“He’s doing what he should be doing. The doctors want to keep him sedated on the ventilator for at least another day.”
“Another day? Is that safe?” She sounded panicked. Her husband placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Absolutely. Keeping him under is the safest option while intubated, until his lung injury has improved and he can be weaned from the vent.”
“Is he going to remember anything when he wakes up?” The blonde crossed her arms over her chest. She looked cold even though she was wearing a sweatshirt. I couldn’t blame her.
“He’ll probably remember everything up until the accident. But every situation is different. He won’t remember much from the ICU due to the sedation.” I was answering the blonde, but I looked at the mother. Her brown hair was in a messy ponytail. If it weren’t for the worry all over her face, I’d have thought she were younger.
The blonde and the brother exchanged a look. I was positive there was a story there.
“Nothing’s going to change tonight. Why don’t you all go home and get some rest.”
“I can’t leave him.” The mom squeezed his hand again.
“Maybe she’s right,” the brother said softly. “He’s going to need us alert when he wakes up.”
The mom looked conflicted. “Maybe for a few hours…you’ll call us if anything changes, right?”
I nodded. “Absolutely.” The brother was right. He would need them fully functional when he woke up. If they didn’t take care of themselves now, they wouldn’t have the strength when he needed them most.
I left the room, giving them some more time alone. I made sure to poke my head in again fifteen minutes later. There was no way they’d leave unless I was in the room.
“You’ll be with him?” the dad asked.
“Yes, or just at the nurse’s station.” I gestured out the door. “I only have one other patient.”
“Okay.” He nodded.
I smiled politely as they filed out. I understood they were going through a lot. In fact, they were handling it better than most families I saw.
I checked Jake’s vitals, recording everything. I took a seat next to the bed. “I’ll say it again, what were you thinking? Don’t you realize how much pain you’ve caused your family?” I sighed. “Okay, maybe that’s not fair. Maybe you had a reason. Just don’t ever do something that dumb again. You won’t get lucky twice.”
Without consciously thinking about it, I reached out and touched his hand. It was cool, and I picked it up in my own. His hand was large, and I could tell it was strong. He had some faint blisters, so he must have done some work with his hands. My initial assumption was that he was a rich boy—maybe I’d misjudged that. By the faint sunburn on his neck and arms, he probably worked outdoors. Maybe he fished or something. I’d always loved the idea of boats. I just didn’t have much experience with them. Growing up in the mountains can make that kind of experience hard to come by.
I stalled a while longer before going to check on Mrs. Nevelle. There was just something about that guy that got me. I really needed to get out more.
***
I spent much longer than necessary with Jake the next night too. Maybe it was his age. I was only two years younger, but I was drawn to him. I wanted to know his story. I wanted to know if his voice matched that ridiculously deep one from my dream. My dream. I still couldn’t believe I’d dreamed about him. At least it was only once. Any more than that and I would have been seriously worried.
The third night I had to do the daily awakening to see if he was ready to come off the vent. Unfortunately, I didn’t know in time to tell his family to stay. I waited for the medication to wear off, and I was alone in his room when he squeezed my hand. It was a gentle squeeze, but it affected me in a way it shouldn’t have. It warmed me. I kept my hand in his to see if he would do it again. He did. His eyes flickered open and struggled to focus on me. I waited to see if he’d wake up more, but he didn’t. After the doctor came by, we restarted his sedation.
***
The next night they started to wean the medication before I came in. His family was on pins and needles as we all waited in his room to see what happened, and whether he was ready. I’d told them about the hand squeeze and that his eyes opened. The relief on his mother’s face was incredible.
“Is it always like this?” the mother, who I now knew was named Mary, asked me quietly.
I wasn’t exactly sure what she was asking, but I didn’t think it really mattered. She just wanted to talk. “It’s always hard.”
“He’s a good kid. He’s made some bad decisions, but underneath it all he’s got a real great heart.” She started to tear up, and her other son, Ben, walked over to put an arm around her. They looked like such a tight-knit family. I vaguely remembered when mine used to feel that way. I brushed that thought aside.
“I’m sure he is.”
“He’s handsome, isn’t he?” Then she probably remembered who currently had his arm around her. “Both my sons are.”
I smiled. “Yes. They both are.”
The blonde, Molly, left her chair and came to join us a few feet from the bed. “How long does the medication take to wear off?”
“A few hours, so it should be anytime now.”
***
Mary was the one holding Jake’s hand when he woke up that night. He managed to keep his eyes open longer, and I could have sworn they searched our faces until they landed on mine. It shouldn’t have sent a thrill through me—but it did.
Chapter Three
Jake
Beautiful. That’s the only way I can describe the angel leaning over me. Everything was hazy except for her face. She had pretty, green eyes that watched me intently. I wanted to talk. I tried but couldn’t. Something was stopping me. She leaned closer, but then the haze got worse, and my angel disappeared.
***
I didn’t see her at first. I searched until I found those green eyes. She smiled, and the haze took me again.
***
She held my hand. I could feel her small hand in mine, and all I wanted to do was get closer. Why couldn’t I talk? Why couldn’t I move?
***
Every inch of me hurt. I tried to move my arm, but it felt stiff. After one more try, I gave up. I forced my eyes open and nearly closed them again. I had to have been dreaming—either that or I was dead, because there was no other explanation for the angel sitting next to me. I recognized her, but not from anything real. It was more like little pieces of a dream.