Allison
As I stood in the hospital bathroom, the icy water cascaded down my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I gritted my teeth, enduring the chill. Hot water was a luxury in this huge, expensive hospital, obviously.
I finished washing, wiped myself clean, and slipped into my clothes. The soft fabric provided meager comfort against the bleak hospital atmosphere. I stepped out of the bathroom, and my gaze fell upon mom, still fast asleep. Her snores resonated through the room, a symphony of exhaustion.
I settled onto the bed, trying to catch a few winks, but my phone pierced the silence, shrill and insistent. I reached for it, my heart racing as I saw Sally’s name flashing on the screen. It was a video call.
I hesitated for a moment before answering. Sally’s face filled the screen, her features magnified in a close-up. Her eyes were wide with worry, and her brow was furrowed in concern. I flinched, startled by the sudden proximity of her face.
“Hey, can you move back?” I gestured, a small frown playing on my face.
She took the phone away from her face, placed it on the table, and soon her hands began to move, signing in a fluid motion. I watched, my mind racing to keep up with her gestures.
“Where are you right now?” she asked, her hands weaving a silent query.
I hesitated, unsure how to reveal my true location. I didn’t want her to know what mom was trying to hide from her. Something that I can’t still understand till now.
“I’m in the dorm,” I replied, trying to sound convincing.
Sally’s expression turned skeptical. Her hands moved swiftly, signing, “Don’t lie to me, Allison. You’re not in the dorm. The room is very different!”
I glanced around the hospital room and realized that I’d been indeed caught. How could I explain this to Sally? Mom was trying to hide this!
Sally’s hands continued to sign, her urgency palpable. “What happened? Tell me right now! Don’t tell me you and Jayden are messing around again?”
My face scrunched into a frown. “I told you, nothing’s going on between Jaden and me,” I signed, frustration creeping into my gestures. “I thought we’d forgotten about what happened that day.”
Sally’s expression softened slightly. “Fine, but at least tell me where you are. I’m worried sick. When I asked around today, they said you suddenly ran out of the canteen with Jayden. What happened?”
I sighed deeply feeling defeated. I hope mom forgives me. Surely, she would understand, wouldn’t she know?
“Fine, I’ll tell you what happened.”
Sally’s eyes locked onto mine, her hands poised to respond.
“Okay, I’m listening,” she signed, her gaze intense.
“Uhm… Mom had a little accident.” I whispered.
Sally’s mouth dropped open, and her hands began to move frantically, as if she was urging me to spill the details.
“What happened? How did that happen? Is she okay? Can I see her?” Sally’s signs were laced with concern.
I held up a calming hand. “Just calm down. Mom is fine. It was just a little accident at work. She broke her leg, but she’s getting better.”
Sally’s expression turned from worry to disappointment. “Then why didn’t anybody tell me?” she signed, her hands slow and deliberate.
I bit my bottom lip, unsure of how to respond. Sally’s eyes welled up with tears as she asked again, “Why didn’t anybody tell me?”
I hesitated before replying, “Mom didn’t want you to know.”
“What?” she signed, her gesture slow and precise, her eyes quite sad and dull. “But why?”
“She didn’t want you to worry.” Was all I could reply.
Sally’s face contorted in anger, but I could still see the sadness lurking on the surface.
“You’re lying!” she signed, before abruptly cutting off the call.
I let out a frustrated sigh and set my phone aside. I wished I could understand what was happening between mom and Sally. It was something I might not even understand anytime soon but still wished to understand.
Sleep eluded me, and I found myself reaching for my phone. Before I knew it, a message popped up from Nina.
“Hey girl, are you asleep? I can see you’re online,” Nina’s text read.
I replied, my thumbs moving swiftly over the screen. “I’m not asleep yet, but I’ll be going to bed soon.”
Nina’s response came quickly. “Okay, but why didn’t you sleep in the dorm? Are you with… you know who I mean?” She also added a smirk emoji which made me roll my eyes.
“I’m not with him, Nina. I’m actually in the hospital.”
Nina’s response was immediate, her text filled with concern. “What happened?! Are you hurt?!”
I reassured her, my fingers flying across the screen. “No, my mom had a little accident at work, but she’s fine.”
Nina’s relief was palpable, even through the screen. “Oh, thank goodness!”
A few moments passed before Nina sent another message. “By the way, the club party this weekend has been shifted.”
My anticipation deflated, and I felt a pang of disappointment. “I was actually anticipating that party,” I replied, my thumbs hovering over the screen.
Nina’s next message read, “Now explain the whole thing! Why did they shift the party date?” I asked later.
Nina: They moved it to two weeks from now
Me: Why the change?
Nina: Because of the upcoming holiday. They figured people would be leaving school, and they want a big turnout for the club party. So, they decided to postpone it.
Me: Hmm. I guess that makes sense. I get it now.”
Nina: Yeah. Anyway, I’m feeling so sleepy and exhausted. Had a really long evening.
Me: Long evening? Is it what I’m thinking, Nine?
Nina: Sure is *inserts wink emoji* with two guys, actually.
Me: Damn it! *inserts laughing emoji*
Nina: You should try it
Me: Oops! No, thanks, I’ll pass
Nina: Good night, Allison. Need to sleep for real
Me: Yeah, sure thing. Good night
I set my phone aside, finally feeling my eyelids grow heavy. Sleep enveloped me, a welcome escape from the day’s events.