Episode 27 - Acid Tears
Lee, who was putting out the trash, heard Jules scream. She dropped the garbage and ran out to the pool to see Jules clawing at her eyes. She ran over to her and saw the white powdery residue on her face.
'What is it?' she yelled, holding onto Jules. She didn't answer her but continued shrieking. Lee led Jules to the waters edge and doused her face. Nan had come over to see what the ruckus was about and Lee yelled at her to call an ambulance. Jules' face had turned red raw and her eyes streamed with burning tears. Lee continued splashing water on her face.
Eventually the ambulance arrived and they took over. Lee was shaking and Nan held her while they watched the paramedics work on Jules' eyes. They loaded her into the ambulance and Lee went with them. She held Jules' hand, crying. Jules had gone into shock and lay there, sobbing weakly while the ambo kept rinsing her eyes with distilled water. Lee asked him how she was. He wouldn't comment but she could see the concern in his eyes. Jules whispered hoarsely to Lee;
'How bad is it?'
'You'll be fine, honey,' Lee reassured her.
'I can't see, Lee. Oh my god, I'm blind. How will I be able to use the Net?' she croaked. Lee smiled ruefully.
Jules was admitted into emergency and Lee filled out administration forms and sat in the waiting room. She phoned Nan to give her an update. Nan was blaming herself for forcing Jules into the whole thing straight away and Lee consoled her. She hung up and went into the visitor bathroom and cried for Jules.
After a few hours and endless pestering of the duty nurse, Lee was finally allowed in to see Jules. She was propped up against some pillows with a light dressing of gauze covering her eyes. She was getting eye baths at regular intervals. She had been sedated and was sleeping when Lee walked in. She sat beside her, holding her hand. Eventually she stirred. Lee squeezed her hand and told her that she was there. Jules sighed.
'What did the doctor say, Lee? I was so out of it I had no idea what was going on.' Jules said dopily.
'She said they would have to wait until your eyes started healing to see what the extent of damage is. But she said that there didn't seem to be a huge amount of scarring. Time will tell. You'll be ok, Jules. Just get some rest.'
'Oh, Lee. Helen is coming over on Friday. Do you think I'll be out by then? Oh christ, what a fuck up!'
Lee doubted she would be going anywhere but didn't say so.
'It's ok, Jules. If you aren't, I'll pick her up. I'm sure she'll understand.' Lee assured her. Jules gave her explicit instructions on how to ICQ her and tell her about what had happened. Lee promised she would.
Lee stood over her friend, considering on giving her a kiss on the forehead. Lee wasn't much for displaying affection. She patted Jules' shoulder instead. She left, telling her she would return later in the evening with some personal items. Jules shouted at Lee as she walked out of the room to bring the bedside picture of Helen...not the naked one. Lee rolled her eyes and grinned.
to be continued... |
