trauma - 1.1

Room 205. Room 205. Room 205… The number raced around in his head as he stepped into the hospital elevator.

What would he say to her? Would she even be conscious? He wanted to laugh it off – of course she’d be alright! She always had, even when she fell from the stairs in her house and had to get stitches.

He pondered again what Mrs. Coughlin had told him. A car accident. Despite Natalie’s typical blunders, she was a careful driver. It seemed unfair that she should be injured by someone else’s heedlessness.

Stepping out of the elevator, he passed by some nurses talking.

“Did you see her?”

“There are so many flowers and cards.”

“She’s finally asleep, thank God.”

Worried, he passed by quickly only to find that Room 205 was right behind him.

At that moment, Mrs. Coughlin emerged from the door. 

“Tyler, I’m so glad you’re here,” she said warmly. “Natalie is asleep right now, but would you like to write her a card for when she wakes up?”

Taking the piece of stationary from her, Tyler sat down on a nearby chair and began to write.