Sick Love

Sick Love

Michelle wheezed uncontrollably, groping for her medicine. She groaned as she popped the small white pill in her mouth. When would this torture end?

“Still having problems?” The amused voice made her annoyed.

“Yes, Jared. It’s so nice of you to be supporting,” she said dryly.

“Hey, I’m sick as you are, so the feeling’s mutual.” The blond haired guy held up his hands in surrender, though his green eyes still twinkled with mischief.

The coughing and shortness of breath was already starting to fade, and Michelle relaxed, her chest throbbing a bit painfully from her fit. The white lights of the hospital overwhelmed her still, and she closed her eyes painfully, feeling as if someone squeezed lemon juice in them.

“I wish my parents were here,” she sighed sadly. “I hate going into surgery without them.”

“I know, huh? Eighteen years still isn’t enough to make us want to lose the protection of parents.”

Michelle was surprised. How did this boy know how she felt? But with his strong asthma, so close to her lung cancer, of course he knew. The white cots of the Sacred Heart, Oregon, seemed ominous in the silence. Most were empty, a fact that didn’t make Michelle feel better. She’d been here a half year, already. Her parents had commanded the doctor to do everything possible, but so far, nothing had worked, and they weren’t getting any closer. Finally, her mother, the strongest person she knew, broke down in front of Michelle, sobbing. It broke her heart. Her father had to drag her mother away, and from there, she hadn’t seen them again.

But the surgeries continued.

Then she met Jared. He was a mellow guy, always joking, trying to alleviate the seriousness of the depressing hospital ward. An instant connection, though she was sure it was probably because she was going insane with loneliness.

“Mister Realer?” A white bearded doctor stepped out, looking relieved. He was Jared’s doctor. “I would like to speak with you. Should I?” He gestured towards the cheerless blue curtains, about to close Michelle off to their conversation. She was put off. She’d wanted to satisfy her curiosity.

“Doctor James, a pleasure. But I’d like you to allow my friend to hear.” Jared winked at Michelle, and she tried to stifle a laugh as doctor blinked, surprised at his words.

“We think we have a cure.” The words were enough for Jared to drop his laughing façade. His face was suddenly full of desperation and hope, also hesitation. Michelle knew he didn’t want to get too hopeful, how much his expectations had been dashed before.

“Are you sure?” His words were careful, measured.

“Fairly. As I said, we only think. But I think there’s a ninety percent chance.”

“Chance of what?” Jared immediately caught on.

“There may be...complications. We need to take you into surgery immediately. Your parents have already given us the go-ahead.” Jared flinched at the mention of his parents. He’d run away from home, not wanting to see them again, yet they still supported him, wanted him to live at their money’s expense.

“Okay, then. I guess.” Jared looked anxious.

“We’ll give you one hour. Preparation is needed.” With that, Doctor James walked out of the room.

“I guess this is goodbye, then,” Jared said, looking Michelle in the eye.

“You don’t know that, yet.” Michelle was sad, no doubt about that. She was most probably going to lose the only friend she’d had in this gloomy place.

“I had fun with you, Mish.” Jared shrugged. “It was a lot better than being alone. I feel guilty, though, if I leave here, and you’re still stuck.” Giving a grunt, he got up from his hard cot and walked over to hers, putting a hand over hers and stroking her brown hair, then, he kissed her.

It was quick, but still, she could feel the brief jolt on electricity, chemistry flowing under her veins.

“Sorry. I got a bit excited.” Jared rubbed his neck nervously.

“No. It was…interesting.” Michelle was at loss for words.

“Interesting?” His face fell.

“No! It was…really shocking, but I liked it.” She smiled, and he grinned back; the smile brightened the room.

“You know I’ve always felt a connection-I know it sounds stupid, but-”

“I feel it too,” she interrupted. “It’s strange, but it feels right.”

“Mister Realer?” An elderly nurse popped her head into the ward. “It’s time.”

“If I survive this, I promise I’ll come back to you.” Jared nodded, his golden bangs flopping over his eyes. He swooped down, pressing his lips to hers, before leaving, turning and giving her one last glance.

Michelle touched her fingers to her lips, feeling the warmth coursing through her body. It didn’t matter if she died now. She knew she had someone who loved her. And that was enough.

“Miss Miller?” The quiet voice alerted Michelle from her boredom. She saw it was the same nurse who came for Jared, five hours before.

“How’s Jared?”

“That’s what I needed to speak to you about…” Her hesitant tone scared Michelle.

“He said that I should keep you up on his status. Well, the thing is, the asthma has affected his lungs so much, they’ve shriveled, and we couldn’t do anything about it.” Michelle’s breathing stopped. “I’m sorry.” The nurse bowed her head, walking from the room. Michelle was glad she did, as the silent tears coursed from her cheeks.

“Baby!” The shrill voice came from the doorway. The brown haired woman, eyes wide and blue. The same color as Michelle’s eyes.

“Mom,” she sobbed.

“What happened?” She was instantly rubbing Michelle’s back, her father behind her, his eyes full of emotion.

“Jared…Jared….” she choked.

Her mom instantly understood. “I’m so, so, sorry.” She pulled Michelle into a hug, a hug reminding her of when she was a child, running to her mom after a nightmare, getting pulled into her soft embrace. The smell of roses hadn’t disappeared from her for those fifteen years.

“You have a surgery today, dear,” said her father. Her mother glared at him, and he backed away. “That’s why we came.”

“Your father was being an idiot, as usual. Not allowing me to see you…I’m so glad I came today.”

“I am too,” she whispered. It did make her feel better, that her parents were supporting her.

“Let’s go on a walk. The air will do you good,” her father offered. “Wilma, you can stay here and talk to Doctor Sheppard.” He gave her a pointed look and she nodded.

As her dad held her hand, leading her to the doors, she heard sobbing. Cracked and broken.

“Wait.” She ran in the direction of the cries, ignoring her dad’s calling after her. She caught sight of a couple, the woman reasonably attractive with auburn hair, large brown eyes. The man was also crying, though silently. His eyes were a familiar emerald.

Jared’s parents.

“Mister and Miss Realer?”

“Can you go, please? We don’t need anymore doctors for today.” The man’s rough voice was cracked.

“I’m actually Michelle Miller…” She didn’t need to say anymore. Jared’s mother’s head snapped up.

“Jared’s friend,” she gasped. She immediately sprang up, clutching Michelle’s arm. “What did he say before he left?” she asked.

“He felt sorry for what he did to you. He said he wished you were there…” Michelle saw tears flow down Mrs. Realer’s cheeks.

“My poor son.”

“I know he left happy, though. He knows that you miss him, and he’s thankful.” Michelle gave a reassuring smile.

“I’m glad to know that.” Mrs. Realer sniffed. “It makes me feel so much better that he left this world without pain.” She hugged Michelle. “Thank you. I know my husband and I can rest now, knowing he’s happy wherever he is.”

“You’re welcome. I miss him too. He was a good friend.”

“He loved you. Probably more than he loved us. I could tell.” Mrs. Realer smiled through her tears. “And it calms me to know that he was loved.”

“Mish!” Her dad shouted.

“I need to go. My dad’s looking for me.”

“Yes, thank you for everything.” Mrs. Realer smiled, and Mr. Realer also came over. “We’re so glad that you could help him.”

“I know.” With that, Michelle left the couple, knowing that their hearts could rest, and feeling like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“I saw what you did.” Her dad was standing there, his arms folded. “It was a good thing to do. I never though you’d be capable of it.”

“I am.”

“It’s almost time for your surgery.”

“But didn’t you want to talk to me about something?”

“No. That scene right there convinced me that I don’t need to.”

Michelle shrugged. “’Kay.” She was mildly confused, but nothing she couldn’t handle.

“You know, I’m proud to have you as a daughter. I might not show it, but I am.”

“Thanks, Dad.” Michelle was surprised. He’d never said something like this before, but she could tell it was heartfelt.

As she was taken into the OR, she reflected over everything. Maybe she wouldn’t live, but like Jared, she knew that it was okay. Because she had people who loved her, and would remember her if she was gone.

5 Years Later

“Hey, Dad!” Michelle smiled and waved.

“My Mish! How are things?”

“Josh is taking good care of me.” She smiled. Jared’s brother certainly was being good to her, and his parents had almost become her second parents.

“Right.” There was a knowing look in her Dad’s eye.

“Oh, be quiet.”

“I approve of him.”

“Shut up, Dad.” Michelle rolled her eyes.

“I’m so glad you made it through the surgery.” He hugged her.

“I am too,” she mumbled into his shirt. “I am too.”