The hospital waiting room was less crowded and with very few people but was filled with the sounds of beeping machines and people talking. Aunt Elsie led the way, holding Herzl's hand tightly as they made theirway to the front desk.
The receptionist greeted them with a wide smile and asked how she could help them -she seems new, so aunt Elsie wasn't bothered by the question and decided to reply to her casually.
"We're here to visit my niece, Ms. Fellers." Aunt Elsie said, her voice firm and polite. "She's a patient here."
The receptionist typed on the computer for a moment, then looked up at them. "I see, Ms. Fellers is in intensive care, so I'm afraid you won't be able to visit her." The receptionist explained, her tone sympathetic. "Only immediate family is allowed in the ICU."
Aunt Elsie felt a surge of frustration, almost forgetting the fact that she made the rules herself -but still, she's an exception to it. She knew that there was no way she would be able to convince the receptionist to make an exception, and she didn't want to cause a scene. But she also didn't want to give up on seeing Ciara; not after making a promise to Herzl.
"What about a phone call?" She asked, trying to keep hervoice calm and rational. "That should serve as enough reason for you to see that I'm an exception to the rules!" "I'm afraid that's not possible either." The receptionist said, her tone apologetic; with no intention of swiveling from her words. "Ms. Fellers can not receive phone calls right now. I'm sorry."
Aunt Elsie felt like she had been punched in the gut. She had been so sure that she would be able to see Ciara, or at least talk to her on the phone. But now she was being told that neither of those things were possible. She couldn't help but feel like she was being denied the chance to say goodbye to her niece.
"I'm the only exception you can make here, young lady; I'm deciding not to make a scene, seeing that you are new here." Aunt Elsie stated in a strict yet calm tone. "I'm her only surviving family -and this little boy here wants to see his mother."
The receptionist hesitated, clearly unsure of what to do. She had been trained to follow the rules, but she also knew that this was a unique situation.
"I understand yourconcern." The receptionist said, her tone respectful. "But I'm afraid that the rules are in place for a reason."
Aunt Elsie was starting to get furious as she placed her hands on the counter between herself and the reception, holding herself not to make a loud, distracting bang.
"You should cooperate while I'm still trying to be nice with you, girl." She whispered in a low, dangerous tone. "How about you call the doctor in charge of her for clarification -tell her Mrs. Kent is here to see her niece."
The receptionist blanched, clearly taken aback by Aunt Elsie's tone. She had not expected the olderwoman to be so angry, and she was starting to feel intimidated. She quickly did a few taps on the telephone, placing it receiver against her left ear, and spoke in it for a while.
"I'm sorry, ma'am." The receptionist said immediately she dropped the receiver, her voice shaking slightly. "You can go in..."
Aunt Elsie felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been worried that the receptionist would refuse to let her see Ciara, regardless of what she said. But it seemed that the receptionist had realized the importance of Aunt Elsie's visit, and had decided to make an exception.
"Thank you." Aunt Elsie said, her voice more controlled now. She was grateful to the receptionist for understanding, and for allowing herto see Ciara.
The receptionist smiled, and pointed down the hall. "You can go through that door, and you'll find yourself in the ICU." She instructed with a warm smile, trying to fill in for her incompetence.
"I know, you need not to bother yourself with the description." Aunt Elsie replied, as soon as she was leaving the counter. She held Herzl tight, gripping his small hand into hers as she led him through the hallway.
Aunt Elsie and Herzl walked down the long, sterile looking hallway, their footsteps echoing on the linoleum floor. Aunt Elsie tried to keep her composure, but she could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
She had never been so nervous before, and it was hard to keep her breathing steady -she wondered why she was feeling that way but found none, she concluded that she was afraid because she felt Herzl visit might make an impact on Ciara's health.
Finally, they reached the doorto the ICU. Aunt Elsie took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to see. Then, she pushed open the door and stepped inside with Herzl by her side.
When Aunt Elsie and Herzl first entered the room, Ciara looked at them blankly, as if she didn't recognize them. Her eyes were unfocused, and she was breathing heavily, as if she was trying to keep herself calm. She sat up in bed and hugged her knees, rocking back and forth.
"Mom, are you okay?" Herzl blurted out, concern evident in his voice as he rushed towards his mother in enthusiasm even before aunt Elsie could stop him.
"Who are you?" She asked with her voice trembling, stopping Herzl, who stopped abruptly on his track -wearing a pained look. "What do you want from me?"
Aunt Elsie was taken aback by Ciara's reaction, and she could tell that Herzl was confused as well. She did not expect to be welcomed by such a scene because since every of her visits, Ciara was always sleeping, and she had expected a similar scene that day.
Aunt Elsie took a deep breath, trying to keep her composure -this was more than the reaction she expected from her but found it hard to wrap her head towards it since it was just too sudden. She knew she had to be gentle and calm, in order to help Ciara feel safe; only for that moment. She also knew that she had to be careful not to scare Herzl, who was looking at his mother with concern.
"It's me, Aunt Elsie." She said, keeping her voice low and soft. "And this is Herzl, your son. We just came to visit you."
Ciara's eyes darted between Aunt Elsie and Herzl, as if she was trying to process the information, but her reply and reaction shows otherwise -it seems as ifthey have
both have been wiped out of her memory! "I...I don't..."Ciara stammered, her eyes still unfocused. "I don't know...I don't know who you are..."
Aunt Elsie's heart sank. It was clearthat Ciara's memory had been severely affected by the trauma she had experienced. She had no recollection of who Aunt Elsie and Herzl were, and it was heartbreaking to see; as well as satisfying according to how she had planned it out. Herzl was also visibly distressed, clearly not understanding what was happening.
"It's okay, Cici." Aunt Elsie said, nicknaming Ciara as she usually does, hervoice still calm. "We're here to help you, and Herzl has been dying to see you."
Ciara burst out in tears. "Go. Go away from me, I don't know you guys." She was almost yelling at them as she hugged her knees tightly in fear. "Why aren't you leaving yet?"
Aunt Elsie's heart wavered for a while as she saw Ciara in such a state of distress. It was clear that she was feeling overwhelmed and scared, and that she did not recognize Aunt Elsie or Herzl. She knew that it was important to remain calm and not agitate herfurther, but it was difficult to see her in such a state.
Aunt Elsie felt Herzl's tight grip on her wrist -the little boy must be having a hard time seeing his mother in such a state.