The Bevy

Grandpa's Letters

    We arrived at the hospital and asked the nurse station nearby about Aunt Salve’s designated floor and room. It’s on the ICU section of the 6th floor. We hurriedly got in the elevator when I noticed something strange. 

    As soon as we stepped in, I felt a familiar feeling of fear and resistance. Then I saw the young man in a black hooded jacket again! He just stepped out from the elevator that we got into. I stood frozen as the elevator door closes. I saw him walking away without looking back.

    “What is he doing here?” I asked myself.

    “Who?” puzzled Amara asked.

    I never expected she would hear me. I probably asked myself quite louder than I intended but it is the least of my concerns now. I want to be with Aunt Salve as soon as possible so I just replied, “Nobody. It’s nobody”.

    As soon as we reached the 6th floor, we went straight to the ICU where my Aunt Salve is in coma. To my surprise, there are two police officers outside her room. Amara and I looked at each other in confusion. My chest is pounding again. This time it pounded harder I could barely breath. Trying to be positive, I just told myself they have nothing to do with my aunt. So we went past them and into the room. The nurse asked us to wear scrubs before entering.

    Tears began to fall as I walk closer to her bed. She is laying down with life support machines connected to her. Her neck is covered with gauze. Her arms are filled with bruises. I have so many questions. I sobbed silently. So did Amara. I sat beside Aunt Sal and held her hand. Her soft hand that comforted me during my bad days. The hand that helped me learn to become who I am now. This is so unexpected and unwanted.

    Suddenly, someone knocked at the door. Amara stood up and went to see who it was.

    “Yvonne, it’s the doctor and the police officers. They wanted to have a word with you right now. Do you want to go? It’s okay if you are not ready yet. I could tell the…” she paused as I stood up immediately and angrily.

    “It’s okay. I also want to know what happened to her. Please stay with Aunt Sal here inside.” I told her as I went out the room.

    I finally met with the doctor and the officers. It was obvious on their faces that there is no good news at all. I don’t want to hear it but I know I should if I wanted to help my Aunt Salve.

    “I am Yvonne Miles. I am the patient’s niece. We are living together since my parents died. What happened to her?” I asked while trying to stay calm.

    “Ms. Miles, I am Dr. James Moore. I am the head surgeon of your aunt’s operation. She was brought here in the afternoon with a deep laceration on her neck. The laceration almost severed her throat. We performed a surgery to remove the massive blood clot from her airways as it was suffocating her. When we finally got her vitals to stable, she immediately went into coma. As of the moment, we can’t really say when she will recover from it. She is still under observation.” the doctor explained.

    I felt distraught knowing her condition. I have no words to describe the turmoil that’s brewing in my mind. I am speechless. I looked at the doctor with tearful eyes.