Sleeping With the Professor (NOT CONTINUING)

Fourteen

[Tony's POV]

I woke up from a short nap to the sound of multiple alarms going off. I could feel my pulse quicken and I instantly stood up, which made me feel dizzy.

My eyes scanned the room. Three nurses surrounded her bed, all shouting commands at each other. I stood in the same spot for a little while, frozen to the ground. I looked at Lilly, who was gazing back at me. They looked glossy and emotionless. I watched her, to scared to take my eyes off of her. She never blinked.

Her whole body began to seize. All of the nurses stabilized her by rolling her on her side. She shook violently, her eyes still wide open. As I walked closer to her I noticed that they were fixed on the spot on the couch where I had laid.

When was she awake?

I grabbed her hand that was laying limply by her side. I squeezed it reassuringly, hoping she could feel my presence. After another fifteen seconds, her body went still, her eyes closed, and she was placed on her back.

"Mr. Phillips, we've sedated her to let her rest. Her body is overly tired." One of the nurses said to me. "She'll wake up in about 24 hours."

"She's going to be a zombie for an entire day!" I was shocked.

The nurse said something else to me but I was no longer paying attention. I thanked them and they walked out of the room. I pulled up the chair again and sat down.

Round two.

-

As nightfall grew closer, I packed up my things and kissed Lilly's forehead goodbye. Her chest was rising and falling so slowly, so calmly. It appeared as if she was just sleeping.

I walked out of the hospital after telling the nurses to call my number if there's any changes.

It didn't take long to get home since it was eleven on a Tuesday night. My mind wandered to what I would teach my classes tomorrow. I had my morning class and the class that Lilly's in.

I sighed and decided to make them annotate three poems and write an essay. What can I say, I'm a mean teacher.

I chuckled as memories resurfaced of Lilly hanging out after class. She would challenge me about things we discussed in class. Her mind fascinated me. How she interpreted everything, her intense attention to detail, even how her faced scrunched up in deep thought after being asked a question.

She's too mature, too wise for a woman her age. So innocent, so pure and unscathed. When she laughed it made me feel like a teenager again. The overabundant curiosity and energy. She made me feel alive.

It's the first time I've felt truly at peace with what happened to my wife. I loved my wife. Correction, love my wife. We met in high school and got married right out of school. Our love was undying and strong.

Something tells me that I've met Lilly for a reason. It's God's way of letting me know that it's okay to move on and love someone else.

-

My alarm blared in my ear, waking me from my slumber. I had been dreaming about moving away and starting over.

It was one of those dreams that you wish would continue, that would come true.

I tossed the sheets aside and shuffled over to the bathroom. My boxers fell to my feet and I stepped out of them before turning on the shower. As I let the water heat up, I brushed my teeth and washed my face.

When I stepped into the shower, the warmth welcomed me. The water released the tension in my shoulders and made me feel more and more awake as it splashed against my skin.