In the Hospital Alone, While He Stayed by Her SideChapter 1
After spraining my ankle, I took a taxi alone to the hospital for treatment. The nurse asked if my family was around, and, without much thought, I came up with an excuse on his behalf. Lying in the hospital bed, I felt a hollow ache in the pit of my stomach.
I unlocked my phone and saw that his best friend had posted an update:
"Life’s easy when there’s no tigress around to keep watch. Erik really has a soft spot for Polly."
In the post was a photo of Erik Dean, looking tenderly at his childhood sweetheart as she lay in a hospital bed. I gave it a like, but the post disappeared almost immediately.
A moment later, Erik messaged me, offering a careful explanation. I responded with a calm smile: “Hope you’re having a good time.”
He panicked, replying, “Alyce, why aren’t you checking on me?”
——
Earlier, I had rushed home for our anniversary, only to slip on the stairs and injure my ankle. Before going to the hospital, I’d messaged him, hoping he could pick me up after work. I’d waited, flowers in hand, ready to surprise him.
He replied curtly, "There’s a drinking party tonight. Just get whatever you want for dinner." Then, as if to head off any questions, he added, "No strangers—just friends from back in the day." It felt like someone had doused me in ice water. I tossed the flowers into the trash and took a taxi to the hospital.
When the doctor asked about my family, I automatically answered, "He’s in a meeting." Realizing how ridiculous that sounded, I amended it, “Actually, I’m... a widow.”
The procedure went smoothly. There was no physical pain, but a deep emptiness gnawed at me, as though something vital had been torn away.
On the way back in the taxi, I caught a glimpse of his familiar car heading toward the hospital. On impulse, I reached for my phone, thinking about asking Erik why he was there. But just then, I saw his best friend’s latest post on social media: Life’s easy when there’s no tigress around to keep watch. Erik really has a soft spot for Polly." Attached was a photo of Erik gazing tenderly at his childhood sweetheart, Polly Parrish, lying on a hospital bed.