I barely went to sleep last night. I was too high on joy and excitement to rest. My mom stayed at the hospital with me all night long. She said doctors told her, on several occasions, I would die at a very young age. I suppose I proved them all wrong. We talked continuously until the morning sunlight crept upon the hospital. Dr. Richards kept his word and ordered nurses to draw some more of my blood. All of the tests came back with identical results.
On the surface, my mom appears happy about the unforeseen situation, but I can tell she feels insecure about it as well. To help ease her anxiety, I stood up on my own again and ran around the room for reassurance. She ordered me to stop because she was afraid that I may fall and hurt myself.
Now, I’m finally leaving the hospital just pass noon the following day. My mom re-positions the passenger seat into place. This is the first time I will ride in the van without my wheelchair. It feels odd to get up and walk around like a normal person. I’m sure it’s going to take some time for reality to soak in.
Shortly, we are rolling into the driveway of our latest home. I'm so happy to be home. I can’t take another night on that narrow and stiff hospital bed. As we arrive, a familiar black car stops in front of our house. Uncle Frank gets out of the car and approaches me with wide arms. All of a sudden, I find myself in the tightest hug I’ve ever received in my life…
In no time, we enter the house and settle into the living room to discuss my recent turnaround. The surprised expression on Uncle Frank’s face never went away since he witnessed me walking.
"Unbelievable," he says to me with confusion and shock. “But how…?”
“I’m just as confused as you are,” I reply. “I was having a normal day, and then the next minute I fell out and woke up in the hospital. I know it doesn’t make any since but it did happen that way.”
“Her health improved a lot over the years but this is way too sudden,” my mom says with insecurity. “I’m not sure what to make of it. It must be some reasonable explanation for all this.”
“When something like this happens, don’t ever question it,” Uncle Frank attempts to calm her uncertainty with modest words.
“I know that. It’s just…” my mom tries to explain.
“Julie, listen, this is Iva’s time. Don’t look at this as a bad thing,” he tells her modestly.
A voice calls out to him from his radio.
“Come in Frank,” the voice says.
“Damn it. I can never get a break,” he says to himself.
He positions the radio at his mouth.
“It's Lancaster,” he replies.
“We need you pronto. And no, it can’t wait.”
“Copy that,” he says into the device and places it back on his hip.
“Sorry Julie. Old habits die hard, I guess.”
“No, it’s fine. Be safe.”
“Always,” he says before standing and walking over towards the door.
He grabs the door knob and turns to me.
“See you later kiddo,” he says to me and winks his eye.
“See you later,” I reply.
He closes the door behind himself as he exits the house. I look at my mom’s face. Her expression is unreadable.
“Are you okay?” I ask her.
I see her mind snap back into reality.
“I’m okay. I’m just a little tired that’s all,” she tells me.
I know she’s lying. I’d probably be worried too if I was in her shoes. The fact that my illnesses just vanished for no reason is beyond me. She stands to her feet, delivering a warm kiss directly between my eyes, and then wishes me a goodnight.
“Sleep tight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight mom.”
I watch about 20 minutes of television before going into my room. I'm starting to feel the consequences of being up all night long. I kick off my shoes and fall back onto my bed. While I stare at my model-planes hanging above me, a memory resurfaces in my mind.
The flashback involves me bringing a red box into my room and cleaning it off. I sit up in bed and gaze at my desk. There it is, unmoved, resting on top of the desk where I left it. Another flashback resurfaces. I remember trying to find its opening.
Suddenly, a domino effect takes place within my brain. I remember opening it and finding a strange light floating inside. I also remember the light blinding me. I stand and walk over to the box very slowly; afraid that something spontaneous might happen again. I lift the empty box and examine it once more. I specifically remember it being warm, but now it’s cool and lifeless.
Also, the small light has somehow disappeared. I relocate the box within my closet on a high shelf. I give it one last curious thought before shutting the door.
Is it possible that I imagined the whole thing? I turn away from the closet and double-take at my reflection on the closet door. Something strange comes to my attention. There’s something on my right arm. I lift the sleeve of my shirt, revealing a scar that I’ve never seen before.
I ease closer to the mirror. It resembles something close to a branding scar. The shape is like a diamond. Then a light bulb clicks on somewhere in my head. The scar is in the shape of a leaf.
The leaf looks identical to those I saw on the red box. The thoughts about my disappearing illnesses can take a rain-check. I back away from my reflection. After a lingering amount of time looking in the mirror, I go to bed with unanswered questions.
I really need some rest. My mind needs time to recuperate from all of the madness that's been taking place. After today, something tells me this is only the beginning…
CHAPTER 9: COLD CRIME
Untamed Page 15