ONE BEAT: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: To Watch Over Her

The following day John fulfilled his promise and came to Sheryl’s room with new clothes for her. Peter underwent his scheduled transplant so John was with Sheryl the whole day. Several days have passed and she was walking once again but still he never left her side.

One sunny day John and Sheryl were walking along the yard when suddenly he heard Peter’s voice shouting. “John! John! Shout back so I know where you are!” said the little kid. John and Sheryl turned to see Peter with his parents and Jean. “Hey Buddy! Long time no see! Come over here!” John shouted and Peter nodded. The little kid still had the bandages on his eyes and he was walking towards John slowly guided by a cane.

Peter reached John and hugged him at once. “Jean why is his bandages still on?” John asked the nurse. “He wanted you to be the one to remove them” Jean said. John looked at Peter’s parents and they both smiled and nodded. “Come here buddy, I will take them off. You could have let the doctor or Nurse Jean remove them you know” he told the kid and started removing the bandages. As John was about to remove gauze in both eyes Peter started shaking. “I wanted you to be the first person I see” the little child revealed. John’s hands trembled and tears began to fill his eyes.

“Okay Peter open your eyes slowly. You won’t be able to see clearly at first so don’t worry let your eyes adjust” he told him. Peter slowly opened his eyes and kept blinking several times. After a few seconds, “John why are you crying?” and everyone around him were moved to tears. John laughed and hugged his friend tightly as Peter began looking around him.

John let go of Peter as the boy’s parents hugged him. “John who is she?” Peter asked as he pointed towards Sheryl. “That’s Sheryl, and this is Nurse Jean over here” John said. “Sheryl, that’s the girl you always talk about, the one you…” Peter said but John quickly rushed towards him and covered his mouth.

“Yes the one who I am watching over too like the rest of the patients” John continued and removed his hand on the kid’s mouth. Jean raised an eyebrow and looked at John, Sheryl was blushing and Peter’s parents were laughing. “She is pretty, I hope you two get married” Peter said suddenly and John held his hand and said “Now let’s go see your doctor and have him check on your eyes before you start revealing all my secrets” John said and he looked at Jean and Sheryl. “Go ahead I will keep your sweetheart company” Jean said and winked at him.

That afternoon Peter was discharged of the hospital and John hid inside Sheryl’s room. “Why won’t you see Peter off?” asked Sheryl. John sat on the floor flipping a coin and looked at her “I am not good with emotional stuff. Its better this way and I know Peter will understand” he said. Sheryl looked at the ceiling and smiled. “You are a wonderful person John, you took care of him, you paid for everything, and you even acted blind so you can understand him” she said.

“The reason why I acted blind was to be ready just in case they had no eyes ready for him; I was willing to give him mine if it was possible. So you can say I was preparing for my own blindness” John revealed and he laughed. Sheryl looked at him and was surprised to hear what he said. “You were willing to give him your own eyes?” she asked. John nodded “He is just a kid; I want him to enjoy life. Me I don’t mind being blind, it’s difficult but yeah I was ready” he told her. Sheryl could not say anything else but she was starting to admire him.

“By the way how come no one has come to visit you? Where are your parents? Where are your relatives or your boyfriend?” he asked her. Sheryl once again looked at the ceiling and closed her eyes. “My parents are dead, my boyfriend broke up with me last Christmas Eve that’s why I ended up here” Sheryl told him.

“So what happens now when you get discharged from here?” John asked her. Sheryl smirked and said “Go back to my apartment and find a new job perhaps” she answered and smiled. “A New job? Why are you not happy with your current job?” he asked. “I am but he will be there too, so it would just make me sad seeing him every day” she revealed. John stood up and rearranged the flowers on the bedside table and didn’t say a word.

“Tell me, if I do get discharged would you hide from me too?” Sheryl asked him. John smiled at her and nodded “I told you I’m not good with emotional stuff” he said. Sheryl managed to fake a smile and sat up in bed. “So I won’t be seeing you tomorrow then. I am going home tomorrow, they said I can go” she said softly.

“Tomorrow…yes I will be busy tomorrow…I guess I won’t be seeing you anymore” John stated and held her hands. “So since we are not going to see each other anymore lets have our last date, I will treat you to dinner” he told her. “But it’s too early for dinner” Sheryl reacted. “I know so first we go to the yard and walk around for the last time” he told her and he patted the seat of the wheelchair.

“I can walk you know” she told him. John looked at her and said “I know, this is not for you” and he sat down on the wheelchair. “This time you push me around. Consider it your exercise” he said and smiled at her. Sheryl laughed and gamely pushed the wheelchair and they went out of the room.

John and Sheryl went around the yard until the sun set. They ate dinner at the cafeteria and enjoyed chatting until it was already late at night. He brought her to her room and bade her farewell. John walked the silent hall holding his mobile phone and he was in deep thought.

The following morning Sheryl was discharged and John was nowhere to be found. John was on the roof with a doctor as they watched Sheryl take a cab. “Hey Jeff do you think it’s too late for me to take chemo?” he asked the person beside him. The man puffed on his cigarette and looked at John. “What made you decide to do it now?” Jeff asked him. John sighed and said “So I can watch over her.”

ONE BEAT: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: First Date

The following day a huge female nurse attended to Sheryl for her sponge bath. “Excuse me do you know when I can go home?” asked Sheryl after the nurse changed her clothes. “When you are strong enough young lady” the nurse said as she sat Sheryl down on the wheelchair.

“Ouch!!!” screamed the nurse as John accidentally hit her leg with the cane. “Peter did you hear that, we hit a post and the post screamed” John jokingly said and Peter burst in laughter. Sheryl was trying not to laugh as she saw the angry face of the nurse. “John will you watch where you’re going” the nurse said. John lifted his blind fold and smiled at her “Oh it’s you Jean, sorry about that. Did you lose weight?”

Jean blushed and smiled “I have been doing what you told me, one hour walk daily. I lost 30 pounds so far, 50 pounds more and you better keep your promise” she said. John nodded and smiled “I never break promises, 50 more pounds and you get a brand new car. But remember if you gain a single pound I take the care back” he said. “How about I lose 100 and you just buy me a house instead?” Jean asked. John laughed “If you lose 100 more then I will be tempted to court you already” he added and they both laughed.

“Estella said that Miss Brandis over here requested for you” Jean said and Sheryl immediately blushed. “I didn’t say that!” Sheryl quickly interrupted. John looked at her and scratched his head then looked at Jean “Oh okay maybe it was just a misunderstanding, the drugs can do things to your head sometimes” John said. “So Peter and I will head to the yard now, unless you want to come along Miss Brandis” John offered. Sheryl bowed her head and became shy “I entrust her to you then John, and take note of her heart condition” Jean said. “Relax Jean I won’t break her heart ever I promise” and the two ladies immediately look at John.

Once the three got to the yard Peter walked alone and Sheryl looked at John “Is he going to be alright walking alone like that?” she asked him. John pushed the wheelchair towards at the center of the yard and said “We trained together for a week so he knows his way around. Don’t worry tomorrow he is getting his transplant so let’s just say this is his farewell walk in darkness”

“Estella told me about that, it’s really kind of you doing those things for him. What do you get out of all the things you do for the patients?” she asked him. John scratched his head and thought for a while. “I gain friends that’s just about it” he said and smiled.

“Thank you for the flowers” Sheryl suddenly said and John looked at her. “Estella said you often came to visit me, Is that true?” she inquired further. John took a deep breath and looked at Peter. “Well the day that they brought you to the recovery room you had no companion so I sat down watching you sleep. But no one came to visit you so I came daily, sometimes I talk to you but you do not respond” he jokingly said. Sheryl laughed and shook her head. “How am I going to respond when I am asleep?” she said.

“I guess you’re right, no wonder Mrs. Thorn doesn’t respond to me, I have been talking to her every day you know” he added. Sheryl looked at John and asked “she is asleep every day?” John smiled and said “She is in a coma” and Sheryl could not stop laughing.

After an hour telling stories together and watching Peter play they saw a couple approach the little kid. “Those are Peter’s parents, they always come here every lunch to eat together” John said. “Aren’t you going to tell them that you are paying for everything?” Sheryl asked. John looked at her and raised his eyebrows. “So Estella has been telling you a lot I see. That’s okay; I won’t tell them until it’s over. The money that they saved up they sure could use for his education, he stopped so he has to catch up as soon as he can see again” he revealed.

“Do you want to eat lunch with me at the cafeteria?” John asked her. Sheryl tilted her head sideways and tried to stand up but she was too weak to pull her body to her feet. “Yes you definitely have to eat with me. Don’t worry it’s my treat and I will make sure you eat a lot” he said. She smiled and shook her head “I can’t eat a lot I have to watch my heart” she said.

“Okay then but do you really like the food they serve in your room?” he asked her. Sheryl did not respond and simply looked at him. “See! Come on lets go, this is going to be our first date together” he said and she started laughing. “What’s so funny?” he asked her as he was pushing the wheelchair towards the cafeteria. “You said first date, are you courting me?” she gamely asked. “Didn’t you see the flowers I sent you every day? I confessed while you were asleep and one time I thought you nodded” he joked. Sheryl kept on laughing and said “You are really funny.” John stopped and looked at her, “So you think I’m not serious?” and she paused and looked at his serious expression. “Are you serious?” she asked.

John went in front and kneeled and bowed his head. He held her hand and he raised his head slowly. There was a moment of silence between then and Sheryl just stared at him. “Sheryl” he said and he looked away. “What is it John?” she asked. “You’re now wearing any underwear” he whispered and he slowly removed his jacket and gave it to her. Sheryl was so embarrassed and quickly covered her front with the jacket.

They found an empty table inside the cafeteria and John went to get their food. As he returned Sheryl had her head bowed down in shame. “Come on let’s eat” he said but she didn’t look at him nor the food on the table. “Hey come on there’s nothing to be embarrassed about okay? I didn’t see it, I looked away at once” he said. Sheryl raised her head slowly and smiled. “I’m sorry I don’t have clothes and I forgot I wasn’t wearing any underwear” she said softly. John laughed and egged her to eat. “Tell me your size and I will ask Estella to get you some clothes” he told her and she started to smile and eat. “Remind to ask her to get you a razor too” he added and Sheryl looked at him curiously. “Razor?” she asked him.

John smiled and nodded then looked at her. “You saw it?” she asked him and John started to laugh. “I’m just kidding you relax now and eat” he said. Sheryl was quite confused but she trusted him and continued to eat. As they finished eating John brought her back to her room. “I have to go; I have to be with Peter now. Tomorrow I promise you the clothes and razor” and he grinned at her. “There you go again I know you kidding me” she said. John went towards the door and shook his head and went out. Sheryl immediately lifted her gown and took a look for herself. The door opened once again and Sheryl immediately covered herself up. John peeked inside and said “You took a look didn’t you? I was just kidding you! See you tomorrow!” and he closed the door.

Sheryl laughed at herself and looked forward to tomorrow.

ONE BEAT: Chapter 1

ONE BEAT

Jonathan Paul Diaz

(THIS IS JUST A SHOWCASE COPY OF THE STORY. IF YOU WANT TO READ THE WHOLE STORY, THE EBOOK VERSION WILL BE SOLD SOON )

The streets were empty and Christmas carols could be heard echoing throughout the city. It was Christmas Eve and it was snowing outside. Inside one apartment one couple was not enjoying the festive occasion, love was lost.

“Why do you mean this will be our last Christmas together?” Sheryl asked as tears started to accumulate on her eyes.

“I’m sorry to ruin your Christmas. I was supposed to break up with you tomorrow” Anthony told her.

“What’s happening Anthony? What do you mean you are breaking up with me?” she asked him as tears started to fall on her cheeks. Anthony took a deep breath and moved away from her.

“I’m sorry Sheryl but I can’t take it anymore. With your heart condition we barely cant do anything fun. Everything we do is boring me already” he revealed and looked away.

“I thought you loved me. Why can’t you understand my situation? Can’t you wait till I get better?” she told him.

“I love you but I did not sign up to be your care giver, you always get sick and when you do I have to leave my work. We can’t even have…” he said but did not finish his sentence.

“Say it, go ahead say it, and can’t have what? Is that what you want? Here come on forget my condition, let’s take the risk. Will that make you stay?” she said and started to undress.

Anthony stood up and turned around, she held onto his arms but he forcefully let go of them and walked towards the door. “I’m sorry I can’t take it anymore” he said and he went out and closed the door behind him.

A few seconds later he came back in “I forgot my car keys” he said and he saw Sheryl sprawled on the floor holding her chest. “Sheryl! Sheryl! Oh my God!” he shouted in shock and he quickly dialed 911 on his mobile phone.

Chapter 1: Nasty Man

Sheryl opened her eyes and everything was blurry. “Oh so you are finally awake” said a man’s voice. She turned her head where the voice was coming from and she saw a blurry image of a man in white. “Where am I?” she asked him.

“You’re in heaven my child” said the man and Sheryl was so shocked to hear that and she quickly rubbed her eyes. Everything was starting to get clearer and she could see the man standing beside her bed. The man starts laughing and says “I’m just kidding you, you are in a hospital. You have been here for a week.”

Sheryl began to calm down as her vision was back to normal. Beside her was a good looking man in a white coat writing something on a chart. “Are you a doctor? What happened to me?” she asked as she tried to get up. “You suffered a heart attack but don’t worry you will be fine now” the man told her. Sheryl’s eyes were beginning to close once again “A heart attack…doc I feel sleepy…that was a nasty joke…” she said and fell asleep.

Sheryl woke up again as she felt a cold hand on her arm, as she opened her eyes it was a middle aged woman taking her pulse. “Are you a nurse here?” she softly asked. The middle aged woman smiled at her “It’s nice to see you awake already, my name is Estella and yes I am a nurse here” she said.

“The doctor here a while ago, he was a nasty man, he said I was in heaven” she revealed. Estella laughed a bit and continued to fill up the chart. “What was the name of this nasty doctor?” the nurse asked her. “I didn’t ask him but the name on the nameplate said he was Cartwright” Sheryl told her. Estella laughed harder as she fixed the flowers on the bedside table.

“That was not doctor Cartwright, that nasty man you are talking about is John. Don’t mind him he always does that to patients” Estella told her as she did some finishing touches on the flowers.

“Have you seen my boyfriend? I mean the ones who left those flowers. Was he here all the time?” Sheryl asked. Estella looked at her and smiled, “Sorry but you did not have any visitors except one, and he was the one who brought you these flowers everyday” she revealed.

“So he did come to visit me, Anthony that’s his name, he is my boyfriend” Sheryl ecstatically told her. Estella shook her head. “It was John, ever since they brought you here in the recovery room he came here often. Don’t worry it’s a habit of his, but it’s the first time he ever brought flowers for someone” she said and giggled.

Sheryl became sad knowing that it was not Anthony who gave the flowers. He too did not come to visit her and so reality bit her, he really meant what he said on Christmas Eve. Tears started falling down her cheeks and Estella looked away and pretended not to notice. She wiped her eyes but the tears would not stop. “I will come back later to give you your sponge bath and I will take you out for a little sunshine” Estella said and she walked out of the room.

An hour elapsed and Sheryl finished her sponge bath and was sitting on a wheelchair. Estella was pushing her out of the room as two men on wheelchairs dashed by. Two men were racing down the hall, an elderly man and John. “You’re not going to win this race old man, Is this all you’ve got? Come on gramps!” shouted John as other patients were cheering the old man on. Two patients on the end of the hall were holding a string as their finish line, John slowed down and the old man crossed the line first. Cheers and claps were heard all around and the old man turns to John and gives him a high five.

Sheryl looked at Estella and asked “That John is he a mental patient here?” and the nurse laughed loudly. “Oh no, he owns this hospital. Everyone loves him; he keeps on playing with patients everyday especially the old ones and the kids” Estella revealed.

Sheryl managed a smile and looked at John as he was escorting the old man back to his room. John passed Sheryl and Estella and he smiled at them. “Come on now you have to get some sunshine therapy” the nurse said and they went out to the yard.

After an hour in the sun the two once again see John, this time he was wearing a blind fold and holding a cane. John was with a little boy who was holding his hand as they were walking around the yard. “Estella what is he doing this time?” Sheryl asked the nurse. “Ah, that little kid is Peter, he is blind. John always does that, he acts blind too so he could better understand Peter” Estella said.

“So he isn’t a bad person after all, still it was a bad joke” Sheryl softly said. “John sleeps with Peter in his room. Peter’s parents have to work two shifts to cover his medical expenses so John volunteered to take care of him. And let me tell you a secret, John is not letting them pay a single cent, he even has scheduled Peter for eye transplants” Estella further revealed.

John tripped and fell over as the little boy kept laughing. Sheryl turns to Estella and said “Is he married?” and she smiled. The two ladies laughed and giggled and Estella brought Sheryl back to her room. “I will bring your lunch later and tomorrow I won’t be here, it’s my day off. Don’t worry someone will take my place” Estella told her. Sheryl smiled and asked “How about Nurse John?” and Estella laughed. “I thought you would say that, he isn’t a nurse but I will try to ask him” she laughed and they both once again giggled.