Alone At Last

Chapter 27

"Alright Diana, everything seems to be okay right now. We'll keep you on bed rest for a few more days and then we will try and get you into physical therapy. How does that sound?"

"You mean, I can go home?"

"If all goes well, then yes."

I struggle to hide my excitement. He pats me on the shoulder.

"If your goal is to go home soon, it's important that you focus on your recovery. That means resting and not straining your body too much."

"Yes Doctor. I understand."

He smiles before jotting his final notes in his folder and making his way out the door. 

My parents swing by the room as the Doctor heads out.

"Hey honey!"

They seem ecstatic and energized. 

"How was the show? Did you like it?"

My mother seems a bit looser than normal.

"Are you drunk mom?"

"I never drink to get drunk. Tipsy is a better word."

I chuckle as my father looks at her as a partner in crime would. 

"It's not a show, it's a livestream, and it was interesting." I pause to consider if I used the appropriate word choice.

"That's good honey." My father reassures me.

"Did you still want some space?" My mom inquires. It seems as she's the one who suddenly needs the space. I make an excuse to encourage them to continue on their adventures. 

"I was gonna call Pauly. If it's not too much?"

"Of course not honey!" My father, equally hammered comes up to give we a kiss on the cheek. I can smell the alcohol on his breath and begin to chuckle.

"Okay honey, call us if you need us!" My dad summarizes the visit.

"We're only a phone call away!" My mother adds, as she practically races out the door.

I smile and wait for the door to close fully before opening my text messages.

I read a text from Pauly. 

"Do I need to call 911? Earth to Di, where the hell are you?"

I sigh before calling her. She picks up by the second ring.

"Yo! She's alive!" I hear people in the background. Mutual friends proceed to battle for the phone.

"We miss you!" they say in unison. I'm touched. It's not long before Pauly regains rights to the phone. 

"Dude, where are you? Forreal, like you okay?"

"I've been in the hospital."

"What, no way! Did that idiot put you there?"

"Not unless he knows an ancient spell strong enough to put me in a coma for a few months."

"Wait, what? You were in a coma? No wonder your house lights were off for so long. I thought your parents finally lost it and sailed you off to China or something."

"You're the Asian one here, remember?" We both chuckle. 

"Okay, so when can I come see you?"

"Well, the Doctor says I need to dedicate these next two days towards recovery."

"I know what that means, you don't want company then. Huh?"

"Pauly, that's not the case at all."

"Mhmm."

"Seriously. I already feel guilty with my parents being glued to this room like they're prisoner here with me. I hate people feeling sorry for me."

"Caring and feeling sorry are not synonymous."

"Don't be a smart a*s."

"You're only mad because you know i'm telling the truth."

I pause to reflect. Pauly has always had this way of getting me to realize parts of myself that I wouldn't have noticed otherwise.

"I'll be home in a few days. You can greet me with a nice big pint of Dulce De Leche ice cream then. I mean that is, if you really love me after all." I tease.

"I'm bringing too spoons b***h!"

We chuckle in unison before the energy settles.

"Love you Pauly."

"Love you too Di. Text me!"

"I got you."

"I mean it!" 

I laugh once more before ending the call.

I am alone for the first time in what appears to be months, and at this point, I no longer know what to do myself. And I'm not too eager to figure it out either. 

I look around the hospital and begin to study the border paper around the top of the wall. In notice the cushion within the chairs that my parents sit in. I take a moment to briefly study the scenery outside of the window. 

"I remember how badly I wanted a room with a widow just a few days ago." I chuckle. 

Birds and dragon flies' are seen flying around the window. The setting is perfect, even though it is still.