The days go by without you noticing them. You spend most of your time either sleeping or lost in your own little world. You feel no pain, and are vaguely aware of your situation. Slowly, you start to feel pain again. This can only mean that you are being weaned off the pain killers. It takes a few days for them to wear off, but the pain is not unbearable. You awaken one morning to see changing a bandage on your right hand. It is obvious that you are in your dorm. The lava lamp with the permanent glob in it gives it away. You lay in your bed silently to watch her work. She takes the utmost care of your injured arm. Viewing your wounds does not bother her at all. She is at such ease that she could be changing a diaper. You watch her carefully re-wrap your healing appendage for a few minutes before you interrupt her.
“Hey, you’re pretty good at that.” You inform her. She just smiles at your compliment before she realizes that you are coherent.
“ you’re awake. I didn’t wake you did I? I’m sorry. I’ll go now and let you sleep.” She says. While she is well made-up, you can tell that she is only keeping up appearances. Her face tells you that she is carrying around a heavy burden. The delicacy with which she changed your bandages, tells you that she is trying to make up for what she put you through.
“It’s okay. I want you to stay. I’ve missed you.” You tell her.
“I’ve missed you too. I’m so glad you’re awake.” A smile comes to her face.
"So how bad is the damage?” You ask her. She sits on the bed next to you and takes your hand in hers.
“Your right arm took the brunt of it. The doctor said if the glass had been half an inch to the right, it would have cut a nerve and I’d be cutting your steaks for the rest of your life. Another piece of glass cut your inner thigh.” She tells you plainly, as she starts massaging your arm. This sends tingles down your whole body. This must be some form of therapy you say to yourself.
“So am I going to be singing soprano for a while?” You attempt a joke, but doesn’t laugh.
“No, you’re lucky in that regards. You landed on one of the cross beams for the table. It cracked three of your ribs. You’ve also gut a nice gash on your forehead, and several small ones on your back.” She chokes up a little, but she is able to continue. “I have to tell you something. Alicia told me that on the way to the hospital, you…you…”
She is unable to finish her sentence.
“I what?” You ask.
“You…died.” She explodes into tears, and buries her head in your shoulder. “ I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I don’t think I could ever forgive myself for what I’ve done to you.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for, therefore there’s no reason to forgive. It was an accident. It happened. It’s over as far as I’m concerned. We can put it behind us.” You say as you pat her head with your uninjured arm.
“How can you say that after what I did? I almost killed you two weeks ago. I appreciate you wanting to put this behind us, but how can we? I think in a week or two, you’re going to see the extent of your injuries, and you’ll feel different towards me.”
“I don’t think so. Now, one question. What were you doing to my arm a few minutes ago?” You ask her. It felt pretty good and you want her to continue. Actually, you just want to get her mind off of hurting you.
“Oh, that? It’s just a simple massage that Alicia showed me. It helps stimulate the nerves in the injured areas. Did it hurt? She says after wiping away her tears. Mission accomplished. “Do you want me to do it again?
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