Short Story Sunday: The View – Part Two

So sorry as I missed posting last Sunday. I had to decide where I was going to end this short story, as to not aimlessly write. Thankfully now I have a destination in sight. Before you read part two, if you missed part one and need to catch up. Click here.

“I can’t see anything.”

My mother began to sob heavily at this point. The numb feeling began to spread throughout me more as the moments passed. My quiet tears made lines down my face.

Between her breaths mom sputtered out, “I th…thought you said she would have blur….blurry vision?”

“Blindness is possible between the gas in your eyes and the concussion.” Doctor Sianna said. “It could be temporary. Let’s just give it time. I will continue the eye drops as well. You don’t have to wear the eye mask during the day, only during sleep. We will continue to check in on you. If anything changes, like blurry vision, some light starts coming back or anything like that let Sandra know. Do you have any questions?”

Still stuck in a numb state of shock his words were muffled, mom was muffled. Then a beeping sound broke through. I heard the sound get louder. “I have to go, there’s an emergency. Sandra keep me informed.” Sianna said rushing out the door, the beeping sound following him.

“Sorry about him leaving like that.” Sandra Cold-Hands apologized for him. “Anything you need, let me know. That goes for the both of you.”

“Can I speak to you out in the hall- hallway.” Mom said, her sobbing more quiet.

“Of course. Deborah you okay for a moment alone?” Sandra asked me. I just nodded, their steps retreating out the room and the door clicking shut. I could hear their muffled voices.

How could something like this happen so quick and with no pain in my eyes? I would have thought that my eyes would be burning from the gas. But it has been a few days. How long will I be blind? Will I ever see again? Questions, upon more questions assaulted my thoughts until the door knob turned and the door opened. I could hear their muffled voices more clearly.

“…what can she do to help pass time?” Mom asked.

“Well there are plenty of ways for her to pass….” nurse cold hands Sandra was saying in a clear voice before the door shut again and turned their conversation into a incoherent muffle.

“Who’s there?” I asked.

“Just me, Beth, your roommate. I’m back from my walk outside.” she said in her delicate voice.

“What is the weather doing?” I asked her, my eyes desperately darted around, wanting to be able to see out a window.

“Sunny. But deceivingly cold out there.” Beth said, her bed creaking a bit as she sat or laid down.

“Typical January.” I replied. “Anything good on TV this time of day?”

“Just your grandmother’s soaps.” Beth answered as she flipped on the TV and I could hear conversations getting cut off by her quick channel surfing. “I can’t believe some of these shows are still going. I remember being a little girl watching these when I was at my grandmother’s house.”

“Ha, I remember going to my own grandma’s house to see the same thing. Oh, I can tell it’s almost one o’clock. You just passed the opening theme line for one of my grandma’s favorites.” I giggled thinking back on my own memories. “The amount of times I was confused as they had to switch actors for their characters always got to me.” I told Beth.

“Oh my god! ME TOO!” Beth exclaimed.

Our laughter was interrupted by my mother coming back into the room. “Oh Beth, you’re back. Glad you two are getting to know each other.” Mom said with a steady voice. “Deb I was going to see if you wanted me to go get you anything from your place? Your iPod, laptop, or anything like that?”

“I think just the iPod would be good, maybe my laptop, I’m not sure how I well I could use it.” I let my voice trail off.

“You let me get that taken care of.” Mom said. “Anything else?”

“Yeah my own pillow and that sherpa blanket off the couch. Other than that, just some clothes so I can get out of this dreadful hospital gown I’m sure I’m dressed in.” I said while feeling the thin fabric between my fingers.

“Ok, I will be back. It might take some time to get back.” Mom started saying. I could hear her pause from gathering up her things.

“Mom, I’m awake now. I will be fine.” I said to her with my head towards her but not sure if my eyes were on her, I kept moving my eyes around.

“Just push that button if you need anything. I will be back with your stuff, oh your phone charger…” She started to say, making one of her mental lists. “I love you and will be back.”

“Love you too Mom.” I said.

She finished gathering up everything. I could hear her walking out the door. I fumbled on my bedside table for my drink and found it, this time without dropping it. I listened to the channel surfing some more before Beth decided on a game show channel, airing a trivia game show. We competed against one another trying to answer the questions. We were tied with seven points each. I heard the game show host ask, ‘How many of the seven dwarfs in Disney’s Snow White, had mustaches?’ Beth paused the TV.

“Five!” Beth yelled out quickly.

I smiled, “None of them.”

Beth pressed play on the TV. A contestant with a nasal voice said three, and the other two contestants said four and five. A double buzzer sound emitted from the speakers and the game show host said, “There were no mustaches, only beards on six of the dwarfs. Dopey was the only dwarf without a beard.”

“Damn! Not my strong suit.” Beth said. “I call for a rematch.”

“I watched that movie so many times as a kid I lost count.” I said laughing. “I accept your rematch challenge.”

“The nurse is here Deborah.” Beth said to let me know that someone had come into our room.

“Just call me Debbie.” I replied. “Hello Sandra.”

“Here to do your eye drops Deborah. We do them three times a day. The first one you had done when you were still asleep, four pm is your second dose, and bedtime is your third dose. These are really cold and should help soothe any pain you might have.” Sandra said to me.

“I still don’t have any pain. Which is weird, for having gas in my eyes a few days ago. How long do we need to do these drops?” I asked her.

“For a few more days, a week total for these drops.” Sandra answered. “If you can tilt your head back and keep your right eye open for me.” She was right they are very cold, my right eye blinked shut as soon as the drop hit. “Now the left.” I felt the drop hit in the left eye and quickly was blinking. “Absolutely no rubbing your eyes Deborah. You can lightly dab the excess with tissues but no wiping them or rubbing them.” Sandra said while putting a tissue in my hand.

“Thanks. So still no chance I can keep the eye mask off while sleeping?” I asked her, worried it will annoy me and my rest.

“Sianna thinks it will be best to still keep it on, just in case you try to rub your eyes in your sleep.” Sandra answered me.

“Ok. I need help finding the bathroom, all this water I’ve been drinking is finally catching up.” I said. I could feel my face was hot with a blush. It was embarrassing asking for help to the bathroom.

“Of course. Let me take down these bed rails for you. I’m taking off this pulse oximeter, the thing on your finger, and the blood pressure cuff on your arm. You don’t need those on anymore.” She took the thing clamped to my index finger and the thing wrapped around by upper arm. I felt more free. “Just be careful standing up, your balance may be off kilter since you can’t see your surroundings. I’m here and will let you hold my arm and talk you through how to get there.”

I sat up in bed and could feel a draft on my back. I’m definitely in a hospital gown. I felt Sandra’s hand go around to tie the strings together to keep the back from leaving everything to view. I smelled a faint citrus scent from Sandra Cold Hands, but it was being overpowered by hand sanitizer. Once my gown was securely tied, I stood up. Wavering in place for a moment, I gripped onto Sandra’s arm.

“Steady now.” Sandra said, her hand hovering around my waist. “When your ready take some steps forward, I will tell you when to turn.”

On instinct I raised my cast arm to feel out but decided against it. I know how the last bump against something hard felt. I stepped forward in a shuffle, unsure and unsteady. I squeezed her hand harder in an iron grip.

“Good Debbie. Now I’m going to have you take two more steps and then take a left, that is the bathroom. I’m going to put your hand on the rail and the toilet is to your left and the toilet paper is below the bar to your left. I’m just going to move your hand to show you where it is. Did you want some help further help?” Sandra asked me.

“No I’ve got it from here I think.” I said, ready for her to go so I could do my business.

“Ok just pull on this cord when your done, no flushing since we still need to record some output data.” Sandra said, like this shouldn’t bother me. I guess to her this is normal everyday stuff.

“Got it.” I said as I heard the door shut. I used my one arm to pull down my underwear when I realized, this isn’t my underwear. It felt paper-like and crinkled. I’m wearing a damn diaper!!! I pulled the cord. I could hear a click to my left as I pulled the cord then heard a beeping sound from outside the room. Sandra knocked and asked, “All done?”

“No, not exactly.” I responded in a loud irritated voice. “Could I get some real underwear in here?”

“Your mom should be bringing some back, did you need to change?” Cold Hands asked.

Fucking Hell. Mom better hurry with my clothes and now Beth knows I’m wearing a god damn diaper. I thought to myself. I relieved myself and finished my business quickly.

“I guess I’m done then.” I said out.

Sandra opened the door and clicked something back in place from when I pulled the cord. “Ok, you ready?”

“Yeah.” The irritation was still in my voice. Sandra guided me back to my bed, and I still felt like I was walking on new legs. A knock on the door sounded from behind me.

“Just a moment!” Sandra hollered out. She got me sitting down and a blanket over my legs before yelling, “Come in!”

“Oh you were up and about?” Mom asked. The sound of small metal things clank against a metal door frame. “I brought you a change of clothes and a few things for you to keep occupied. Sorry it took so long, I decided to change and shower.”

“I would like to change now.” I said, not hiding the irritation.

“I can help her.” Mom said.

“I’m going to go stretch my legs before dinner comes.” Beth said. “See ya later Debbie. Don’t forget we have that rematch later.”

“Yeah.” I said completely embarrassed as Sandra and Beth walked out the door.

“Ok it’s just us now. I’m going to pull the curtain so the people outside can’t see us. Is everything alright, you sound irritated?” Mom asked as she pulled the curtains.

“Mom, I’m in a diaper.” I said, still embarrassed to even tell her.

“Well they have to take precautions, but I brought you some real panties.” She said. Once back over to me I could tell she brought a backpack or duffel bag since a zipper was being unzipped. “Alright, let’s get you into some comfy clothes.”

************************************

After I was all dressed and feeling semi-normal, I could smell dinner was on its way. Soon after the smell hit me, Beth walked in.

“Jeopardy for the trivia wizard?” she asked.

“Oh yeah.” My mood was much better now that the damn diaper was off and food was almost here.

Someone knocked on the open door, “Dinnertime for the lovely ladies.” This time a male voice, and not Doctor Sianna.

“Please tell me it’s semi-edible tonight Dean.” Beth said, she was smiling from the tone of her voice.

“Is it ever not edible?” The sarcasm was thick in Dean’s voice. Beth snorted as she laughed. “Who has the grilled chicken with the loaded baked potato?”

“That would be me.” Beth answered. A tray was laid on her table.

“The grilled chicken with extra fries?” Dean asked.

“Mine.” I said as I raised up my good arm. He got closer and could hear as the tray was sat on my table. He smelled good, but not overpowering.

“Your chicken is at six o’clock on your plate, fries at two o’clock, and fruit at nine o’clock. You want your chicken cut up or left whole?” Dean asked.

“Whole is fine. For hospital food this smells great. Do you have any ketchup?” I asked him.

“On your plate between the chicken and fries about four o’clock. Everything is in a section as well, like your lunch tray was. If you put out your hand I will give you your fork.” He said. I felt the cold metal touch my fingers and grabbed it. I sat it down next to the plate.

“Then the meatloaf must be for you mademoiselle.” Dean said, referring to my mother. “I will be your nurse’s aide for the night. The name is Dean, as Beth has already told you. If you need anything just call.”

“Ok.” Both Beth and I responded.

Dean left the room and hollered over his shoulder, “Enjoy!”

“Girl, too bad you can’t see Dean…Wow.” Beth said a few moments after Dean left the room, she was still smiling.

“He is definitely easy on the eyes.” Mom said.

“Mother!” I said out with a smile, slightly embarrassed. “He did smell good. I swear if you are messing with me.”

“Oh no, far from it.” Beth said, as she turned up Jeopardy.

************************************

After Jeopardy finished, Beth won and we were both now tied for game points. Immediately after Wheel of Fortune turned on, a few minutes in Beth was channel searching again once she realized that I couldn’t see the letter placement for the puzzles. We both agreed that we would resume our competition tomorrow.

Swallowing the last bite of a chocolate chip cookie that was my dessert I faced in mom’s general direction, “Mom if you want to go sleep in your bed tonight that’s fine. I’m awake, things will be ok and dad will be here tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? I can stay tonight if you want, I showered so I don’t stink and brought a change of clothes.” Her voice trailed off.

“Mom, go home and relax, I’m sure you need it more than me right now.” I told her. “I’m going to probably sleep in a bit anyway.”

“You sure Hon? I guess I forgot to feed the dog when I was out earlier.” She said, already making another mental list.

“See you need to go feed the dog, I’m sure he misses you if you have been here this whole time.” I said, a yawn escaping.

“Do you want me to help you into a nightgown?” Mom asked me.

“I’m just going to stay in the sweat pants and tee-shirt I think. It’s good to be in familiar clothes that smell like home. Plus you brought my pillow and blanket so I should sleep like I’m dead.” I said, not thinking about what I just said. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright, I’m just happy that you are awake now. I will see you tomorrow. Your father should be here with me. His flight is supposed to be here about eleven in the morning.” Mom said. “I love you.”

“Love you too.” I replied, as she kissed me on the forehead.

Her footsteps left the room and it was just me and Beth, who was still channel surfing. Soon after Dean came in to gather up our dinner trays, the night nurse came in after Dean left to do my eye drops. I laid my head back and closed my eyes. Letting my thoughts drift elsewhere in the darkness.

************************************

I was driving along the freeway into town, snowflakes falling towards the window shield in the dark as if I was traveling through space at warp speed. The lights of the oncoming traffic cut off from me as I entered the off-ramp tunnel to turn into the inner city. I was going too fast. I feathered the breaks and they didn’t work. I slammed the gear shift into a lower gear to try to slow down. I was still sliding down the ramp. I could see a clear pathway in front of me as I went to the merge lane. A horn blared to the right of me and I turned my head to see a stuffed unicorn in the passenger’s seat. Headlights glaring through the window into my eyes. I lifted my arm to brace for the impact.

I jerked awake from my sleep. My breath fast, my body sweaty and legs wrapped up in the blankets. My eyes were open but it was pitch dark. There were hushed sounds coming from the hallway. A dream. But is that how it happened? I still couldn’t remember.

“You okay?” a voice whispered to me.

“Yeah, just a dream.” I said as I rolled over to go back to sleep. I shivered as a cool breeze swept along my arm. I snuggled deeper into my blankets into a dreamless sleep as Beth snored softly.

Short Story Sunday: The View – Part One

 

A beeping sound from behind woke me up from my dreamless sleep, Then the smell hit me. I’m in a hospital. I kept my eyes shut, trying to go back to sleep. I felt a mask over my eyes and I reached up to remove it. My right arm was heavy and it hit something hard.

“Son of a bitch.” I cursed out loud when the pain hit me, my voice raspy and dry. Everything hurt.

“Oh Debbie, you’re awake.” My mother’s voice.

“Mom?” I asked with a shaking voice, tears welling up. “What happened?”

“Hon, you’re in the hospital.” She said, I can tell she had been crying. She never cries, or at least, not in front of me. “The doctor wants you to keep the sleep mask on until he gets here. Your dad is snowed in at the airport and his flight is delayed. But he is on his way.”

“I need a drink.” I said.

“Let me go get you some ice water.” Mom said.

Not the kind of drink I was thinking about, but water sounded amazing. I could hear her flip pages of a magazine shut, she stood up and walked out of the room. Then the sound of rustling clothes and footsteps as she leaves the room to speak to someone in the hall outside my room.

What the hell had happened? What all is wrong with me? How long would I need to keep this damn eye mask on? My thoughts and questions led into more questions. Calm down Deb, I thought to myself as my lip started to quiver, the tears closer to pouring out. I reached over and felt my right arm. It was in a hard cast. That explains why it was so heavy to lift earlier. I tapped on the cast a few times with a flick of my finger.

“So you’re awake I see.” A delicate female voice said to my right.

“Holy shit!” I screamed and leaned instinctively away. My arm in the cast darted to the side and hit something hard, again. “ARGGGGH,” I exclaimed.

“Oh no! I’m sorry I startled you. I thought they had told you that you were roomed with another person.” The stranger said.

“No. They didn’t.” I said with my breath still coming fast. My machine behind me started to beep to a faster tempo. I was still leaning away when I noticed that the other beeping noise must be her monitors. Multiple footsteps came running into my, rather, our room. I felt cold fingers touch my left wrist to no doubt feel for my pulse. I instinctively pulled away.

“It’s okay Deborah, my name is Sandra and I’m your nurse. I’m sorry my hands are so cold.” the stranger’s voice said, her fingers on my wrist again.

“Are you okay honey?!” My mother asked me. I could smell her floral perfume waft towards me as she came back to my side. Her familiar hand on my shoulder.

“It’s really all my fault Sandra, I should have waited to speak out until someone had told her she had a roommate.” The delicate voice said to Nurse Cold Hands.

“Oh no, I should have told you before I left to go get your water. I’m sorry.” Mom said to me..

“It’s okay, at least I’m wide awake now.” I said.

“Here, take a drink through the straw.” Mom said. I felt the plastic touch my lips and drank the cold refreshing water, it had a funny taste to it compared to what home water tasted like. But I didn’t care. I’m not sure how much I drank but it felt like heaven.

“Wow, you were thirsty.” Sandra said, I heard her pen scribbling something down. “How is your pain level?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck, everything hurts.” I responded to her.

“I will give you something for the pain. It might make you sleepy but rest is good for you.” Cold-Hands Sandra said. “I’m going to leave your bed rails up until you get your bearings and don’t roll out of bed. I will go get it and let Doctor Sianna know you’re awake now.” Her footsteps faded out of the room. I heard mom settle back into her chair and then there was quiet again. The damnable quiet that let my thoughts start creeping in.

“Mom, what day is it?” I asked her. I felt so clueless about everything.

“Saturday.” She said.

“I’ve been asleep for two days?! What the hell happened?” I exclaimed.

“You were in a car accident. Your pretty beat up Debbie.” Mom said in her calm comforting voice.

“Did the unicorn get saved?” I asked her, thinking of my niece’s gift.

“I’m not sure, I will look in the car later. After all this that is the first question you have? Did the unicorn make it? I love you so much.” Mom said with a small chuckle.

I heard the roommate rustling around and then her footsteps walking around the foot of my bed and off somewhere to my left.

“Have a good outing.” Mom said to the roommate.

“I will give you all some privacy, plus I need some sun.” The roommate said to my mother. “By the way my name is Bethany, Beth for short. I would shake your hand but I think I caused you enough pain already. We can chat later.”

“Bye.” I responded.

As the roommate left, I just lay there. Moments felt like minutes. My stomach growled loudly all of sudden.

“How’s the food in this place?” I asked. Mom’s response was a disappointing grunt.

“Great.” I let my voice trail off.

“Let me ask the nurse if we can’t get you some food in here, or I could go down to the cafeteria and bring something up for you?” she asked me.

“What time is it anyway?” I asked before she left for the nurses’ station.

“Ten forty-seven in the morning. You want lunch?” mom asked.

“Whatever they have will work at this point.” I answered.

“Okay I will be back, just use the call button if you need someone before I get back okay? I love you.” she told me, her voice sounded fatigued.

“Love you.” I said.

Up until this point in my life I had said ‘I love you’ just as something you say in response. But after a near death experience, it can make phrases really mean something to you. Before my thoughts could run rampant again I could hear footsteps on the floor entering the room.

“Okay Deborah, I’ve got your pain meds here and let your mom know that you could eat something from the cafeteria. So she should be back after awhile. I see your roommate left to give us some privacy when the doctor comes in to update you on your situation.” Nurse Cold-Hands Sandra said. “You might feel a cool sensation in your arm where your IV is, that is your pain med injection. Which should help you a lot. If you need anything just use your call button and someone will be in to help you. Do you have any questions before I go?”

“Can I take this eye mask off?” I asked, ready for this thing to come off so I can open my eyes.

Not yet, we will see what Doctor Sianna thinks. I know this is a lot to process so if you would like I could arrange for one of the counselors to come in. It could help with your memory or processing things later.” Sandra said, her voice compassionate.

“Okay, thanks for the pain meds. I think I’m good for now on the counselor, I just want to rest.” I said back.

“Alright Deborah, if you change your mind just let me know.” Sandra said on her way out.

What felt like hours later to my starving stomach, mom brought me some finger foods that were easy to eat without seeing. A turkey and cheese sandwich with tomatoes, lettuce, and onions on wheat bread, along with some carrots and grapes. I felt like a little girl again instead of a twenty-one year old, since mom had to put my sandwich together with some mustard and mayo spread on the bread and cut it up for me and put it in a sectioned plate, similar to what my niece eats off. I fumbled around on the plate to try and find where everything was, I felt even more clumsy when I reached for my water bottle and knocked it over. The stainless steel bottle hitting the hard floor and I’m sure waking everyone up who was snoozing nearby. Popping the last grape into my mouth, mom began to ask me questions to fill out the meal card for snacks and dinner for the rest of today.

“Meatloaf or grilled chicken.” She asked.

“Chicken.” I said.

“Steamed vegetables or fruit salad?” mom asked me again.

“Hell, why not some more fruit? It was pretty good.” I responded.

“Baked potato or French fries? They are the crinkled kind. Never mind, I know it will be fries.” She said before I could answer, I could tell she had a smile on her face.

She was probably thinking about the time when I was younger and I wanted to cook dinner for us and she let my eleven year old self decide. I wanted to surprise her so I made her sit down in the dining room. I made her close her eyes and when she opened them to a bowl full of fries she started laughing and eating them. For dessert that night I [had] brought out the entire carton of chocolate chip mint ice cream and two spoons. We ate it in the living room that night sitting on the floor with the carton of ice cream between us on the coffee table watching game shows. Dad was on one of his business trips then.

“What are you smiling about over there Hon?” She asked me.

“You remember the great French Fry Feast?” I asked her, with my smile getting wider.

“How could I forget? All afternoon long I was worried about how big the mess was going to be in the kitchen, or what crazy food combination you were going to serve me. But you did cook some mean French fries.” Mom said laughing now.

“I still cook mean French fries.” I said.

“Oh your doctor is walking in now.” Mom said. She rustled herself around in her chair as two sets of footsteps walked in and the sound of a door clicking shut behind them.

“Nice to see you’re finally awake now Deborah. My name is Doctor Sianna. I’m not sure how much you remember but you were in a car accident a few days ago. You came in with a concussion, a broken ulna, cracked ribs, multiple lacerations, contusions, and eye damage. Now we are not sure how bad your vision is since you were unconscious for so long. So we are going to check that out now.” The doctor talked fast and in his medical lingo.

“Wait a second, eye damage? How did I get eye damage from a car accident?” I asked, confused.

“You were in a five car accident including a tank truck, hauling gasoline. Your car was one of two that had collided into the tanker and somehow you got gas in your eyes. I’m not sure how much you remember of your accident, but I just want to tell you that we do have multiple counselors available if you need them. I think it would be good to have you scheduled with one. I know you declined it when Sandra asked you but they can help immensely.” the doctor said.

“No I’m good for now.” I said, keeping firm to my choice.

“At anytime, day or night, you need one you let someone know. Now before we let you take that mask off I need to warn you. You could have some blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Sandra is going to turn off all the lights, including the monitor’s screen and shut the blinds and curtains so that way we are in complete darkness. Once you open your eyes we will slowly open the door to let in some light from the hallway and go from there.” Sianna said. I could hear Sandra shutting the blinds and curtains closing on the tracts.

“Go ahead Deborah.” Doctor Sianna said.

I reached up with my left arm and took off the eye mask. I kept my eyelids shut, afraid to open them. I stayed like that for a few moments. No one rushed me or told me to hurry up. I slowly crept my eyelids open. It is pitch black, I’m sure they used excellent blackout curtains. More confident now that there wasn’t any pain, I opened my eyes more.

“Okay they are open. It doesn’t hurt or anything.” I said.

“Good, that’s good. Sandra go ahead and start opening the door to the hallway.” Doctor Sianna said.

I darted my eyes around, trying to see what the nurse and doctor looked like and also my room. I could hear the door handle and then nothing.

“Still dark for me.” I said. They probably expected more light to come in from the hall.

“That’s okay. Still no pain?” Sianna asked.

“Nope nothing.” I replied.

“Sandra why don’t you go ahead and shut the door again and use the dimmer switch.” Sianna said. “Now, Deborah if it gets too bright in here at any point just shut your eyes and say stop.”

“Okay.” I said.

There was silence. My eyes were darting around still, I started to hold my breath. It felt like minutes had passed us by and I imagined that Sandra was having trouble locating the dimmer switch in the dark.

“Guys honestly I’m ready for you to turn up the lights.” I said finally.

“Deborah,” Doctor Sianna said. “Can you see me?”

I sat there and was silent. Letting that one question sink in. I sighed, hoping that the courage built up and came out before the tears burst free.

“The lights are on, aren’t they?” That’s when mom started to cry again. I felt a hot tear start to stream down my cheek. A numb feeling began to creep up inside.

“I can’t see anything.”

 

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Stay tuned for part two next week.