Broken Heart Blogfest

It's time for the Broken Heart Blogfest, hosted by Dawn Embers.  The idea is to write something about broken hearts....show all the wretched emotions involved.

I, of course, wrote another episode of the Happy Acres saga. And if I can ever figure out how to do it, I'll post all the Happy Acres episodes on their own separate page so you can catch up on them all!

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It’s visitor’s day here at Happy Acres and my brother promised he’d visit today. He said he’d bring me a Big Mac and another pile of romance novels.

About an hour ago Bill’s wife showed up, and she brought homemade chocolate chip cookies for everyone. I love it when she visits – not only for the cookies, but because Bill leaves T-Bone in his room, and it’s the only time I really get to see Bill’s smile, which is pretty good. It puts a little bit of happy into Happy Acres.

The best place to sit when waiting for visitors is on the arm of the couch, where there’s a straight line of sight to the ward door. By sitting up straight the hallway beyond the door is visible through the little square window. I sat vigil there all day, announcing visitors as they arrived.

After Bill’s wife, it was Tessa’s sister. She’s a hugger just like Tessa. They sat at the table in the day room looking at pictures and sharing news. Tessa held her sister’s hand, or touched her shoulder, or leaned into her, but never lost contact.

Mia’s mom showed up next with cupcakes, of course. We call her Mama Mia and she smiles and laughs and holds her daughter close, but I can tell that even though she puts on a happy front, somewhere underneath she blames herself that Mia's here.

Simon’s wife brought his little daughters today, which kind of surprised me because this is not a place for kids. But Simon scooped the girls up in a big hug, smooching kisses all over their little faces. I had to look away because my eyes stung and I got a lump in my throat that I had to swallow down. But at least Simon was on his best behavior, not even requiring his wife to address him as his majesty, or anything.

For two hours the room buzzed with energy, and everyone was on a kind of family love high that will keep them going for at least another day. But I still sat on the couch, waiting. I strained for a peek out the window, into the hall beyond, but all I could see were orderlies and nurses, going about their jobs. I still held out hope, though. My brother is always late for everything.

And even after Bill’s wife, Tessa’s sister, Mama Mia, and Simon’s family left, amidst a whirlwind of hugs and “I love you’s,” and my fellow inmates floated back to their rooms on their own personal waves of contentment, I still sat, waiting.

Artie, the new guy, sat on the couch behind me.

“I’m sorry your visitor didn’t show up,” he said. I glanced over my shoulder at him. He sat straight-backed and awkward, and I remembered the picture of the woman and girl I found when I snooped his room, and my heart broke for him. Artie’s wife and daughter were gone and he would never sit on the arm of this couch straining to catch a glimpse of his family on visitor’s day.

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Okay, so if you're not too depressed now, go check out the other entries and after you've finished reading them, you probably will be depressed. Or at least heartbroken!