"I hate Christmas!" Those words from the Grinch echo though my head as I open my eyes and see the cold, sterile surroundings of my hospital room. Why not hate it? If there was no Christmas, then there would be no Black Friday, and I would have not ended up in here.
"Excuse me, Miss Cat, but there is someone here to see you." Quickly the nurse steps back to allow my visitor to enter.
As I look toward the door I see a middle aged man enter my room. "I am sorry, did she call you Miss Cat?"
"Yes, that is what I am called. Either Miss Cat, or Nurse Cat. Usually I am on the children's floor, but this year some crazed person decided to cut me off in an effort to get to the lowest price at Wal-Mart. Without even stopping to see what damage they had caused, they cut me off to the point that I was forced into a pillar in front of the door so forcefully that I was sent in here."
Looking at my many bandages and casts he shakes his head regretfully. "I take it that you would like the person that caused your accident to be put on Santa's Naughty List?"
I have to smile at that. "That would be very nice, but I have no idea who he is. He just drove off."
"What would you do if you were to meet him again?"
I shake my head resignedly. "I probably would just ask him why? Was it really worth it? Was it worth putting me in the hospital to get that little bit of a discount on that flat screen TV? I just am angry that my Christmas has been ruined. Usually I help out on the kid's floor extra time during this time of year because that way the other nurses can have extra time with their families. I always felt bad that those kids have to be in here during this time of year, so usually I try to bring a little Christmas Spirit to each of the rooms. This year, I don't know who will." Unbeknown to me there are tears running down my face, but I can't feel them because of the bruising from hitting the steering wheel.
"You don't have to worry, the kids will be taken care of."
I look at this man I suddenly I realize that I have no idea who he is, but I am very drawn to him. He is quite tall, middle aged, and has the most surprisingly white hair and beard.
"Who are you? Do I know you?"
"Let's just say that I am a concerned citizen who heard about the accident and I came to see if there was anything that I could do for you. Obviously your first thought is the children. I understand that. Is there anything that I can do for you personally though?"
I have to chuckle. "If you could get me out of here before Christmas, that would be great."
"Why, do you have some hot date for Christmas this year?"
I sigh. I never have hot dates. For some reason it seems that I can't get a guy to look twice at me, but that's okay. I have plenty of other stuff that I am interested in. "No. I just have to play Mrs Claus the Saturday before Christmas to read to some kids. I enjoy doing that, but if I am laid up, then I won't be able to."
Looking out the window, he doesn't even turn around to ask me his next question. "Would it be worth a kiss to get you out of here in time for that engagement?"
"Sir, if you could get me out of here in time for that, I'd marry you! When the Dr. came in to give me the bad news that I'll be laid up through the New Year, even if it isn't in here, I must say I got a bit depressed."
With a smile on his face he comes over to my bedside. "Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Let's just start with the kiss." Before I know what he is planning he leans in and kisses my lips. Surprisingly a feeling like I have never felt before jolts through me and I wish I could pull him closer. When he stands back up, I find that I have no pain in the leg that hit my gear shift and broke my knee cap.
"Miss Cat, I'll find a Dr. to come and check you over. In the mean time, lay back and relax. I think your supper is coming right now anyway." With that this mystery man walks out the door just as a young man comes in carrying a tray of food like I have never seen delivered to anyone in this hospital. Without saying anything they nod to each other and proceed on their way.
By the time I realize I did not get his name he is already out the door. Shortly after supper one of the doctors comes in with a portable x-ray machine and takes a quick picture of my kneecap. When he sees the results he is stunned. "Miss Cat, I don't have a clue what is going on, but Mr Nicholas told me to double check this one x-ray. I am glad that I did. I am so sorry. Your cast on your leg can come off at once." Before I realize it, the team has come and removed my cast from my leg. Looking at my face the doctor shakes his head. "Miss Cat, I don't know what is going on here, but your bruising is gone from your face."
Taking the mirror that he hands to me I am surprised to find that it is indeed gone. The only mark on my face is a bit of what looks like a tiny glitter star on my cheek. I am surprised that the bruising has left this quickly, but in light of what happened with my knee, nothing should surprise me. I look again and I don't even see the cut on my forehead that the doctor thought was going to need stitches from where my head hit the steering wheel.
I am surprised to find that when the doctor leaves I am in fact quite tired and before I know it I find myself drifting off to sleep. It seems only moments later when a sound wakes me up, but at first I can't quite identify it. With only the light from the hallway I can't see anything that could have made it until a small hand places an envelope on my tray table. Reaching out with my good hand I notice that for some reason there is not the pain that I expected to feel in my other one. I open the envelope and find a letter written in gold ink on cream colored stationary.
Catherine (no one calls me that. What is going on?)
I am so sorry that our meeting had to be under such difficult circumstances. I would have wished it otherwise.