Nina rolled me out to the roundabout in the front of the hospital and I saw Cecilia drive up. Nina helped me out of the wheelchair as my stepmother parked the car, rushing around to help. I stood up and turned around. I saw my doctor as well as the rest of the staff standing there, softly clapping for me. I stood strong. I stood tall. And with a smile on my face, I cleared my throat.
“Thank you, guys. For saving my life. And I know you’ll stand there, telling me I’m the one fighting. But, without your surgery and your I.V.s and your knowledge, I’d be dead and you know it.”
Silence fell over everyone before I sighed.
“I’ll never be able to fully thank you or ever pay you back for what you did for me. And my stepmom. But I’m going to find a way to try.”
The doctor cleared his throat. “Take care of yourself. That’s what you can do.”
Nina smiled. “And keep up with your therapy.”
I grinned. “Don’t want me coming back to visit.”
A resounding ‘no’ rose from the crowd.
All of us started laughing before everyone came to give me hugs. They clapped my back softly and murmured words of encouragement. Nina reminded me the order of my pills, then made me recite it back to her. Then, my doctor—once again—told me to call. Anytime. For anything.
And I hugged him a bit longer than I should have.
Climbing into the car was hard. Driving away from that support system was even harder. But the second Cecelia took my hand, I felt at ease again. I relaxed against the leather interior of her car, my eyes fluttering closed as the car swerved softly w
ith the roads. I didn’t wake up until we’d pulled into the driveway of my home. I didn’t say anything until Cecilia helped me inside. She settled me on the couch with a drink and a snack, then started writing out my medication schedule on a pad and a piece of paper as I rattled it off to her.
But the best part was that my father never came up in conversation.
Not once.
“All right. So, it’s one of the painkillers in the morning, two of the anti-inflammatories after food at lunch. No later than two. Then another half a painkiller at night to help you sleep.”
I nodded. “Right.”
“Then, after one week, we add in the vitamin. Once the painkiller runs out.”
I nodded. “Mm-hmm.”
“And that vitamin is once in the morning up through the end of your first cycle of PT.”
I grinned. “You got it.”
“Perfect. I’ll get this on the fridge so I can remember which ones to set out for you.”
“You know you don’t have to do that, right?”
She scoffed. “Nonsense. I’m going to help you out around here. I might not have to wipe your butt or anything. But that doesn’t mean I can’t get you your medication whenever you need it.”
I smiled. “I appreciate it. Thanks.”
“You need anything right now?”
“You mean other than a nap?”
She giggled. “Yep. Other than that.”
I paused. “Oh! Yes, actually. A friend of mine is bringing my homework and stuff to me from school. She’s helping me keep up with my studies.”
“She, huh? Anything special about this… she?”
I snickered. “We’re just studying.”