I had some help

Sixty-one

Alex woke to the rhythmic beeping of machines, her mind sluggish as she struggled to focus. Blinking, she took in the sterile room around her, the sharp scent of antiseptic in the air. Her body felt heavy, every movement a struggle. In the dim corner, she noticed her mom and dad sitting close together, their faces tight with worry. She tried to open her eyes fully, but the harsh overhead lights made her squint and turn away, the brightness amplifying her disorientation.

She attempted to speak, but her throat was parched, the words scraping out in a faint rasp. "Mom?" The sound barely escaped her lips, but it was enough.

Amelia shot up from her chair, rushing to her side. "Alex! Oh my God, you're awake!" Relief flooded her voice, but the dark circles under her eyes spoke of sleepless nights. Her dad, Jack, rose more slowly, his hand finding hers with a gentle squeeze. Amelia pressed the call button to alert the nurses, never letting go of her daughter's hand.

"What... what happened?" Alex croaked, her mind sluggish, unable to grasp the reality of her situation. She tried to shift in the bed, but a sharp, searing pain shot through her body, halting her movement. Panic bubbled beneath the surface, her thoughts scattering in confusion.

Jack exhaled deeply, glancing at Amelia before he spoke. "You were in an accident, sweetheart. A bus crash. It was pretty bad. You've been in the hospital for nearly a week."

Fragments of memory hit her in disjointed flashes: the screech of tires, the impact, shards of glass, the overturned bus. She remembered calling for help-dialing 911-but after that, everything was a blank.

"How long?" She asked weakly, her voice barely a whisper.

"Six days..." Amelia said softly, brushing a strand of hair from Alex's forehead. "You've been drifting in and out. The doctors had to operate-there was internal bleeding, and your arm and leg are broken. But you're going to be okay, honey. It's just going to take time."

Tears welled in Alex's eyes, the enormity of it all crashing down on her. The pain was intense, but the uncertainty of what "okay" meant now weighed even heavier. Still, her parents were here, and somehow, that anchored her in the midst of the chaos.

As Alex lay there, the door swung open, and a group of nurses and doctors entered the room, their presence brisk yet calming. The lead doctor, an older man with silver hair and a warm but focused expression, approached her bedside. His stethoscope gleamed under the bright hospital lights, and a clipboard hung loosely from his hand.

"Alex, how are you feeling?" He asked, his voice steady but gentle, as he placed the stethoscope against her chest, listening intently to her heartbeat. His brow furrowed slightly in concentration, but his demeanor remained calm, reassuring her that this was routine, even if everything in her life felt anything but.

Alex swallowed, trying to moisten her throat before responding. "Tired... sore." She mumbled, her voice strained. She watched the doctor as he nodded, his eyes scanning her vitals on the machines beside the bed.

The nurses moved swiftly around her, one checking the IV drip in her arm, another adjusting the position of her bandaged leg. Every movement felt clinical, precise, yet Alex could feel the weight of their care in the small, quiet actions.

The doctor leaned in slightly, his eyes meeting hers with a compassionate gaze. "That's to be expected. You've been through a lot, but you're doing well. The surgery was a success, and your vitals are stable. We'll keep monitoring you closely, but the worst is behind you."

He paused, flipping through the papers on his clipboard. "You had a significant amount of internal bleeding, and we had to repair some damage to your spleen. Your arm and leg were fractured in multiple places, but we've set them, and with time and rehab, you should regain full function."

Alex nodded weakly, the information sinking in slowly, almost surreal. The word "rehab" echoed in her mind. How long would it take? How much of her old life could she get back?

The doctor straightened, offering a small, reassuring smile. "For now, rest is the most important thing. Pain management will help keep you comfortable, and we'll gradually increase your mobility over the coming days."

Amelia, still hovering nearby, finally spoke, her voice trembling with concern. "When can we take her home?"

The doctor turned to her, his expression softening. "It's too soon to say, Mrs. Wilson. We need to monitor her progress and make sure her body heals properly. She'll be here for at least another week, possibly more, depending on how she responds to treatment."

As the nurses finished their tasks, one of them adjusted the bed slightly to make Alex more comfortable. Alex winced as the movement sent a dull ache through her leg, but the nurse was quick to notice. "I'll increase your pain meds a little." She said with a kind smile, pressing a button on the IV machine. Almost immediately, Alex felt the sharp edges of pain dull into a manageable throb.

The doctor gave her one last look before making a note on the chart. "We'll check on you again later today, Alex. You're in good hands, just focus on resting." With a nod to her parents, he and the medical team filed out, leaving the room quieter, though the weight of the reality still hung heavy in the air.

Alex sat in the quiet corner of the tour bus, the low hum of the engine a soothing backdrop after her first night as an opener. It felt surreal to be on the road with Michael, one of her other clients, while Morgan stayed back to manage things at home. She glanced at the clock and picked up her phone, dialing Morgan's number, eager to share the experience.

"Hey, Alex!" Morgan's voice came through, instantly familiar and warm.

"Hey! Just wanted to check in before you head to bed." She said, a mix of excitement and exhaustion in her voice.

"How did it go? I've been dying to hear!" He asked, his enthusiasm palpable.

"It was incredible! The crowd was really into it, and I think they connected with Michael's music." Alex said, her heart still racing from the performance. "But honestly, I missed having you there. It felt a bit off without you in the mix."

"I wish I could've been there." Morgan replied, a hint of regret in his tone. "But I'm glad to hear it went well. You always knew how to navigate these situations."

"Thanks! I just tried to stay focused and keep everything running smoothly." She said, her manager instincts kicking in even while performing. "Michael was on fire, though. He really knows how to work a crowd."

"I'm not surprised. You two make a great team," Morgan said. "What was the highlight?"

"Definitely the moment when Michael played that new song. The energy shifted, and it felt like everyone was with him." Alex recalled, smiling at the memory. "It was one of those moments you live for."

"That's awesome! I'm so proud of you both." He said. "You're going to get better and better at this."

"I hope so. It's a bit different being on stage myself, but it felt right in a way." Alex admitted. "I just wish you could have experienced it with us."

"Next time for sure. I'll make it work." Morgan promised. "Just keep doing what you're doing. You're more than capable."

As their conversation wound down, Alex felt a wave of gratitude. "Thanks for always believing in me, Morgan. I wouldn't be here without your support."

"Always. Just keep me in the loop, okay? I want to hear all about the tour." He said warmly.

"Absolutely. Goodnight, Morgan."

"Goodnight, Alex."

She hung up, a smile on her face as she settled back into her seat before getting up to head to bed for the night.