Page 78 of Bluebird

I sighed. “Bye, Luke.”

He gave me a quick kiss on the top of my head, and left. Taking my happiness with him.

* * *

My daily exercise entailed the self-exploration of the old country hospital. It was tiny and the facilities were minimal, but the nurses and doctors were first rate. By the end of my stay, I knew them all by name. I was in awe of their knowledge and professionalism, considering the obvious limitations of being such a small medical practice.

Apparently they didn’t get much funding over the past few years and everything was beginning to deteriorate. There were even rumours of an expected closure. I shuddered to think what would have happened to me, and others, without them.

Reporters caught wind of my collapse and were camped outside the hospital for days. I didn’t know what the latest story was until I stumbled across a pile of magazines in the waiting room on one of my daily strolls. I sifted through the headlines and shuddered.

SINGING SENSATION BACK IN REHAB

COUNTRY’S SWEETHEART RELAPSES INTO HER PARTY GIRL WAYS

NATALIE RIVER’S DRUNKEN RAMPAGE

I couldn’t bring myself to read the articles, the photos were horrific enough. Their twisted stories had little effect on me, but their presence outside did. I had been trapped inside for two weeks, my family were hounded, and staff were harassed for information about my condition. It was out of control.

So, I came up with an idea to get rid of the media attention, and help the hospital at the same time. Over my last few days, I negotiated a hefty sum with a leading news program to give them an exclusive interview, under my terms.

I told them my story. They would never know every detail, but I told them enough to know the truth. The interview was focused around my ectopic pregnancy and almost losing my life. I wanted other women to know the warning signs and the dangers of ignoring what your body is trying to tell you. I laughed off the rumours of drug and alcohol addiction, and refused to answer any questions about my personal relationships.

I took them on a tour of the hospital and showed them all the areas that required improvement. The dated equipment, the dull children’s ward, and the aging state of the building were only the surface of a much larger issue. Unfortunately, country hospitals couldn’t get as much funding as city hospitals and many people were suffering.

Once my story aired on television, the reporters faded away and all the money I received from the interview went straight back into the hospital that saved my life, and many others.

I always dreamed of using my fame to help the less fortunate, but my record label made it difficult. My attendance was only allowed at ‘approved’ charity events that would somehow benefit my record sales or image, and I hated it. I had more than I needed and wanted to give back, not just with money, but with time. And now that my life had been turned upside down, I had a lot of time to give.

* * *

As I stepped outside the hospital, I drew in a deep breath of fresh air. There were no cameras, no reporters, and no fans shouting my name…just silence. They had given me a chance to heal in private, and deal with something even I wasn’t ready to face: the emptiness I felt inside.