The Gift

“Come in,” I crack but it comes out gibberish, so I sigh.

Holly seems to have got the gist of it, so she says, “Come in.”

The door opens and Anna walks in a few steps and stops, looking at Holly. “Well, it seems none of us follows orders too well, do we?”

Holly turns red at being caught again but says nothing.

“Well, since we seem to be having a party in here, I guess one more won’t hurt will it? Come on in,” she calls.

I hear a sort of clank-scrape-scrape, clank-scrape-scrape, before I can see someone with a walker coming in the room. All three of us in the room are watching the door as the person walks into the room. I can’t make out who it is, as whoever it is has longish fire engine red hair and is looking down so it’s covering her face.

Wait. The hair.

“Brit’ny?” I manage to get out.

She stops and looks up at me smiling.

“Oh.My.God. Y-you hair. And… walk’n.”

“And I have you to thank for both,” she says.

Taking a few more steps in, Anna closes the door behind her. “Very colorful group,” Anna says, the humor in her eyes obvious.

“All your fault,” I say.

“Good.”

It takes Brittany a while to make it over to the chair, but she does and sits, looking tired.

“You… okay?” I ask.

Hey, that’s my line,” she tells me. “I’m tired but good, you?”

“Cancer, stroke, catheter, virgin…Couldn’t be any better,” I say with a smile.

“As soon as you can make it to the bathroom or insist on using a bedpan the cath can come out,” Anna says.

I thought this over, wanting to point and say NOW but the thought of using a bedpan was just slightly worse than leaving what was in, in.

Anna reads my thoughts and says, “Thought so,” as I frown.

“When you finally do, can I have drug to put me out?” I ask hopefully.

I see both Brittany and Holly wince. It was a sure thing that Brittany had one at some point, but I wasn’t sure about Holly until she winced. It’s not something that someone forgets – going in or coming out.

“I promise I’ll make it quick and as painless as I can. You tell whoever is here when it’s time, to call me if I’m not the one here and I’ll come do it. Even if I have to come in to do it,” Anna assures me.

I nod. Changing the subject, I say to Brittany, “So… hair. Like?”

Brittany nods yes vigorously. “I’m told I have you to thank.”

“No. Anna.”

“She says that if it wasn’t for you, she wouldn’t have come up to see me. And I have you to thank for getting me out of my funk and back to living my life – as screwed up as it is.”

“Could be worse,” I joke, slurring my words on purpose.

She scrunches up her face and says, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be, not your fault. Be happy. I’m still… ’live.”

She looks around at the others in the room and says, “And we’re all thankful for that.”

There was a knock on the door, and it opened before anyone could say anything. Jason came in and closed the door behind him. “Okay ladies. I’m going to have to call an end to the punk band reunion. It’s like a rainbow in here. Personally, as long as Amanda is rested enough, I don’t mind, but since we’re all breaking doctor’s orders and Anna is off duty, I’ll be the one to take all the heat should anything happen, or you all get caught.

“because it’s the girl in the bed there, I’m actually willing to risk it. She deserves it. But that being said, it’s almost time for PT to show up along with neuro. So, it’s a good chance that if you don’t clear out, the gig will be up. After they come and leave, well, as long as the call button isn’t pushed, this room is being ignored on purpose.

“Please be careful though. I know on one wants Amanda getting worse. So, say your goodbyes for now and I’ll ask the doc about lifting the family only order since she is doing better.”

He turns to leave and stops at the door. “You all look beautiful by the way. From what I know, the colors suit all of you. Don’t let anyone tell you different.

“Later Anna,” he says and leaves, closing the door behind him.

“He’s right,” Anna says. “I’m off, but I’d still get in trouble, so we should get going.”

“I’ll help Brittany back to her room if you guys want,” Holly says. “She can look at my magazines and I’ll see what I can hook her up with.”

Anna looks at Brittany and asks, “Can you handle the trip back?”

Brittany nods and Holly adds, “I’ll give her a piggyback ride if I have to. My little sister is about her size, so it won’t be a problem. Just in case, that is.”

“Unorthodox, but if you are both sure…” Anna says.

They both nod.

“Okay, get going then.”

Holly goes to help Brittany stand but she says, “No. I need to do it myself, but thank you.”

“Sure.”

Holly gives me a hug, which I return with one arm and I thank her for the help earlier. “What are pals for?” she tells me stepping back so Brittany can get in closer.

Brittany shuffles closer and takes my hand. “Still working on balance or I’d hug you too,” she tells me. Squeezing my hand, she says, “Thank you for everything. I owe you.”

“No,” I say.

“Yes,” she insists.

“Then live your life and be happy as payment.”

Thinking this over, she finally says, “Deal.” She lets go of my hand, turns, and starts towards the door with Holly at her side.

They say goodbye again at the door and I say, “’Until we meet again.”

Holly says, “You still owe me an explanation for that,” and I reply, “Next time you visit.”

The two of them walk out together and Anna walks up to me.

I smirk at her. Well, at least half my face does, but it still comes across right.

“What?” she asks.

“So… you and Jason, huh?”

Anna turns crimson and says, “No, we are just friends.” A little too quickly, I think.

“Liar,” I accuse. “You’re the same color as Brit’ny’s hair. Dead giv’way.”

“Fine, just don’t tell anyone. We’re trying to keep it quiet for now.”

“Lips seal’d. Lucky girl.”

“I think if you were a few years older, I could lose him to you,” she teases.

I shake my head and say, “No chance. You’re too pretty.”

“You underestimate yourself, sweetie. You’re gonna break hearts.”

I laugh. “Naw. Gimp now.”

“Word is you’re already breaking hearts. Holly told me about Ben.”

It’s my turn to groan. “Blind,” I say.

“Ha! That blind kid is smitten with you. He defied like ten doctors and nurses by not leaving your side. They had to put a lead apron over him to x-ray you. The size of the CAT scanner is the only reason you went solo there. He couldn’t go in with you and he knew you had to have it.

“If you can do that to the blind, just imagine what the people who can see you think. You’re too smart and self-confident to fool me. Don’t fool yourself.

“Listen, I gotta go before Jason gets mad at us. I put my number in your phone so if you need me, call if I’m not here. Oh, your mom left your phone in the tray of your table. I think Holly put her number in there as well.

“Get some rest and get better,” Anna says.

“Thank you,” I tell her.

“You’re welcome sweetie. I’ll be back when I can.”

“Until next we meet,” I say.

“Count on it.” She turns and leaves, and I put the head of my bed down some.

I haven’t done anything and am already tired. I wonder if Trevor can give me a boost and giggle, knowing it can’t work that way.