Chapter nineteen: Lucky?
Ruthie sat in bed watching TV; she was pushing her food around on her plate. Hospital food was not the best food. Ruthie's nurse came into her room and took her food.
"So, are your parent's coming by with some real food?" she asked jokingly.
"No," Ruthie said shaking her head.
"Oh, well, it's time to change your bandages." The nurse said. She walked over to her cart and took out a pair of scissors. She started cutting off the bandages around her forehead.
"Oww," Ruthie said wincing.
"Oh, sorry," the nurse said glancing up at her. She took out a fresh bandage and finished wrapping her head. There was a knock on the, Ruthie looked over to see Simon standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" Ruthie asked.
"What do you think?" Simon laughed; he walked up and sat at the edge of the bed as her nurse got up.
"Nice to see you Simon," She said to him before leaving.
"You too, bye" He said. "So, How are you feeling?"
"Ok, my arms feeling better. My leg still hurts, but my head's pretty much fine." Ruthie said her eyes still glued to the television set.
"So," Simon said. "Interesting show you're watching?"
"Not really," She said looking at him.
"Ruthie," Simon said.
"What?"
"What's your problem?" Simon shot at her.
"My boyfriends dead," Ruthie said glaring at him.
"Yeah, and your lucky your alive" Simon yelled.
"Well maybe I'd rather not be!" She said.
"I don't believe that, your lucky that's he's the only one who died. You two driving drunk, how could you be so stupid! You could've killed someone! Someone totally innocent!" Simon yelled.
"Like a kid?" Ruthie said glaring at him. Simon stopped and looked at her.
"Yeah, and trust me it's not something you want to live with. I wasn't drunk and I killed a kid. You should be happy, you were lucky." Simon said.
"But Tristan wasn't!" Ruthie cried. Simon got up and stormed out slamming her door behind him. Ruthie sat there crying, thinking about what Simon had said. "I really messed up!" She said crying.
"You used me!" Tristan yelled.
"How could you think that?" Ruthie said. Ruthie was watching as the road whizzed by.
"You should slow down," Ruthie said.
"Why? Your just a fake you know that!"
"Tristan! WATCH OUT!" Ruthie screamed. The headlights flashing in her face, Ruthie opened her eyes. Sweat dripping down her face. She looked around and remembered that she was still in the hospital. She glanced at the clock it was four am. Ruthie sighed and turned on the television. She wished she could get out of bed; she hated sitting around all day. Ruthie stared out the window and watched the sunrise, she watched as her room slowly light up.
Ruthie watched as her parents packed all of her stuff up, she sat in a wheelchair smiling to herself. She was going home.
"Do we have everything?" Annie asked.
"Yes I think so," Ruthie said.
"Lets go, the entire family is waiting for you at home," Annie said.
"Everyone is excited to have you back," Eric said.
"Yeah," Ruthie smiled. Ruthie looked over at the door and saw her nurse standing there. "Hi Nurse Carol"
"Happy to go home?" She asked.
"Yes, very happy," Ruthie smiled. "Thanks,"
"I'm glad," She smiled. Annie wheeled Ruthie past her and down the hall.
As her parents pulled into the driveway, Ruthie could see the welcome home banner her brother's, Sam and David, had made for her. Annie wheeled her around back.
"Welcome home!" they cried. Ruthie smiled as she saw her brother's and sisters sitting around the picnic table.
"Thanks," she smiled.
"How are you feeling?" Mary asked.
"Better," Ruthie smiled.
"Great, cause this is a party." Matt smiled. Ruthie laughed and smiled back at him. Ruthie couldn't believe her whole family was here. It was great to see everyone together. Ruthie thought about how happy she was see all her family here together for her. But then she thought about how Tristan wouldn't get to see all his family together for him, because they were getting together for his funeral. As that thought crossed her mind her smile quickly vanished.
"How can I have a party when Tristan's family's having a funeral!" Ruthie screamed. With that Ruthie wheeled herself into the house, leaving her family out there stunned.