Page 65 of Actions and Reactions
He’s still up in Edmonton, refuses to move to the US no matter how much Dad has begged over the years, but maybe he’ll come for a visit. I haven’t seen him since Christmas, and I feel like I really need him right now.
When that’s all done, I stare down at the piece of paper and decide this melancholy really isn’t helping me in any way. Maybe the best thing I can do right now is to just try and sleep. The cast on my hand isn’t really what’s kept me from sleeping well this past week, but the constant buzz around the hospital was very distracting so I’m sure I could use a few extra hours.
I take off my uniform and fold it up, clearly taking extra time just to have something to do, then I set the watch carefully on the nightstand and lie down.
Sleep doesn’t come, though.
My thoughts race for what feels like hours and hours.
Vinny, our relationship, my parents and the fact that I haven’t told them about our relationship.
Do I want to tell them?
How would that go?
I’m sure they’re not bigoted, Dad’s comments on that last show he did are enough to confirm that, but it’s different when it’syourson, isn’t it?
Then again, I doubt I could disappoint them more than I already have, so maybe they’ll just take it in stride?
I can only hope.
Since I don’t havemy smart watch, I have no way of knowing how well I slept except by how I feel, and I really don’t want to explore that too deeply.
All I know is that I’m awake, there’s daylight coming from between the curtains, and I want coffee.
I do my best to get ready for a new day, then I check the watch before I strap it on and see it’s seven fifteen, so I’m right on time to get myself together before breakfast, where I have no clue what’s going to happen.
I feel like a dumbass for hesitating right before opening my door, and then peeking out slowly when I do.
“Good morning, Mr. Wayne.”
“Oh, sweet Jesus.”
I jump about a foot in the air and spin around quickly to see a big, really huge man walking toward me. He smiles sheepishly at me.
“I’m sorry for startling you.”
“It’s fine,” I tell him, though I’m still breathing hard. “And please, call me Silas.”
“You got it.” He nods once and clasps his hands in front of his stomach. “I’m nurse Li. Is there anything I can help you with?”
“Nice to meet you.” I have to swallow hard, the nurse thing kind of reminding me of where I am. Not that I’d forgotten, but... “I just want to use the bathroom.”
“Right there.” He points at the second door down, and I see it’s marked as unisex, but there are two doors marked that way, so I know I won’t hold anybody up.
“Thank you.”
“No problem. Breakfast is in half an hour.”
I nod once. “Is there any shampoo around here I can use? I haven’t given anyone the list of what I want from my luggage.”
“Yes, there’s shower soap and shampoo you can always use in there, and your therapist will make sure you get your belongings later.”
“Perfect.”
It’s a relief that it won’t take another day for me to get some of my stuff. I want underwear and more socks too. I need to remember to add them to the list.
I discover that the bathroom does lock from the inside, though I have no doubts nurse Li could probably come in here at any moment if he feels it’s necessary, but it’s a nice thing, to flip that lock and know that not justanyonecan barge in.
