SITTING AT THE bed of a loved one in hospital, an unconscious, broken thing made something akin to comfortable by modern medicine, brought with it an extended foreboding.
'Will he get better doctor?' a voice pleaded when some uniformed individual drifted in on a mission of inspection. There was a pause, a slight twisting of a mouth as thoughts formed in the professional mind, and then a brief nod.
'We are doing all we can, Miss Weet. All we can,' and then he left the room.
The visitor got up and bent over the patient. A familiar worn face greeted her examination and something about the relaxed features made her smile. When was the last time he had looked so at peace? Usually there was so much agony on that well-loved face. It was so nice to see it resemble how she remembered it when but a girl. Except of course it was mainly covered in bandages now.
'Sorry I abandoned you,' she said to the unresponsive figure. 'Mum insisted, said you were playing up to get relief and she couldn't stand it any more. I told her what's happened and she just said perhaps it was for the best.'
There were tears in her eyes now.
'I won't abandon you again. Tompsie knows too and he's on his way. He can't help much in his line of work. Too unreliable. But I got this, dad. You can count on me.'
She fumbled in her pocket and produced a small, iridescent token with a colourful monogram on it.
'Had a few stern words with some naughty dogs to get it, but it was worth it,' she said to the empty room for no other medical staff members were present. 'Going to get loans and financing and all sorts to see you through this. Best treatment there is. Make you as good as new, you see if I don't.'
There was the sound of a door opening and the woman hid the colourful token in an instant.
'Hey Soopsie,' and a young man entered. 'How's he doing?'
'Same as,' came the reply. 'Thanks for coming.'
'Just got laid off, again,' the man admitted. 'Thought I'd let you get some fresh air before you're due back at work.'
'You're a good lad,' the woman replied, smiling at her younger brother. He still stayed with their mother of course but could not persuade her to come and sit with her husband.
'How we going to pay for all of this, I mean, to keep the old man going?' Tompsie said as he took up the seat vacated by his sister.
'Insurance'll cover it. Took out a policy, like ages ago,' she assured him uncomfortably. 'All you need do is watch and talk to him occasionally. Doctors say the sound of a familiar voice helps the healing, in here,' and she pointed to her head. A broken body was one thing, but what might be going on inside the man's head no one knew.
Except Sallmer Weet.