Talk to Me
| Just Breathe It was now dinnertime at the hospital. Nick had stayed with Evie and chattered away to her even though she refused to take part in the conversation. He talked about spending time with his family in Marathon over Thanksgiving. He told her all about his family and the other boys. He told her about trying to work things out with Kristyne. He explained once again how regretful he was over the way he had acted towards Kristyne. He even talked to her about the news and weather and anything else that he came across while flipping channels. And finally it was dinnertime. Oh joy! As the tray was brought into the room Evie closed her eyes pretending to be asleep. Nick shook his head. “So you think that is gonna get you out of it? Think again.” Evie opened her eyes briefly to glare at Nick before closing them once more. “You can keep them closed all you want to. I’ve eaten with eyes closed before and I’m sure you can too.” Looking over the tray he decided on the applesauce. Hoping that maybe it was cool and tasted half-way decent. Maybe it would help her to swallow and not knock it away or worse spit it out everywhere as she had been known to do. Lifting the spoon to her mouth she didn’t budge. “C’mon Evie. I know you have to be hungry. Hell, I’m starving and I’ve eaten today.” She didn’t move. “Just take a bite. I bet if you take a bite you’ll feel like eating more.” Nothing. “I know this hospital food isn’t the most appetizing in the world, but if you’d just eat a little then we can start bringing you real stuff. Wouldn’t you like something from McDonalds? No? How about some homemade Lasagna? Or maybe a juicy steak? I know, some ice cream from Baskin Robbins? You can have all those if you just start eating a little. Heck I’ll make a special trip to what ever restaurant you want if you’ll just eat.” Ok, he was bribing her. By the look on her face it was more like hostile negotiations. Finally, slowly she opened her mouth ever so slightly. Sighing with relief he put the small spoonful in her mouth. Just as he was pulling the spoon away he noticed her purse her lips and puff her cheeks out while looking directly at him. Reacting fast he put the palm of his hand over her mouth, stopping her from spitting on him. He leaned up and got right in her face. Nick wanted to make sure she had no misconceptions about him and that he was completely serious. “Listen to me, Evelynn. I am not going to coddle you like Kristyne and AJ. You need to stop this and you need to eat. You want to play this little game, well I can play it just as good as you.” To make his point with his free hand he picked up the small bowl of applesauce and held it slightly over her head. “If I wear it, so do you! Go ahead, you can look at me with all the hate you that you want. Hate me if you must, but dammit, EAT.” Eveylnn was good at staring contests, but Nick was better. The room was silent. The only sound was the click of the second hand as it traveled along its path on the overhead clock. A little over a minute had passed when Evelynn closed her eyes and Nick both saw and felt her swallow. Carefully he pulled his hand away from her mouth, but kept his other held over her head incase she still had some still in her mouth. She turned her face away from and as a tear slipped down her cheek she whispered, “I do hate you.” Sitting down he smiled. “Well now, that is progress.” He set the bowl down and got another spoonful and brought it to her mouth again. “Hating is good. Eating is better. Open up.” At first he thought the battle was about to start all over again. Then just when he was about to say something she sighed, snatched the spoon from his hand, and fed herself.
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