A Deep Sleep

[Razr]

The routine for Mason'€™s hospital visits had become just that, he'€™d visit Tia a couple times a week, sometimes he'€™d stay for a couple hours, other visits he'€™d stay overnight. The attendants in the waiting room rarely spoke to Mason if at all after a while; he'€™d simply come in, sign his name, and leave an '€œx'€ in regards of how long he expected to be there. He had practically made it to Tia'€™s room without interruption, still in uniform, which was unusual, today being the exception. Most of the day'€™s duties had ended in New York, and the decision to visit had been a little more than last minute.

As he stood outside Tia'€™s door, he heard a faint whimpering sound, and for a while his hopes were high, up until the point he was finally in her room and noticed the back of a figure situated next to Tia on her bed where she laid in the same position Mason saw her ever visit. At first he believed it was Sophie, as he walked towards the bed, and sat a vase of flowers on the small table next to Tia'€™s bed. It was hard to tell who the woman was with her face so close to Tia'€™s, but he could tell easily enough that it was Sophie.

On first glance, Mason was sure he had seen this woman before, but he couldn'€™t quite remember who she was or where he had seen her before. After a while, she looked up, sniffling and seemingly composing herself.
'€œMister'€¦. Mason?'€ She asked slowly, as if she was unsure if she got the name right. Mason gave a quiet nod of acknowledgement.

He felt a twinge of embarrassment that he couldn'€™t quite remember who she was. Quietly, Mason dragged himself to the wall near the door, where he leaned against it, with his arms folded. It wasn'€™t just to give him time to remember who she was, but also to provide her with the privacy she probably still needed. In situations like these, if someone wanted to talk they would. He wondered if he was taking the situation better than others because he was patient, or simply because he knew, eventually she would wake up.