Chapter 89: Discharged
The time came for Thea to be discharged. Nina, observing the scene, decided her presence was an unnecessary complication. The room was already saturated with enough awkwardness for three people, and adding a fourth would just make the fragile social dynamic collapse. It was a logical, pragmatic withdrawal.
She walked over to Kofi. "Hey, I think I’m going to head out. It’s probably better if it’s just you two."
Kofi looked at her and felt a sense of gratitude. "Yeah, probably. Thanks, Nina. I’ll call you when we get back."
Nina gave his arm a brief squeeze. "You better. Text if you need anything." She offered Thea a small, neutral smile, which went unreturned, and then she was gone. One less variable in the equation.
The nurse approached the bed with the clipboard. "Okay, Thea. This is the last form. It just states you’re agreeing to a temporary stay with Kofi." She held out a pen. "Just sign at the bottom."
Thea looked at the document. A signature. As if a scribble of ink on a piece of paper could somehow legitimize this absurd situation. Her hand trembled as she reached for the pen.
Kofi saw the hesitation and felt obligated to perform the ritual of reassurance. "Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to if you don’t want to." It was a hollow statement; they both knew the alternatives were worse.
Thea’s choice was between a known hell and an unknown, potentially less terrible one. She took the pen and signed her name.
The nurse, her role in the bureaucratic theater complete, took the clipboard. "Alright. The doctor arranged a taxi for you. It’s waiting downstairs." She handed Thea the plastic bag containing her old clothes.
Thea looked at the plastic bag that held her old, dirty clothes. She held it away from her body, like it might contaminate the clean hospital air. Her gaze shifted from the bag to Kofi, her eyes full of a deep, quiet uncertainty.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked, her voice small.
Kofi felt a wave of sadness for her. He knew she was scared. He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I’m sure. I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t."