Eleven

                                    

                                          
Can We Still Be Friends? by Todd Rundgren
                          
Out of frustration, Emerson spent the entire evening practicing mystic herbalism and physical therapy. After many failed attempts at concocting anything mystical, she had decided to stick with reading about it for now. With the many novels Wong provided her with, she's found a few "potions" to assist with the healing process. She may have to ask Stephen to help her create them as nothing was working for her. Emerson can't help but feel like she's getting the short end of the stick. There is nothing here she's exceptionally good at. She's mediocre at everything she's learned in her short time here. She hopes that after some experience she'll get better. As the sergeant reads through her book, she feels her phone buzz. She sees the caller ID say it's her father.
                          
"Dad!" She beams as she answers the phone. "How are you?" His daughter questions as she pushes herself away from the desk.
                          
"I'm good, kid. I could ask you the same thing? How's everything been going? I haven't heard much from you..." he trails off.
                          
"I've been so busy. I can move my toes and after an examination, he thinks I should start on building muscle in my legs and thighs before I can even try to walk," She explains and she hears him huff on the other side of the phone. "What's wrong?"
                          
"Oh, nothing. I will have to stay at the hospital for a while as my treatment this time around is a little more intense. Amanda will hold down the fort. I'll keep you updated on what's happening," he informs his daughter trying to hide how nervous he is. 
                          
"How bad is it?" She croaks out, knowing he's sugarcoating how bad it really is. He's always been that way. Her father is the type of man to feel guilty for being hurt. One time when she was a child, he decided to make dinner for her and her mom. He was cutting onions and managed to slice his finger very deep. He cursed a few times while his blood was dripping all over the kitchen floor. He began apologizing, not because he cursed in front of a child, but because her mother was cleaning up his bloody mess. She was wiping up the floor before ushering us into the vehicle to go to the emergency room and the entire time her father was repeatedly apologizing. He ended up needing stitches and to this day there is a long scar running along his thumb. 
                          
"Don't worry about me, Em. Please? I need you to stay there and get better. For me, okay?" is all he says and she can hear his voice crack up. Em knows she shouldn't have done this and left him. He needs her with him and she's across the world. Something could happen to him and she wouldn't be there to help. Stress overcomes her as she thinks of her dad dying, leaving her all alone in the world. He's the only person she has, the only person who cares about her. She cannot imagine being all alone without him by her side. 
                          
"Please tell me you'll be okay,"  Emerson sobs into the phone as tears begin to pool in her eyes. He's been her biggest supporter her entire life. Once her mother died he took over the role, being both a mother and a father figure. He came to her band concerts and her national math league competitions. He worked full time and came home to cook dinner for the both of them every single night. Then, when she was struggling with her homework he would set everything aside and find the time to help her. He's taught her everything she knows and she still has so much to learn. 
                          
"I'll be okay for now... Say, the holidays are coming up soon, will you be coming home?" He asks and she smiles even as the tears now stream down her face. He didn't even need to ask her that question, he should know the answer. Emerson would never miss spending time with him on the holidays. 
                          
"Of course, dad. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I can't wait to see what you get me for Christmas," his daughter jokes and she hears him laugh back before it turns into a cough. He says something to Amanda before talking to his daughter once again.