MELANIE
I had been wrong. Things were still pretty shitty. All the applications I had sent out over the past week had been rejected. Nevertheless, I had gone job hunting physically today as well. But all I met with was disappointment at every stop. I hadn't informed Emily about it either. I didn't want her to worry, or worse still, feel sorry for me.
Deciding I would shower when I got back, I heaved a sigh, quickly slipping off the professional clothes I wore, and changing into sweats and a loose shirt. I didn't have the time to be sad or feel sorry for myself today. It was Thursday, which was also my visiting day for Daddy.
Once I was done getting ready, I quickly picked up the shopping bag filled with fruits I had managed to purchase on my way back home. Every Thursday when I visited, I brought a small bag of fresh clothes and some fruits along. I wanted to be prepared in case Dad woke up. He hadn't yet. But that didn't stop me from bringing them every week.
I quickly locked the door to my apartment and began to walk down the street to Daddy's house. It was just ten minutes away. Well, it was technically my house too because I had grown up there. When his illness had gotten really bad, I had changed my mind about moving to a different state to get a job. So I had gotten a job and an apartment that was close enough to him, just in case he urgently needed me.
Finally, I got to the house. I frowned, taking a few moments to stare at how gloomy and empty it looked. The interior was worse. Particles of dust had settled on the furniture.
"Shit," I muttered as my entire palms turned black when I ran it through a chair I wanted to sit on. I quickly washed it off in the sink, taking a mental note to come clean up the house next weekend. When I was done I found my way into Dad's room. I was tempted to open the curtains from how dark it was, but I knew there was no need. All I would get was dusty hands. So I used the flashlight of my phone to search for what I needed. I picked up the same already packed bag of clothes when I found it.
As my eyes roamed round the room checking to see if there was anything else I could carry this time, my eyes fell on the lopsided portrait hanging on the wall. Although the room was in semi-darkness, I could recognise the portrait anywhere.
I remember it was taken about ten years ago. I had won some award for the best in sports. Mom and Daddy had been so proud, beaming as they huddled close to me for the shot to he taken. A smile slowly made its way to my face from the memory. And just like every time when I thought of mom, I wondered if anything would be different if she were still here. Every one that knew my family always said I was the spitting image of my mother. But I couldn't see it though. But maybe that was because I had spent more of my life with Dad, so I decided that I looked more like him. The only thing I had inherited from Mom was her curly black hair.
The sound of my ringtone roused me from my reverie. I quickly answered when I saw the caller ID.
"Hey loser," I heard Emily say from the other line.
"Well good day to you too," I replied laughing.
"Where are you? I just came to your apartment and found it locked."
"It's Thursday," I replied simply.
It was silent for a while and then she remembered. "Oh, the hospital! It completely slipped my mind, I'm sorry. Did you get the fruits?"
"Yep."
"Okay," She sighed. "I really hope he's doing okay."
"Yeah me too." My eyes widened as I looked at the time. "Holy shit, I gotta go. I'll let you know when I'm back okay? Bye, love ya."
Hanging up, I sprinted out of the house and down the street to the hospital. The hospital's visiting hours would soon be over.
When I finally got to the hospital and found my way to dad's ward, I didn't hesitate this time. I swung the door open, not exactly sure what I was hoping for. My heart fell when I faced his unmoving figure. He was hooked to even more machines today.
I held back the tears that threatened to fall as I slowly lowered myself beside him on the bed.
"Hey, daddy," I whispered, slowly running my hand over his arm. "How are you doing today?" I asked, although I knew he wouldn't answer.
"Mine was so bad," I laughed. "Actually, this month has been shit. I just wanna go on vacation. With you, of course. But that will be when you get better."
The only sound that filled the room was the beeping of the monitor that attached to him.
"I got you fruits," I said, raising the shopping bag higher. "I couldn't get all the ones you liked though. But I'll try to get some next time."
I looked down at him. The steady rise and fall of his chest let me know he was still breathing. I sighed in relief and passed the next few minutes clutching his hand in silence.
When some minutes had passed, I gently lowered his hand back to his side, leaning in to give him a kiss on the forehead. "Bye, Daddy. See you next week."
I held off the tears until I was outside the room. I let them fall freely. "Fuck, I really need to get a damn job," I muttered, wiping the tears away. I wanted to move him to a different hospital. I felt like that was what he needed.
When I finally got ahold of myself, I walked down, standing outside the elevator waiting to go in. It made me think of the last time when I had completely forgotten that the hospital had an elevator and had bumped into everyone in my way while I sprinted up the flight of stairs.
As the elevator opened up, I walked in resting my back against the surface just behind the two men who were already there. One of them who had ginger hair turned around as I walked in, giving me an appreciative glance. I was tempted to narrow my eyes at him but he quickly looked away.
Good boy.