CHAPTER 25: The Good of Humanity

The nurse lets in my next visitor. It is Maddie. She is also down in the dumps. The nurse lets us be.

"I should have been the one hospitalized!" Maddie grieves.

"Maddie," I comfort, "no you shouldn't have! Don't say that!"

"I could have stopped the test! I could have gotten us all goggles. Blame me!"

"You know damn well that it's impossible to stop Jack from being an impulsive buffoon."

"Haha! Such a lovable buffoon…"

"Madeline Solomon, you are by far the most rational woman I've ever met in my life! Don't be believing that you deserve to be the victim of an accident! You're better than that."

"But-but…"

"Accidents happen, and that's okay! No one deserves to be in an accident, especially not you."

"That is the nicest thing anyone's said to me."

"Thanks, I guess."

"Jack and I will make sure you recover just fine."

"You're the best…"

"I don't have anything else to say now. I hope you can come back to school soon!"

"I hope I do, too!"

Next came in Amber with hair striped black and white.

"Vlad," my bandmate comments, "you're not looking so hot…"

"Well you're not looking so dandy yourself," I joke back. She giggles.

"So what's up with the white hair?"

"It actually wasn't my choice. Remind me when I get back to dye it back to normal."

"You know I could do that for you."

"Really? That would be marvelous!"

"Alright. I'll let the Skunk Punks know we're down a lead singer. I'll take over until you're ready to go back on stage."

"Okay."

"Ciao, V!"

"Ciao!"

The next visitor was my mom.

"Baby," she weeps, "are you alright?"

"Yeah, Mom," I dismiss. "Just your typical case of ecto-acne!"

"That sounds horrible!"

"Well, I get free white hair!"

"You always know how to make light of any situation!"

"Well, that's one of the perks of sociopathy!"

"Oh, Vlad! So, is there anything you need me to get for you?"

"Get me outta here… Nah, I'm good!"

"Alright. Your father is behind you. You have quite a long list of people who want to see you! I must say, you have made quite a few acquaintances. I'm proud of you, Vlad!" She hugs me then leaves.

My father is let in afterwards.

"You're really something, kiddo," he praises to me.

"Okay then…"

"You put yourself into a dangerous field, are willing to die for it, and I'm proud of you for it."

"I don't want to die for paranormal studies, Dad."

"That would be too ironic as the kids like to say. So tell me about theatre."

"Theatre? But you despise theatre!"

"If it's what my son enjoys, I might as well give it a chance!"

"Well, I'm playing the villain in Dracula."

"Who's that?"

"Dracula."

"Oh."

"I mean, that's okay. I don't expect you to understand."

"No, I should be trying harder. I guess not being so involved in your interests lead you here, huh."

"No! What happened was an accident that could happen to anyone. I just happened to be that anyone."

"But it doesn't make it right!"

"I never said it was right. It just happens, you know, Dad?"

"I suppose…"

"Look, Dad, I will be okay. I'll be up on my feet before you know it! Trust me!"

"You just don't get it. If you have a son of your own, you'll understand…" He departs.

The next to arrive was Pam of all people.

"Hey," she moans monotonously, "wicked party, dude! Can't believe Jeremy ratted us out!"

"So it was Jeremy!" I exclaim calmly.

"I hope you feel better." She leaves just as quickly as she entered.

Jeremy enters in.

"Hey, Vlad!" he chirps as if the world is sunshine and rainbows. "How you doing this fine day?"

"I am in the hospital," I reply dully.

"Well I hope I can turn that frown upside down!" He changes to a more realistic demeanor. "Okay, I'm sorry about the party."

"It's fine. I don't care, anyways."

"Oh, goody gumdrops! Also, I promise I'll be the best understudy you'll ever see!" I laugh. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing."

"Okey-dokie, I guess! I'll go away now. Buh-bye!"

What a dweeb! A surprising visit from Dr. Ether occurred next.

"Dr. Ether! Is that really you?"

"Well, yeah," she replies. "Your ectonium research has reached national attention!"

"National?!"

"Uh huh! In fact, I saw a Times article suggesting that the government might want to get in on the ghost hunting business!"

"Holy crap! I don't know what to say!"

"I don't either! Congratulations, champ, you earned it!"

"Thank you for telling me! This is so wicked!"

"I'll keep ya posted! Toodles!"

Finally, Harriet arrived. It was a bit odd since I still didn't know her that well, but any company is good company I suppose.

"Um, hi," the journalist wannabe begins. "You might not know me well, but I just want to say from everyone in the journalism department that we hope you feel better soon."

"Well tell them I said thanks, okay?" I respond.

"Okay. I guess I better be going…"

And with that, she left.

I had no more visitors, but I felt somewhat content. Things were still looking up for me.

Now if only I could see them…