Ocean eyes
The harsh sound of curtains being moved wakes Mildred to the reality again. Her heart is pounding with unprecedent promptness, contrary of hours ago when she couldn’t really tell if she was still alive. She didn’t know someone could ask the same thing so many times, but she did. She was in the war, she sliced legs and arms of soldiers like it was bread or cheese, witnessed the worst kind of horrors. But seeing the doctors and nurses with Gwen’s blood in their hands made her stomach twist into knots and for the first time in her life she felt like passing out. Then, she felt a hand in her shoulder. Turning around she finds Betsy, more recomposed, looking at her, although she doesn’t have the usual hostility she always has when she is talking to her or is just observing her actions. Is that…worry? Is that the feeling she sees in the ex-head nurse’s eyes?
She can’t royally tell. It’s been so long since someone has look at her with concern, with care. Except Gwendolyn. But that’s another story. Betsy smiles slightly, trying to give her some assurance. Mildred just wants to cry. When did she get so sensitive? She doesn’t shed a tear, though. She has survived too much, she’s going to be strong for both Gwendolyn and her. She returns the smile and puts her hand in Betsy’s. It surprises her the fact that she’s not disrupted with the touch. One doctor comes out. His expression reveals all the exhaustion he feels. As someone who has devoted most of her life to others, she can relate to that. Just when she moves to get closer to the man, she feels the ache in her legs for staying up so long in the same position.
Mildred – How is she?
The doctor sighs. Mildred’s heart skips a beat. Sighs are never good in this kind of situation. She promises to herself that if her prayers were heard, she is going to light up a candle in a church. Her past self would be shocked to see her now, so desperate for someone, displaying such emotion for a woman she met days ago. Yeah, whatever. She couldn’t care less.
Doctor – Well, she is stable. We don’t know yet if there going to be any sequels, but I believe with the right treatment, she’ll be fine.
The nurse smiles while some tears run down her face. Gwen is alive. She is going to be okay. She wants to laugh because maybe, just maybe she was really praying to someone, and that someone heard her. The doctor smiles softly at her reaction. His eyes carry a certain gentleness that makes her remind of someone of her past. Someone very dear to her.
Doctor – She is going to be transferred to a room in a few minutes. Are you going to stay?
Mildred – Yes.
Doctor – She probably won't wake up until tomorrow, but if she has any kind of reaction tonight, please let me know immediately.
Mildred – Of course, Doctor…?
Doctor – Sullivan. James Sullivan.
Mildred – Alright. If something happens, I’ll warn you Dr. Sullivan.
Throwing one last smile, the man enters the surgery room again to rearrange the last details of Gwen’s transference. For the first time in the night, Mildred can finally breathe. She looks at her dress and hands covered in dry blood and decides that it’s a good time to wash her hands and maybe have a change of clothes. Since the motel is 15 minutes away from the hospital, she decides to go change to something more comfortable.
The drive helps her to ease a little, she has to admit. The fresh wind of the night blended with the smell of the sea let her relax. Closing the car’s door, she contemplates the horizon beyond her. The immense ocean extending further than what she can see takes her breath away. It reminds her of Gwen’s eyes. She can't unravel the deep secrets of the ocean in front of her, but she may try to decipher the feelings inside those crystalline orbs.
With revigorated conviction, she promises herself that is what she's going to do. Because if she’s being honest with herself, Gwendolyn’s eyes are the only ocean she wants to dive in.