The musty, damp aroma in the stale, white walled hospital lingered as I breathed in slowly. The petrifying sent settled in my nose as I progressed past the Emergency Rooms, Orthopedics, and stopped in front of Cancer, hall five, section 4610, skin cancer, room 115, Beatrice Prior.
When I entered the room a new mint smell was in the room and a tall man with a receding hairline towered next to a hospital cot pushed into the center of the room. On the wall behind him was the mass of flowers and cards. I stepped forward and the closer I got the the stronger the smell was. The man's name tag read
'Dr. Doe, R.N.'
A small cough rang from the cot making me realize that Tris Was sitting awkward and tranquil on her cot dressed already for the day in a pink flannel shirt and shorts.
"Tob-" Her voice was profound and depressed, and always flashed on and off like a light without reason. She then turned to the RN and made countless symbols with her hands.
"Um," the RN stuttered and blurted, "Miss. Prior, would like to ask if you would like to stay for the PT appointment or come back later."
I looked at Tris and even though the RN said I could go, her face said placidly that she wanted me to stay. The RN awkwardly nodded and left, the minty smell exiting with him.
"Hello," I say a little too boisterous as Tris recoiled, the word faintly echoing.
"Hey," Tris murmured delicately, the word ghosting my skin. Much to soon a acute rap at the door startled me out of my trance and Tris released a modest chortle as the doctor trudged in.
"Hello, Beatrice ," he nodded towards her, then looked to me. "and guest. I'm Dr. Funzinck, but please call me David." He ended still staring at me. He had an obvious Dutch accent. David sauntered over to Tris and angled her into large blue machine and started slowly amble with her around the room. Tris's miniature hands were on a bar towards the front of the machine and griped it taut while slowly inching forward.
After about fifteen minutes of watching her walk slowly, she whispered something to the doctor and a large smile flowed on his face. He nodded and still walking started to edge the machine, away until she was only supported by his arm. Tris was Transferred to my arms and we walked around the large room, she slowly let go and I fell back behind her.
The satisfying feeling of joy spread through my body as I watched her strut around awkwardly , it was obvious that I wasn't the only happy one because a contagious smile was spreading through the room. Tris Came up to me and motioned me to lean down.
"Thank you," she whispered and all I could do was smile more.