Schools of Thought

I felt a touch, a sudden grasp to my right forearm, as of someone falling. I looked over. I was in a darkened room illuminated by a wall of light from an opened door. I was in a bed, a hospital bed. And a nurse, back framed by the light, was bent, briskly rubbing her left ankle. I heard her whisper, “damn.” I blinked. Looking from her arm to her bent head I saw a pair of wings. Right at ther nape of her neck were light blue wings the size of two hands joined at the wrist, fringed with gold, the feathers pulsing with thin red veins, the red turning to pink and disappearing. She hopped forward on her one good foot and I returned her grasp as she raised up. A brown haired woman, eyes brightening then leveling with a matured gaze said gently,” Welcome back.”

The next morning an orderly, cautiously, entered my room. He said,” Feel like some breakfast?” I nodded. He pushed a button on the side of the bed bringing me to a sitting position. He placed my breakfast on the side table and turned for the sliding L at the end of the room, maneuvering it chest high. As he placed my oatmeal and OJ in front of me I saw his wings. Bluish at the stems turning to light green feathers, tipped with red. I said, “ Thanks. “ He smiled a forced smile and bent towards the door. His wings fading from sight two steps before he exited to the hall. I knew something was different.

The Doctor entered soon after. We looked at each other as I sucked apple juice from the carton straw. Glancing down at my chart, eyes darting up from time to time, I heard him grunt in bewilderment. Then he said,” How do you feel?” Standing at the foot of my bed I saw a starched white smock, fresh from the hanger, dutiful pen at the breast, light blue shirt collar and gray tie. A middle aged face thin, tight, and normally haggard, seemed flushed, cheeks reddened by an originality. I said,” Okay.....what happened?” He said,” You recieved an extreme blow to the back of the head.....You’ve been out for eight days now. Frankly you’re an anomaly, such injuries ensure a slow comeback. I want you to relax, I’m gonna keep you for another day or two for observation. We’ll contact your girlfriend for you..... I’m gonna prescribe some light sedatives. Please don’t try to get up until I say so. Okay?” I nodded. He turned and began to write on my ledger. Looking over his shoulder I saw wings. Broad and strong, they waved slowly as he wrote. Luminous blue green with sad flecks of grey streaming to the tips. A cheery green pulsed through them as he turned and said,” I’ll see you tomorrow.”