Trust Me

Chapter 27

He looks so vulnerable. But peaceful. They've cleaned him up really well. I sit by the side of his bed, and look up at Tiff.

"Can you give us a minute?" I ask.

"Sure. No problem. Just call me in when you're ready," she replies, before leaving the room.

I set the stuffed animal on the table by his bed.

I grab his hand, and whisper, "I don't know if you can hear me. But if you can, we made it. Sure, you're in a coma, but you are alive. And me- well I'm fine. But I'll be so much better when you wake up. And, they killed the Puma. So we can go out in the woods now. Not like they'll let us. And I made up with Josh and Tiff, Caleb. I miss you. So you better wake up soon, ok? Because I'm going to go crazy without you. So, wake up. Please."

I lean down and kiss his forehead. Then I just sit there for a while. Eventually, Tiff comes in and takes me away, and I notice I have a few tears flowing down my face.
--------------------------------
Days pass. And then weeks. I visit Caleb every day, urging him to wake up. But he's not showing any progress.

I can walk now, but I have to use crutches.

It's been about 2 1/2 weeks since they brought us in, and my Mom comes in.

"Hey sweetie. I need to talk to you. We think... we think its time for you to go back to school. Today is Tuesday... we are taking you home on Saturday. And you are going to start school again Monday. It's not negotiable," she quietly informs me.

"No," I say. "I am not going back to school till Caleb goes back to school. Maybe you can't understand because you have not been through what I've been through. And I went through it with him. So, no. You can not make me. I won't go. Not without him."

"Sweetie, I understand but- " she starts, but I interrupt her.

"No that's the problem. You don't understand. Do you know what it's like to wake up and see someone you love being attacked by a cougar? Because I do. Do you know what it's like to see that same person bleeding out, and thinking that they are dead? No, you don't. If you did, you would not be trying to send me back to school alone. Because those kids, whether you like it or not, are going to be like hyenas when I get back. And I can't walk back in there alone. Now, I'm going up to the ICU, if you need me." I attempt to storm out of the room, but end up hobbling out on my crutches.
-----------------

I enter Caleb's room, and sit on the edge of his bed.

"Mom wants to send me back to school on Monday. But I don't want to go back without you. Please wake up soon." I whisper, tears rolling down my face.

For a minute, I think I see his eyes flicker. It's probably in my head though. No, they definitely fluttered.

"Ok, ok I'm awake," Caleb hoarsely whispers, his brown eyes wide open.