Awakening Read Free Page B

can be trapped in a house with Danny and Skylar for God knows how long. 
    “Not a chance, Pea.  I got you into this mess, I’m going to be your husband, and I will get you through this; it’s my job,” he says tenderly, as I inwardly cringe at the use of the word ‘husband’.
    Letting the argument go for now, I ask the doctor to continue.
    “As of right now, the attending would like you in our care for a minimum of one week.  This may be extended, depending on the advancement of the atrophy you’ve been experiencing.  Your vitals have remained on the above average side since you woke up, so I don’t expect there to be any further issues.  You have been cleared to eat a regular diet, but I do suggest you take it easy for a few days to allow your body to get used to processing regular food through your digestive system, as opposed to a liquid diet through a feeding tube.  You’re going to remain on IV fluids for the next 48 hours.  We will start working with PT tomorrow morning, so we can get you out of this bed and walking.  Do you have any questions?”
    She says this after I eat my pizza?  What the hell?
    “I guess my only question would be, when will I start to feel like me again?  I feel like these dreams I had while sleeping are almost reality.  I understand they didn’t happen, but I know the emotions are real.”
    “Mira, everyone has a different experience while in a coma.  Some come out of a coma, knowing nothing about their surroundings or even who they are.  You don’t seem to be experiencing any amnesia and you’re taking in everything around you exceptionally well.  There really is no scientific reason to explain why you’re feeling the way you do, or even what you’re feeling.  I’m going to go ahead and make a note to the hospital therapist to come and visit you some time in the coming days.  He may be able to help you understand your feelings, since I can’t.  I wouldn’t worry though.  I’ve heard of many people coming out of a coma ready to seek the meaning of life.”
    “Thank you for your time doctor,” I say, smiling at her as she moves toward the door.
    “No need to thank me, Mira, it’s my job,” she says, pulling the door shut behind her.
    Danny starts to clear the mess away from dinner while I’m still pondering the feelings in my heart versus the knowledge in my head.  When the last of the trash is removed, Danny sits on the edge of my bed and leans in to kiss my forehead and I turn away from his touch.
    “Pea, is everything alright?”  The hurt in his eyes breaks my heart. 
    “Everything is fine,” I lie with a smile on my face, “I would just really like to be alone, if that’s okay?  I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me, but I think I just need some time to rest.”
    “As long as everything is alright, I’m okay with it.  I’ll go home and come back in the morning,” he says, finally getting the kiss to my head that he was seeking a few moments ago.  Gathering his belongings, he leaves me to my solitude, but not before leaving my cell phone next to the bed, just in case I need him in the night.
    After Danny has been gone about twenty minutes, I pick up my phone and start scrolling through pictures in my gallery.  The last pictures that were taken are from graduation, and they look amazing.  All of us—Skylar, Danny, Kylee and –myself—are standing in front of the Big House, in our cap and gowns, smiling like we don’t have a care in the world.  There is something different about this picture, though; something I had never noticed –before—and probably would’ve never caught on –to—if my accident hadn’t occurred. 
    In the picture, standing to the far left is Danny, followed by me, Skylar and then Kylee.  Danny and I are holding hands but standing about a foot apart, while Skylar and I are cheek to cheek and his arm is possessively wrapped around my shoulder, pulling me in tighter.  Of course, Kylee is