DISCHARGED.
Madison’s POV
“I can get up on my own,” I told the nurse who had just shown up with Dr. Magdalene to clean my wounds. I held onto the iron bar beside the bed and stood up.
Dr. Magdalene flashed a bright smile. “Look who is fit now,”
I traced my way to the demarcation created by the blue curtains. I crossed to the other side, appeared behind the curtain, and then climbed the padded bed.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Dr. Magdalene said while slipping her gloves on.
I placed my hands on my sides, stared at the white ceiling above, and began to take deep breaths. Shortly, the young nurse appeared with a cleaning bowl. Inside the bowl were cotton, disinfectant, and scissors.
Another letter had arrived this morning from Michael but the bunch of letters was the last thing on my mind right now. I can’t stop thinking about the woman who showed up, disguised as a nurse.
I could ask Dr. Magdalene who the woman was. I could also have asked her whether Michael was the one who told the woman to disguise herself as a woman because that was the only way she could get to me but still, I didn’t utter a word.
Dr. Magdalene appeared and slowly rolled up my gown. “Looks completely healed,” then she looked at me. “Time to take off the stitches. Are you ready?”
“Yeah,” I breathed.
“Okay. This should hurt a bit but you just stay put. You’ve got this,” she said.
She took some cotton wool from the bowl the nurse was holding up and wet it with disinfectant and while she rubbed it against the cut on my abdomen, I felt a burning sensation. Then she began to cut out the stitches with the scissors.
My mind drifted back to the woman, Lady Worthington. Did she come to town with my father? Are they staying in a hotel or Michael’s residence? Were they aware of the kidnapping incident?
“Madison!”
I turned slowly.
“It’s finished,” Dr. Magdalene smiled warmly. She gave the spot one final wipe and then dumped her gloves in the bowl.
She extended a hand toward me and then helped me to sit up.
“The wound is dry. Though it’ll need to be cleaned daily for the next seven days so you don’t get an infection. I’ll also prescribe some after-care drugs for you and a list of food you might want to avoid till you’re fully recovered,” she said.
I turned to her. “You’re discharging me,”
She placed a hand on my left shoulder. “It’s time,”
I sighed and turned away.
“You’ll be fine, Madison. You’ll have all the love you need,” then she stood up and presented a hand to me. “Come. Let’s get you back to bed,”
I took her hand and then allowed her to lead me back to the bed. I sat and then she placed a pillow behind my back for support.
“Do you need anything?”
I swung my head from left to right.
She nodded and then stepped out.
My eyes wandered to the pile of letters on the table. Michael will be here to collect me tomorrow after claiming the discharge papers.
I breathed a sigh, placed my feet on the ground, and carefully got up. I walked to the table, picked all the letters, pressed them to my chest, and went back to bed.
I dumped all the letters on the bed, rested my back against the wall, and picked one.
I breathed a heavy sigh and then opened it.
Dear Madison, I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Trust me, I would've given my life for this.
I lifted my head and felt tears welling up in my eyes.
God!
I’m not sure if I can do this. I’m not sure if I can curtail my emotions and read through all fifteen letters but I must try. Michael would be here to take me home tomorrow or maybe, take me to my parents.
I took a deep breath and continued reading the letter.
\~~~~
“This way,” Georgia said and led me down the hallway. She was holding a large bag containing my stuff.
After staying indoors for two weeks, I’ve been discharged and as much as I wasn’t ready to accept reality, it’s time to face the world.
I took slow and steady steps after Georgia and then finally made it out of the building. The sun shone on my face for the first time in about two weeks.
I saw Michael’s Cadillac parked a few meters away from the hospital’s exit. He was standing beside the car and right next to him was Richard.
Georgia stood beside me. I managed to read all twelve letters. To sum it up, Michael thinks the situation wasn’t my fault and he’d be glad if I took my mind off the baby’s death and focused on recovering. As if it were that easy.
It was either that Michael didn’t want to meet my gaze or I was too broken to be seen because the moment our eyes met, he turned to open the door to the back seat of the car.
I swallowed the lump that had suddenly developed in my throat and took Georgia’s hand. She led me toward the car and then helped me get settled inside. Then she handed over the luggage bag to Michael and sat next to me.
Michael placed the bag in the trunk and then mounted the driver’s seat. Richard sat in front right next to him. While he was putting his seat belt on, I looked through the window.
Michael started the car and wheeled it toward the house. It felt as if he was struggling to pull the car or maybe he had chosen to be considerate due to my state. I’d appreciate it if I weren’t treated like a vegetable. I’m hale and maybe not hearty.
As the car slowly drove down the road, no one said a word. Not Georgia, Richard, or even Michael. Of course, I wasn’t ready to chat but perhaps, the trio might want to talk but none of them did.
About an hour later, Michael pulled the Cadillac in front of the house. Then Ank opened the gate and he drove inside. He killed the engine when he drove to the front of the house.
Georgia immediately stepped out, the bag in her hand then she used her other hand to reach for mine.
“Let’s get you inside,”
I stared at the building in front of me and began to wonder.
Were my biological parents inside?