Nate was still sitting across from me when Jamie came in.
“So!?” Nate nearly fell off his chair.
“We’re going to send you home in the morning. You should be very proud of yourself.” Jamie smiled. I jumped right up in excitement, but fell right back into my wheelchair. Nate and Jamie laughed at me.
“Really?! Oh this is great!” I couldn’t control my excitement!
“I would love to stay and chat with you two, but I have another appointment. I’ll see you in the morning before you go. Don’t forget to sign out!” Nate and I left and headed back to my hospital room. The doctor would be in tonight, but not for awhile.
“What’re we going to do for the rest of the night?” I asked, bored.
“I guess we’ll have to go back!” He wheeled me out, and we headed for my room.
When we got back, I expected him to help me up and onto my bed, but to my surprise, he lifted me up bridal style and layed me down. I completely lost my breath and had no idea what to say...
"Thanks." Wow, that's all I could say?
"You're welcome Steph. How are you feeling? Tired?"
"Honestly, I'm not tired at all. I have a lot on my mind."
"Like what?"
"Like what's going to happen after the hospital."
"Well what did you have in mind?"
"Truthfully?"
"Of course"
"Promise you won't laugh?"
"I promise!"
"Okay, well here's what I had in mind. We get in your car and while you drive we hold hands. We go to my apartment, and I'll show you around, then we could watch a scary movie, and then talk all night until we fall asleep. That's really what I had in mind."
"Why would I laugh at that, that sounds perfect. I wouldn't want to do anything else."
"Then we'll do it," I said with a smile.
"Then maybe the next day I'll show you my Boston apartment, and introduce you to Jack and Andrew?" I could have died and went to heaven right there. I sat up and sat criss cross. I patted in front of me so Nate would sit there. He hopped up and sat across from me. For awhile we just looked at each other, but then Nate kissed my hand.
“Steph, I think we should go to sleep early, then we can get an early start and leave tomorrow,” His smile grew, as did mine. Just then Doctor Parker came in.
“Good evening Stephanie, how are you feeling?”
“I’m feeling great!”
“Oh wonderful, that’s so good to hear! I assume you have been told you are leaving in the morning. Before you go, this is going to be your PT schedule,” he handed me a calender with times and room numbers on it, “I’ll be prescribing you some medications, and I’m also going to compare your vitals from then to now in the morning. For now get some rest, and I’ll see you in the morning, just give me a call when you wake up!”
“Thank you very much Doctor Parker, you’ve been very good to me. I appreciate all you’ve done for me.” He came over and patted me on the shoulder.
“You’ve been a one of a kind case, and a very special patient. I’ll see you tomorrow Stephanie!” And with that, he was gone. I leaned over and hugged Nate, and we just stayed there for a few minutes. Nate pulled away.
“Let’s go to sleep now, I’m exhausted.”
“Sounds good, I’m finally tired.” I flopped on my back and stretched. Nate layed
down next to me and touched his arm to my arm. I felt his finger on my elbow, and
he started to trail down my arm and into my hand, running his fingers across the
inside of my hand and then interlocking his fingers with mine. He looked at me and
smiled, and then reached over to turn off the lights. We fell asleep holding hands,
and it was wonderful sleep.
