Four
1142 Words
Gina looked at the time and decided that she wasn’t going to wait around for Marcus’s approval and walked out of the room with her keys.
She walked past Marcus and his family who looked at her in shock and got into the garage.
She reached her car, fumbling with the keys in her trembling hands.
As she slid into the driver's seat and slammed the door shut, she saw Marcus rushing towards her, his expression a mix of desperation and frustration. "Gina, wait!" he called out, his voice strained.
She ignored him, starting the engine and reversing out of the parking space. Marcus reached the car just as she was about to pull away, banging on the window. "Where are you going?" he shouted, his voice filled with disbelief.
Gina rolled down the window slightly, her eyes flashing with resolve. "I'm leaving, Marcus. I need to see my dying family," she replied firmly.
Marcus's face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "You'll regret this," he warned, his voice harsh. “I said you shouldn’t go! My family is here.”
“My family is just as important, Marcus.”
“If you leave, you’ll surely regret this,” he said as she took in deep breaths.
She didn't respond, ignoring his words as she drove out of the garage and onto the street. Tears blurred her vision, but she kept driving, pushing forward into the morning.
Gina drove for what felt like hours, her mind consumed with thoughts of her fractured marriage and the uncertainty of her future.
Eventually, she found herself pulling into the quiet parking lot of a large hospital on the outskirts of town.
She sat in her car for a moment, taking deep breaths to steady herself. Gathering her courage, she stepped out into the cool morning air and walked through the hospital doors.
Inside, the sterile scent of antiseptic greeted her, and the soft murmur of voices drifted through the corridors.
Gina made her way to the reception desk, her steps hesitant yet determined.
"Can I help you?" the receptionist asked politely, her eyes scanning Gina's face with concern.
Gina swallowed past the lump in her throat. "I'm here to see my grandmother," she replied, her voice shaking slightly.
The receptionist nodded sympathetically, checking her computer screen. "Name, please?"
"Mrs. Ramirez," Gina replied, her heart squeezing at the thought of her beloved grandmother lying in a hospital bed.
The receptionist typed for a moment before looking up. "Room 312. Take the elevator to the third floor, and it's the second room on your left."
"Thank you," Gina murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
As she turned to head for the elevator, a voice called out from behind her. "Excuse me, are you okay?"
Gina turned to see a tall, handsome man in a doctor's coat standing nearby. His concern was evident in his eyes, and Gina felt a strange pang of comfort at his presence.
"I'm... I'm fine," Gina replied, offering a weak smile. "Just here to see my grandmother."
The doctor stepped closer, his gaze gentle yet probing. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm Dr. Matthew Evans," he introduced himself, extending a hand. “I couldn’t help but overhear the room being called out. It seems like your grandmother is my patient.”
Gina hesitated for a moment before accepting his handshake. "Gina," she introduced herself in return, feeling a strange sense of relief in his presence.
Dr. Evans smiled warmly. "Well, Gina, let me walk you to your grandmother's room," he offered kindly.
Gina nodded gratefully, falling into step beside him as they made their way to the elevator. The ride up was quiet, the tension rising as Gina's thoughts raced ahead to what awaited her behind the hospital room door.
They reached the third floor, and Gina followed Dr. Evans down the hallway to room 312. Her heart pounded in her chest, anticipation and dread mingling together.
Dr. Evans paused at the door, his hand resting gently on Gina's arm. "Take your time," he encouraged softly.
Gina nodded, her throat tight with emotion as she pushed open the door and stepped inside.
The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn to block out the harsh hospital lights. A figure lay in the bed, frail and still, surrounded by beeping monitors and tubes.
"Gina?" a weak voice called out, and Gina's breath caught in her throat.
She hurried to the bedside, her eyes filled with tears as she took in the sight of her grandmother. Maria, her older sister, sat beside the bed, tears streaming down her face as she clutched their grandmother's hand.
"Nana," Gina whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Their grandmother managed a small smile, her eyes bright with love. "My sweet Gina," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper.
Gina took her grandmother's hand, pressing it gently to her lips. "I'm here, Nana. We're both here," she choked out, tears flowing freely now.
Maria reached out, enveloping Gina in a tight embrace. Together, they sat by their grandmother's side, their hearts heavy with sorrow yet filled with love.
Dr. Evans stood quietly by the door, giving them the space they needed to say their goodbyes. His presence was a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions that engulfed Gina.
As the moments passed, their grandmother's breathing grew shallower, her grasp on life slipping away. She murmured a few words in Spanish, fragments of memories and love shared over the years.
And then, with one last breath, their grandmother was gone.
Gina and Maria clung to each other, their grief overwhelming. Dr. Evans approached them quietly, offering a box of tissues and a sympathetic smile.
"I'm so sorry for your loss," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine compassion.
Gina nodded, unable to find words as tears streamed down her cheeks. Maria spoke instead, her voice thick with sorrow. "Thank you, Dr. Evans. Thank you for everything."
Dr. Evans nodded solemnly. "If there's anything else I can do..."
Gina managed a small smile through her tears. "Thank you, Dr. Evans. You've been very kind."
He nodded again.
Maria exited to call the rest of the extended family as Gina walked out with the doctor who listened to her cries by the balcony.
They talked for a while as she noted how oddly comfortable it was with the man who was a stark contrast to Marcus.
“Do you want to maybe grab a drink sometime?” He asked. “I know it’s not the right time or anything but…”
“Yeah,” she said. “My life is going to s**t anyway so why not?”
He nodded with a slow smile as Maria soon joined them.
Gina decided that this was going to be her little secret. She was not going to tell Marcus about this.
- Writer
