All Things New by Lauren Miller

Author:Lauren Miller [Miller, Lauren]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: March Forth Productions, Inc.
Published: 2017-07-31T18:30:00+00:00

The Uber pulls up at the hospital’s front entrance. I can’t go in. I can’t even get out of the car.

“Take as much time as you need,” the driver says helpfully. Aaron double A.

“Thanks,” I say hoarsely. “I don’t like hospitals.”

“No one likes hospitals,” he says. “Except doctors. I drive a lot of doctors. Mostly medical students, actually. The doctors take Uber Black.”

“Uh huh.” I’m watching the automatic door open and close as people come in and out.

“I could park if you want,” Aaron says. “I’ve done that for someone before. I can park and walk you in. I’ll end the ride now so it won’t be extra.” He taps his screen.

“No, that’s okay,” I say, forcing myself to unbuckle my seatbelt. your being with me won’t help. My hand is shaking as I fumble for the door handle, eyes locked on the building, my head a cacophony of hospital noises. It’s as if my brain is making up for the missing images with an overload of remembered sound. The constant hum, the incessant beeping, voices through walls and through speakers, the squeak and jerk of wheels.

“Good luck,” Aaron says as I climb out of the car.

i will walk in, i will go to his room, i will be fine

but what if he isn’t fine

he isn’t fine

he wouldn’t be in the hospital if he were fine

something’s wrong something’s wrong something’s wrong

The lobby is quiet and calm. Nobody pays any attention to me as I pass the information desk and move toward the elevator bank, press the up button, wait for the ding. Room 312 is easy to find once I get to the third floor. I linger outside his room for a few minutes, losing my nerve, until a nurse passes and gives me a funny look and I dart in.

“My day improves,” Marshall says, and smiles. He’s in bed with his leg propped up on pillows, watching TV. There’s a needle in his arm, an IV bag hanging from a metal rack by his bed. And a bruise by his left temple that wasn’t there before, it isn’t really there now. A woman in a fuzzy sweater and horn-rimmed glasses sits in a chair by the window, working a crossword puzzle. Auburn hair like Hannah’s, Marshall’s ivory skin. A bruise in the exact same spot as his on her check.

am i seeing bruises on everyone now???

“You must be Jessa,” the woman says warmly, rising to her feet. “I have heard so much about you. I’m Marianne.”

“Hi,” I say. “Nice to meet you.” I fiddle with the strap of my bag. i wasn’t expecting his mom. Her warmth is palpable and completely unnerving, like a heat lamp. My mom is nothing like this.

“Well,” she says after a minute. “I think I’ll go find something eat. Will you two be okay for a half hour or so?”

“So smooth,” Marshall says.

His mom swats him with her crossword book. “Would you have preferred: ‘Please excuse me, Jessa, my son has ordered me to leave the room as soon as you arrive’?”

“I didn’t say you had to immediately bolt.

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