“Barry said my spot is safe. I don’t think that’s an indefinite you got a job here, but for now, I’ll take it. He understands why I need to be here.”
“Barry?” Robbie’s frowning.
“Our boss. He owns the Minnesota Raptors hockey team based here in Minneapolis.”
“I forgot you’re a hockey player. All I’m used to is football players.”
“Fuck a football player,” Collin spits out. “We don’t mention that particular sport in her presence. Outside of Mitch and Will, we don’t trust any of them. One of the assholes on the team here gave asswipe information. He’s been charged right along with asswipe one and asswipe two.”
“Asswipe?” Poor guy looks even more confused.
“It’s what we call Ayers.” I spit his name out, not even wanting it on my tongue.
“Gotcha. It’s a good name for him.”
There’s a knock at the door and Shaw’s wife, Cora, comes in along with Dr. Briney, and the respiratory therapist, Sue Jennings.
He immediately frowns. “Why are there three people in here? You know the limit is two.” He zeros in on me, his eyes accusing.
“This is Senior Airman Robert Canton, Daisy’s brother. He just arrived from overseas. Collin came in barely a minute ago to drop off clothes and shower gel.”
His gaze swings to Robbie. “Is this young man your adopted brother? He keeps insisting on it, but none of the information online verifies it.”
“You don’t believe me, Doc?”
“No.”
“I’m hurt.”
“To answer your question, yes, this is our adopted brother.” The lie rolls so easily off Robbie’s tongue, I blink. Daisy is a terrible liar.
Dr. Briney frowns, clearly not expecting that, but hey, I’m not going to complain. Robbie could have come in and kicked us all out since he’s her actual next of kin. He didn’t do that, though, and I appreciate it.
It’s Sue who breaks the awkward silence. “We’re going to need all of you to vacate the room for a few minutes while we remove the vent. If she can breathe on her own, we’ll move her down to a regular floor and out of ICU.”
“I’m not leaving.” The doctor sighs when he sees the stubborn glint I know I have in my eye. My mother swears it’s over when I get that look. “If she stops breathing, I need to be here.”
“Mr. Hutchinson,” Sue starts, but Dr. Briney holds up a hand. “It’s fine, he can stay.”
It’s my turn to be shocked. I figured it was going to be another fight.
He smiles slightly, seeing my shock. “Everyone else out, please, so we can do this. It’s best to do it while she’s still unconscious as it can be painful to remove.”
Once everyone’s gone, I move out of Sue’s way and turn to the doctor. “Is it safe to remove the tube?”
“We’ve kept a close eye on her and have done several x-rays this morning alone.”
“I know,” I say sourly. “They won’t let me go with her to radiology.”
“Everything looks normal. I spoke with Dr. Sturgis earlier and he agrees her CT looks clear as well. No more swelling. He and I both agree it’s time to bring her out of the coma.”
Fear settles in my gut. As long as she’s asleep, her body is able to heal.
Dr. Briney’s hand comes down on my shoulder. “This is a good thing, Mr. Hutchinson. I know it’s scary, but we need her awake to assess everything else. By the time the drugs wear off, Dr. Sturgis should be out of surgery, and we’ll have answers for all of you. She survived one of the most vicious attacks I’ve ever witnessed to have come through the ER doors. It’s a miracle she’s alive. Have a little faith. I certainly do.”
Dr. Briney goes over to join Sue and it only takes a few minutes for them to remove the tube. I get closer so I can watch her chest.
One breath.
