Okay so I know I haven't updated this story in decades and I'm REALLY sorry but I was busy with finals and then coming home and working...but now I'm back in writing mode, ready to continue the Craig/Ellie saga. I hope everyone forgives me and continues reading/reviewing. :-)
Oh and I know this chapter is kinda short but I just wanted to get the ball rolling.
Craig hated waiting rooms. He had spent what felt like a lifetime in them when he was younger and his mom was fighting the cancer. He had been in one for several hours when his father died. He just despised the atmosphere, knowing how many people had waited in here before him, for good news, for bad news, for any news at all.
Now he sat by himself waiting for Ellie who had gone inside her mother's room with her father. They had only been gone for about fifteen minutes but Craig had already flipped nervously through four magazines before giving up and staring at the wall, trying not to think about anything. Trying not to think about how perfect things had seemed before and how quickly life could be turned upside down.
The doors to the emergency room opened and a doctor came out to walk over to a middle aged woman and a girl who looked a few years younger than Craig. They had been sitting across the waiting room and the woman immediately jumped to her feet upon seeing the doctor. He talked to them in hushed tones but Craig could see by the expression on the woman's face that it wasn't good news. She looked as if she was about to faint before starting to cry. The younger girl just sat frozen in her chair, tears brimming in her eyes. Her eyes met Craig's and he quicky looked away, feeling the girl's apparent pain start to pierce him.
Craig really hated waiting rooms.
As Ellie sat beside her mother's bed with her father behind her, a million thoughts flooded her brain. She shook her head, trying to clear them away, keep them hidden in the recesses of her mind. She felt her father's hand on her shoulder and she placed her own hand on top of it. Still she kept her eyes on her mother's still form on the bed and wondered why things happened when they did. Why whoever it was that made these things happen always timed it with such irony.
"She's gonna be asleep for quite a while honey," Mr. Nash spoke suddenly. "But the doctors said the surgery went well. We just have to wait and see what happens when she wakes up. Why don't you have Craig take you home and get some rest? I'll call you as soon as I know anything."
Ellie shook her head. "No way can I possibly leave. I want to be here when she wakes up."
Mr. Nash nodded. "Okay. But at least let Craig know what's going on. He's probably dyin—curious to know." He cleared his throat uncomfortably.
"Okay." Ellie gave her mother's hand a gentle squeeze before getting up and going out into the waiting area. Upon seeing her, Craig immediately stood up and hurried over.
"How is she?" he asked, his brows knitted together, resting a comforting hand on her arm.
"She's doing okay, The surgery went fine but they're just waiting for her to wake up now." Ellie took a deep breath, trying to get her emotions under control.
"That's good," Craig replied. "Surgery is the biggest hurdle. She'll recover just fine."
Ellie just nodded. "Um, I think I need some fresh air."
Craig took her hand. "Yeah I think that would do you good."
"Um…" Ellie gently tugged her hand free. "I just need a minute alone. Please."
Craig's eyebrows raised slightly. "Oh. Uh, sure, no problem. I'll just wait here."
Ellie smiled slightly at him before going through the automatic doors and into the warm summer air. It was a muggy day, the air heavy with hints of rain to come soon. There were only a few clouds in the sky but they were dark and thick. When the rain did come, it was going to come fast and furious.
She walked slowly along the front of the building, her arms crossed over her chest, a shield protecting her from…something she did not even know. All she knew was that she couldn't let it in, couldn't let it consume her.
She didn't want to know what would happen if it did.
