Waiting Room

Waiting Room

Ring! Ring!

Who could that be, wondered Henry as he glanced at the clock. It’s three a.m. “Hello.”

“Henry, its Jake. Sandra was in an accident last night…”

“Is it serious?” Fear clutched Henrys heart.

“Yes, but she will be O.K. She is unconscious right now. Listen, buddy, I need your help. I have to go on maneuvers in a few minutes and was wondering if you could call the hospital every once in a while. I would also like for someone to be there when she wakes up.”

Henry eagerly bolted from the comfort of his bed. “I’ll get ready to leave right now.”

“Henry, why don’t you go back to sleep and when you wake up in the morning, you can go visit. No need for you to go right now; she’s still asleep and will be for a couple of more hours. Thanks for doing this, buddy.” Not waiting for a response, Jake hangs up the phone.

”Hey! Not a problem, she’s only your wife; no need to be worried or anything like that,” Henry sarcastically thought.

Henry did not like Jake very much. The only reason he talked to him was because he was married to his ex-wife. He still loved her very much. Henry hated how he treated her. “Your typical military man--more concerned about himself than his family,” Henry thought to himself. He took a shower, got dressed and within thirty minutes, he was in the VA hospital. He was glad that the construction on the interstate did not slow him down to Long Beach, where the VA hospital is located.

“Excuse me, could you please tell me what room is Mrs. Sandra Anderson, I mean Davis, is in?” Henry asked with some concern.

“Yes sir, she’s in room fifty-seven, but you cannot see her until seven am. You may stay in the waiting room at the end of the hall if you wish.” Said the Nurse pointing to Henry’s right.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Henry said.

He walked to Sandra’s room and looked through the window. He saw Sandra lying asleep, with all sorts of hoses and contraptions attached to her. Sandra’s head was heavily bandaged; she had a cast on her left arm and leg and a long gash from her chin to her neck.

“You’re so beautiful, my little Sandra,” Henry murmured softly to himself, as tears welled in his eyes.