Chapter Four: Hospital Room:

Many people came to visit me when I was in the hospital. Mostly our neighbors and grandma’s friends.

“Oh good, she’s awake,” I heard someone say. When I opened my eyes, everything was white. Two people sat on my bed. I think one of them was writing down something. A light flashed in my eyes.

“Can you hear me?” one person asked.

“Yes,” I said in a small voice.

“Good!” that person said. “Go get the doctor.” Footsteps ran out of my room. I laid there, listening to the sounds around me. People kept coming in and out of my room, talking. By now, my vision became clearer. A nurse stood over my bed.

“How are you doing?” she asked. She put her hand on my forehead.

“Fine,” I think I whispered. I don’t remember much about that conversation. I just remember her walking out of my room. The rest of it becomes kind of hazy.

Grandma sat by my bed when she came to see me.

“Hey sweetie,” she whispered. “You gave us quite a scare.”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“Shhh, don’t be,” grandma said. “It’s not your fault.” She brushed my hair from my forehead and kissed the skin. Grandma even brought my favorite stuffed bear into my room. I had to stay in the hospital overnight. The nurses were really nice and some of them stopped by to talk to me. One even arranged the flowers by my bed.

“These are so beautiful,” she said. “Did you know that violets are my favorite?” I smiled and shook my head. The nurse smiled and took a sniff.

“Mmm,” she said. So many people came in and out of my room that I wasn’t bored. Even at night, I wasn’t alone. My new friend sits in my room, watching me. I can’t fully see what she looks like in the darkness. I can see her outline as she sat in the chair. Her legs swung back and forth. I could see her smiling at me.

“Who are you?” I whispered.

“I am me,” she said.

“But what is your name?” I asked. She titled her head.

“Name?” she asked. “I don’t have a name.”

“Why is that?”

“I don’t know.”

“That’s not good.” I sat up in my bed. “I will have to give you a name.” I tilted my head as I started thinking.

“Hm… I can’t see your face. I don’t know. Hm…” Then, a light clicked on in my head. “How about Miranda?”

“Is that a nice name?” she asked.

“I think so,” I said. She perked up and clapped.

“I will be Miranda from now on!” she said. I lay back on my bed and smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Miranda,” I said. “My name is Kinsey.” Miranda got up from the chair crawled into my bed. She rested her head on my pillow and smiled at me.

“Let’s be friends,” she said.

“Okay,” I said.

“Best friends,” Miranda added.

“Okay,” I said. She smiled and tapped me on the nose. Miranda slept in my bed for the rest of the night. I remembered that she smelt like chestnuts and peaches. Her hair tickled my nose.