Т Нован: Exposure Season 3

Parental Advisory Rating: L, N, AC

Break out those V–Chips, everyone!

Credits:

Created, Produced, Directed and Written:

Fanatic and TNovan

We sit in Patricia Radson’s waiting room. Waiting. It seems like forever we’ve been … waiting. These places would be better named torture rooms. Finally, after two weeks of looking like a bug-eyed spaced alien, I am going to be free of goggles, gauze pads and eye drops. And, perhaps, I will be able to see again.

I am not really counting on it. Even this morning when Kels administered the last of the drops, I saw nothing. I had hoped it would be different. I was disappointed. Kels knew how upset I was and she simply slid her arms around me and held me.

I know that no matter what happens, I have to hold it together. For Kels’ sake. For Brennan. For Shy Baby Roo. For myself. No matter the outcome, we have to make plans for the future. These babies aren’t going to wait for me to get my act together. In fact, if I don’t, they’re going to show up early. I’d prefer having them as a birthday present.

"Ms. Kingsley, will you come with me, please?"

Kels guides me as the nurse leads us into the examination room. Her hand covers mine on her upper arm, reaffirming our bond. I miss seeing my wedding ring.

"Take a seat and the doctor will be with you shortly."

I back up against the exam chair and take a seat. I listen as Kels drags a chair over beside me and she takes hold of my hand again. The only good thing to come out of all of this is I get to hold my girl’s hand a helluva lot more than I used to.

"No matter what, Harper, I love you."

I allow myself a small smile. "Thank you, darlin’. No matter what, you’re not getting rid of me."

Before Kelsey can retort — and I know she wants to — the door opens and someone enters. "Harper, how are you feeling?"

I recognize Dr. Radson’s voice. "Pretty good."

"How are your eyes feeling? Any more discomfort?" Her voice draws closer and I imagine her leaning down looking at me.

I shake my head. "No. That ended a few days ago."

"Good," she replies. She swings some piece of equipment around the side of the chair. I can feel the presence of the instrument just to my right. "Let’s take a look at them then." Very gently she removes the goggles and gauze. With a cotton pad she wipes under my eyes cleaning me up a bit. My skin is always so happy to be exposed to air again. "Go ahead and open your eyes, Harper."

I obey. Kels squeezes my hand a bit tighter.

Nothing.

Darkness.

Dr. Radson leans so close I can feel her breath on my cheek. She holds open my eyelid and examines my right eye. After a moment, she switches to my left eye. Pulling back, she says, "They look a lot better. The redness is almost entirely gone and the swelling is completely gone. There’s no sign of infection, which is always one of our biggest concerns with an injury such as you received. Kelsey, you did a good job taking care of Harper."

"Yes, she did," I affirm.

"I’m going to do another slit lamp exam. Once again, you’ll need to sit forward and rest your chin here." She helps guide me into position. "You may see a bright light while I’m examining you. It may be uncomfortable, but please try to keep as still as possible."

I could only hope to see a bright light.

When she looks at my left eye, I blink and pull back momentarily. "Doc?"

"Did you see something, Harper?"

I swallow hard, disbelieving. "I can see light," I whisper.

I hear Kels swallow a gasp.

"Good," Dr. Radson encourages. "Sit back for a moment." She moves the slit lamp and pulls over another examination device. She settles it in front of my eyes. "What do you see?"

"Two bursts of light, followed by another one."

"Good." I hear her move some knobs on the device. "And now?"

I squint, trying to get a better look. God, how nice it is to do that. "It’s kinda a lighter blob on a dark blob."

"All right."

Hmm … guess I got that one wrong.

"What does this mean, Doctor?" Kels asks. I’m surprised she lasted this long.

"It’s a good sign," Dr. Radson states unnecessarily. "While I am concerned that Harper’s vision hasn’t improved more significantly, this does indicate that there is some functionality in the eyes. Whether or not it continues to improve, only time will tell."

I suppose being able to see that the light at the end of the tunnel is an on-coming train would be a good thing. Not quite the same as being able to see my spouse’s face again, but, I guess I should be grateful for even a little improvement. Being able to see light is better than a lifetime of darkness.

"I believe it will," Kels whispers as she leans in to kiss my cheek.

"Set up an appointment for next week. If there are any significant changes before then, come in and see me immediately. Otherwise, Kelsey, you need to continue putting in the eye drops for Harper. There is still a good risk of an infection. If that were to take place, the impact could be devastating."

"I will."

Of course Kels will take good care of me. She’s ferocious about my eyes.

"Great." Dr. Radson puts everything aside and pats me on my leg. "Don’t give up hope yet, Harper."

I give Kels directions to Café du Monde. We park by the Natchetz and walk past Jackson Square. I’ve been here so many times in my lifetime, I can completely imagine the scene. I can see in my mind’s eye the young street performers, bottle caps on the soles of their shoes, tap dancing for tourist money. I see the mediums and psychics in various outfits enticing tourists to part with more of their cash. Rounding out the local entrepreneurs are the artists selling five minute portraits and oil and watercolor paintings some of which are actually quite good.

Café du Monde is packed as always. The tiny tables are put too close together making it difficult to navigate through them, especially for a woman pregnant with twins guiding a blind woman. I am wearing my darkest pair of sunglasses to both protect my eyes — at Dr. Radson’s insistence — as well as give a visual cue to others of my disability. I don’t have a white cane … yet. I am not quite ready to completely admit defeat.

But, we still need to prepare for the future. One that may not include my sight.

Kels leads us to a table in the far corner. She puts me in a chair where I can feel both sides of the tent canopy at my back. Here we should be less jostled. And not have as many people pay attention to us. We order beignets and café au lait. Well, at least, I do. Kels gets her standard decaffeinated Earl Gray.

I capture one of her smaller hands in mine. "How are you doing, baby?"

"Other than I have a heater strapped to my stomach, I’m doing okay."

God, I am an idiot. I wanted to come here because beignets have always been my comfort food of choice. Of course, I forget to think about my wife’s well-being. "I’m sorry, Kels. Let’s get you home where you can be more comfortable." I start trying to get to my feet, banging into both the bar behind me and the table in front of me. Damn, this place is small!

Kels grabs my wrist. "Honey, I’m sorry. Sit down. I’m fine. Once we sit down for a moment, I’ll be fine."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely. These two just generate a lot of heat, that’s all. Must be warm-blooded, like their Mama. Let us not forget that it is August and I’m five and a half months pregnant. I wouldn’t be comfortable in an igloo right now."

I smile. I really look forward to meeting these guys. "Are they active today?"

"Oh yes. Brennan is practicing for World Cup Soccer. And Shy Baby Roo is swimming laps. I can’t figure out how they can be so active in such a small space." She takes my hand, placing it on her stomach, once again giving me that all-important connection to my children.