Chapter Seven
Grace
A week had passed uneventfully in the hospital. I was bored out of my mind and Jaxon had taken off travelling with his friends again. It upset me his uncle hadn't showed any signs of waking up.
Dr. Hattie came into the room whistling. She had started doing this so I knew that it was her.
"Hi Dr. Hattie," I greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning, Grace! Please just call me Hattie." She said happily.
I nodded, "Hattie, when can I have a real shower?"
I heard her chuckle and begin shuffling with some papers.
"Actually, you get to have the cast on your leg removed today. You should be able to have a shower later this afternoon."
I let out a whoop, and covered my mouth up quickly, embarrassed. "Oops, sorry."
Dr. Hattie laughed heartily. "It's good to see you excited."
Once the cast was removed, I was allowed to walk with the help of my nurses. Without it, my leg felt very weak. I almost had to learn how to walk again. Okay, so I did have to learn to walk again. Only this time I was doing it blind.
Bring it on.
About an hour later I was standing in the glorious hot water of the shower. I had never appreciated being able to do the little things by myself until it was taken away from me. I had to swallow my pride when the nurses helped me out of the tub and took comfort in the fact I had been able to shave my legs and armpits finally.
I was making progress- I no longer felt like a chimpanzee.
I brushed my long blonde hair and sighed with content. I smelt like pears and citrus.
I got back into my freshly made bed and closed my eyes.
"Grace, honey?" I heard the familiar voice of Jaxon's aunt Kim. I opened my eyes out of habit.
"Oh good, you're awake." She laughed.
I smiled. "Yeah, it's been a good day. How are you doing?"
She hesitated a moment too long before replying. I frowned with concern.
"Pete's health has been deteriorating; the doctors aren't sure he'll ever wake up." Kim choked on a sob.
"I'm so sorry Au- Kim." I replied, my voice tight with emotion. I was so used to hearing Jaxon call her Aunt that I nearly did it as well.
She didn't respond for a moment as she struggled to contain her tears.
"You can call me Aunt Kim if you like." I heard a small smile in her voice.
"Aunt Kim, could I have a hug?" I asked.
"I would love a hug, honey."
Aunt Kim wrapped her arms around me in a tight embrace and for the first time since my mom had passed away, I felt loved again. She pulled away after a few moments and I reached out for her hand and she gladly grasped mine into a tight hold.
"He will make it." I reassured her.
She gave my hand another squeeze. "If you ever need anything sweetie, you be sure to let me know. I'm going to head to the cafeteria to get some lunch. Get some rest."
"I will. Thank you," I smiled.
She left the room quickly and I felt sleep overtake me.
The next day, Will, my social worker showed up.
"The doctors have said you're free to leave tonight." He said brusquely.
I frowned; I hadn't expected my hospital release to creep up on me so fast.
"Do I have to leave today?" I asked.
"Well, we can wait until tomorrow if you'd like. That's when Dr. Hattie was planning in the first place. Although the sooner we get you out of here, the sooner you can get settled at the home."
I frowned again, thinking. I wanted to see Aunt Kim before I left, maybe leave her a phone number to reach me at. I wanted to keep in touch and know how Pete was doing.
"Can you write down the number for the home so that I can give it to my friend?
I'd like to stay until tomorrow if that's alright with you." I answered.
Will paused, "I suppose that would be fine. I'll leave the number on the table. I'll see you tomorrow Grace."
"Thanks... See you then." I agreed glumly.
A few hours later I heard Kim come back into the room. She began singing softly to Pete and I didn't want to interrupt. She had a beautiful singing voice.
"A drop in the ocean
A change in the weather
I was praying that you and me might end up together
It's like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my heaven
I don't wanna waste the weekend
If you don't love me pretend
A few more hours then it's time to go
As my train rolls down the east coast I wonder how you keep warm
It's too late to cry
Too broken to move on
And still I can't let you be
Most nights I hardly sleep
Don't take what you don't need from me
It's just a drop in the ocean
A change in the weather
I was praying that you and me might end up together
Its like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my heaven
Misplaced trust and old friends
Never counting regrets
By the grace of God I do not rest at all
New England as the leaves change
The last excuse that I'll claim
I was a boy who loved a women like a little girl
And still I can't let you be
Most nights I hardly sleep
Don't take what you don't need from me
It's just a drop in the ocean
A change in the weather
I was praying that you and me might end up together
It's like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most 'cause you are my
Heaven doesn't seem far away anymore
No, No, Heaven doesn't seem far awayâ"
I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I had never heard such pain in a song before.
"That was beautiful," I said softly when she had finished. I heard her sniffle.
"Thank you, honey. It was our wedding song."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and took a deep breath. I used to love singing before the accident. In school, I was in the choir and was even a music major.
Now, it just didn't seem like there was much to sing about.
Slowly though, I was starting to find that the beauty in life- in people especially, was worth singing for.