Benny watched his wife sleep in the comfortable recliner from the gurney. The last week had been very difficult to cope with, but she remained by his side unconditionally and that gave him strength for everything. His entire body ached and needed quite strong painkillers, it was inevitable to fall asleep after such a high dose of medication. He no longer had the tube in his head or chest, but he was still delicate. His head felt heavy as well as his chest, day by day the discomfort diminished but only a little. He was calm, taking it all easy, it was Frida who most of the time seemed on the verge of collapse every time he complained about something. She cared and that moved him a lot, she was like that; caring and affectionate. He felt miserable for having made her suffer with his actions, he didn't deserve her, but he would work to make up for all the lost time. He would go to therapy to heal, she was the biggest reason for him. Despite everything she was still there, loving him unconditionally, even during a few days she remained sat on the same reclinable with an IV in her arm, she was dehydrated or so they told him, but he was afraid it was something else and they were hiding it from him.
The faithful nurse entered the room to watch over his vital signs. The attention received was quite good, Benny could not complain at all. "We've told her to go home and rest but she refuses," the nurse commented as she made notes in her notebook. She noticed that Benny never took his eyes off his wife.
He half smiled. "She is an angel. She must be exhausted," said heavily. He was having a little trouble speaking due to the chest trauma.
"Perhaps you can convince her."
"I have tried, but it has been impossible. She's very featherbrained," he tried to laugh but his chest ached.
"Take it easy, sir," the older woman reminded him. "Everything is in order around here. You are a very good patient, I must say."
Benny gave her a smile. "I try not to give so much trouble."
The nurse shook her head amusedly. "Any trouble. Anything you need just press the red button and I'll come right away." Benny smiled in response and the nurse left.
Frida stirred in her place and Benny spoke softly to her. "Love."
She reached out and the beige blanket slid down until falling at her feet. Frida opened her eyes and found her husband smiling. "Benny, are you okay?" She got up and walked over to him, instantly taking his hand.
"I'm fine, happy to see you here," he squeezed her hand as hard as he could, he was still weak. Frida felt an oppression in her chest; he didn't know that she had left him the morning of the accident, but they wouldn't talk about it for the moment.
"I am happier to see you awake. I can't wait to take you home." And it was true; she longed to get out of here and be at home together, to the place they belonged.
"Soon, I guess," he swallowed hard and closed his eyes for a moment. "These drugs knock me out."
She giggled. "They're good huh."
"No, I don't want to be asleep, I want to look at you and hear your voice." Frida felt the happiest at those words. She leaned down and delicately planted a kiss on his lips. She missed his kisses, his arms, his warmth.
"I'll be here all the time, waiting for you to wake up."
He reached up a trembling hand and caressed her soft face. She was beautiful. "Forgive me, love," he said seriously and she also took a serious stance. "I never meant to hurt you, ever. I was the biggest idiot but it's over. You were right. I'm going to therapy, or the clinic you said, or wherever. I want to be well, but above all I want us to be well."
Frida smiled and hastily dried the two tears that welled up in her green eyes. She was too sensitive. "And we'll be fine. I will accompany you every day."
