Give Me Half (Chapter 2)

Could he really fell for me? He said his heart beating fast when he saw me. It’s normal for him to fall in love, I mean, he’s almost 27 now. But could he know what love is? He was abandoned since he was a child he never knew how it felt being loved by someone, or to love someone. Well, he loves his family for sure, but I don’t think he know that it is love. Leslie still cling his hands on my uniform. I can’t tell him what he feels might be love, at least until I’m sure it is. “It’s not weird Leslie. You excited that you finally found a friend after being alone for a long time.” I petted his head. “Excited?” Leslie looked at me. “Yes” I smiled, “Think about it, before I’m with you, you always all alone, right? Even though Doctor Jimenez always by your side, but he didn’t really talked to you or play together with you, is it right?” I stroked his cheek. He tried to remember, and then he nodded. “Well then, have you done playing? Let’s go back then, it’s getting hot.” I got up, and hold his hand, try to pull him up. He got up and then we get back inside the hospital while holding hands. He’s humming happily and I join him too.

“Well isn’t it our Leslie and (your name).” said a voice when we were walking along the corridor to Leslie’s room. Leslie and I turned our back to see Doctor Jimenez standing there, and then walk toward us. “Oh, Doctor! Why don’t you tell us that you came here?” “Ah, I want to make a surprise for Leslie. Look at you, you’re so happy, Leslie. Doctor (your name) really take good care of you, isn’t she?” said Doctor Jimenez, shaking Leslie’s shoulder. “Yes.. She is” Leslie smiled. “Wow, you’re really different since the last time I met you.” then Doctor Jimenez look at me. “What did you do to make him change a lot, (your name)? I should learn from you.” I giggled, “Nothing sir, just give him lots of affection.” Doctor Jimenez laughed, “Women fit for this job, huh? Now Leslie, I want to catch up with you, say goodbye to Doctor (your name) for now.” Said Doctor Jimenez, tapping Leslie’s back. Leslie looks sad and then waves his hand to me, “See you.. See you soon (your name).” “Yes, see you soon, Leslie. Tell me what happen when you get back, okay?” I made a gesture, tell him to smile. He nodded and walk away happily.

Doctor Jimenez and Leslie walk to the lobby. “Leslie, go have a seat. I have to talk to Doctor Collins then I’ll join you, okay?” said Doctor Jimenez. “Okay..” Said Leslie, and he walks to the nearby couch. Leslie stares at people who passed by, daydreaming about you. He remembered about all the activity you both did today. When you hugged him, when he gave you the flowers, and when you both hummed together on the way back from the garden. He wants to meet you soon, like right now. He feels happy and his chest got warm, but at the same time he feels a pain. He grabs his chest, just enjoying the pleasant pain.

“So what is it about him and Doctor (your name) that you want to tell me?” asked Doctor Jimenez to Doctor Collins. “As you know, Leslie got a lot better since Doctor (your name) take care of him. And you do realize he’s nearly stop repeating words anymore. He’s really happy, and you know what? He’s in love with Doctor (your name).” Doctor Collins smirks. Doctor Jimenez eyes widened, “What? Really? How do you know?” “You have to interrogate him yourself, you’ll see. But I don’t talk about this for gossip, you know. Since he’s a lot stable now, he’s ready to get out of here. But he doesn’t have a place to go, so someone should tell him that he has no family. And he also need home, if you know what i mean.” Doctor Collins explained. “And I’m the one who should tell him?” “Well, it’s up to you. But don’t you ever make (your name) tells him. He will back to his old self right away. Oh don’t forget about his home.” Doctor Jimenez looks at Leslie, then back at Doctor Collins. “Okay, I’ll do it. So he could ran to (your name) after that. And don’t worry, I’m gonna discuss it with (your name) about Leslie’s home.” “Yeah, he’ll be okay with (your name).” Doctor Collins answered.

After the long talk, Doctor Jimenez approaches Leslie who had been waiting for him. “Sorry to make you wait, Leslie.” “It’s okay.” Leslie realized from the daydream. “So, how are you? How’s Doctor (your name)?” Doctor Jimenez asked Leslie. Leslie blushes a little, “(your name).. (your name) is very kind.. And sweet..” Doctor Jimenez giggles at Leslie’s new behavior, “Yes, she is. What did you do with her today, Leslie? Is it fun?” “I.. played with her.. We were holding hands.. I gave her flowers..” Leslie blushes more, holding his head. Doctor Jimenez starts to notice Leslie’s new expression, but he wants to make it sure. “It does seem fun, Leslie. Are you happy?” Leslie looked at Doctor Jimenez, “Happy.. Very happy..!” Leslie’s eyes shine with happiness. “Good for you, Leslie.” Doctor Jimenez smiled and tapped Leslie’s shoulders.”So, what do you feel about her?” Doctor Jimenez asked Leslie. “(your name) is pretty.. (your name) is kind to me..” Leslie’s said nervously, holding his chest that start beating fast. “Doctor Jimenez.. It’s beating fast..” Doctor Jimenez smiled and put his arm on Leslie’s shoulders. “You know what? The feeling you feel right now, it’s called love.” “No. (your name) said I’m excited.” “She’s misinterpreted it, Leslie. What you feel right now, it’s called love.” Leslie’s tilt his head, “Love..? What is love?” “You feel that she’s special. When you’re with her, you’re very happy. But when you’re away from her, you’re sad, and you want to meet her as soon as you can. Isn’t that what you feel?” Doctor Jimenez explained to Leslie. Leslie’s thinking, it was what he felt a while ago. He wants to meet you soon. He was sad when he had to leave you and went with Doctor Jimenez. And he is so happy when you’re with him. “Love.. Love..” Leslie mutters. “Yes, it is love Leslie.” Doctor Jimenez giggled.

Then they talked more about love, Leslie asked so many question about it. About the feelings he just experienced. About the feelings he never knew. “Do you have more questions, Leslie?” said Doctor Jimenez. Leslie shakes her head, feeling a bit shy. Doctor Jimenez laughed. He excited to see his mistrustful patient turns into a whole different person. He knows it’s hard for Leslie to go through the pain and insecure about his surroundings. But looking at him right now, happy and loved, he even in love right now. He knows he was right for choosing you. Then Doctor Jimenez remembered Doctor Collins words, he needs to tell Leslie about his family. He’s stable enough to hear the bad news. “Leslie, you’re healthy now, and you can get out from this hospital, you know?” “Healthy? I can get out?” Leslie said in excitement. “Of course you are, why would I lie?” “I.. I can meet my family?” Leslie’s face is full of happiness. Doctor Jimenez lets out a heavy sigh, “Unfortunately, your family is gone. You’ve got nowhere to go. I’m so sorry to make you hear this, Leslie. You’ve been abandoned by your family since you were a child, and because of them that you were here all this time.” Doctor Jimenez almost scared to see Leslie’s face. He saw Leslie there, dumb founded, tears welled up in his eyes. “My.. My family.. My family threw me?” Tears begin to fall from his eyes. Doctor Jimenez hugs his shoulders, “I’m sorry, Leslie. I can’t tell you this whole time. But you’re not alone, I’m here for you, Doctor (your name) here for you too, Leslie.” Leslie cries hard, covering his face with both hands.

Meanwhile, you’re walking to the lobby after cleaning Leslie’s room, walking happily. Can’t wait to see him again. Then there you see Leslie sit in the couch with Doctor Jimenez, crying. Your heart breaks and you run to him. Doctor Jimenez see you and he stand, stopping you before you touch Leslie. “I’ve told him about his family, he really needs you right now. I’ll go now, but I’ll check him later. I owe you an explanation.” Doctor Jimenez said and get away. You hug him immediately, “Leslie, come on, let’s go to your room.”

You close the door behind you. Leslie sit on his bed, hunched over his body, still crying. The view is so unbearable for you. You sit beside him, turn over his body to you and hug him. You can feel his pain, and your tears start to fall. He hugs you back, crying in your chest. You pet his hair and tighten your hug, trying to tell him from your gesture that you’re here for him and won’t leave him alone.

After some time, Leslie stop crying and he raise his head and look at you. His clear eyes reflect so much pain that he feels right now. You stroke his cheeks, wiping away his tears. He closes his eyes as you do that, enjoying your affectionate touch. He hugs you again, and then back looking at you. “Ready to tell me?” you smiled at him, and he nodded. Leslie told everything to you, while holding back his tears. “Doctor Jimenez said.. I’ve been abandoned by my family..” Leslie takes a deep breath, “Since I was a child..” said Leslie and he lets out a heavy sigh. His voice was shaking, and his lips trembled. “Doctor Jimenez said I’m healthy.. And I could get out.. But my family threw me.. And I have nowhere to go..” Then the tears that he’d been holding fell, rolling down his cheeks. Leslie buries his head in your chest. “No, Leslie, we’ll find you a home. I’ll go with you, we’ll live together. And I’ll take care of you, like I always do.” Your voice shaking. “You don’t have to keep your grief alone anymore. Give me half of them.” I said this from the bottom of my heart. I love Leslie, I don’t want to leave him alone. I will protect him. I won’t let anybody hurt him again. Leslie lifts his head, “We’ll live.. Together?” His face brightened. “Yes. We will if you want.” I smiled as I petted his hair. Leslie let go of my hug, “I want to live.. Together with you.. (your name).. I love you!” He gave me a big smile.