Natasha looked at the piece of paper that lay on the television tray in front of her. Even though she was not tired and didn't mind if he had stayed the doctors made Howie leave to go back to the waiting room. She asked to see Marissa but they told her that they did not want to overwhelm her with guests at the moment.
--The Waiting Room--
"Marissa?" Micayla asked entering the room clip board in hand.
"Yes," Marissa said standing up hoping that she would get to visit Natasha now.
"It hasn't exactly been an hour but Natasha has been unable to sleep and she would like to see you now."
Marissa reluctantly followed Nurse Roberts down the hall toward the room that Natasha was staying in. "I'll be in the hall if you need anything," Micayla said with a smile leaving Marissa and Natasha in the room.
"Hey Marissa," Natasha said with a smile.
"Hey," she replied taking a seat in the chair next to Natasha's bed. "How are you feeling?"
Natasha sighed staring at her legs noticing some signs of third degree burns and a few cuts from the flying glass from the explosion. "I guess I'm glad I have a good sense of smell," she said with a smile.
"You're Natasha all right," Marissa laughed. "Only you could be almost killed by a bomb being planted in your car and still think of something positive about it."
The girls sat in the room chatting about things. And of course Natasha was having her update her on what was going to happen with the concert they had the next night.
"Marissa?" Natasha asked as Marissa was getting up to leave the room. "Before you go . . . do you think you could give this to Howie for me? I would appreciate it," she said handing her a piece of paper that had been folded.
"Sure," she replied with a smile and left the room. Marissa wondered what was in the note but decided it was between Natasha and Howie.
When she went back into the waiting room everyone looked like they were pretty warn out. AJ and Kevin had taken a seat on the side of the couch Julia was not sleeping on. And Brian was sitting in the chair where Marissa had been sitting. Nick must have been off to get food or something. The only one that didn't sit was Howie who was still pacing back and forth one hand on his head.
"Howie? Natasha wanted me to give this to you," Marissa said handing him the piece of paper.
Howie didn't say anything in return but eagerly opened the piece of paper. Slowly he read the letter she had written him.
Dear Howie,
I do love you very much. When you left my room earlier, I got to thinking about things . . . well actually thinking about us and I wrote this poem. I call it 17.
17 seconds of compassion
17 seconds of peace
17 seconds to remember love is the energy
behind which all is created
17 seconds to remember all that is good
17 seconds to forget all my hurt and pain
17 seconds of faith
17 seconds to trust you again
17 seconds of radiance
17 seconds to send a prayer up
17 seconds is all you really need
I hope this poem can explain what I didn't say earlier. When I wrote it, I had you in mind.
Love You Always~
Natasha
Howie's eyes started to tear up as he finished reading the letter. He knew that what she meant by this poem was that she forgave him.