"So how are we doing today, Zac?" Doctor Walsh questioned as he stepped hurriedly into the room, a nurse in his wake. "Sorry, I'm late. A bit of an emergency."
Sitting up, Zac shrugged his shoulders. "Not much, just got the rest of the family to leave and come back later. And now, here you show up." The corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk, "Isn't that ironical."
"Would you like to wait for them to get back then?" He asked as he stopped the nurse from setting up.
Zac shook his head roughly, "Oh no. I want to be able to at least get used to the knowledge of being blind again first, before everyone comes parading back in here and doling out their support."
Nodding for the nurse to continue, Doctor Walsh watched Zac. "Are you sure?" He asked when the tray was set and waiting.
Silently, Zac nodded. "Yes." He ensured. "I'm positive on this."
"Okay then." Pulling on the latex gloves, Doctor Walsh moved to the side of the bed. "You be very still now, Zac."
"I remember." He murmured.
He nodded again, "Then lets get started."
The tension started building up higher and higher, as the metal shears whispered open and close as it cut through the thin gauze. Feeling the cool air against his temple, Zac smiled at the relief. The bandages had started to itch and irritate a long time ago.
"My little brother Mackie, so kindly put it that I looked like a bug with these on." Zac commented nervously, as he rubbed his palms against his jeans. "Because with the extra padding against the eyes, I evidently looked like a fly to him."
Hearing the chuckle from Doctor Walsh, and the light giggle from his assistant, Zac slowly put his unease at bay.
You know what's going to happen. He reminded himself as the cutting continued. They'll come off, you won't see anything. Be blind again. You'll just have to pick up the lessons once again is all. Not too difficult.
"Alright, last strip." Doctor Walsh warned him.
Barely tilting his head in acknowledgement, Zac felt the tension coil inside him again, and his back straightened painfully.
"Keep your eyes closed while we make sure to get the medicine off first. We don't want your eyes burning from it just after removing the wraps."
Holding still, Zac clenched his eyes shot, and waited as patiently as possible as a cool cloth was pressed to his face and then started cleaning it.
His nose twitched at the smell. "You couldn't find one that smelt like lemons or something?" He asked them wryly. "That stuff stinks." He nearly jerked back when it got too close to his nose. "Man, I'd even prefer flowers over that!"
"Okay, we're done." Doctor Walsh explained laughing. "Won't have to smell it anymore. In fact you can go wash your face off here in a second." Zac nodded slowly, "You ready?"
A sudden pang of doubt and fear knifed through him. "I think so." He answered weakly.
"Then open your eyes, Zac."
