Page 71 of Shameless
Right. I was eating for two. “Thank you.”
She left, and I moved the chair closer to Blake so I could grab his hand. I held on tight as I spoke to him, believing he could hear me. “You need to pull through this, baby. I can’t lose you.” I paused as tears stung my eyes. “Our baby can’t lose you.”
I laid my head on the bed and held his hand for what felt like several hours. Before visiting hours ended, I traded off with his parents and brother, who I finally met. The hospital would only allow one visitor at a time, and once his family saw him, I was able to make a bed on the small pull-out couch. I slept on it for three days, refusing to leave Blake’s side.
Spencer brought me clothes to change into, as well as toiletries and my phone. I called my parents and told them I was okay, but Blake was in a coma. They offered to fly out to California, but I explained it was okay because there was nothing they could do. I promised to keep them updated. A nurse let me shower in a family locker room of sorts. When Blake’s family came to visit, they brought Skye with them, so I could visit with her outside. She appeared happy and each time would lick my face to show me she missed me as much as I missed her. I bet she missed Blake too.
I did.
I missed his smile that always made my stomach do somersaults, and the flirty banter we always seemed to have. I longed to snuggle with him on the couch and watch movies or even something sports related. But most of all, I missed his touch. I wanted him to wrap me in a hug and never let go.
During his morning rounds, Blake’s doctor came in as he did every morning I’d been sleeping at the hospital. “Good morning, Sarah. How are you today?”
“I’m okay.”
“I wanted to let you know we’re going to try to bring Blake out of his coma—”
“Really?” I perked up.
“Yes, the swelling has reduced dramatically and we’re going to stop the sedative and take the respirator out. I can’t make promises, but we are confident in his prognosis and feel this is the best course of action to allow his body to heal on its own.”
“How long will it take for him to wake up?” I sat up straighter.
“Anywhere between twelve to seventy-two hours.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
“I wanted to advise you, and please let the Montgomerys know this too. Given he suffered trauma to his brain, he might be confused at first. He might not remember certain things or even people for some time.”
“Amnesia?” I whispered.
“Yes.” He nodded. “There’s a chance.”
“What if he remembers nothing?”
“Let’s wait and see how he does once he wakes. I just wanted you to be aware of it so you wouldn’t be alarmed at first. Initial confusion is to be expected given that he has been unconscious for a few days and will still be on some pretty strong pain medication.”
“Thank you.”
“Great. The anesthesiologist will be here soon to get started on reversing the sedation.”
* * *
After the doctorsstopped the medication keeping Blake in a coma, there was nothing to do but wait. One hour passed, then two, then five. I stared at the clock, watching the minutes tick by, but I wouldn’t leave because I didn’t want to miss the moment when his eyes opened.
That night, I slept hunched on the edge of his bed, my hand in his as I waited, and waited, and waited.
I’d lost track of how many hours it had been when, finally, I felt his hand twitch in mine.
I leaned up, my heart racing as I waited for his brown eyes to open. When they did, I smiled at him and he grinned.
“Hi,” I whispered.
“Hi,” he choked out.
I sucked in a small breath as I realized his throat was probably sore, so I stood to get him the ice chips a nurse had left. “Suck on this,” I said, and slid an ice cube into his mouth. After a moment, I asked, “How are you feeling?”
“Confused.”
