Unremitting Love

Chapter 2

I started to get angry with him that he wasn't waking up.

I got angry when his cuts healed completely.

I got angry when his wound healed, his ribs.

I'm angry at him.

I'm so incredibly angry at him.

The doctors are telling me to pull the plug, that he's not going to wake up.

I call bullshit.

My family is even telling me it's time.

Mrs. Schmitt said, while she was crying, she said she'd have pulled the plug already.

The doctor keeps telling me that if they unplug the machine, he's going to be brain dead.

It's May 29th.

I'm standing in the hospital room.

It's been six months of him not waking up.

I'm so mad at him.

The doctor is in here, checking on him.

"Mrs. Schmitt," he begins.

"Unplug the machine." I whisper.

I'm angry.

I'm angry at the doctors.

I'm angry at my family.

And I'm pissed at Daniel for even attempting to leave me.

And I'm sad, because he doesn't hold my hand back.

He can't.

I'm angry at the black ice.

I'm angry at the whole world.

But mostly, I'm angry at myself.

Daniel asked me that morning.

My baby asked me if I wanted to drive him and pick him up.

I told him no.

What if I had said yes?

I'm angry, but I'm not going to give up on Daniel.

"You want me to unplug him?" he whispers.

"Yes." I whisper. "And when he does go brain dead, you're going to plug him back in, and you're going to stop asking me to give up on my husband." I whisper. "All of you are going to stop asking me to give up on my husband. I will not. He's not brain dead. He's going to wake up. So unplug the machine, and watch while I'm right."

Silently.

The doctor unplugs the machine.

I don't move, my entire body tense.

Come on, baby, stay with me.

He lays completely still for a while, not breathing.

Nothing.

And he flatlines.

His heart turns into one long beep.

I don't move.

The doctor looks at me, sighing.

"Ma'am,"

And then it starts beeping again.

He starts breathing by himself.

The doctor looks at Daniel, shocked.

I glare at him.