The next thing Beth can remember is a blinding light in her eyes… And then a doctors face, and "She's regaining consciousness! Hello, my name is Doctor Bell, you are at the hospital." Her response was a cough with a searing pain in her throat.
For the next few days, she slipped in and out of consciousness. Many came and visited, except her parents. Beth couldn't remember much, But she knew that Corey came to visit her a lot. She could barley talk and had a raspy voice. Jane was at her side constantly, even though the breathing machine made a loud hum constantly.
A few days came and passed, the breathing machine was taken out after 5 days. All of a sudden it was Beth's birthday. She made it to fifteen, barley. There's no way her friends were going to let it go by in any way other than with much celebration.
On her birthday, May 2nd, all of her friends came to visit, including Corey. They danced, sang happy birthday, they ate cake and opened presents. It was the best birthday she had ever had. Her friends slowly left one by one, until only Corey remained. He looked at her and said "I am so sorry." Beth looked into his deep brown eyes, searching for what to say… "You did nothing wrong, but thanks for saving me. Without you, I wouldn't be here." He looked into her gaze, and slowly leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek." "I am just glad you are alive." He kissed her forehead, and slipped out the door.
Beth just couldn't figure it out. Everything seemed to be going right. All of her friends were being nice, Corey liked her… it seemed so perfect. Her life was everything she had ever wanted. There was a knock on the door and the head nurse came in… "Hello Ms. Swoon, how are you feeling?" "Really good, thanks." "That's good, we think you have made great progress, and its time to go home soon, tomorrow you have a meeting with the councilor, and after that you will probably be able to go home."
Beth was so high, like on top of mount Everest. Now it seemed like she was in the lowest valley. More like she was by hit with a brick wall. She had been in the hospital for 2 ½ weeks, and not once had she heard from her parents… How could she face them? What would her father do? She needed to tell someone. She couldn't bare to see them. She fell asleep that night, with tears in her eyes.
Beth woke up in a pool of sunshine. Corey was sitting in the chair by her bed, "Good morning sunshine." He came over to her and held her hand. "How are you feeling?" "Not so great, I have to go home today." "Excuse me, but Ms. Swoon has an appointment, please come back around lunch." Interrupted "Alright," he gave her hand a squeeze and left.
The councilor talked and Beth just nodded not really listening, only paying enough attention to answer questions. She didn't have the strength to say what happened at home, or what the real reason was for her actions, she just said it was because she was fat. "Great, your parents should be here to pick you up around 3." "Thanks"
Four more hours of freedom she thought. She sat there and wondered, what happened? So much had happened in the past month. She had gone living her life, having everyone think it was perfect. Now they knew. Beth felt so exposed, like people knew things that they shouldn't. How would they treat her? What scared her most is what her dad would do when she got home. Would he do it again? She winced at the thought. She just wanted to stay here. No one ever touched her here. She was happy. Was it to much to ask?