I had to lie to the nurses and tell them she was my fiancé to get any kind of information about her, but I didn’t think twice about it. They wouldn’t release medical information to me because we weren’t technically family, so I didn’t have a choice.
Maddie has several fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, and her left leg is broken in three places. The worst of her injuries though, and why she is still unconscious, is the small bleed in her brain. Right now, they can’t tell how extensive it was because of the swelling, but from their imaging and tests, it looks like it’s at least been contained—it’s not getting any worse, but it’s also not getting any better. I guess that’s as good as anything right now. It means that her body is trying to heal, and we will hopefully know more soon.
Her doctor warned me about all the possibilities. That she might not remember anything when she wakes up. That she might need months of rehab and therapy to regain simple skills and movements. That she might not wake up at all.
I can’t let myself consider that possibility, though. I know in my heart that she’s going to wake up, and she’s going to be okay. That I’ll see her beautiful eyes again and hear her sweet voice. I have faith that soon I’ll be taking her back to Las Vegas, where she and Ty and I will be a family.
Ty didn’t know the details of the explosion, which is a minor miracle considering how much the news channels have covered it. My brother flew in to stay with him for a few days and Ty’s been thoroughly distracted by his excitement to see his uncle. It temporarily took his mind off of things, but it’s just a matter of time before he starts asking questions and hopefully when he does, I’ll have some answers.
Bauer survived the explosion, but was taken into custody immediately. I would have preferred him to have been blown to bits, but I know that he’ll get exactly what’s coming to him.There’s a moral code in prison, and people like Bauer don’t stand a chance.
I rub my forehead, leaning back into the recliner and settling in for another long night in the ICU. Maddie’s hooked up to so many machines that every twenty minutes or so, an alarm goes off and a nurse has to come in and check it. Most of the time, it’s just faulty tape or a disconnection, which makes the interruption pointless. I’ve barely left this chair for longer than it takes to get a cup of coffee or use the restroom, so I’ve gotten to know the nurses pretty well.
“Mr. Molanari?” One of them peeks her head in the door. This one is here a lot, but I can’t remember her name. All I know her by is her rainbow stethoscope.
I give her a polite wave, but don’t say anything.
“I just wanted to let you know that someone delivered breakfast burritos this morning, and there are a few left over at the nurses’ station. They’re cold and possibly stale by now, but if you’d like one, you’re welcome to them.”
I run my fingers through my hair, shaking my head. “Thank you, but I’m okay. I’ll go get something from the cafeteria in a little while.”
She lets out a small laugh. “You said that last night, but I have it on good authority that you didn’t leave the floor.” She smiles, letting herself inside the room. “You know, you sitting here is not going to make her wake up any faster. She needs time. Let her body work its magic.”
“I know,” I assure her, not really in the mood for company. “But I want to be here when she wakes up. She’ll be confused, and I want to be the one to explain it to her.”
“That’s very sweet of you. But you should take care of yourself as well,” she insists. I humor her only because I need her help.
“I am taking care of myself, but I appreciate the concern. If you want to be helpful, you could find out for me if anyone has contacted her parents.”
She clicks her tongue. “You know I’m not supposed to give you that information, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” I smile. I know she can’t tell me. They’d been telling me that since I got here, but at least it’ll keep her busy for a while.
I’ve been anxious about Maddie’s family showing up since the moment I arrived. I’d assume the hospital has been in contact with them or they’ve seen it on the news, but as time goes on and they don’t show up, I start to second guess that.
Obviously, her dad is an irredeemable asshole, but I’d expect at least her mom and brothers. I don’t pretend to understand family dynamics, but there’s nothing in the world that could keep me away if my brother was in the hospital.
As I stand to stretch my legs, Maddie’s heart monitor starts to beep faster. I snap my neck in her direction, watching for any sign of movement. Is that...No, it’s just wishful thinking.
Wait. Slowly, her fingers wiggle and I race to the side of the bed, taking her hand in mine. The nurses hear the beeping as well and the room gets crowded.
“Is everything...” Rainbow stethoscope starts.
The words aren’t even out of her mouth when Maddie’s eyelids flutter. After a few seconds, she opens them and blinks several times. Her lips part and she moans gently.
I put my hand to her cheek, tears pooling in my eyes. “Hi baby,” I whisper, completely overcome with relief. She’s awake. After all the unknown and worry, she’s awake, and whatever comes next, we’ll deal with it together.
Maddie moans again, unable to speak with the tube in her throat.
“Sir, I am going to need you to step outside for a second,” one of her doctors says, stepping in front of me and adjusting something on Maddie.
“Can’t I just—”
“Mr. Molanari, the doctor is going to take the breathing tube out and then you can come right back in.” Rainbow Stethoscope smiles.
Unsure, I step back and let them do their jobs as Maddie locks eyes on me. All the other possibilities the doctor told me flood my mind. Does she even recognize me? Is she trying to figure out who I am?
“Madison, my name is Dr. Talbert. Can you hear me?”
