Slow fade

28

Her hand had moved while I was holding it. I stared at the hand not knowing what to do or say. I kept her hand in mine when I felt it move again but this time it slightly squeezed my hand. " I'm here. You aren't alone."

This time she squeezed my hand with a tighter grip. I didn't take my hand off of her hand. " that's good keep trying." I looked at her face to see her eyes trying to open.

" you can do it don't give up." I kept encouraging her to try. I'm sure I was the last person she would want to see when she wakes up but at least she wouldn't be alone. I hadn't even noticed I had tears in my eyes.

Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at me. She didn't show any emotion she just stared. " you did it." I put her hand against my face and held it there. I don't know what made me do that but it felt nice. Her soft hand lay gently on my face.

She didn't look mad, upset, or sad.. She kept her hand on my face and closed her eyes.

A faint smile appeared on her face that I only saw on her when she had drank enough. " I'll go get the doctor."
I walked out of her room feeling slightly guilty for leaving her. I found a doctor and told him she had woken up and he followed me to her room.

" it's good to see you awake. I'm going to do a few tests which will determine when you can be released."

She nodded her head and I left so the doctor could do his job. I pulled my phone out and called bill to let him know. " hey Tom is everything ok?"

It took me some time to recollect my thoughts and what to say. " she squeezed my hand bill."

" really?! That's amazing maybe she'll wake up soon."

" she did"

" are you serious why didn't you start with that?"

" the doctor is with her right now then we will know when she can come home."

" ok keep me updated please."

I put my phone in my pocket waiting for the doctor to come out.I picked at my fingers as it was something I've always done that calmed me.

" she's ok to go home today but all I can say is keep an eye on her. She'll need y'all's support now more than ever."

" thank you."

I walked in to her room to see she had changed in some clothes. She looked at my face but not keeping the contact. " are you ready to go home?" She nodded her head and followed me out of the room.

I texted bill saying we were coming home but to be gentle and not bombard her since she was sensitive and needed space.

I opened the car door for her and she slowly got in. The ride home was quiet, neither one of us said a word. I played some music on the radio but it was put on quietly. Her eyes didn't leave the window the entire time.

When we pulled into the driveway I turned the car off and got out. She didn't move however. I opened her door for her and she looked at me but quickly looked away. She got out of the car and headed to the door.

When I opened the door I saw only Bill was home which was good because the last thing she would want is for everyone to see her. Bill got up from the couch and approached us.

" do you want something to eat?" She nodded her head saying no.

" is there anything you want?" And she again shook her head saying no. We stood in the living room watching her as she went upstairs I'm guessing to her room.

" bill she's broken and fragile. She hasn't spoken a single word or showed any emotion which is understandable. She'll come to us when she's ready."

" it just hurts though not being able to help."

" I know but she needs her space but we also need to keep an eye on her."

" ok"

We sat down on the couch trying to figure out how we could possibly help her.