This choice: Erik Nichols. You're 18, and you're in the hospital; you should get your rest." • Go Back... As soon my name was mentioned, the memories began flooding back. Not only was I eighteen years old, but I had just graduated from high school, the salutatorian of my class (only .03 grade points off of the valedictorian too). I was the oldest of two sons, my thirteen-year-old brother Aaron and I both living with our mother after our father had died unexpectedly in his sleep five years ago. The wooziness and unclarity lifted from my mind like a fog lifting from a swamp. But one thing remained unclear: the hospital. I had no idea why I would be in there.
“C-can you turn the lights on or something?” I asked the voice.
“Certainly,” it said. As I listened closer, I could make out a hint of femininity to it. It had the sound of someone who had been alive for quite a while, but hadn’t let those years jade them in any way. “You might want to shield your eyes,” she warned.
“Okay.” I did so, and with a flicking sound, bright stale light filled the room. My eyes took a few seconds to adjust, and when they did, I saw the smiling face of an African-American woman wearing a nurse’s uniform.
“Well, nice to see ya up and awake again, hon,” she said, as she started to check the machines next to me. As I looked around, I felt a dull poking sensation throughout my body, and looked down and noticed half-a-dozen tubes and cables hooked up to me.
“Why am I here?” I asked, shifting around a little. “What happened to me? And who are you?”
“Hm, you really don't remember me, do you?” The nurse shook her head and sighed. “Well, I suppose the doctors did say that you might experience a little temporary amnesia. Okay, fine. You’ve been here at Assumption Hospital for over two weeks, since you were in a big car wreck. And my name is Nurse Childs; you and I have talked nearly every day since then.”
I shook my head, trying to clear it. Her name did sound familiar, and yet there was something strange about it, like I was hearing it for the first time still. Even if I wasn't quite sure who she was, I decided that I just had to fake, if only to spare her feelings.
"Oh, yeah. I remember now." I nodded, trying to smile. At that moment, though, the sharp pain reappeared in my head, and I winced.
"Oh, hon, lie back down and take it easy. No need to stress yourself out on my account, ya hear?"
I nodded and did as she instructed. She continued to fiddle with the machines for a while, during which I drifted back off into sleep.  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
<<-- Previous · Outline  · Recent Additions © Copyright 2024 citywalker (UN: citywalker at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
citywalker has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work within this interactive story. Poster accepts all responsibility, legal and otherwise, for the content uploaded, submitted to and posted on Writing.Com. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author