The Space Between Us
1784 Words
Daniel recovered faster than anyone expected.
Each morning he looked stronger. The pale color in his face slowly disappeared. His laughter returned in small pieces at first, then in full bursts that filled the hospital room. Even the nurses began to smile more when they entered. He was no longer the weak boy lying still on the bed. He was becoming himself again.
Prisca watched it happen with quiet relief. Every improvement felt like a gift. She counted them—his steady steps to the bathroom, the way he finished his food, the way he argued when he didn’t want to take his medicine.
Gabriel noticed everything too.
But he was different now.
He stayed close to Daniel. He adjusted his pillow. He checked his temperature twice, even when the nurses had already done it. He asked questions about every tablet, every injection, every instruction.
He did not raise his voice.
He did not smile much either.
He and Prisca barely spoke.
On the fourth morning after the transfusion, the doctor walked in with a soft smile.
“Well,” he said, flipping through Daniel’s file, “this young man has surprised us.”
Daniel sat up proudly. “I told you I’m strong.”
The doctor laughed. “Yes, you are.”
Prisca held her breath.
“You can take him home today,” the doctor continued. “He is doing very well.”
Prisca closed her eyes for a second and whispered, “Thank you, God.”
Daniel clapped his hands. “We’re going home?”
“Yes,” Gabriel answered.
The word home sounded strange in the air.
The doctor turned to Gabriel. “Before you leave, I’d like to see you in my office.”
Gabriel nodded once. “Alright.”
The doctor gave Daniel a quick pat on the head and left.
Prisca began arranging the small bag she had brought to the hospital. She folded Daniel’s clothes carefully, trying to keep her hands busy. She could feel the tension building again.
Gabriel bent down in front of Daniel.
“I’m going to see the doctor,” he said calmly. “I’ll be back.”
Daniel smiled. “Don’t be long.”
Gabriel placed a soft kiss on his forehead.
It was small. Gentle.
Prisca saw it.
Her chest tightened.
Gabriel stood up and walked out of the room without looking at her.
She kept folding clothes, even though everything was already arranged.
Daniel watched her quietly.
“Mummy?” he called.
“Yes, baby?”
“Are you happy?”
She forced a smile. “Of course. You’re going home.”
Daniel studied her face for a moment. He seemed like he wanted to ask something else, but he didn’t.
Meanwhile, Gabriel reached the doctor’s office. He knocked once.
“Come in,” the doctor said.
Gabriel stepped inside. The office smelled of paper and disinfectant. The doctor pointed at the chair in front of him.
“Please, sit.”
Gabriel sat.
The doctor closed the file in front of him and looked at Gabriel carefully.
“Thank God Daniel is better,” he began. “But recovery doesn’t stop here. He needs peace. He needs stability.”
Gabriel remained silent.
The doctor sighed softly. “Mr. Gabriel, I don’t want to interfere in your personal matters. But children can sense tension. Daniel is a smart boy. He already knows you’re sad.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
The doctor continued gently, “Please, take it easy on your wife. I know it’s not simple. But for Daniel’s health, do not fight in front of him. Do not shout. He must feel safe.”
Gabriel’s hands rested on his knees. He did not speak.
“He needs both of you calm,” the doctor added. “Stress can affect his health.”
A long silence filled the room.
Finally, Gabriel nodded.
“I understand.”
“That’s all I wanted to say,” the doctor replied. “Take care of him.”
Gabriel stood up. “Thank you, doctor.”
When he stepped outside the office, the hallway felt quieter than usual.
The doctor’s words echoed in his mind.
Take it easy on your wife.
He closed his eyes briefly.
He wasn’t angry the way people thought. He was hurt. Deeply hurt.
But Daniel came first.
He walked back to the ward.
Prisca was zipping up the bag when he entered.
Daniel’s face lit up. “Daddy!”
Gabriel smiled faintly. “Ready to go home?”
“Yes!”
Gabriel bent down and lifted Daniel carefully into his arms.
Prisca paused.
Normally, she would carry some things while Gabriel carried the rest. They would walk side by side.
Today, she walked behind them.
Like a stranger.
Gabriel didn’t ask her to hold anything. He didn’t look back to see if she was following.
They reached the reception area. Gabriel handled the remaining paperwork quickly. He signed the discharge forms with a steady hand.
Prisca stood quietly beside him.
The nurse handed Daniel a small sticker.
“For being brave,” she said.
Daniel beamed.
They stepped outside the hospital building.
The fresh air felt different.
Gabriel opened the car.
And then something changed.
Instead of opening the back door for Daniel like usual, he opened the front passenger door.
He placed Daniel in the front seat beside him.
Prisca froze.
That seat had always been hers.
Gabriel adjusted Daniel’s seatbelt carefully.
“Comfortable?” he asked.
“Yes!”
Gabriel closed the door gently.
Then he walked around to the driver’s side.
Prisca stood there for a second before quietly opening the back door and sitting inside.
She stared at the back of Gabriel’s head.
The engine started.
The car moved.
No one spoke at first.
Daniel swung his legs slightly. “Daddy, can we pass by the park?”
“Not today,” Gabriel said calmly. “You need rest.”
“Oh.”
A few minutes passed.
Then Gabriel slowed down suddenly.
Prisca looked up.
He was pulling over near a small ice cream shop.
Daniel’s eyes widened. “Daddy?”
Gabriel turned to him. “Didn’t I promise you ice cream?”
Daniel gasped. “You remembered!”
Gabriel gave a small smile. “I don’t break my promises.”
He stepped out of the car and walked into the shop.
Prisca watched him through the window.
Her heart hurt in ways she couldn’t explain.
He still kept his promises.
Even now.
He returned with two cups of ice cream.
He handed one to Daniel and one to Sandra, who was waiting at home but he had bought hers to take along.
Daniel held his cup carefully.
“I love you, daddy,” he said happily.
The words filled the car.
Gabriel paused for a second.
Then he replied quietly, “I can’t stop loving you. No matter what.”
Prisca felt those words hit her like a stone.
No matter what.
Did that include her?
Or only Daniel?
She looked down at her hands.
Daniel started eating his ice cream happily.
Some of it smeared around his mouth.
Gabriel wiped it gently with a tissue.
Prisca turned her face toward the window.
She blinked back tears.
She felt invisible.
The car continued moving.
The road home felt longer than usual.
Silence filled the space between them.
The only sound was Daniel’s soft humming.
After a while, Daniel spoke again.
“I can’t wait to see my sister,” he said excitedly.
Gabriel glanced at him. “She missed you.”
Daniel smiled widely. “I’ll tell her I was brave.”
“You were,” Gabriel said.
Prisca listened to them talk.
She remembered how things used to be.
How they would laugh in the car.
How Gabriel would hold her hand while driving.
Now there was distance.
Cold distance.
Daniel suddenly turned around in his seat and looked at her.
“Mummy?”
“Yes?”
“Why are you quiet?”
She swallowed. “I’m just tired.”
He studied her face again.
Gabriel’s grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
The doctor’s words replayed in his head.
Do not fight in front of him.
He kept his voice calm.
“We’re almost home,” he said.
Prisca stared outside.
Every building they passed felt like a countdown.
Home meant conversation.
Conversation meant truth.
Truth meant consequences.
The car finally turned into their street.
Daniel clapped softly. “We’re here!”
Gabriel parked slowly.
He turned off the engine.
For a second, no one moved.
Prisca felt her heart beating loudly.
Gabriel stepped out first and went around to open Daniel’s door.
He lifted him carefully.
“Slowly,” he reminded.
Daniel wrapped his arms around his father’s neck.
Prisca stepped out of the back seat and closed the door quietly.
The house stood in front of them.
It looked the same.
But it didn’t feel the same.
Sandra ran out as soon as she saw them.
“Daniel!” she shouted.
Daniel laughed. “I’m back!”
Gabriel placed him down gently.
The two children hugged.
Prisca watched them.
For a moment, everything looked normal, happy and whole.
Gabriel handed Sandra her ice cream.
“Ice cream?” she asked excitedly.
“Your brother earned it,” he said.
Sandra smiled at Daniel. “You’re lucky.”
Prisca picked up the hospital bag.
Gabriel carried Daniel inside.
She followed again.
Behind them.
The living room felt quiet.
Gabriel placed Daniel on the couch.
“Rest,” he said softly.
Daniel nodded but kept smiling at his sister.
Prisca set the bag down near the stairs.
Her hands were shaking.
Gabriel stood in the middle of the room.
He looked around slowly.
Then his eyes met hers for the first time since morning.
There was no anger in them.
Just something deeper.
Something heavy.
Daniel’s voice broke the moment.
“Mummy, can I show Sandra my hospital sticker?”
“Yes, baby.”
The children ran toward Daniel’s room carefully.
Their laughter faded down the hallway.
Now it was just the two of them.
Silence.
Gabriel walked toward the window.
Prisca stayed where she was.
She knew the talk was coming.
But he didn’t start it.
Instead, he said quietly, “Make sure he takes his medicine tonight.”
She nodded. “I will.”
Another silence.
“I’ll shower,” he added.
He walked past her.
She felt the space he left behind.
The air felt thin.
Upstairs, the children laughed again.
Prisca closed her eyes briefly.
Daniel was home.Healthy.
That was what mattered.
But the storm was still there, waiting.
And she knew—
The ride home was only the beginning.
- Writer
