I'm tired of feeling worthless.
"PHIL! ELLA WENT INTO LABOUR EVEN THOUGH SHE'S TWO MONTHS EARLY AND HAD AN IMMEDIATE C-SECTION! SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT I'M NOT ALLOWED IN! COME TO THE HOSPITAL NOW!"
The line goes dead as my best friend's husband hurries to call a taxi. It's times like this when having a car helps- not like you can get very far in London's rush hour traffic.
A nurse rushes towards Ella's room with a crowd of staff on his trail. Their feet clatter against the floor. I rush towards them and block their path. "Please! The father won't be here for a while- I need to tell him what's happening!"
"Well, it's against hospital policy for us to divulge patient information. Only family are allowed into the delivery room... But I guess I can bend the rules because Mrs Lester has no one else. Follow me." I spin the wheels of my chair, thanking this kind person for understanding. They smile and hold the door open for me so I can squeeze through.
"LEIGH! THANK GOD! TELL ME WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH MY BABY!" Ella screeches, clawing the edge of her bed. Nurses are trying to force an oxygen mask over her face but she struggles away. They have to pin her down to strap it on.
"I'm here Ella, don't worry." She gestures a pink hand back at an incubator. Several doctors are sticking needles into the baby's skin as it cries out in pain. I turn back to Ella and her face is white with worry.
"Calm down, okay? Remember the breathing exercises from your pregnancy classes- in and out, in and out. You hear that? The screaming? That sound means he is alive. That sound means your baby boy's lungs are perfect. And as long as you can hear it, your baby is okay." I hold Ella's hand tight as she breathes steadily. Massaging her palm, I glance up at the incubator.
I want to help that baby. I want to save him. But I can't- I know nothing about hospitals and medical conditions. The most I can do is unwrap a plaster.
Doctors have to work around me- my bloody wheelchair wasting so much space. I am useless here- all I can do is hold Ella's hand. I'm worthless.
And then the baby's cries stop.
<XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV><XIV>
"I, uh, didn't know ya had a fiancé, Leigh."
Kyle reaches down and pulls me up effortlessly from my sandy bed with one arm- he's hella strong. I begin to trace circles in Dan's palm. He doesn't respond but his muscles are tense and strained.
"Sorry dude, I didn't mean anythin'." Kyle offers a hand to shake, biting his bottom lip. Those luscious lips. Dan simply scowls at my new friend and starts to drag me back to where Phil and Ella have been watching.
"Dan! Be polite- he did save me after all. I'm so sorry Kyle." I try to haul Dan back but he shakes me off, stomping down the beach. Like a five year old who was told he couldn't have more ice cream. "I'm really sorry about th-"
"Why didn't ya tell me you're taken, let alone engaged?!" Kyle takes my hands in his and rubs the back of them. "I really thought ya liked me, Leigh."
I sigh. "I do, but-"
"But ya have a fiancé. I don't mean like me as like a friend, but like a boyfriend."
I stare down at the ground; when I glance up, his green eyes sparkle dully. He looks destroyed. "I didn't realise Kyle, I'm sorr-"
"Stop apologising. You've already hurt me enough- no need to make me feel bad about it." He drops my hands and wades back into the water. Grabbing his surfboard, he turns back and shouts. "I STILL DON'T REGRET PULLING YOU UNDER THOUGH. NEXT TIME YOU SURF, THINK OF ME."
As Kyle disappears into the waves, I catch one last glimpse of his blonde hair. Goodbye Kyle, I have a feeling I won't see you again. And I will remember you every time I climb up on the board. Although I am a worthless friend, I will always remember you. Always.
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