The beginning

I sat outside the hospital,trying to make some sort of sense of the last 24 hours. The sun was beginning to come up to start a new day, making me think about the little island where we lived. The sight is always breath taking. Something peaceful about each new day, helps soothe the soul. In the far distance you can see the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse sending out her light to bring home anyone who needed the help.

But this morning my heart was heavy. Words like coma and ammonia levels and poor prognosis filled my head. Finding my grandfather on the floor yesterday was the most gut wrenching thing I had ever seen. I was just 19 years old and had already been an orphan for fifteen years. Grandpa was all I had left. He was airlifted to the Va Hospital in Norfolk. The three hour drive was torture for me to get there.

I walked back into the emergency room to wait for the nurse with kind eyes to come get me. I sat down across from the most handsome man I had ever seen. He was sitting in the chair, dressed in ripped jeans and under his leather jacket, I could see his black tee shirt. His motorcycle boots made a loud clank as he tapped one on the floor. I tried hard to not look at him, but something about his brown eyes just kept me pulling me to look at him from under my glasses. His right hand was wrapped in a towel and I was curious as to what happened, but to shy to ask.

" So do you just hang out and stare at people?"

" No. I'm sorry. I just have a lot on my mind."

" Got a name?"

I stammered and ducked my head as I said, "Its's Janie. What's yours? What you do?"

" Sam. Let's just say I was on the wrong end of a bunk rack. Why you spending the morning here "

" My grandfather is very sick. I drove Three hours to be here and I'm waiting here for him. I don't know anything else to do around here. I've never left home before."

" Left home before, what are you twelve?" he laughed at me.

I could feel my face turn red. He thought I was a child. I knew I didn't get lucky in the woman department when the fairies gave out boobs and figure. My red hair was long and straight and in a ponytail. But really, a child?

" I'm happy to amuse you, Sam. I meant this was my first trip here. Thank you for the conversation but I think I will go get coffee. Have a nice day."

I planned to stand up and walk away with my head held high. But of course as I stood, I tripped on my own two feet and heard his laughter all the way down the hall. Great job, Janie.