27 A Little Glimpse of Truth

Hannah wouldn't like such a world, however. She has always been a passionate person enjoying the smallest things. Hannah cried on watching that movie, seeing a world in which people are not allowed to feel love for their spouse or their own children.

"You know, I even got the same release that was in the movie," he continued as he got his voice under control. "I've tried to memorize this poem, but you know I've always been weak at it. That's why I'm just gonna read it to you, not recite it, okay? So here I go. "

The relevant page was marked with a bookmark. Paxton opened the book and began reading from the title.

„He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven…"

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,

Enwrought with golden and silver light,

The blue and the dim and the dark cloths

Of night and light and the half-light,

I would spread the cloths under your feet:

But I, being poor, have only my dreams;

I have spread my dreams under your feet;

Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Larissa Fergus was staring through the ajar door at the young man reading a poem to a girl in coma, Hannah Robson. Larissa smiled faintly, sadly. Many patients woke up from coma even after many years, but most of them did not return to this world. People waited for months, years, often suspending their lives in anticipation of a miracle. The lucky ones did get it. There was no rule here.

This case was especially sad for Larissa because it affected her family. She remembered Karl pleading with her to do everything in her power to wake Hannah up. Larissa did everything, but it was not enough. She was unable to fulfill her nephew's request and return to a normal life his friend's friend.

Larissa Fergus quietly closed the door and went to her office. On the way, she responded to the bows of the staff, whom she had not yet seen today. She glanced at the watch on her wrist - elegant, expensive, limited edition. Being born into a wealthy Fergus family had its privileges. The appointment time has just arrived, so her oldest sister's son, Karl Walton, should be waiting for her by now.

In fact, Karl was already in her office. He rose to greet her and bowed his head. The age difference between them was exactly fifteen years, so they felt no pressure from the generation gap. That's why Karl called his aunt by name.

"Hope you didn't wait long," she smiled at him. "I looked at Hannah on the way."

"How is she?"

"Unfortunately, her kidneys are getting worse and worse."

It was bad news. Every day people did not pay attention to kidneys, which, however, were one of the most important organs. If the kidneys stopped working, the system of removing toxins from the body would stop working properly, and the person become poisoned. The coma patient was not eligible for a transplant, so she could only benefit from hemodialysis, which was a heavy burden on the body. For a patient like Hannah, it will be a lifetime of torture.

Walton didn't know anything about it until Hannah fell into a coma. After her accident, he asked his aunt about everything. He also read a lot on the Internet and in medical books. He had to know what could happen to a girl who fell into this state because of him.

Of course, Karl had never been as close to Hannah as Steve was, so he didn't experience that accident that much. He felt some guilt and responsibility, but he could be reasonable. Perhaps he wouldn't have been able to do so if someone close to him had been lying on this bed instead of Hannah.

"Does her mother know?" He asked.

"Yes. She signed the statement. "

Walton was completely surprised. Mrs. Robson was a wonderful mother who sacrificed so much for her daughter. Did she really take this difficult step?

"And Steve?" he asked almost trembling with concern. "Does he know?"

"No. Mrs. Robson is worried about him. She wants Steve to get some more balance before she tell him. We are all aware that the worst can happen as suddenly as the lightning, but Ms Robson thinks Steve will not be able to accept the worst at this point. "

"I think she's right," Karl agreed with a sigh. "He's been more anxious again lately."

"Is he self-destructive again?" Larissa worried.

Karl thought for a moment.

"No," he answered honestly. "It's not as bad as it used to be. I think he's trying to come to terms with himself. I think that ... he likes someone ... "

"Really?" Larissa was genuinely surprised. "That would be wonderful! But he… Really ?! "

"I think so."

Larissa grinned, but her smile faded. Steve was a complicated man. Hannah's accident was too much of a shock for him, and his guilt prevented him from living normally. If someone he liked came into his life, the conflict between his new feeling and deeply entrenched remorse can escalate. It was a very dangerous, very explosive mixture.

Every person carries a desire for love. It is like a primal instinct, completely natural and completely independent of our consciousness. However, when someone denies him the right to exist, he acts against nature, and this is always dangerous.

"Is it mutual?" she asked.

"I have no idea," Karl shook his head. "That would be better for him, right?"

"Of course. And you? Are you okay with that? "

"You know?!" Walton huffed. "Why wouldn't I be okay?" He sighed. "Maybe I'm not," he admitted.

Larissa smiled sadly.

There are days, such events that change someone's life forever. Hannah's accident affected not only herself, but many people around her. It probably continues to affect more people's lives, such as the person Steve likes. Whoever this person was, she probably had no idea that her life was influenced by a girl in a coma.

Karl Walton was also one of the victims of that incident. Karl, however, was a reasonable man and would not let his life be ruined. He swallowed the bitter pill of disappointment, pulled himself together, and although he did not forget, he learned to live on and fight for his own happiness. And he was happy with Anna.

"I think Anna and I will arrange a wedding date," Karl announced to Larissa.

"It's wonderful! How quickly do you want to get married? "

"We do not know yet. Not earlier than next vacation. Anna deserves a royal wedding, so everything will have to be prepared properly. "

"Yes of course! Your grandfather will be so happy! There was no family wedding for a long time. He is looking forward to getting his great-grandchildren. "

"We are taking our time, but we want to get married at the beginning of summer. When I look at Hannah, I can't help but think how fragile human life is. One moment of inattention is enough and suddenly the world ends for someone. I will stop by to visit her. "

"Don't do that" she stopped him. "Steve just got here. Let them spend some time alone. "

Karl nodded. If Paxton had just arrived, it meant he would be in the hospital for the next two or three hours. It was a very private time, and Larissa was right that it was better not to disturb them.

Ami was looking at him very seriously, even sullenly, but that didn't change Martin's resolve to go out clean with this girl. He really liked her and respected her very much. She deserved the truth, and that was what he was going to give her.

"Thank you for agreeing to come," he said, smiling at her as gently as he could. He really was grateful to her and hoped his confession would not hurt her. The hardest thing was for him to admit it all to himself, now it was a little easier for him, although he still felt as if his legs and arms were made of cotton wool.

"It sounded serious on the phone," she noted.

"I wanted to apologize to you. And explain. "

"You really have nothing to apologize for."

He felt she was lying. He must have hurt her then, but she was too good to tell him.

He hadn't contacted her even once since that fateful night. Firstly, he was ashamed, and secondly, he couldn't quite get along with himself at the time. Being a man, it's not easy to accept the idea that you love and lust for another man. But now he knew that only Steve existed for him.

"We haven't known each other long," Martin began to explain, "but I liked you a lot from the very first meeting. You were the first girl I noticed after my unpleasant breakup with my former partner. You are beautiful, intelligent and I like being with you. I really wanted to be with you ... "

"But?"

Martin was really sure he could handle this confession, but suddenly he felt strangely embarrassed. He had all the explaining speech prepared, but suddenly he had lost all the words somewhere. He was getting so nervous that he couldn't get a word out.