Page 91 of Exile & Lula

LULA

As Exile, Nova, and the girls started their journey back to Little Memphis, Rowdy and I arrived at the hospital to learn Stevie had been discharged an hour earlier. Hazard and Anise had escorted her to the Sorority House, where they were staying while their daughters healed.

Graham was on watch duty in front of Cher’s room. He looked refreshed and still damp from a recent shower.

“I just took over for Vanessa,” Graham explained while Rowdy grabbed a chair to keep watch with him. “Sabrina will be here in a few hours. Let me know if you need anything.”

Inside the room, the curtains were pulled back. Stevie’s bed was stripped down. A chair sat next to Cher’s bed, where she rested with her eyes closed. Her casted arms were set up on pillows to keep them level. Her left leg cast was covered in our friends’ colorful signatures.

I settled into the chair and caressed Cher’s fingers sticking out of her cast. Her nails were painted pink and green.

As I sat quietly with Cher, I considered Exile returning to Little Memphis. Though he sounded happy to come back, I felt guilty over him giving up important parts of his life to be with me.

“You look sad,” Cher said, startling me from my thoughts.

“I’m worried about you.”

“I know, but you seem sadder than before. Am I dying? Is that why you look like you’ll cry?”

“No, the doctor said your memory recall is good. She thinks you’ll go home in a week or two.”

“Then, why are you sadder than the last time you visited?”

“It doesn’t matter. We should talk about you.”

Cher studied me with her glassy eyes. “Want me to tell you about my out-of-body experience?”

“Of course,” I said, stroking her fingers.

“I saw myself in the ER. Stevie was nearby, bleeding and crying. I wanted to comfort her, but I couldn’t. I moved away from the hospital and saw my parents speeding to Little Memphis. I could feel how worried they were and wanted to tell them I was with them, but I couldn’t.”

When Cher hesitated, I sensed she was getting tired. Taking a deep breath, she focused on me and spoke again.

“I found myself at a pancake place. I wanted a big stack with lots of butter and syrup, but I couldn’t eat since I didn’t have a body, and no one could see me. I kept floating around, wanting to do stuff. It was very frustrating. So, when I came back to my body, I decided I was going to do whatever I wanted. Even though I’m all messed up right now, I can be seen and heard. Soon, I’ll be walking around and eating my pancakes and hugging my parents and chasing Stevie when she pisses me off.”

“I’m sorry this happened.”

“I’m not,” Cher said and closed her eyes. “I was coasting through life. Now, I plan to make moves. I’ll be a superstar. Just you wait.”

“I believe you.”

“Are you coasting through life? Is that why you look sad?”

“No, I don’t know. Maybe,” I said, fumbling with my words. “Exile is giving up a lot for me. We’re going to try and make a long-distance relationship work.”

“Don’t try. Just do it.”

“It’s not always that easy.”

“Vanessa said you’ve been silly sweet since you met Exile. Does that mean you’re in love?”

“Yes.”

“Then, why is there any question if things will work?”

“Love isn’t always enough.”

“If Exile makes you happy, you can’t be selfish. If he’s not enough, nothing you do will keep things going.”