When I came to I could hear the repetitive beeping of the heart monitor off to my left side and a sharp sting in my arm which I realised was a drip. I sighed in frustration as I looked around the room at my sudden new surroundings. My mother sat in the corner in front of the small window which diluted the sterile lighting in the hospital and I could see Dr Olendzki speaking quietly with a human doctor who was dressed in colourful scrubs. She only seemed quite young, in her early twenties, with her long blonde hair tied back in a tight ponytail and small thin glasses perched upon her nose.
Reaching up to my face I felt a tube under my nose with two small plugs which led into my nostrils filtering oxygen of a sort into my system. I tried to grab a hold of the tube, pulling it over my ears however; I was stopped almost immediately by the doctors calm, sugary voice.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Ms Hathaway." The doctor pulled my hand away as she placed the tube back in its place. I could see my mother turn to me with a start as she took out a small black box and held it to her ear. After muttering a few select words down the line she pocketed the small phone and rushed to my side. I turned back to the doctor and Dr Olendzki as I avoided my mother's gaze. I still remembered what she told me in the car and I was more than happy that that Abe guy was nowhere in sight.
"My name's Dr Clara. Now Ms Hathaway, do you remember what happened?" Dr Clara asked in a professional tone. Of course I knew what had happened but if I were to divulge that fact then I may have to face Abe and my mother. However, if I were to just remain ignorant of what had happened and act as if I can't remember – then Abe and my mother will go home soon enough and I will be in the clear.
Coming to a decision quickly, I slowly shook my head as I plastered what I had hoped was a believable look of confusion. I could of sworn that my mother let out a sigh of relief as she grabbed my hand tightly, brushing her thumb over my knuckles in a comforting manner. I wanted to flinch away from her and avoid her touch but I knew that if I were to do so – she would know the truth.
"Not really. All I remember is getting in the car to go to the hospital for my appointment but then it all just goes blank." My voice fades out as I glance around the room in anticipation for what may happen next. The two doctors and my mother exchanged knowing looks before Dr Clara turned to Dr Olendzki.
"Considering the stress she was under at the time which resulted in her unconsciousness, this memory loss is really no surprise and is also nothing to worry about." She spoke under her breath before turning back to me with a small kind smile upon her lips.
"Now, Ms Hathaway – your mother and Dr Olendzki tell me that you have a very active and physical routine at your academy and due to this – I am not asking you to stop this exercising but you will need to take it much easier and use the oxygen tank at all times. It's just like the tube which is on your face at the moment only instead of it being connected to this large machine here – you will have a smaller tank which it will be connected to. It can easily be transported around and is quite light so you should have no problem moving it around." Dr Clara spoke soothingly to me as she motioned to a cylindrical tank which sat in the corner of the room. It sat in a small cart with wheels which had a long adjustable handle to assist in pulling around.
I couldn't help but wonder just how much my mother and Dr Olendzki had told the human woman about the academy but I just brushed it off as the doctor continued to speak.
"Now, this tank will be supplied by the hospital and it has enough oxygen to last up to 48 hours. Each new tank will be paid for by your health care so there's no need to worry about any costs." Dr Clara smiled reassuringly as she pat my hand soothingly before leaving the room with Dr Olendzki.
I knew that they would be speaking about something which they were worried about me knowing so therefore didn't want to talk about it in front of us. I understood this but I still didn't like the fact that I had now been left with my mother… alone.
"Oh Rosemarie – I am so sorry." She spoke softly into my ear which I cringed internally at. I knew she meant the fact that I am in this situation – that I have cancer eating away at my lungs but I couldn't help but think about what happened in the car. Abe is my father and he has been absent for my whole life then he just suddenly walks back in and expects to be able to try to get to know me?! He had 17, nearly 18 years to do that, but had he ever shown up on a birthday, sent a card or anything else? No, so why the hell should I just ignore his absence and accept him into my life as the father I never had? That's just it… I don't think I can.