The once brilliant gems of her eyes had lost their luster. In that brief moment, everything about that situation let us knew that it was only a matter of time before they would transition to a solid, opaque white.
"Oh my god," I ululated not taking notice of her reaction. "Nina, I'm so sorry. Is that why you've been-"
"Bingo. I've been doing all those things just in case-you know-I wouldn't be able to again," she said quietly.
"Which brings me to my favor," she soldiered on, "there's a chance, a small one though for me to avoid all this unpleasantnes. You know, to see again. Surgery. I need you to be there. Moral support and all that?"
"Sure," I replied, hardly stopping for a heartbeat,"anything you need.
..............................................................................................
The day of Nina's surgery was beholden to the longest three hours of my life. The minutes plodded on like a drunkard making his way home while my heart blitzkreiged at a million miles per hour. I felt as if my chest could burst at any moment, if my spirit didn't first. My test of patience was far from over, as more waiting after the operation nibbled at my resolve. Just when I was about to doze off from sheer emotional exhaustion, Nina stirred. I called for the doctor. He propped Nina up on her bed, and poised his scissors to cut away her bandages.
Snip. Snip. Snip.
Nina opened her eyes. She blinked. Once, twice. I approached her, so close that I could feel the heat radiating from her skin. I stared straight into her eyes. They were no different from before.
"Who's there?"
I started to say something, but caught myself. She could still feel me three inches from her face. That day I learned how blind people can still cry.
...................................................................................
I went to visit Nina the next day, but she wasn't in bed. A nurse came in, and handed me a letter. In messy, blotchy scrawl it said to me:
' I'm so sorry. I can't stay, and I don't know where to go, but I just can't stay here. Thank you, you've been such a good friend, and I'm glad we met. Funny how a blind girl could help you see the sights again, eh? Now I can't watch the stars with you anymore, my friend; but don't give up on them. Look up, for the both of us, ok? Well, I guess that this is goodbye. Take care.
Love,
Nina '
She didn't leave a return address, so I'l never answer those questions. I felt a strange mix of sadness, anger, guilt, and a whole bunch of other emotions that would make your bile simmer. Don't apologize, Nina. You'll be with me. Like the stars that once shined in your eyes, you'll shine in mine when I look into the starry nights.
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