I guess I was a little hungry.
Nibbling at it, I listened to the sounds of the monitors around my sister.
“She was mad at herself too, you know,” Rick suddenly said.
I almost choked on the bite of sandwich as I sucked in air. After a sip of coffee, I asked, voice hoarse, “What do you mean?”
“You’re not to blame for the argument, Charley. It happened. The two of you are stubborn.”
“I should’ve called,” I said flatly. “I should’ve been here.”
“‘Should haves’ only hurt you, kiddo. Don’t do that to yourself.”
“Why? Aren’t you doing that to yourself?”
We stared at each other a moment until Rick finally sighed and looked back at Andie. “I should’ve married her sooner. She wanted to get married right away. I should’ve done it.”
After a moment of silence, I whispered, “I should have put her first.”
“What?”
I glanced up at Rick. “Nothing.”
His phone rang and he excused himself. I took the opportunity to shimmy forward in my chair and clutch my sister’s hand. “I’m sorry I chose Jake over you, Andie. I’m so sorry.”
I kissed her hand and screwed my eyes shut and for the first time in a long time, I prayed. I prayed that God could hear me… I prayed that if He could, I’d be repentant. My penance—If you save her, I’ll give him up. If Andie wakes up, I’ll let Jake go. I’ll choose her over him.
I hurried into the hospital, my hair damp, eyes heavy with lack of sleep. I always hurried back after a quick shower. I didn’t want to miss anything.
We were on day fourteen.
I felt hope sliding through my fingers, the tips grasping for purchase.
“Charley!” My mom’s eyes were bright, brighter than I’d seen them in fourteen days, as she strode down the corridor from my sister’s room.
“What? What is it? What’s happened?”
“Andie started choking,” Mom said, her words rushed and excited. “She’s breathing on her own. She’s awake, Charley. She’s awake.”
I burst out crying. “Awake?” I sobbed, overwhelmed by the relief flooding me.
“She’s in and out.” Mom tugged on my arm, pulling me toward the room. “The doctor says it might take a day or two for her to come fully around. But she’s out of the coma.”
I froze in the doorway of my sister’s hospital room, suddenly paralyzed with fear.
I watched as Mom, Dad, and Rick hovered over her while the doctor spoke. The ventilator was gone and although her eyes where shut, Andie’s lids fluttered. She moved her head and emitted a small groan.
I pressed back against the door, fighting the urge to flee.
Andie was awake. She was going to make it.
In amongst the relief I felt a wave of nausea, and I ducked outside the door to press my forehead against the cool wall.
My bargain with God.
I had to let Jake go somehow.
Trembling, I took out my phone and called him. This time I didn’t use FaceTime.