9 09

"Oh that patient?Yeah he doesn't speak English very well so we've been having a lot of trouble with him.He's in room 34 A.Third door to the right."

He thanked her profusely before picking up his tulips and heading on his way.The door was closed, so Henry opened it and went inside.Inside the room was cool with the soft sounds of the hospital muffled at the closed door behind him.

"Uncle Deul?"Henry said hesitantly.

The patient was holding a newspaper which he let flopped down.His half moon glasses were balanced on the rim of his nose as he let out an irritated sound.Once he saw it was Henry, he threw the newspaper outside and opened his arms wide.Henry returned his hug and Deul began to wipe the tears that issued out of his eyes.He kissed Henry's cheeks and touched his face.It was uncomfortable to be poked and prodded, but Henry knew that Deul needed someone he knew as he was all alone in a foreign country hurt.

"Uncle Deul!I'm so happy to see you."

"Henry, I can't believe how big you've gotten.You look so much like your father.I know he passed, but I feel like he's here with me in you.You're so handsome now, just like he was when he met your mother.They were such a beautiful couple.Are you married?Do you have kids yet?You should bring them here so I can see them before I go."

Henry shook his head."I'm still single."

"What brings you to this place?You even brought flowers.How nice."

"I came here to see you, Nadius found out you were here and he wanted to come himself but he had other obligations."

"Nadius? Nadius Prime.Nice guy.Nice guy.I'm so happy to see you.You are the thing that makes me the most happy in a long time."

The friendly atmosphere that permeated the room relaxed Henry immensely.His father had never been this familiar with him.He didn't even think he had ever hugged his own father often in his own childhood.The contact had almost overwhelmed him.It was such a nice feeling to be wanted.

"Is it ok if I sit down?"Henry said simply as Deul was up to put the tulips into a clear vase.

"Of course.Sit." Deul said with a smile.He put the vase next to the window.He had filled the vase with water and the light struck the arrangement with a clean sparkle that caused little reflections to sparkle around the room.

"I'm sorry if I ruined your morning read."Henry said as he surveyed the minimalistic hospital room."Nadius said he was sorry he couldn't visit you today, but he will visit you in the upcoming days with Sheng Mei."

"Ah, how sweet.I can't wait to see them.They are good people.The biggest problem being sick is you can't do anything.The nothing being replaced with you is very good.You are a good distraction from how pain."He winced as he lowered himself back into the bed.

"How long before you head back to China?"

"The doctors don't know.They say two weeks.Some others say two months.It's a long time.The surgeons want to operate again to make sure none of the glass that exploded when the water hit it isn't stuck in my back.Stupid doctors.Everyone says they are the best in the world, but even they don't know anything."He waved his hand in demonstration of their lack of skills.

"I'm sure you'll make progress soon."

"I hope so.There's a lot of my friends back in China who are still recovering.Some people cannot walk or see.I just have bad pain in my back."

Henry nodded."Nadius also asked about a Ellie Wong who is also here.Is there any news of her that Nadius can give to Sheng Mei?"He pulled out his phone.

Deul had a mask of ancient sadness."Ellie Wong is here for a race accident.She is dying from spine injuries and she is paralyzed in the legs.She is very weak from not being able to eat properly.She's always up on the drugs because the idiot doctors don't know what to do with her.They don't know why she's still clinging onto life but she is still here week after week.But she is like a bird who's slowly starving . . . it's a shame that she's so young and so sick."