He's Perfect: The Second Prequel

As it's title suggests this is one in a series of connected stories. To read it in it's full context, please check out "He's Perfect" in the archives.


I ran out the door and along the path, oblivious to the calming expanses of grass on either side. Without knowing where I was heading, I followed the path. As I rounded a curve the obscuring tree yielded, allowing me to see Dad's car. What was Dad's car. I couldn't take it, screaming, I bolted in the opposite direction. Across the grass, slightly boggy from the heavy rains of the past week. Soon, a fence appeared. One of those with little ability as a barrier, but one that contributed to the overall appearance of the grounds, therefore justifying the money for it and granting it the title 'fence'. I jumped over it and landed on the footpath on the other side. Without breaking stride I then left the footpath for the bitumen of the road. Suddenly, a blaring noise appeared. The sharp spikes and troughs of a heart monitor filled my brain and I became completely immobilised. The car's horn continued on and on. It cut into my head completely overwhelming the already overwhelmed. The driver, a man, was getting furious now. Soon, his window was lowered and he added his angry voice to the cacophony. Cars banked up behind him and more voices and horns were added to the horrific choir.

I had completely lost control. A part of me was willing them to run me down. The same one that also longed for one of the drivers to get out of the car and beat all the pain out of me. That's why I didn't flinch when I felt arms wrap around me from behind. I didn't even brace myself for the impact, just stood there waiting for it. But it didn't come. Instead, the arms gently steered me back the way I had come. I was too overcome to resist. So, I let myself be led back towards the place I hated above all others. I attempted to lift myself back over the fence. But in a battle of superior feebleness I won. So I found myself being lifted off the ground and over it. However, my feet didn't meet the ground again once I was safely back inside the hospital grounds. I found myself being carried, faintly aware of the squelch as we crossed the grass. Then I felt the solid feel of wood against my back as I was placed on a bench. As my rescuer sat down next to me he was finally revealed. My brain did not recognise him, but that was not saying much. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore.

"Are you ok? Would you like me to get you a nurse? How can I help?" I responded slowly. Leaving the first, unnecessary question unanswered I simply shook my head. Right then left. I just sat still after that, paralysed by the devastation in my life. "Ok", he said, as he wrapped his arm around me, "Everything's going to be alright." Because I was desperate for the fantasy, because I needed the comfort, because his arm was the only thing connecting me to this world, I sunk with his arm and buried myself in  his side. A thin layer of muscle covered his rib. This tensed slightly as his arm brought me closer into his embrace. His hand stroked my head. Just for those moments, I forgot about everything that had happened. I was back at home, with Mum comforting me after a bad dream. I stayed like that, in a trance for, in all likelihood, hours. After a while his t-shirt was damp from my silent tears, but he made no effort to dry it. No effort to discomfort me. Every now and again he would say something. Never anything substantial, but always something comforting and nothing my warped brain couldn't morph into my mother's voice.

At one point a nurse must have come out trying to find me. Seeing me with Him, she informed him what had happened. She'd  tried to get me back inside. There were forms that needed to be filled in and the bed needed to be cleared for another patient. He told her it could wait. Knowing him very well, she let it go, leaving me in his very capable hands. "Ben. I'm here for you. I can stay as long as you need me", he told me once she had left. "But if you'd like, I could take you to somewhere more comfortable, where you could lie down?" This time I nodded. He gently pushed me so that I was once again sitting upright. He stood up, moved in front of me and with the hand that still clasped mine, he pulled me to my feet. I was vaguely aware of this being the first time I had actually seen his face. Somewhere inside a part of me registered the compassion on his face and most of all in his eyes. Not sympathy or pity, but true and pure compassion. Allowing me to set the pace, we edged towards the hospital doors. At the steps I stumbled, forcing him to stabilise me. From then on his hand released mine and his arm swung around my back, supporting me, once again.

Eventually we made it to his room. A small, single room with a bed and not much else. He lay me down on his bed, slid a chair beside it and sat down. He grabbed a firm hold of my hand again and his other hand went soothingly to my head. "You're here now. You're safe. You can sleep now." So I did.

When I awoke, he was still there, sitting beside me, holding my hand, but his attention was directed at the nurse. They conversed too quickly for my groggy brain to follow, but soon, she returned with some food. Some of the first light of the day was making its way through the window, lighting up the room. It could have been my state of mind, but to me, it seemed to shine an intense spotlight on Him, highlighting his golden hair. "Hello Ben", he greeted me warmly, "How are you feeling? Julie's brought you some breakfast if you'd like it." Immediately, I became aware of my rumbling stomach, and I was unable to recall when I had had my last meal. I fed myself, although weakly, forgetting to thank the nurse before she left.

When I had finished, I turned to the guy who had entered my life so welcomely. "What was your name?" He told me and I placed it in my memory bank's most secure vault. This would be a name I would treasure until the day I died...