Empty Eyes Ch. 9: Visiting the Past

 Aaron played with the cuffs of his navy blue button up shirt. He brushed off his jeans and straightened out his white undershirt. "You look handsome, who's the lucky lady?" His mom entered the livingroom, holding a fresh cup of coffee. He sighed, "I'm going to go see her mah'..." Knowing who 'her' was, his mom sat the cup down on the small table next to her.  "I don't think that's such a good idea..." She muttered, walking over and brushing off his shoulders, "It might not even be her honey, you said she looked different yourself.." " Everyone changes their appearance over the years as they get older mah', it's not that unheard of." She sighed, "Aaron, I'm telling you... I don't think its a good idea." He turned away, ignoring her and started buttoning up his shirt. "Listen to me, I know you and her were childhood sweethearts but that's in the past... you can't expect her to be the same now as she was then..." She explained. "I don't care..." Aaron whispered, turning back to face his mom again, " You love someone no matter how much they change, right?" She slightly smiled, "Usually, but sometimes the change is too great honey... you can't save them all..." He shook his head, "I'll be back later..." He kissed her cheek and walked away, taking out his keys. His mother crossed her arms and watched as he dissapeared out of the front door. She walked over to the window and sighed.

 "Lainey, would you like to share anything?" The 'truth' leader asked. She shook her head and stared at the floor.  After a moment they called on someone else. A knock came at the door and everyone looked over as a nurse popped her head in. "Sorry to interrupt," She greeted, "Lainey, you have a visitor..." Everyone looked at Lainey. She sighed, got up and walked out. "It's perfectly fine, she wasn't much of a talker today anyways..." The 'truth' leader explained. The nurse nodded and shut the door.

 Lainey looked up to see Mr. Whitman standing with his wife.  They both had bright smiles when they saw her walking up. Lainey waved, "Hi..." "How are you feeling today, any better?" Mr. Whitman asked. Lainey looked from him to his wife, "I'm fine..." A dissaproving grunt came from his wife but she forced a smile. "Are you here to tell me you don't want me anymore?" Lainey innocently asked. Mr. Whitman shook his head, "Absolutely not... stop talking about yourself as if you're a puppy that no one wants...we cant just give you back... we refuse to give up on you like everyone else has..." Lainey softly laughed at this, "... thanks?" His wife, still silent, looked around the room. Mr. Whitman handed her a picture frame with a ribbon around it. Lainey looked down, it was a picture of her with her original parents. She dropped the frame and glass exploded as it hit the floor. Mr. Whitman and his wife jumped. A few nurses ran over and started cleaning up the mess. Mr. Whitman looked at Lainey who was crying. "How did you get that?" She demanded. He frowned, "Lainey... I'm sorry, I didn't think it would upset you..." Lainey nodded, "That seems to be your problem Mr. Whitman, you don't think..." She turned and walked away. "I'm really sorry..." He apoligized to one of the nurses, cleaning up the glass. His wife tugged on his arm, "Let's go.. we're clearly not wanted here..."

 "Lainey!" Her attending nurse called out, causing her to stop. "Sweety, let's get you cleaned up..." She whispered, grasping Lainey's cut hands. Lainey nodded and they went into a bathroom.

 Aaron entered the visiting area and saw nurses cleaning up some glass with a broom. He walked over, "Excuse me... sorry to disturb you, how do I sign up to see a patient?" The nurse looked him up and down, "Are you a relative?" He shook his head, "Not exactly..." "Then you shouldn't be here... most of the patients that come here can only see relatives..." She explained.

 "Well luckily no glass got into your hand." The nurse smiled, wiping the blood away. Lainey nodded, "I'm sorry I made a mess out there..." "It's perfectly fine, it's being taken care of... now, how about something to eat?" The nurse asked. Lainey nodded and they left the bathroom. "I'm sorry sir, I can't help you..." She heard a nurse say. Lainey looked over and saw Aaron talking to the two nurses who were cleaning up the glass. She abruptly stopped and stared in shock. This is the last place she wanted to see him. He looked up and saw her. "Lainey..." He greeted. The nurses looked at Lainey, expecting her to do or say something. Lainey stepped closer and wiped away the tears that were falling. "Aaron..." She smiled, causing more tears to roll down her cheeks. He stepped closer and reached up and touched her face. Lainey closed her eyes and held his hand. The nurses exchanged confused glances. "I found you..." He joked, "Didn't think you could get away that easy, did you?" Lainey slightly laughed, shaking her head, "I didn't know how to tell you..."  "You didn't have to..." Aaron muttered, looking deep into her eyes, "I already knew..." "Plus, " He added, "Tess just didn't quite fit..."  Lainey bowed her head and covered her face as she cried. He pulled her into him and wrapped his arms around her, "Don't you ever leave again... k?" Lainey nodded, continuing to cry.