Family Ties

Chapter 25

By mid morning, I wake up to find my parents in a new set of clothes, scrolling on their phones. They look refreshed. It seems as if they've had a comfortable sleep.

My mother is the first to catch me with my eyes open.

"Morning sweetheart! How you feeling?"

I clean my eyes before responding.

"Uh, what time is it?"

"10:30am. Your father and I have already had breakfast. Did you want something to eat."

"10:30! Where is my phone? It's dead! Mom, can I borrow your phone?"

"What on earth is the matter this time?"

"There's this thing I wanted to watch at 11!"

"Well, you have just enough time to charge your phone then."

"Mom! Pleaseeeee."

"Diana, if you kids could take from every little inch of me, I'm sure you would. I'm your mother, not a servant. You can go 30 minutes without your phone."

She kisses my forehead before grabbing my phone, sneakily tucked under my hip, and putting it to charge.

"Let me go grab you some breakfast. I'll be right back hun." She never looked so excited to run an errand in her life. I look to my father who is minding his business. He's always been Switzerland whenever my mother and I would be at odds. I take some time to admire his peace before disrupting it.

"Dad, I hate the be the barer of bad news. But I really need to brush my teeth and maybe use the bathroom?"

"Huh? Oh right! You're not all hooked up anymore. Meaning you have to use the bathroom like a big girl. Ugh, one second. Let me try and grab a nurse? Hang on baby."

My dad jumps up, excited to be in action again. I'm left alone in the room. I glance at my phone on the charger before studying my body. I notice that I can see more veins in my wrist.

"I've lost weight."

I begin to feel around my head and face in attempt to get a better idea of what I might look like now.

"That doesn't matter. All that's important is that I'm alive."

My dad manages to find a nurse rather quickly.

"Alright dear. Did you want to try to use the bathroom?"

I nod.

"But um, once I'm inside, would I be able to have some privacy?"

"Absolutely, there's a panic button right beside the toilet. Just pull it if anything goes wrong. I'll show it to you once we get inside."

The nurse proceeds to walk over and helps to guide my leg off the bed.

"I'm really not supposed to be doing this, being that the Doctor still has a few tests he wants to run on you. But we'll see how it goes. If anything, I'll update the Doctor on your progress."

"Thank you so much."

The nurse proceeds to put her guiding arm around my lower back in case I fall. I can feel the ground for the first time in what feels like years. Suddenly the world begins to slow down. I realize how important this moment is. I can see the urgency within my father and the attending nurse. Ready for just about whatever might happen next.

I stomp lightly on the ground a bit to test the waters, before exerting full force on to my left hip and finally extending up on to my legs. The nurse grabs me firmly, like a parent helping their infant to walk for the first time.

I stumble a bit.

"Easy now."

My dad looks as if it's taking everything in him not to rush in and help. But he's allowing me to try.

"I think I've got it."

I begin to take my first couple of steps.

"Very good, easy now."

The nurse is patient and reassuring. We make it to the bathroom with what feels like ease. The nurse shows me the panic button and demonstrates how to use it before graciously making her exit.

I am sure to watch her close the door in full before rushing to lock it. My hips feel weak, but functional. I take slow and steady strides towards the mirror. My hair is slightly disheveled, face nude, and the hospital gown has become a fashion statement. I study myself carefully. Taking a closer look at my eye bags and puffy cheeks. I puff my cheeks out and begin to pat them like drums before giggling to myself.

I decided to redo my ponytail, which has managed to convert itself into a birds nest, when suddenly I hear the whispers begin to make their appearance.

"You think you're so special. What will she do next? Add this to her memoire? Diana, the girl who almost became paralyzed. Drama Queen."

I gasp. I do my best to refocus my gaze onto the mirror, but the words cut deep. Stunned, I remain frozen in time. Gazing at myself. Trying to redeem myself. The words continue to echo.

"Drama Queen. Attention w***e. Special Snowflake."

I plug my ears and attempt to tune out the noise. The voices continue to overtake the peace I once sought in the bathroom. I let out a whimper and quickly cover my mouth in attempt not to startle my father. Backing towards the corner of the bathroom wall, it's as if the words have manifested themselves into physical form. I am officially engaging in an invisible battle.

As I back away, I hear a deeper, more sophisticated voice whisper.

"Come to me Diana. I will show you true freedom." Suddenly the voices vanish. I look around to make sure there is no left over residue.

There's a knock on the door.

"Diana, I have your breakfast honey. You okay? Your dad tells me you walked for the first time!"

"Thanks mom! I'm good. Tummy's a little upset. I'll be out soon."

"Okay hun, food's on the table. I'll grab your phone and put it on the bed for you."

"Thank you! Love you."

"Love you more."

I do my best to regather my strength and sanity before heading back towards the mirror. I walk carefully towards the mirror until I'm finally front and center. Everything is normal again. I sigh and throw water on my face before using the bathroom and returning to my parents.

Upon walking back to bed, my parents watch me anxiously. Even with a limp, I reassure them that I feel better than ever. Since I was young, I had a bad habit of being stubborn and trying to do things on my own. They've since learned that the best way to protect me is to give me the illusion of independence. I'm grateful they've taken the time to learn me so well.

"Is that breakfast? Looks delish."

"They didn't have spicy mayo or avocado, so instead of eggs I got your next favorite thing."

"I mean who could go wrong with chocolate chips pancakes."

I lick my lips in an exaggerated manner. My parents let out a whole hearted laugh.

"You've always loved food."

I smile as I position myself back in bed and prepare to open the tray.

My dad pats my leg.

"That's good Mama! The Dr. will get you out of here in no time after hearing that you walked!"

He looks eager to see me better. Ever since I was a kid, my dad had a hard time seeing me sick or in pain. He wouldn't show it, but Mom tells us he would worry and lose sleep over my brother and I during those moments.

I reassure him with a smile before taking my first bite of pancake. The taste is fantastic. It feels like the best thing I've ever eaten. Possibly because it's my first real meal in months. I roll my eyes back in pleasure.

"Oh my God."

As I regain consciousness, I make eye contact with both parents.

"Are you kidding me? Why didn't anyone tell me pancakes were this good?"

My mom rolls her eyes.

"Greedy."

She randomly begins to tickle me. We are all laughing whole heartedly. Unexpectedly, there's a knock at the door. My father is first to respond.

"Come in!"

To my surprise, my brother has made his way through the door. He's never been all that vocal. His presence has always spoken for itself.

My parents face him and welcome him with open arms.

"Boss! How was work? You doing okay?"

They're always excited when he comes around. He has always been more difficult to get close to. So they do their best to make him feel welcomed whenever he shows up. "Hey mom. Hey dad." He kisses them on the cheek before looking my way.

"Hey Di."

He's always had this star factor to him. I feel a bit shy as he comes closer. There has always been a level of respect between my brother and I, the type that is commonly shared between Manager and Subordinate. Though I am older, he has always had the more dominant presence.

"Hey." I smile in kind. "Good to see you." I reach out for a hug. He reciprocates warmly.

"How are you feeling?" I can see he's been worried too. Like my father, he doesn't show much vulnerability outwardly. But I've learned to read him overtime.

"I've been getting better, slowly. Today, I walked for the first time since I've been here!"

"Oh yeah?" He chuckles. That's good.

My mom rubs his back.

"Do you want to sit down hun? How was work?"

"It was good. I'm fine." He sighs as if he's been on his feet all day. "Just wanted to check on her."

"She's gonna be staying a bit longer, but she's making good progress."

He looks back at me like he's gauging my temperature. I look back for a bit before squinting out of annoyance. He squints back, and the sibling rivalry commences.

"You guys can never go for too long without acting up." My mother rolls her eyes before crossing her legs and returning to scrolling on her phone. Her way of putting up an invisible wall.

My father does his best to carry the Convo, but my brother doesn't reciprocate much. He's always been a man of few words while my father, a man of many. He gives short concise responses in order to show respect.

"Hey punk, what time is it?" I do my best to save him from the dreadful small talk. It's not his strength.

"11:01."

Oh shoot! It started. I panic as I begin searching for my phone. Pulling the covers from around me and tossing them upside down. My parents study me with eyes as wide as an owl. My brother maintains his neutral, stoic persona before walking up to the bed ever so calmly and pulling the phone from beneath the linen fortress I've managed to create.

"You looking for this?" He hands me the missing phone in a mocking manner. I squint once more before grabbing the phone begrudgingly, letting out a half hearted "thank you." He smirks.

I panic to find the link as I scroll through a slew of notifications. I can feel my family staring at me and begin to grow anxious. Suddenly, I pause to recollect myself.

"You know, it's a good thing they invented phones. You guys don't have to be glued to your seats. Go explore. I'll call if I need you. My parents look at each other and roll their eyes. My mom is the first one to interpret.

"That's her way of saying she wants space." My dad nods eagerly before chuckling.

They begin to pack their things, throwing shots then and again. I began to grow flustered and feel embarrassed.

My mom kisses my forehead.

"It's okay hun. I know you're private. Just call and text if you need us. And don't try to walk on your own!"

"I promise won't. Thank you so much. Love you guys."

They respond one by one.

"Love you too."

My brother approaches me once more, I recommit to the squint contest. He stands before me in complete silence before unexpectedly grabbing my head and kissing my forehead.

"Take care of yourself girl. Text me if you need me. I'll be back soon."

"Thanks for visiting June." I extend a one arm hug and wait for them to exit before continuing my search for the live stream.