I was leaving Claire's room after trying countless times to talk to her, unfortunately without success. She really isn't cooperative. She even threw her shoes at me at one point to get me to leave. She also locked herself in the bathroom and even called security, telling them I was an impostor. I'm trying to help her! Why is she responding to me like that? She should have been sent to a mental institution.
In any case, it's noon and I have to eat because my video games definitely can't do that for me.
So I headed to the hospital garden to eat the sandwich I brought with me and the juice I bought at the cafeteria.
The garden was really beautiful and well maintained, with its beautiful oak and cherry trees towering high, letting only a few rays of sunlight through their leaves, but also its bushes and green, trimmed grass. It was the perfect place to rest, both for us doctors and for the patients.
I sat down on a bench away from the crowd, right under a large oak tree that protected me from the scorching midday sun. It was already hot, but at least it was cool here.
"Leon?"
asked a familiar voice from behind me.
Turning around, I was shocked to see who was there.
"It's been a long time, Tom."
I said, shocked to see how much he had grown.
"It's been a long time since we've seen you. You look much better than before,"
said the young teenager, sitting down next to me.
His name is Tom, he's a 15-year-old boy, he was my first patient, I still remember how stubborn he was at first, a bit like Claire.
He didn't want to eat, sleep, or even wash because he was so afraid of death. I had to force-feed him, wash him, and once I even had to sleep with that scaredy-cat. He even shit himself at the time because he thought he was going to die. Fortunately, I knew how to take good care of him, and now he's in rehab so he can walk again, I think.
"You're finally coming out, Leon. You seem to have grown up compared to before. Now you look normal. Before, you looked like a junkie,"
he said, laughing heartily.
"You've grown up too. I hope you're not doing any more childish things now,"
I said, referring to his unsavory past.
"Don't tell anyone, Leon,"
he said, pointing at me threateningly.
"Or they'll put you in diapers?"
I said mockingly.
Suddenly, we started laughing happily and sat down on a bench near a cherry tree.
"What are you going to be?"
I asked Tom as I started drinking my juice.
"As you can see, I'm still here in rehab, but everything is going well. Soon I'll be able to go back to school and lead a normal life. Thanks for everything, Leon. I would never have had the strength to get this far without you. Really, thank you."
He said, bowing his head.
"It's my job, kid, but I'm glad I had you as my first patient,"
I said with a smile, scratching his head.
It's rare for us doctors to receive sincere thanks. You have to understand that it's a very thankless job. You can spend more than nine months treating a patient, and when they're cured, they leave without a word, so it touches me.
"Rose told me you had a new patient and that it was going to be difficult with her. Do you think you can handle it?"
said the kid with a worried look.
"Well, it's true, my patient isn't very cooperative, and on top of that, she's really cold. I really wonder if I can do it,"
I complained.
"Don't give up so quickly. You never gave up on me, despite all my stupid mistakes and crazy behavior. You gave hope back to the person I used to be, a frightened kid filled with despair. You've been the greatest help I've ever had. Before, I thought I was finished and that nothing could save me, but thanks to you, I was able to succeed, so believe in yourself.
He said with a fiery gleam in his eyes.
"Well, it seems I have even less right to give up after your little speech.
I replied with a sigh.
"Really? I believe in you.
He said with a smile from ear to ear.
He had cheered me up. That little whiny kid had really grown up. I'm quite proud of him now. I feel nostalgic.