Between the Sun

Chapter 2

                           Ann , in frustration decided to walk home . She has no idea how to face her kids or tell them the loss of her job. Sam will most definitely be heart broken,she had promised to get him a bicycle after receiving her pay that morning .Her face were already swollen from all the tears she had shed back at the City Hospital and she most definitely didn’t want anyone noticing her mood and asking questions she had no answers to .She turned round to get a cab but couldn’t find any .it looked like all the cars had gathered at the junction ,she then decided to walk towards that direction so she could quickly head home to her kids .

               The streets of a Dutse was ever busy ,the traffic jam this Saturday morning was unusual, the condition of the road wasn’t helping matters either . An accident had happened at the main junction ;a careless bike rider had accidentally run over a boy ,it seems he was dead so no one bothered calling an ambulance . The whole street went wild lashing the driver , seized his bike attempting to burn it down when the police arrived ,many ran away while others stood taking pictures and videos of the incident .

Ann out of curiosity joined the crowd pushing her way to see if she could help the injured patient before medics arrive and it’d be too late . She first sighted the red bike with thunder strike design in flame colors and concluded who it was.

      “Oh hell, its him again ! Always causing trouble “,she said in anger

        “not scorpion this time ,its one of his crazy boys .They hit the poor boy ,the nurse’s son !”,someone amongst the crowd replied her from behind .

    “Nurse ? What nurse ? “,She didn’t bother looking back to see who responded but quickly rushed to see what had actually happened. She looked at the boy all drenched in blood even to the roses he had in a basket ,it looked like he was going to deliver roses to someone .She looked again ,the boots looked familiar “Sam? No not Sam ,he’d be home with Eunice “ ,she said convincing herself until she moved closer .It was really Sam .

Her bones couldn’t move an inch ,everything seized to move neither could she breathe .It can’t be Sam ,maybe its all in her thoughts. She slumped to the ground .

“Ann! Ann!!” ,someone from the crowd called out but got no response .

“ Call an ambulance now !” ,a police man ordered .

City Hospital

Nurses rush out with stretch beds to the ambulance that just arrived . The hospital had been informed of an accident .

“Go! Go !! Check the boys pulse “ ,ma’am Ferg ordered

“he's still alive !” ,one of the nurses responded rubbing his wrist

“what you waiting for ?get him to the ICU now “

Director heard all the fuss and got out her office “what in Heavens name is going on here ?” ,she asked angrily staring at a nurse who looked nervous ,”An emergency ma’am ,the patients are unconscious. The boy needs to be operated else we’d lose him “,she replied shaking

‘the boy, patient’s? Who else got into the accident? ,Flora thought to herself

The nurse continued ,”Ma’am, can you hear me? .Its Miss Ann and her son .The poor child got into an accident. Miss Ann probably became unconscious out of shock .The boy is in a critical stage ,what shall we do. Doctor George isn’t available ?

“I’m afraid you’d have to transfer the woman and her dead son somewhere else . We cant afford to have another death record. George won’t be here anytime soon. Tell the police officer to transfer them soon else the woman will die as well “

“but Director ..”,the nurses expression proved she wasn’t expecting anything less

“no buts! And no one enters my office “,Flora walked back in and slammed the door .She stayed in for some minutes pretending to be busy but wondered why no one was at the door asking questioning her, so she assumed Ann had been transferred . A man immediately rushed in angrily without knocking .Flora was furious for being interrupted,

“I said no one enters until I consent .I’m busy right now ,cant attend to no one “,she looked up from what she was doing and immediately looked lost like she had seen a ghost she wasn’t expecting

“Ann ! How heartless can you be ? You should have called . If anything happens to that kid or Ann consider us done. I just attended to them both ,pray to the demons inside you she makes it !”

“But George ,you mentioned you were at an important meeting this morning “

“More important than the life of a friend ? Really Flora ?,I’ve had enough of you already .Whatever happens to this marriage is your fault because I’m done .Now contact Doctor Tim, I need an assistant for the boy’s operation, I’d deal with us later “,he left angrily

Flora sat back at her chair slowly and immediately dialed the Assistant doctor’s number ,the last thing she would do is annoy George even more . After making a quick call ,she burst out throwing everything she could see .

“Arrrghhh! You witch ,I pray you die already .I’ve done everything but George is still after you “ ,she throw the files from off table and began to cry l

George has always admired Ann since college days and Flora hated it . They’ve always been great friends and course mates until he got married to Flora at their penultimate year after she claimed to be pregnant for him weeks after a fling at a club and was forced to get married . George was drunk that night and Flora got her chance at him .She lost the baby few months after their marriage and since then she was afraid George would try to get his first love back .And besides the Doctor had told them she wouldn’t be able to birth a child ,hence George Schwab had no reason to stay committed to a marriage he was forced into ,at least that was what she thought .Their connection even as friends got her crazy each time they hung out together like she was the third party .Ever since George got into the hospital ,she noticed the way he looks at her .Now ,he’s risking everything to save her and her son .

10:50pm .Ann finally wakes up to a faintly lit room ,she could barely see anything nor could she recall what had happened .She tries to move when someone held her shoulder ,beaconing her to rest ,

“slowly Ann ! You hit your head hard ,don’t rush .You need something ?”

Ann could barely see properly and began to wonder what happened and where she was ,”who are you ? Where am I ? What are you doing to me ?”,she asked sluggishly trying to clear her eyes so she could see clearly

“Which do I answer first ? Well, its George and you’re at the hospital ,relax “,he said placing his palm on her warm forehead

‘hospital! ‘Ann suddenly felt something had to be wrong for her to be at the hospital unable to remember a thing but she figured she was safe with George .

“What’s the time George ? My kids must be worried sick “,she said trying to seat up ,she could see properly now

“Calm ,Eunice is fine. Ms Ferg promise to take care of her while you get better .No more questions now ,you need rest Ann “

“okay ,but I’d like to talk to my kids ,Sam especially “,she smiled

He smiled back “Ann ! Rest ,they’re fine .I promise .The nurse would be here to check on you ,you just had a short seizure on your way home .I’d be back to check in tomorrow morning . Flora would be worried sick if I’m late “

“Oh ,go ahead !”,she said forcing a smile

George moved closer, brushed some strands of her hair back her ear and cupped his hands around her face smiling warmly .He stared at her eyes for a while but left without uttering a word . Its been ages since George was that close to Ann ,her heart beat fast but she knows better than to hope for something that’d never happen . She can’t deny it ,she once loved him too ‘I still do ‘ .She stared blankly after he left trying to remember what had happened and how she ended up in the hospital but her blur vision hurt even more .The last thing she remembers was someone calling out her name and police siren sounds. Ann finally went to bed praying after she was unable to remember a thing ,

“ Lord, I don’t know what happened but thank you for keeping me alive. I pray to get well soon so I can get back to my kids ,they need me. And dear Lord, keep my babies safe from harm while I’m away . I know Eunice would miss me a lot ,and Sam would be waiting for his bicycle .I trust you to make all things right .Amen !” ,she cuddled the pillow to sleep

5:15am

“No! No!! “ Ann wakes up from her sleep screaming ,she had a nightmare .A couple of nurses quickly rushed to see what was going on .Ann appeared nervous but didn’t say a word to them out of fear.

“Ann ,relax it was just a dream .You’re safe here “,one of the nurses said trying to keep her calm

“My kids ! I need to see then “,Ann tried getting up from the bed and it appears she couldn’t.

Both nurses stared at each other ,not knowing what to say. George came in shortly ,he looked at the nursing giving them some sort of signal making sure they haven’t said a word to Ann ,the nodded back and left so he could attend to her .Ann was definitely surprised seeing George so early at work ,on a Sunday .Did he really care ? he never made it this early since she worked at the hospital not even at college lectures .His presence made her uncomfortable yet she felt safe and relieved after the nightmare she had .

“Morning Ann, how do you feel now ?not so good from what I can see “ ,he moved from the door to her bed side feeling her temperature. His bare bands were so warm on her skin and it comforted her .She quickly adjusted ,seeming to move away from his touch .He noticed her sudden discomfort,

“Ma’am, I’m not attempting to flirt here .If you could just stay calm you’d notice you’re all hot and sweaty for someone in an air-con room .Now rest ,Eunice would be here soon with breakfast “,he said looking away irritably .

“I’m sorry ,I didn’t want anyone coming in saying some crazy things “,she held his arm looking straight at him for the first time, leaning forward “thank you so much George “

He placed his hands on her shoulder, nodded and walked out .

Ann tries hard not to over think the whole matter . She was over it ,at least she thought she was .Some minutes passed by with no one coming Into her room ,all she heard were quiet murmurs from nurses who were on morning duty .So she stood up to hear what the latest gossip was ,

“I see the way he looks at her ,there’s something going on .The doctor has never been this early to work since I’ve known him “,one of the nurses started ,peeping through to make sure no one overhears her comments .

“ I thought so too but who wouldn’t help Ann, she’s a good person .I just pity her ,I wonder how she’d take the bad news . Let’s go already ,I’m not in for your gossip “,the other responded as she walked out the passage .

‘Bad news ?’ Ann became worried. She wished she could at least remember something but couldn’t. It hurts !. She could barely walk but managed to find her way to George’s office ,knocked a couple of times but got no response.

“where could he be ?” ,she opens the door .

George was right there ,she could see him .He sat quiet looking lost in thoughts ,no wonder he didn’t hear her knock .

“George !”

He still didn’t notice her at her door .

“Mr George Schwab ! “,she made sure to raise her voice this time .The echo of her voice made him flinch a little like he was in shock.

“ Oh Ann, come on in .Hold on let me help you “,he stood up quickly and helped her sit on the sofa to the right of his desk..

“Why are you here ?”,he asked

“ Nothing .I just couldn’t remember a thing .I need answers George . i overhead the nurses ,something about bad news “,she looked worried

“Ann ,forget them .Nothing is wrong “,his words weren’t convincing enough

“Okay then.I need to go home ,I miss mickey already “ ,

“Mickey ? “

She laughed softly ,” yeah ! My boy ,Sam .I call him ‘mickey mouse ‘ “

He pretended not to have heard her and continued arranging files .She didn’t give up the conversation even though he didn’t seem interested and besides she has been alone since the night before with no one to talk to and felt the need to engage him in one .

“hey ,I’m hungry. If you won’t tell me what happened you can at least get your patient something to eat “ ,Ann said jokingly .

“Old habits never die ,don’t they ?”

They both laughed .

The most of College days was fun for Ann and George .They go on friendship dates every Friday nights visiting the newest restaurants in town .Ann always look forward to Fridays with George because she’d get to eat whatever she wants not paying a dime .She ate most whenever she got the chance to ,George didn’t mind as long as she doesn’t complain of stomach upset.

“You’d have to wait till its Friday .By the calendar ,its Sunday . Speaking about Sundays ,Ma’am Ferg would be here with your kid after service .She said she needs to make a special prayer to the Lord “. Its been years George called that name ‘The lord ‘ ;ever since he lost his unborn child with Flora .He prayed so hard for the baby to live. He blamed God and hated himself – ‘ a doctor who couldn’t save his own child ‘. A lot of thoughts rushed through his mind ,Ann could tell his discomfort

“You know ,the Lord hears our prayers .You just need to keep believing, I understand you pain “. She smiled at him

He became even more discomforted and spoke out of anger .No one understands his pain ,he’s been in this emptiness for so long ,he would never be able to birth a child of his own and it hurts even more .If only he didn’t engage in a fight with Flora that day ,he’d have a child of his own .

“I believed in him for years, you can’t tell me I didn’t have enough faith then .My innocent child died ,I lost my wife that day because she hates me for what happened till this very moment . I can help but understand why some of her behaviors are irrational ,it hurts and you sure don’t understand that feeling l . Ann I prayed ,I believed ! See where it got me. Don’t talk to me about believing ,you need it more than I do right now because your son “It came out so fast ,he hated himself for all he had said .

“What do you mean by that ! What does Sam have to do with all these ?”,Ann looked at him with curiosity

George rubbed his head ,he wants to say it all but he didn’t want to hurt her even more .He was quiet for a minute staring at Ann as she waited for him to talk .

“when I lost my kid that night ,I thought it was the end for me but at least I’m alive. I don’t now how to say this but ,your son ,Sam, is why you are here Ann “,he waited so badly for her to say something but she didn’t .He continued. “Come with me “

Ann followed without asking questions ,she tried so hard to block her thoughts but she knew it wasn’t going to be a good news .They both walked to a room and George pointed through the window. Her nightmare was becoming reality .She opened the door slowly and walked to the bed were he layed down . Sam was unconscious and on life support ,tears rolled down her eyes but she said nothing .Now she remembers it all -the accident .

“He’s in a coma ,Ann. I don’t think he’d make it ,we’ve tried everything .He lost so much blood and is seriously wounded within .It’d take a miracle for him to wake up “

Ann said nothing to him but made silent prayers in her heart .’he just has to live Lord ,please ! If he dies , I would know how to live .Don’t take him from me too ‘ .She then looked back at George ,he could see she was fighting hard not to cry .He moved closer and held her to his arms .He knows what losing a child feels like ,let alone see the kid go through so much pain and he could do nothing just like Ann .

Ann cried so hard that anyone at the passage could hear clearly .George never left her side ,somehow he said a little prayer in his heart for the kid .He has never seen Ann so broken before ,she’d lose herself if something happens to the kid . He didn’t know what to say to comfort her so he held unto her until she gave him a sign to let loose and he did .

“Eunice would be here soon .You need to be strong ,she can’t afford to see you like this .Ma’am Ferg told me the poor girl blames herself for what happened. You both need to be strong Ann .I’d ask the nurses to get you changed up once you are done here .Please Ann , don’t weigh yourself down because he needs you to be strong as well .You just need to believe “

Those words hurt ,she couldn’t have imagined he’d say that .She looked at him and forced a smile .He looked at the boy once more to make see if there was improvements then he left .

Ann sat beside Sam, kissed his warm hand and brushed his hair .She hoped he’d say something or move ,maybe give her a sign that he’s still holding on but everything was quiet .She bowed her head on his bed and began crying “Lord please save him ! “ ,she kept repeating those words until she fell asleep by his side .