Reader in the Park

by Rachel Maldonado

  “Oh wow...first a baby now an ape.” Anna burst into laughter.

  Nikki pressed her lips together and tried to suppress a smile. “Am I sticking my foot in my mouth? I'm sorry.”

  Anna laughed. “No, you're fine. I'm just giving you a hard time. I was looking forward to seeing you again. I was anticipating your return.”

  Dr. Bateman glanced outside the open door as she watched a few nurses walk by. She stood for a moment from where she sat, walked over casually to the door, then shut it softly. The door clicked shut with her gentle push. As she returned to her seat by the bed, she grinned. “I was looking forward to seeing you, too.”

  “I knew it,” replied Anna. “You're hot for my bod.”

  Nikki burst into laughter. “You're kind of corny when you flirt.”

  “What? You think I'm corny? Oh, well that's a change. Most women think I'm either cheesy or adorable.”

  Nikki laughed again. “I guess I fall into the 'I think you're cheesy' category, but you do have a certain adorable quality. I'll give you that.”

  “Yeah? I'm cute and adorable? I'll take it.”

  Nikki laughed. “I said you have an adorable quality. I didn't use the word cute. Cute is not a word in my vocabulary.”

  Anna grinned. “It will be--the more you get to know me. I'm sure of it.” She winked at Nikki sending goosebumps up and down the back of her neck.

  “We'll see about that.” Nikki grinned. She handed Anna the book she'd been holding firmly in her hand. “I brought you a new read today.”

  “Against All Odds?” she asked as she held the book up to her face. She opened it to read the inside cover. “It's non-fiction.”

  Nikki nodded. “It's a story about a woman that overcame many obstacles to become who she is today. I thought you'd enjoy it.”

  “Well, it's definitely different than the other books you've read to me. If my memory serves me, you like Rebecca Sullivan?”

  “I do. I read you Lakeville, Storm Clouds, and The Executive. I asked you to comment if you didn't like them and you never responded, so I figured you enjoyed them.”

  Anna smirked. “Really now. I never responded?” Anna chuckled. “Is that a little girl-in-a-coma humor, doc?”

  Nikki laughed. “It was my attempt at it, yes. I'm sorry.”

  “No, it was good. You got me.” Anna grinned. She liked the fact that Nikki felt comfortable enough around her to be playful considering they didn't really know one another as well as she'd thought they did. “So you're going to start reading this to me tonight?”

  Nikki shook her head. “No. You're going to start reading it to me.”

  “Say what?”

  “That's right. How would it look if I was still coming in here to read to you when you're not even in a coma anymore? I need to check your brain function and cognitive skills. You have to read to me.”

  “Are you sure you want me to do that? I'm dyslexic. I usually listen to audio books.”

  “Nonsense. Dyslexics can read. Don't rely on audio books as a crutch. Reading challenges and strengthens the mind.”

  Anna grinned. “If you say so. I'll read if you so desire.”

  “If I so desire? Who speaks like that?”

  Anna laughed. “I guess I do. Why? Does that not strike your fancy?”

  “Now I'm the one giving you a hard time.” Nikki grinned, then motioned to the book. “Go ahead and begin to read. I'm all ears.”

  Anna turned to page one and began to read at the top. “Chapter One. My Youth...”

  Nikki listened intently and watched Anna as she turned the pages, mouthed the words, and paused to take breaths. She'd never met anyone so beautiful before, so captivating. She felt as though she wanted to stay awake late at night gazing at the stars with her just talking and getting to know everything about her. As she watched Anna read she thought, “If you were the ocean, I'd delve into the depths and explore every part of you just so that I might get to know you better.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  When Anna awoke the next morning, she was disappointed to find that Nikki was gone. The book she had been reading was on the rolling tray table next to her pitcher of water.

  Anna frowned, then mumbled to herself. “That's just great. I fell asleep.”

  “Good morning,” said a woman walking in with a tray of food. “Anna Kincade?”

  “That's me.”

  “Show me your hospital wristband, please.”

  Anna held up her hand as the woman verified her to be the correct patient.

  “I promise it's me,” she said with a sigh. Anna then tried to jest. “I'm sure no one else is trying to steal my identity just so they might be half naked in this hospital and on a liquid diet of chicken water.” She jested, then corrected herself. “I mean--chicken broth.”

  Anna's attempt at humor fell flat. The woman only half smirked. “I'll leave your tray here on the table,” she said in a haste. She placed the tray down, then hurried out of the room to make another delivery.

  Anna glanced at her bowl of broth and groaned. She began to eat some with a spoon while she tried to recollect the last passage she had read in her book. She couldn't remember where she had left off, and she also couldn't recall having fallen asleep. She wished she had been awake to talk to Nikki more and to wish her a goodnight before she left.

  As soon as she was done eating her lime green Jell-o, a nursing assistant walked in with a plastic container filled with toiletries and soap dispensers.

  “Well, well. Look who's finally come back to the world,” she exclaimed grinning. It was as if Anna had been away on a NASA expedition in outer space and she had just landed in Houston.

  Anna held a crooked grin. “Good morning. How are you?”

  “I'm doing great. I'm Shania like the singer. It's spelled the same way, but just don't ask me to sing because I couldn't sing to save my life.” She giggled at her own joke, then filled her rectangular container with water. “I've come to give you a sponge bath.”

  Anna felt her face become flushed with embarrassment. “I'm pretty sure I can bathe myself. I was just about to ring the nurse's station to ask for towels so that I might take a shower.”

  “Oh, no. Your doctor has you down for sponge bath today. You are not to set foot in the shower due to your inability to walk for so long. You might have a slip and fall. The hospital would be liable for your well-being. I promise to be gentle.”

  Anna frowned. “I'm certain I can take a shower myself. I was walking down the hallways just fine yesterday. I was going to shower before bed time, but I must've been tuckered out because I passed out cold and didn't wake up until this morning.”

  Shania nodded. “You need rest. You are not used to being mobile. You tired out, I'm sure.” She began to soak up a wash cloth with water, then used the soap dispenser to lather it up. She walked right up to Anna and began to wash her behind her neck.

  Startled, Anna flinched. “I wasn't expecting this.”

  “You're doing okay. I promise it will be quick and painless,” said Shania smiling. “I do this all the time. I assure you, it's okay. If you could just lower your gown, so that I might scrub your back.”

  Just as Anna began to completely undress, the door swung open.

  “Knock, knock,” said Nikki as she waltzed into the room. Nikki immediately felt her face turn hot. “Oh gosh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was your bath time. I'll be back around in twenty minutes or so.” She turned right around and exited the room, shutting the door behind her.

  Anna groaned. “I can't believe that just happened.”

  Shania laughed. “It's a hospital, hon. Get used to it. But you needn't worry. We've seen it all around here.”

  Anna took a deep breath and sighed. “I guess you're right. I'm sure I was more embarrassed than she was. But still.”

  “She looked pretty embarrassed to me,” said Shania with a smirk. “Rumor has it that she was in here all the time reading to you while you were in a coma. Do you know he
r personally? Is she a friend of yours?”

  Anna grinned. “You can say that I guess.” She didn't want to have to explain the entire story of how she had dreamed up an entire relationship with Nikki. It wasn't any of her business, first of all. And also, it was something that she'd much rather keep to herself. It was her little secret, and she had only been willing to share it with Nikki. She felt that she did know her in a way. She felt like she'd known her for the past six months. The only thing was, did Nikki even feel the same?

  Chapter Eighteen

  When Anna was done with her sponge bath, Shania left her a few pairs of white hospital underwear that looked like boy shorts but were as thin as pantyhose. The material made her think of the thin brown pantyhose-like socks she often used in shoe stores to try on shoes. She put a pair of underwear on and was relieved that she didn't have to bear her bottom to the nurses and doctors on her ward any longer.

  Shortly after Shania left the room, a day shift nurse came in to introduce herself. She was a cute, petite blonde with big curls and a big smile. “Hello. Good morning. My name is Marie. I just came in real quick to check your vitals. I'll be out of your hair in a moment.”

  Anna chuckled. “Oh no, that was Shania.”

  “I beg your pardon?” asked Marie as she placed the blood pressure cuff around Anna's left upper arm.

  Anna shook her head. “It was an attempt at a joke. Shania was just in here giving me a sponge bath and washing my hair, so quite literally, she's out of my hair.”

  “Oh,” replied Marie laughing. “I get it. You're funny. That was quick-witted.”

  “Thank you. I tend to be good with snappy comebacks.”

  “Your blood pressure looks great. You're doing so well.” Marie ran a temperature wand across Anna's forehead and the monitor read 98.6. “Excellent. You have a perfect body temperature as of right now.”

  “That's good to know. I feel great. Wish I could say I had the perfect body and not just the perfect body temperature.” She grinned at her own remark, then added. “I'm not a good diet person. I'm so ready for a cheeseburger, but I'm pretty sure I'm expecting another tray of chicken water for lunch.”

  Marie laughed. “Chicken water. That's funny, too.”

  Anna grinned. “Yeah, I can't even call it chicken soup because it has to have chicken and vegetables to be chicken soup for me or at least have rice or noodles.”

  “I hear ya. If your doctor should change your diet, you might be able to order a cheeseburger today. I think that's what's on the menu in the cafeteria.” Marie grabbed her blood pressure monitor and wheeled it out of the room without any further conversation.

  “Thanks for the information!” said Anna in a raised tone as Marie exited the room.

  Hmmmm, she thought to herself. She felt as if a light bulb of thought had just turned on in her mind. She'd been craving a burger for two days now and somehow it was as if fate had sent her one on the day's menu. Now all she had to do was make her way down to the cafeteria to order one for lunch, since she was more than likely going to get another tray of Jell-o and broth.

  Anna waited patiently for Nikki to return to her room. Her stomach was grumbling. She took a deep breath and could still smell the clean soap that the woman had used to give her a bath. She was even kind enough to help her to the sink so that she might brush her teeth. She waited and waited anxious to talk to Nikki again hoping to make a better impression on her knowing she was fresh and clean, but Nikki never showed.

  By 10:30AM Anna felt her stomach begin to grumble and growl. Her lunch tray hadn't arrived yet, nor had Nikki come back to see her like she had said she would. Anna saw the moment as a golden opportunity to make a break for the cafeteria to sneak a cheeseburger.

  She walked gingerly down the hall practically tip-toeing in her hospital socks. She was glad there wasn't anyone at the nurse's station to see her wheel her IV down the hallway. She felt like a secret agent on a special mission to get from the fourth floor down to the first floor cafeteria unnoticed. So far so good, she thought to herself as she entered the elevator and depressed the button for the ground level.

  In Anna's mind, she could hear the theme song to Mission Impossible playing as she made her way down the first floor hallway, crept into the cafeteria hoping no one would notice her, then tried to look casual as she stood in line to order. She received a few sideways glances as some of the visitors, nurses, and doctors watched her, but it was a hospital so it wasn't unusual to see a few patients in and around the cafeteria. She ordered a scrumptious hamburger with cheese only to discover that it was a veggie burger. They didn't have 100% beef patties! But she was starving, and it was definitely better than the chicken water she'd been forced to consume for two days. She ordered it anyway with a side of vegetables instead of french fries and an iced cold root beer.

  She found the nearest table and sat down with her tray. At last! she thought as she took a giant bite of her cheeseburger. She felt her mouth salivate as she devoured her tasty burger with a sesame seed bun. She even closed her eyes as she chewed, relishing every single bite.

  “Ms. Kincade?” said a voice from behind her.

  Anna snapped out of her delicious, mouthwatering moment, then held her breath suddenly as her eyes bulged in fear with the realization of who it was. She sat motionless for a few seconds.

  “Ms. Kincade, I thought that was you,” came the voice again.

  Shit! she thought. She was caught red handed clutching a cheeseburger with both hands and a mouth full of the bite she had just taken. It was none other than Nikki herself standing right behind her in her white hospital doctor's coat.

  Anna turned around slowly and half smiled. Her mouth was still full. She quickly swallowed what she had in her mouth. “It's not what it looks like,” was all she managed to say.

  “Really, Anna? Because I thought I put you on a liquid diet, and here you are gorging yourself on the cheeseburger that you're not supposed to be eating.”

  “Okay, then I guess it is what it looks like. But it's not a real burger. It's a veggie burger,” said Anna in her own defense. “It's still healthy!”

  Nikki let out a sigh, rolled her eyes, then took her tray and walked off sitting in the back of the room all alone.

  Anna felt saddened. Why did she suddenly feel like she'd betrayed Nikki? It was just a cheeseburger, and it wasn't even the burger that she had wanted. She felt fine. She wanted desperately to go over to sit with Nikki to try to explain herself, or to at least try to tell her that her stomach felt okay enough to eat solid foods. But she remembered that they weren't supposed to be seen together socially while she was a patient. She could feel the awkward tension in the dining room even though it was filled with people eating, talking, laughing and going about their own business. She still sat with her back to Nikki, but she knew Nikki was sitting a few tables behind her, and the tension was so thick that she thought she might be able to cut through it with a knife like a stick of margarine.

  Anna finished eating as quickly as she could, then got up to throw her tray. When she glanced to the back of the room to see if Nikki was there, she noticed she was gone. She had managed to leave the cafeteria without being seen. Anna glanced down at the ground in dismay.

  Anna returned to her hospital room. She no longer felt sneaky. She no longer heard the Mission Impossible song playing in her mind. She felt ashamed, embarrassed, remorseful. She wanted more than anything to apologize to Nikki for disobeying her direct orders to stay on a liquid diet.

  When she arrived back in her room there was a nurse waiting for her.

  “Hello. Ms. Kincade?”

  “Yes, that's me.” Anna nodded in acknowledgment as she walked in her room.

  “I'm the discharge nurse, Holly. Looks like you're being discharged today.”

  “What? Seriously? I thought I was supposed to see a physical therapist for a few weeks.”

  “You have doctor's orders to see a physical therapist on an outpatient basis, it looks like.”


  “Oh wow. I didn't expect to get out of here so soon. I mean...” Anna's words trailed off as she fell silent.

  “From the looks of your chart, you're able to walk, you have excellent speaking ability and brain function, and you're on solid foods. All your tests came out great. You're good to go home. Do you have any questions for me?”

  “Yes, I was brought in through the emergency room because I was in a severe accident. Do you know what happened to the clothes I was wearing when I was admitted?”

  “Oh, right. That. Well, they were in pretty bad condition to begin with all dirty, torn, and bloodied and because you needed emergency surgeries, the clothes were cut off and thrown out.”

  Anna threw her hands up in the air. “That's just great. What am I supposed to wear out of here? I'm sure the police would frown upon me walking out into the streets in this white pantyhose underwear and a hospital gown.”

  Holly laughed. “Yes, hon. I'm sure they would! But that reminds me, your doctor, Dr. Bateman, went out to get you some clothes from the Macy's down the street. She will be back shortly. I wasn't sure of your size. Are you about a size twelve?”

  “I think so. I might've lost weight while in here. I was a size fourteen.”

  “That can happen when you're not on a regular diet. I'm sure you'll regain your weight once you start eating again.”

  “Oh no. Don't say that,” said Anna grinning. “I'm fine at a size twelve. Marilyn Monroe was a size twelve, you know?”

  “Really? I wasn't aware of that.”

  “Yes, ma'am. True story.”

  “Okay, ma'am. I just need you to sign and initial your paperwork, and I'll be back in with your clothes as soon as Dr. Bateman returns.”

  Anna signed her paperwork and initialed in all the highlighted places.

  “Could you ask that Dr. Bateman please deliver the clothes to me herself? I'd like to have a word with the doctor before I go home, if that's okay.”