Ecstasy

Gilinsky

They got Jack's heart beating again.
I sigh in relief, my tears staining my sweater sleeves.
We've been here a week.
Jack is in a coma, and they don't know when he's going to wake up.
The longest comatose victim they have here is seven years. I can't stand to lose Jack that long.
"You should go get some rest." Says Sam. He and Skate have been waiting with me here at the hospital once they found out about Jack.
I shake my head. Everytime I look in the mirror, my eyes are a smudge more red. My head feels foggy, as if someone stuffed it with cotton. I look as lifeless as Jack.
"No. I can get rest here. I've been sleeping fine." That's a lie. I haven't slept in three days. The only time I sleep is when my body forces me to.
"Please, Jack. You're breaking down. I'll stay here. You and Skate can go home and you can shower and take a quality nap." Sam tugs me from my chair.
I sigh then stand up, following Skate out of the ICU. "I'll be back soon."
Skate drives us to his house. I'm falling asleep in the car, hardly able to keep my eyelids open now that I'm away from Jack.
Skate hands me a soft and fluffy towel and a stack of clothes once we arrive at his house.
"Shampoo and conditioner in the shower." He says. I nod then get in, turning both the hot and cold water knobs to their highest setting so the water is lukewarm.
I let my tense muscles relax in the water. It drums steadily against my skin, the way Jack's heart uses to drum against my hands when I'd put them on his chest.
I step out of the shower after a while of pondering my life. I dry off then change into the clothes Skate handed me, pulling on some khaki coloured skinny jeans and a black t-shirt with a tie-dyed tiger wearing sunglasses on it.
I throw the towel into Skate's laundry room, then head into his living room and fall onto his couch. Within seconds I'm asleep.

"What time is it?" I ask, groaning. The air outside is cool and dark. I can hear crickets chirping in the yard and the sound of horns blaring in the city.
I sit up and rub my eyes, frowning as I look around.
"It's ten thirty-six." Sam walks over to me, sitting on the foot stool across the couch.
I jump off the couch. "Date?!"
"Calm down, Jack," says Sam. "It's July 23rd."
"Two days?!" I wail. "I've been away from Jack for two days?!"
"Jack!" Sam pushes me back onto the couch. "Yes, two days. You needed the rest. Skate and I have been taking turns looking after Jack. I told him I'd take you over there as soon as you'd woken up."
I nod. For some reason, this entire thing feels as if it's all unreal. I wish it were all a dream.
"So, let's go." I say, standing up. Sam hands me a water bottle and I chug it, asking for another one. He let's out an amused huff and leads me to the car.
The drive to the hospital is a silent one. When we get there, I run inside. I don't even bother checking in with anyone first.
I'm about to enter the ICU when the woman stops me.
"He's not in there." She says.
Puzzled, I walk over to her. "Then where is he?" I ask.
"They moved him to pediatrics."
"But he's nineteen."
"And he's awake."
My eyes fly open. "Really?! Where?! I need to know!" I take off running down the hall before Margaret or whatever her name was can answer me. I hear her call out a "221B!" As I turn the corner into pediatrics.
221B. 221B. 221B.
I find the room I'm looking for.
"Jack!" I yell. I run to the side of his bed, falling down next to it. He's watching What's Eating Gilbert Grape on the TV. Joy explodes through my body, along with guilt and fear.
"Jack, oh my god, I'm so, so, so sorry. I love you Jack, I love you, I love you. I'm so sorry."
I stand up and grab the bars on his bed to steady myself. Tears are streaming down my face yet again, a hurricane of emotions swirling through my body.
Jack turns to me with a look of complete bewilderment.
"Who are you?" He asks.
My heart freezes as time stops.
"You.... you don't know?"