Blinded
Clarity
I think I’ll need a hard-core pedicure to save my nail. Or is it called a manicure, and then a pedicure is for your feet?
Whatever!
No matter what, my left thumb-nail is completely chipped, cracked and altogether ruined.
“So what’re they gonna do about it?” Bob has become extremely curious. Ray has helped me get the first few sentences out – saying what he knew. Mikey has been breathing rather hard since we started this conversation. Frank hasn’t said a thing.
“They’re gonna drill a hole in my scull – in the back of my head. Then they’re gonna drain the area.”
“And that could kill you?” Bob asks – looking for reassurance.
“Yeah. There’s a possibility.” Someone takes a very deep breath and exhales it slowly and shakily. I’m guessing it’s Mikey. Poor baby brother.
“How?”
“If they… The contusion is very close to my brain stem. If they get too close, they might paralyze me. If something worse happens, they could kill me.” I shake my head lightly.
“Something about cutting off the oxygen supply to the brain or something.” Another piece of my nail comes off as I continue picking at it. I think I need to start picking at another fingernail soon.
“Isn’t it best to not do the surgery, then?” I chew a bit on the inside of my cheek, before I answer.
“If I wait I could risk brain damage. I could be permanently blind. I could even risk getting an aneurism.” I sigh deeply – frustrated over my own situation.
“No matter what I’ll do, I could risk dying.” My voice is shaking. The pressure in my chest continues to squeeze at my lungs and stomach and heart, until I can no longer ignore it or keep it at bay.
“I might die. No matter what I do, I might die.” I finally free my nail from my relentless fingers and bring my hands up to meet my face as I lower my head. I lean my elbow on my knees and I bury my face in the palm of my hands and dig my fingers into my forehead.
I hear movement. Soon I feel two arms wrap around me, followed by Mikey’s whispered words in my hair. I can feel his tears fall onto my hair and seep down onto my scalp.
I hear more movement, but this moves away from me – far away. I hear the door open and close.
I lean into Mikey’s embrace and let all senses that work relax.
Whatever!
No matter what, my left thumb-nail is completely chipped, cracked and altogether ruined.
“So what’re they gonna do about it?” Bob has become extremely curious. Ray has helped me get the first few sentences out – saying what he knew. Mikey has been breathing rather hard since we started this conversation. Frank hasn’t said a thing.
“They’re gonna drill a hole in my scull – in the back of my head. Then they’re gonna drain the area.”
“And that could kill you?” Bob asks – looking for reassurance.
“Yeah. There’s a possibility.” Someone takes a very deep breath and exhales it slowly and shakily. I’m guessing it’s Mikey. Poor baby brother.
“How?”
“If they… The contusion is very close to my brain stem. If they get too close, they might paralyze me. If something worse happens, they could kill me.” I shake my head lightly.
“Something about cutting off the oxygen supply to the brain or something.” Another piece of my nail comes off as I continue picking at it. I think I need to start picking at another fingernail soon.
“Isn’t it best to not do the surgery, then?” I chew a bit on the inside of my cheek, before I answer.
“If I wait I could risk brain damage. I could be permanently blind. I could even risk getting an aneurism.” I sigh deeply – frustrated over my own situation.
“No matter what I’ll do, I could risk dying.” My voice is shaking. The pressure in my chest continues to squeeze at my lungs and stomach and heart, until I can no longer ignore it or keep it at bay.
“I might die. No matter what I do, I might die.” I finally free my nail from my relentless fingers and bring my hands up to meet my face as I lower my head. I lean my elbow on my knees and I bury my face in the palm of my hands and dig my fingers into my forehead.
I hear movement. Soon I feel two arms wrap around me, followed by Mikey’s whispered words in my hair. I can feel his tears fall onto my hair and seep down onto my scalp.
I hear more movement, but this moves away from me – far away. I hear the door open and close.
I lean into Mikey’s embrace and let all senses that work relax.
♠ ♠ ♠
Okay. This was very whiny, but I promise you: Next chapter will be better!