skin is pallor. She’s completely unresponsive.
All we can do is sit and wait for help arrive.
Twenty Nine
The monitors beep in cadence. Or is that my heart beat? I hear voices. I can’t open my eyes. Where am I?
“She opened her eyes. It was brief but I saw it. Nurse! Sugar, I’m here. Open your eyes for me baby.” I struggle to open my eyes. They flutter open. JT’s emerald eyes are filled with tears but he has a smile on his face. I must be dreaming. JT is here with me and he’s not bad at me. Where am I? I reach up to trace the side of his face, scrapping down the stubble of dark growth. Why hasn’t he shaved? I want to ask him but there is something in my mouth. I’m too tired. My eyes close. I fall back in to the darkness.
“You bitch!” No!
Growl! Ah!
“Shh, Sugar. Just a bad dream. I’m here.” I could feel his hand in mine.
My lids felt so heavy. I just wanted to wake up.
Why can’t I wake up?
The dreams play over and over like a scratched record skipping back to the same moment in the song. Nick. Five. A cougar. Where’s JT? My face feels wet from the rain. No, my tears.
“You bitch!” No!
Growl! Ah! Get off me! Get off me!
“Wake up baby. Shh, I’m here. You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you. I’m here. I love you, sweet Lily.”
I love you too.
I can feel my body relax as JT’s hand stroke my head. He’s gripping my other hand like he’s afraid to let go.
The pain. The pain is unbearable.
“Nurse! She’s tensing up. Something’s wrong!”
“Sir, you’ll have to step out so the doctor can take a look.”
“… Shock…”
“… complication… surgery… STAT.”
I try to open my eyes. My hands fumble to my face. I want this thing out of my mouth. I’m frantic. Where’s JT. Where’s JT? Please, someone help me!
“Hold her down.”
“Lily, everything will be alright. You’re going back into surgery Sugar but I’ll be right here when you wake up.” I grab his arm, pleading to him.
I feel a sharp pain in my shoulder then a prick on my arm before the darkness takes me again.
Thirty
Lily’s been in and out of consciousness after her surgery. The nightmares have been hard on her. They had taken out the tube from her mouth a few days ago. She’s heavily sedative to force her rest. She still hadn’t fully awakened. The internal bleeding, a broken collar bone from the crushing bite, broken ribs, numerous cuts. She was a mess but she hung in there. My strong, beautiful, sweet Lily. She’s a fighter. I’ve barely left her side since the accident. I just want her to wake up so I can tell her everything will be okay.
Skye came by with a bouquet of flowers. She called Grayson while we were there. I was so wrapped up in Lily I didn’t even think to call my family. Thank god for Skye. She made sure my parents were also apprised of the situation. Not too long after, they were here by my side. They brought me food, forcing me to eat while they watched. I couldn’t hold down much.
“Son, Lily needs you to keep up your strength so you can take care of her.” Mom says she left me a bag of snacks and some other stuff. I can’t remember what she said. Her voice was distant to my focus on Lily.
Chase and Kenny brought us clothes. They convinced me to take a shower. I refused but they wore me down convincing me to use the bathroom in the room Lily is staying in. I didn’t want to miss her waking up. The shower was quick, no shaving. I quickly returned to her side, taking her hand. Eventually I had to get up, stretch and talk to the doctor.
“How is she?” I question the doctor. One of a dozen times in the last few days. They must be really annoyed with my constant pestering but they’ve been nothing but patient with me. Family and friends sit in the waiting are, listening for any new information. They’ve all been here, waiting. Eating, sleeping, and watching TV. Waiting.
A nurse peeks out of Lily’s room. My heart beats a hundred miles an hour at the smile on her face. “Doctor, she’s awake.” I rush into the room, followed by the doctor. She reaches her hand out to me I grasp it gently between my hands and sit