“Hiya love,
can I have your
name and date of birth?”

My brain is filled with treacle
and my tongue is swollen
beyond my mouth
but somehow I babble out
the required information.

“Okay love,
that’s great.
Is there anyone waiting for you?”

I manage to vaguely
shake my head
which sends my world spinning.
I think my eyes must
tear up a bit at that
because she squeezes my hand
but I pull it back
because I can’t deal
with sympathy right now.
I am alone by design.

She sighs.
“Okay hun,
we’ll get you out
the recovery ward soon
and the surgeon will be around shortly.”
I couldn’t muster the energy
to give any sort of response.

She walks away.
I curl up
and cry.