Alice in New Zealand

Chapter 1 Happy birthday to you
It is my sister Alice's birthday today and I am still trying to find a present for her. Should I get her a nice dress? There is the blue one that shows off her beautiful shoulder, and then there's the red one that shows off her legs. Should I get her shoes? There is the red one that she can dance with, or the black one that she can wear to work, then I remember that she doesn't work anymore. She doesn't really need a dress, either. She's lying on the hospital bed, sleeping, dreaming a dream that I cannot be a part of.
Dr. White is very supportive about my visits. She said that Alice can hear everything that goes around her, but I doubt that. If Alice can hear me, I am sure she will give me a slap in the face and tell me to go away. My parents no longer visit Alice. They don't think she will ever wake up.
I've decided to bring her a cake. She loves chocolate cake. I saw one decorated with strawberries and pink cream in the cake shop. A red and black cake in a green box is now sitting in my car, all ready to be eaten. I am sure the nurses and the doctors will be delighted by this cake, and Alice will enjoy the happiness around her.
The construction around the hospital is a pain. It is difficult to find the entrance, and it is hard to find a park. However, I manage to squeeze into a small space between a BMW and a Range Rover. With cake in hand, I wait for the automatic hospital door to open.
The view from Alice's room is spectacular. You can see Lake Rotorua quite clearly, the blue mirror that reflects the afternoon sun. I brought her fresh flowers, too. Golden daisy are the same colour as her hair. Nurse Julia brought a table and a knife for the cake. I light the candles on the cake, a reminder of how old Alice is and how long she's been in a coma. The futility of the situation is evident, but I don't care. This cake is for Alice as much as for me and everybody else around her. It is not pointless to love someone even though they don't respond to you. She's still here somewhere, hanging on by a thread, and no matter how thin the thread is, I am going to hold on to it a bit longer.
"Amy, that is a great looking cake. Have you made a wish yet?"
"It's not for me, it's for Alice."
"Well, why not. How about we both make a wish? It is a birthday cake after all."
"You are right."
We both closed our eyes and made wishes. I wish that Alice will wake up and I wish that it will happen soon. I wish that she's well wherever she is. I wish she's warm and comfortable. I wish she's happy.
I still have a while to wait for her to wake up, but I won't have to wait forever. The smell of the cake has attracted a crowd into the room, including Dr. White, the Head Nurse, Nurse Rachel and Nurse Mary. We cut the cake up and share the tasty treat around the room.
"She's looking better today. What do you think, Rachel? Do you think she looks better?"
"Yes, she does. I think she will wake up soon, any days now."
"It won't surprise me if she wakes up now, to be honest. What do you think, Dr.White?"
"It will be wonderful if she wakes up today. It is her birthday."
"How's your parents, Amy? They are doing well?"
"They are fine, Julia. They are enjoying their retirement and spending time with the grandchildren."
"How's Robin holding up? Have you seen him lately?"
"He's well. He's been quite busy with his collection lately, going to New York and Paris next month."
"That's fantastic. Bring him here next time."
"I will."
Robin is Alice's boyfriend. He's a designer with his own boutique shops in Wellington and Auckland. He's expanding his empire and going overseas to show his collection. He is the only other person who visits Alice regularly. I am amazed by his staying power with Alice. His world makes me distrust him, but as far as I know, he doesn't have another girlfriend. He's the one bringing her nice clothes and new blankets, flowers and fruit, and sometimes a soft toy. He brings music as well, and sometimes reads books to her.
They live in the suburb of Wellington together. It is no surprise that Alice loves gardening, she's a landscape artist. She spends her spare time planting flowers, trees and vegetables in her garden. There's a swing underneath the biggest tree. There are two chairs and a table for afternoon tea as well. A fountain at the back of the garden features a woman's statue covered with moss. Robin's workshop is in the garage. He creates colourful garments from fantastic fabrics. He loves using bright colours, bold cut and draping, with lovely details. He's talented, and Alice loves the fact that Robin is flamboyant and dramatic. I thought Robin is gay the first time I met him, and I would be lying to say that I don't have doubts right now. How can this man be straight and this daring? Only Alice knows.
Chapter 2 Into the dream
The last thing I remember is walking into the club Cave with Robin that night. His friends are celebrating the successful runway show, drinking and dancing the night away. Robin is in his element, drinking Metropolitan followed by vodka shots. I must have a lot to drink as well because I don't remember too much after my seventh drink.
Robin must know what had happened although I am not entirely sure. I was dancing in the strobe light, shaking my arms and head to the music, then it was all black. I must have tripped on someone's foot and fell and hit my head.