A/N – I know nothing about going blind, except what I have seen on movies and TV – mostly that one episode of Walker where he goes blind and then regains his sight, that was before he and Alex got married, - but anywho, if you know anything about it, or if anything I write is medically untrue (is that even a word?) let me know. Thank you to all who reviewed, I finally decided on a name! It might not be the best name, but hey, what's in a name? I don't own anything. Oh, and Momo Claus, I will definitely have some of the other characters in this too. Thanks and happy reading! ScarletCord
The next morning…
Val
I awoke with a start. It took me a minute to figure out where I was and what had happened. Then it all came rushing back to me. I groaned. More from the situation then the pain, although I was quite sore in various places, and I had a serious throbbing in my knee. "Ugg," I moaned.
"Hey, sleepyhead," Tyler said. I heard him stand up from where he was sitting on the couch and came over. "It's 9:30. Your parents should be calling any minute. And everybody else should be here around ten."
My parents were on a business trip turned vacation. They were spending two weeks in Europe, the first week spent in meetings, and the second week for sightseeing. "My parents are going to want to catch the first flight home. I don't want them to miss out on their vacation because of me, you know. They've been through so much with my dad's heart and all, this was their time to relax. And they're not going to want to let me and Brooke stay at my house alone if I can't see."
"Well, if it's okay with your parents, you and Brooke could stay with me. I mean, it would only be for a week, because you'll be here for the next three days, and your parents left four days ago, and we have a whole guest suite, so you guys could have your own space, and my mom and William won't care, I'm sure."
"Oh, Tyler, that would be great. Are you sure your parents won't mind?"
"No, they'll be fine, they always say I should have more people over, and they know you, Val. I'm sure they would be glad to help out in any way possible."
"Thank you, Tyler. I just hope my parent's say it's okay." Just then, the phone rang. I reached for it, feeling around on the table beside my bed.
"Do you want me to get it?" Tyler asked.
I shook my head. "This is something I need to do myself." I found the phone on the fourth ring. "Hello." It was my mom. She sounded really worried and I assured her that I was fine. She wanted, as I had expected, to get on the next flight home. I explained that Tyler had offered for us to use his guest suite, and that she and my dad needed some time to relax. After about five minutes of reassuring and convincing, she said she would call Tyler's mom and make sure that it was all right. She promised to call me every day.
I talked to my dad, telling him the same things I had told my mom. Then he put her back on.
"How is Brooke?" she asked.
"I don't know, she should be coming in a few minutes, she stayed with Catie last night."
"How are you doing, really,"
"Well, I don't think it's totally sunk in yet, I think I'm still in a little shock, but I'll be okay." I turned my head to where Tyler was sitting and smiled at him. "I have some great friends to back me up." There was a knock at the door, and a nurse said, "You have some visitors."
"Mom, I've got to go, Brooke's here. I'll talk to you later, okay? I'll be at the hospital for the next three days, then you can call me at Tyler's. I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Call me if you need anything."
"Okay, bye mom.
"Bye, Val."
I carefully returned the phone back to its cradle and asked Tyler, "Who's here?"
"Everyone, but you're only allowed 2 people in at a time. So I'll go get them."
"Val," Brooke sounded unsure, worried.
"Oh, Brooke, come here," I said sitting up and wrapping her into a hug. I pulled away after a minute, and I gently touched her cheek. My hand came away wet. "Please don't cry, Brooke. I'm okay, really." She took my hand.
"Are you? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better? Come on, Val. I'm your sister. And I know when something's wrong. I also know that if this happened to me, I would be devastated. Talk to me."
I bit my lip. I really didn't want to break down now. I still hadn't talked to the others. I knew what Brooke was doing. She knew that I would try to keep everything stored inside, to be strong for them, and would end up losing it big time. It would be easier for all of us if I let it out now. "Okay, but let me talk to the others first, and then we'll have some sister time. Okay?"
"Okay. I love you, Val"
"I love you too, Brooke."
Catie came in next and gave me a hug. "Hey, how are you?"
"Well, I've been better, but most people in the hospital can say that." We talked for a few minutes, and then she asked, "Are your parents coming home?"
"No, Brooke and I are staying at Tyler's." I could just imagine the way her eyebrows would shoot up, and the look she would give me. "Don't look at me like that." I said.
"Hey, I thought you were blind!"
"Yeah, but I know you too well. And I know the look that you're giving me right now. I've already okayed it with my parents. I'm staying in his guest suite with Brooke."
"Mm hmm"
"Come on, Catie. Or relationship is totally platonic. We are just friends."
"Yeah, and that's why he stayed up all night waiting for you, and why he slept on the couch in your room, and why he's inviting you to stay at his house so your parents can finish their vacation, and"
"Okay, okay, so he is being incredibly sweet." I lowered my voice to almost a whisper. "And I think I want to be more than friends, and I think he feels the same way. I just hope he asks me out soon, or I'll have to make the first move. And you know I like to do it the old fashioned way, and have the guy ask me out.
Catie took a deep breath and was about to reply when Jamie's voice came from the doorway. "You two done yet?" Catie gave me a hug and whispered in my ear, "He likes you as more than a friend, and you were just too blind until now to see that. Now that you can't see, I think your eyes have been opened."
That left me thinking. Could Catie be right? Could some good really come out of this? Since I had talked to Brooke, I had felt about ready to burst with emotions, not many of them good. Anger, confusion, pity, who knows what else. But after talking to Caite, things didn't seem so bad. I still felt confused, and sorry for myself, but somewhere out there was some hope. I just had to reach out and try to grasp it. I guess that's what best friends are for.
I heard two sets of feet walking in the room. "Let me guess, Hank and Jamie."
"Yeah, that's us." Jamie said, giving me a hug.
"How are you doing, Val" Hank gave me a hug too.
I went through the basics. Tyler had told them about me staying with him, and Hank had talked to the doctors, so they knew all of the technical stuff. They just wanted to see how I was holding up. It was great to have such great friends.
So, what do you think? I finally got the second chapter written. I greatly appreciate any feedback and or criticism. Thanks for reading! ScarletCord