Everyone was there

Part 2

My shadow weeps and weeps and weeps. I don't understand why. I can't understand why. I think nothing. 

"So, what's the situation?" A familiar voice asks. 

"She's in a coma. The doctors took care of the internal bleeding and a bunch of broken ribs, but there's still the injured leg and there's no guarantee she will survive," my shadow says, "they told me there's a thirty-two percent chance that she'll make it." 

"...Have you been coming every day?" 

"Of course I have! What kind of mother do you think I am?!" 

Mother... my Mother? 

"Calm down, it was just a harmless question. Have you been talking to her?" 

"No. She's in a coma, she can't hear us." 

"You don't know that." 

... 

"Uncle Charlie! Happy St. Patrick's Day!" I squealed. 

"Alice! Guess what I got for you?," he said.  

"What is it? What is it?" I reached for the colorful box, expecting four-leaf clover jewelry or something green.  

"Ta-da!"Inside was a thick, round, glass object with a big dent in the middle. 

"What is this, Uncle Charlie?" 

"Well an ashtray, of course! Only the best for my wonderful niece!" 

"But Uncle Charlie, I don't smoke cigarettes. I'm only nine!," I said, disappointed. 

"That's the point, kiddo" he said, with a mischievous wink.  

"Silly Uncle Charlie!," I laughed, gave him a hug and ran upstairs to put the treasure away next to a ship in a bottle, an encyclopedia about ducks and a parrot brooch, which were some other presents from my eccentric uncle. He never missed a birthday or a Thanksgiving and always gave me something, even when he had next to nothing.  

"So, kiddo! How you holding up? Well, I know you can't exactly answer me but I just wanted you to know that I am here. Umm... let's see, oh! Your friends Josie and Lisa have been calling very persistently to know how you are doing. Though, it is exam time so they are busy. They said they came to visit once and want to come again but just can't seem to find the time. They send their wishes and prayers as well as the rest of my family and your school...  

Your mother has been coming every single day. She really does care, you know. I guess it is none of my business but she has been clean for over two years! That's got to count for something, right?  

Ah! I almost forgot to tell you the important stuff, you've been in a coma for almost two weeks now and you've missed some things! We re-created the 'Tiger Boots' menu and added those amazing velvet cupcakes, everyone there misses you too. That 'Coldplay' band got a new album so I got it for you. I'll set it up right now," my uncle Charlie said. 

Paradise by Coldplay began to play.  

"Well, I've got to go now, Alice. But you should get better, 'cause everyone misses you and wants you to come back," he said as he closed the door, "Fight back, kiddo. You can do it."