Chapter 4

Allison could not believe what she was seeing. She had never thought that this could happen to her. The doctor was wrapping her chest with plaster bandages. Humming a tune, he seemed engrossed with what he was doing. His deft hands molded the plaster around her breast, then smoothed it carefully. Allison wanted to protest, to scream with indignity and rage. However, she remained silent, realizing that she didn't have any options. Then she tried to picture herself in public, wearing this huge cast. Her eyes shed a few tears that dribbled down her cheek. Her muscles tensed with the natural urge to wipe the tears away. The casts on her arms stopped her.

"Don't move, please!" the doctor said.

"How am I supposed to live like this!" she mumbled, staring at the cast.

The doctor looked at her with puzzled expression, coughed and said:

"I am sorry for the inconveniences."

Allison chuckled nervously, then moved her fingers to check if they function properly.

"What's this?" Allison asked as she saw the two bars the doctor was holding in his hand.

"I have to embed these in the cast."

"Why?"

"To support your arms and keep them elevated."

"I will be looking like a freak," she said with disgust.

"I don't think so. You look... fine. More than fine actually, much more," the doctor said and grinned.

Ten minutes later the cast was finished. After it dried, a nurse brought a wheelchair and helped Allison stand up. The weight of the massive cast pressed down on her, making her feel helpless and weak. She sat clumsily in the wheelchair and tried to relax. The nurse made sure that she was comfortable and pushed her out.

"Where are we going?" Allison said in a tired voice.

"To your room."

The room turned out to be at the end of the corridor. The nurse opened the door and wheeled her in. Allison's eyes bulged with surprise. Laura, looking drawn and tired was lying on the bed to the left. Her broken legs were placed in casts and were suspended on slings. A sign of recognition flickered on her face. She moaned and turned her head aside. Allison shifted nervously in her wheelchair.

"Do you know each other?" the nurse asked.

"I want another roommate," Laura announced.

"Unfortunately, I don't think it is possible right now," the nurse said with embarrassment.

Laura sighed and said:"Ok."

"I am very disappointed as well," Allison said.

"I will talk to the doctor," the nurse said as she helped Allison to her bed.

"Thank you!" Laura mumbled.

The nurse lingered for a minute before retreating.

An awkward silence enveloped the room like a shroud. Laura was staring unblinkingly at her toes, which were sticking out of the casts. At the same time, Allison did her best to tame her emotions. The anxious thoughts about the future multiplied within her, making her dizzy. There were too many questions and not enough answers. Suddenly, unable to control herself, she broke into tears.

"Am I supposed to comfort you, little baby?" Laura hissed.

"They said I have to spend three months in the cast," Allison wailed.

"They said I won't be able to put weight on my legs for at least four months," Laura replied angrily.

Allison smiled inwardly, realizing that she wasn't alone in her misery. The flow of tears stopped.