“So, what do you think? Bigger?”
Miles nudges Aster out of her day dreaming. She shakes her head and looks up towards him. He’s pointing to his foot, moving it around.
“No, I think the swelling has actually gone down since this morning.” She responds after a moment.
“Really? I don’t know…” Miles brings his leg up, trying to get a better view.
They are both in a dreary examination room. X-Rays of Miles’ leg hang, lit up, against the wall. Miles sits on the bed with Aster close by in a chair next to him.
A few night ago Miles got into a drunken brawl which led him to kick a light post. This is how Miles broke his foot. He went days without going to see the doctor, persisting that it was fine. It wasn’t until Aster saw his foot that she immediately brought him to the hospital. He hadn’t yet told her how he broke it. Aster hadn’t yet asked.
The white walls were stark. Aster stares at them long and squints her eyes, trying to determine which category of ‘white’ they belonged. Egg shell, perhaps, she thought.
“You’re not going to ask me?” Miles finally speaks up.
“No. Maybe later.” Aster says casually, continuing to examine the walls.
“Okay…” Miles fidgets on the examination table. “Thanks for taking me to the hospital.”
“Of course. I can’t believe you went so long without going to see the doctor’s. You’re crazy.” Aster reaches over and squeezes Miles’ shoulder.
“That’s why I have an older sister, to keep me sane.” Miles says, keeping an eye on his foot.
“Did you call the folks yet?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because…they’re not going to care?” Miles scoffs.
“Don’t say that.” Aster responds, switching her tone. She never liked when Miles viewed their parents differently than she did.
“What? It’s true. I haven’t spoken to them in almost a year. Calling them now would just seem…out of character.” Miles looks up at Aster who is practically glaring at him.
“Miles, you should really–” She tries to confront him.
“I don’t, Aster. I really don’t. They don’t want a gay son, and I don’t want bigoted parents. It works out, actually.”
Before Aster can respond there is a knock on the door. A nurse peeks her head in.
“Are we decent in here?” She says in a perky tone and giggles slightly.
“As decent as God made me.” Miles responds in an equally perky tone.
The nurse laughs, but is slightly thrown by the answer.
“Um…we’re ready for the doctor, if that’s what you’re asking.” Aster chimes in. The nurse seems relieved and turns back around to get the doctor.
July 15, 2009 at 2:17 pm
It’s the 15th again! Time for some comments:
“Egg shell, perhaps, she thought.” *snicker*. This story has some definite character to it, just be looking at this one chapter. Even the nurse seems to be more than just a shadow in the background. I’d love to read the conversation Miles would have with his parents.