“Everyone is different of course, but your average symptoms are headaches, blurred vision, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. You might also experience some cognitive impairments, changes in behavior, confusion, and so on.”
Why are there so many symptoms? I don’t know how to feel about them. I’ve already been receiving anti-nausea meds since last night. Probably the only reason I’m able to choke down this food.
Focus.Find out what you want to know.“You said blurred vision?”
“That’s right. Double vision is very real, not just a cinematic effect in movies.”
Ha, even he’s thinking about movies. But that doesn’t explain the spots I’m seeing. My hands twist the bed sheet.Saysomething or remain silent?“What about seeing spots?”
“What kind of spots? Do they have a color?”
Are they supposed to have a color? I scratch my chin. “Kind of dark, grayish to black. And, um, they look like spots.” I shrug not knowing what else to say.
The doctor clears his throat. “Jabari, how long have you been seeing them?”
Uh-oh.I donotlike the tone of his voice. Did I miss a window to get better? “Since last night.”
“Right away? Right after being hit?” His question seems urgent.
I frown. “No.”
“But they haven’t gone away?”
“Um, they’re here and there.” Like right now, I don’t see them even though they were just here a few seconds ago.
Dr. Scott makes a noncommittal noise. “Let’s get you scheduled to see an ophthalmologist. I’ll message them to stop by and give you an exam.”
“It’s not something you can look at?” He’s a neurologist for a reason, right?
“If you’d told me you’re only suffering from blurred vision, I’d say that’s normal and will resolve on its own. But if you’re seeing spots, I want to make sure you don’t have any retinal tears. Sometimes, that can happen in a trauma. Though I don’t know if that looks like dark spots to a patient. Hence the referral to ophthalmology.”
I exhale. “Fine.”
“Hang in there, Jabari. We’ll get you feeling better.”
“Better enough to get back on the ice?”
“We’ll do our best, but I would caution you. If you sustain this type of injury again, your symptoms could be much worse the next time.”
Is he suggesting I not get back on the ice again? He’s joking, right? Hockey is my life. Without it, there isnothing. I wake up ready to work out in order to be in the best shape for hockey. I eat close to three thousand calories on game day to make sure I have the appropriate amount of fuel for hockey. I get eight hours of sleep on the regular so I can be cognizant for hockey. Every single thing I do is to keep me playing the sport I love. Hockey is imprinted on my DNA.
“Don’t worry. We’ll see what the eye doctor has to say and go from there.”
Right.Don’t worry.Something my mind is hyperfocused on as I sit alone in this dark room. Don’t worry indeed.
6
Val
Why did I agree to a blind date on the most romantic holiday in the US? There has to be something wrong with me. Why am I willingly torturing myself by getting dressed up just to meet a stranger at a restaurant—a Michelin star one, but who cares—while praying it goes well enough that Valentine’s Day won’t be ruined for me forever?
Yet here I stand, checking my reflection in the mirror. My brown skin glows from the shimmering lotion I used—yes, I’m still going all out despite the yuck factor of being set up by friends. Fran put big curls at the ends of my flat-ironed hair to give me a more sophisticated look. My red wrap dress covers everything but gives a hint of femininity. Plus, it has pockets.Ifwe end up dancing tonight, the bottom portion will give a good twirl. Not that I’m banking on that. I simply want to look my best so I don’t feel so nervous.
Missionnotaccomplished.
“You look gorgeous. Stop fretting in front of the mirror.”
I roll my eyes at Fran. “Hush. You’re not the one going out.”
