Three.”
“Three, yum, more for us to eat. That is absolutely lovely. Are they round or square?”
“Square.”
“It sounds exquisite. Does it taste as good as it looks?” I ask him with a smile.
He hands me a slice and a fork. I try a bite and it tastes perfect, “Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious!”
I hear him as he jumps up and down, “I love that movie. It is my favorite movie.”
“I love that movie too,” I smile.
“I’m glad you like the cake! There are plenty of games if you want to play. I’m going to play cards with Natalie,” he gives me a big hug before he goes.
“Alright Charlie. Have fun!” I tell him as I hear his feet run off to go play.
“Now are you very, very happy?” Brad asks me.
“I’m indescribably happy. I don’t think I’ve ever been as happy as I am right now.”
He gently massages my shoulders. He must have read my mind about them hurting, “You have a lot of friends here you know.”
“How many?” I ask letting my head fall forward to relax my shoulders more.
“Too many to count. Maybe you should write a book. The children would love it.”
“Maybe I will,” I smile thinking of all the stories I have yet to tell.
I stay at the party sharing a few stories. Some kids partnered up with me to play games. After a while people start dancing to the music. Everyone is having so much fun.
Then a slow song comes on. “Can I have this dance?” Brad asks taking my hand and pulling me up.
“How? I can barely walk.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll never let you fall,” he laughs a little when he notices me catching his Thumbelina reference.
I smile again, “Alright I’ll give it a try.”
Brad slips my hands around his neck, I hold my bad hand with my good one so I can keep it there, and puts his hands around my waist. “Step onto my feet.”
I step onto his shoes. He walks his feet to the steps of the music, carrying me with him. I memorize how he turns and which foot goes first and how far.
“Are you ready?” he whispers.
I nod and step down.
We wait for the music to get to the right spot. Then we dance. First the wind whips my hair around in a wavy motion, landing quickly on my shoulder. It feels strange moving around so fast and not seeing anything. I can hear so much more now that I have lost my eyesight. I can picture everyone gliding across the floor as I hear the soles of shoes taping the tiles beneath. We dance and laugh and dance some more. At the end of the song, Brad picks me up by my waist and spins me around gently bringing me down into a hug. Everyone claps for us when the song is finished.
“Did you have fun?” he asks me.
I give him a hug, “Yes! Thank you!”
“Is there anything you wish were different?” Brad pushes some hair behind my ear.
I think about it, “Only one thing really.”
“What is that?”
I shrug my shoulder, “I wish my friend Nicky was here.”
“Well you don’t have to wish too hard for that,” says a voice behind me. She runs up behind me, turns me around and gives me a hug. “Did you really think you could stay away from me on your birthday?”
“No,” I laugh. For me it doesn’t seem that long since we last spoke but I know years have gone by for her. “What have you been up to?” I ask
“I got an apartment, like we said we would do after we turned nineteen. I still have plenty of room for you. I know it would be kind of hard for you to move now. But if you ever just want to come over for a night, you’re welcome.”
“Thanks girl. You’re the best!” I didn’t even think about the apartment. I’m glad she still got it and didn’t let my accident hold her back.
“I wanted to get you some fire lilies for your room, but they were all out. So I got you pink George ones instead.” Nicky hands me the flowers.
They smell terrific, �
��Thank you Nicky. This truly is a birthday that is absolutely perfect! Thank you for everything.”
“Wait were not done yet,” the doctor says walking towards me. “We have may have one more surprise for you.”
“What else could there possibly be?”
Doctor Kota put his hand on my good shoulder, “After we talk, I might allow to go home tonight. I need to see how your arm is doing first, make some arrangements, and then you can go.”
“Really? Oh my goodness! Thank you so much!” I tear falls down my cheek at the good news. I’d love to finally go home.
He asks, “Would you like me to examine your arm now or later?”
“I think I’ll do it now. It would be nice to go home again. I just need to say goodbye to everyone first.” I turn and face what I hope is the center of the room, “I promise I’ll come back and visit soon. Thank you again for the party. I had the time of my life.”
After everyone says goodbye, Brad pushes me in the wheelchair to the exam room. The doctor has the therapist do various things with my arm to make sure it is healing well. When she leaves Doctor Kota says, “Now, I’m guessing you will always have someone available to help you correct?”
Mom and Brad both say yes at the same time.
“Okay, good. Eileen is going to need a lot of help learning how to get around her room first. You may have to rearrange the furniture and clothes so she can access everything better on her own. The goal is to help Eileen learn to be independent. If you need a teacher for brail or want to look into getting special products for the blind the information is on this card. I’ll give this to you Mrs. East,” he pauses probably to hand my mom the card. “Eileen, this is going to be a very difficult transition but you will learn how to do things for yourself. Ask if you need help. If you get frustrated or need to talk you can call the teacher on the card and she can set you up with a councilor.”
“Thank you Doctor Kota. I will. Does this mean I can go home now?”
“Almost.” He is silent for a moment, “I’ve been thinking. You feel the pain on the site of the surgery but you can’t feel the rest of you arm. This would be more understandable if you had poor circulation. I have a theory and I want to test it with your permission.”
“What is your theory?” I ask hopeful for good news.
“I’m wondering if your brain is telling you that you can’t feel your arm because the pain is too much for your brain to handle. If I give you a shot of morphine in your arm it wouldn’t take long to find the answer to that theory. I know morphine is a strong medicine and we don’t want to use it unless it’s necessary but I’m offering it because I think it might work. It’s up to you Eileen.”
I nod, “Yes. I want to try it. If it means I might be able to use my arm again, yes.”
“Alright then. I’ll be right back,” he says walking out of my room.
“Sweetheart,” Mom says, “are you sure you want to do this?”
“Absolutely. The worst it could do is let me know my arm is permanently like this and dull the pain where my stiches are. The best it could do is let me know that my arm will heal and be back to normal again.” I can’t believe she is second-guessing this, it is just morphine.
“Alright.” She takes my good hand, “Just making sure you were ready to know the answer. You might not be ready to hear your arm could be paralyzed for the rest of your life.”
I guess that makes sense. She is just looking out for me as always. “I’d rather know than not know.”
“Okay. Bradley and I are right here for you,” she says giving my hand a squeeze.
“Thank Mom. I love you,” I say sincerely.
She pulls me into a hug, “I love you too honey.”
Mom sits back down when the doctor comes back in. The needle stings as it goes into my arm. I feel the cold thickness of the medicine being injected into my muscle. It is more uncomfortable than painful. That’s when I feel it. “My arm. I feel like it’s asleep. That annoying tickling feeling you get. Is that a good sign Doc?” I ask.
“I think so. Let’s give it a couple minutes and see if it improves,” he says finally sounding hopeful.
Life slowly knits itself back into my arm. As it spreads, awakening my muscles from such a long sleep I have the urge to move my arm but suddenly I’m scared it still might not work. Instead I sit there, still as a statue, waiting and feeling my arm return to its existence. Finally I don’t feel like there is a void beside me. When I don’t feel the medicine anymore I take in a deep breath… Please work!
The room is silent as I start to move my fingers, my lower arm, and then my upper arm. I cry as I realize what a miracle this is, to finally be able to move my arm. “Someone say something please. I need to know this is real.”
“You are not paralyzed Lily. You’re arm is moving,” Brad says breaking the silence that was surrounding me.
I smile in the direction of his voice, “Thank you Brad. I can’t believe it. After all this time… I never actually believed it would move again. Thank you Doctor Kota! What does this mean? Is it temporary? Do I need the shots to be able to use it?”
“Until your arm is fully healed you will need pain medication to keep your brain from telling you that your arm is numb. But you won’t need any more shots as long as you keep up with the pills I am going to prescribe you.” Doctor Kota pats the shoulder that I can finally feel making it all more real, “Congratulations Eileen. I give you the okay to go home as soon as the nurse gets the discharge papers filled out. She will give you the prescription to fill as well.”
He walks out the door as Brad and my mom pull me into a hug, careful not to hit my stiches. I can’t believe this is happening! The nurse comes in and signs me out giving us discharge instructions and the prescription slip. Brad goes out of my room so my mom can help me get dressed. She tells me how excited she is to have me coming home and that things are going to change between us. She tells me how we are going to be closer and she is going to be there to care for me, whenever I need her. It is reassuring I’ll have help and I am glad she doesn’t have to work, but I still want to be able to have some time to myself. I hope she’ll understand.
After I am dressed Mom gives me a hug, “I better go home and tidy up the house. We don’t want you to trip because of my laziness. I’ll see you soon honey.” She brings Brad back in, “Bradley you were planning to give her a ride home, right?” my mom asks.
“Of course. We’ll see you there after we pick up her prescription. Drive safely,” Brad says as he takes my hand in his.
“Thank you,” she says sincerely.
Brad helps me into his car and shuts the door. “So, how has your birthday been so far?” he asks once he gets into the driver seat.
I laugh, “I can’t believe I forgot it was my birthday. This I can honestly say has been the best birthday ever. I feel like it couldn’t possibly have all happened in twenty-four hours and yet it isn’t even over. How did you all plan this?”
“Well, I wasn’t planning on your arm healing and you going home today” he laughs. I imagine he winks at me but I know he probably didn’t. “The party was Charlie’s idea when he found out your birthday was coming up. The boy you started telling stories to, Taylor, he helped a lot with the decorating and choosing games to play. They filled me in on the surprise when the found me out in the hallway so I called your mom and she said she would make you a cake. All the kids wanted to help. A guy who was volunteering at the hospital set up the music. It was a big group of people.”
“It was amazing. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“I think your phone is ringing,” he says.
“Oh. I’m not used to hearing it yet I guess.” Who would be calling me? I open my phone and put it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Happy Birthday!” two people yell into the phone.
“Thanks who is it?” I ask.
“It’s Jared. T
ina thought we should call you and wish you a happy birthday.”
“Hey Jared. How are you and Tina?” I ask amazed they remember me.
“We are doing great. We have a little boy now.”
“That’s terrific. What’s his name?” I wonder who the baby looks most like.
“Jake,” Jared says.
“That’s great. I am so happy for you. Where are you living now?”
“In Maryland, near Tina’s parents.”
“Wow. That’s a change in scenery,” I say a little surprised.
“Yeah, but everything is going really well. How are you? We heard that you woke up from your coma but we couldn’t find anything else out.”
Word travels fast apparently, “I’m doing great. My arm is a little bruised, but I’m terrific.”
“That’s awesome,” he says.
I hear a baby crying in the background.
“Oh I better go check on Jake. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Okay. Bye,” I say hanging up the phone.
“How is he?” Brad asks.
“He’s good. He and Tina got married and have a little boy.”
“So you two are still friends?”
“I guess so,” I say with a shrug.
“That’s good. Here we are.” Brad says slowing down to a stop.
I notice something isn’t right. We already picked up my medicine so where are we? “Where are we? We aren’t at my house.”
Brad laughs, “How do you know if we are or not?”
“I have a gravel driveway and my house is up on a hill. I didn’t hear the rocks move around and I didn’t hear the engine kick more to go up hill.” Where could we be? Does Brad have another surprise for me? He has already done so much.
“Good observation. No we aren’t at your house. I have to make a quick stop, then we will go back.”
“Alright,” I say wondering what it is he has to do.
“I’ll be right back.”
I nod. He is gone for a couple minutes so I start to drift to sleep. Just as I am about to fall asleep someone taps on my window.
“Who’s there?” I ask.
“Open the door.” It is the scruffy voice of a male.
He sounds threatening, “Who are you?”
“Just get out of the car,” the man yells.
I dial 911 on my phone as fast as I can, not being able to see the numbers. I hang up and know that they will call back my phone number incase there is an emergency. Thankfully they call back quickly.
My cell rings and he says, “Answer your phone but don’t say anything about me or I’ll shoot you.”
I put the phone up to my ear after I hit the answer key, “Hello?”
A woman answers, “Hello. This is 911. We just received a call from this number. Is there an emergency?”
“Yeah Mom. I’m in Brad’s car.”
“Do you need me to find where you are at?”
“Yeah.”
“Is someone there making you cooperate with them?”
“Yes Mom. 10-4”
“10-4?” the operator asks.
“No.” I hope he finds this convincing.
“Alright I found your location. I am sending police your way right now.”
“Okay.”
“Is someone holding you at gun point?”
“I think so.”
“Can you describe what he looks like?”
“No. I’ve been totally blind to it.”
“Alright just stay on the line with me and pretend to keep talking to your mom. The police will be there in a minuet.”
The guy outside the car says, “Hurry up I ain’t got all day.”
“I have to go mom,” I say not wanting to hang up.
“Okay just listen to what he says and try to go as slowly as possible,” the operator says.
“Alright bye.”
The guy bangs on the door, “Hurry up and unlock the door.”
I reach for the lock with fumbling fingers. When he pulls up on the handle I kick the door open and knock him too the ground. I hear the sirens. The police are almost here. “Brad! Brad! Where are you?” I yell. I hear the guy start to move on the ground. I get out of the car, find the gun by running my hands on the ground, and point it towards the sound of his moving clothes. “Stop moving or I’ll shoot you.”
He laughs, “Pretty lady you couldn’t shoot that gun even if you wanted to. The safety is on.”
Thanks for telling me. I fumble with the gun until I feel something that might be the safety and flip it, “Go ahead and say that if you want to lay your life on the table. I have always been good at gambling with Death.”
He stops moving. I hear his heavy breathing. The sirens are getting closer.
I start to hear him hyperventilate, “You called the cops. How did you call the cops? I got to get outta here.” I hear him start to run. I listen to where his feet are and shoot. He screams and hit’s the pavement.
“Lily!” Brad yells from a distance. I hear him run over to me. I’m still holding the gun breathing a little heavily. “What happened?”
I respond surprisingly calm, “It’s just one of those things that aren’t going to be perfect.”
Read the Full Story from the Beginning…
Want to read more? Look for Book One of The Gifted Series by AshleyNicole Shelton. Soon to be available at the author’s official website:
https://www.ashleynicolebooks.wordpress.com
and through select online retailers.
Note from the author:
Thank you for reading this free eBook. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please return to the site you downloaded it from, and let other readers know what you think. Keep a look out for the rest of my series and other series to come.
Happy Reading,
AshleyNicole
About the Author
AshleyNicole Shelton is a full-time mother and a part-time dream catch writer. Since 1999 she has written journals, short stories, and several novels, aspiring to be a published author. The Blind Lily is her first published novella and she plans to follow with the world that continues from it, The Gifted Series. On the side, she enjoys reading, drawing, and photography. AshleyNicole lives in a loving home with her adorable son.
The Blind Lily: A Gifted Series Companion Page 6
