Title: Her Day Off
Author: Battus philenor
Disclaimer: I still have no rights to anything CSI related.
A/N: Thanks a bunch to Ghibli for her wonderful beta work. Any remaining errors are mine.
The day winds on as she sits alone, again, in her room overlooking the gardens. They spare no expense; nothing is too good for her now.
Pausing in the doorway, Sara watches her friend lying with her head propped on the pillow, her dark skin in lovely contrast to the crisp white sheet. Any wrinkles have been ironed out, leaving less chance for irritation from the sheet against her body.
Sara thinks about time passing and the less frequent visits from those who love her. Her parents' age, feeling too tired most weeks to make the trip. Three hours one way is too long to sit in a car when the arthritis acts up, they had told her once.
Her husband, spending more time with that lady from church; she takes most of his time now. His visits dwindling as he starts the paperwork which will bring their marriage to an end. The guilt quelled by the feelings stirring in his heart for this new love.
Pamela is alone with just the staff of the high priced convalescence home. But convalescence suggests she'll get better, and it's understood by all now that she won't. Nor will she let go; instead she clings to life, a strong woman who only has this one fight left in her.
She exists now only to breathe. Only to occupy a prime room in this most renowned place. Unable to enjoy the remarkable view which her family pays extra for. Unable to taste the gourmet food they're charged for, even though she receives her nourishment through a tube.
Loneliness would consume her if she were still able to be lonely; for only one visits her consistently now. Only one person is moved enough to visit weekly. Not knowing the person in her previous life, Sara, the consistent visitor feels for her in this one.
Sara feels for the person who is not able to be who she once was. Not able to have her life that was so full with love and her hope.
So once a week Sara comes and talks to her of things that are good. Lets her know that she'll be there fighting for her, looking to defend her rights, always. That she'll not give up hope.
Sara shares with her things she cannot share with others; passes along stories of conversations with friends. The petty remarks bantered back and forth with humor and a bit of rivalry with her friend Nick.
Tells tales of battles for female supremacy over their co-workers with her sometimes friend Catherine. Conspiratorially sharing the woes of working with a dominant woman.
Regales her with the cool and yet meaningful conversations she has with the always warm Warrick. Confides her envy of him, his easy nature and confident hipness, and how she learns her best slang from him.
And she commiserates with her of love lost or never even truly found. Of the relationship that she fears will never be between her and her soul mate. Whispering his name to the one person who can't tell her how wrong it would be. Who couldn't laugh at her for loving a man as unattainable as Gil Grissom.
Sara shares all of these things with her friend Pamela, who can't laugh at her awkwardness. Who can't let her down by not being there for her. She'll always be there for her; they'll always be there for each other.
The world has moved on without Pamela Adler, but Sara is fighting to drag her along. These two, who would never have met under normal circumstances. Who would never have become friends, if not for a horrible incident.
Sara enters her room now, pulling up a chair from the corner. She sits, taking her hand as usual and begins to relay the week's events. Both facing the window, seeming to any passersby to be enjoying the view.
End
Battus philenor