Triangle

Chapter 9

I wake up laying in a hospital gown and a loud beeping from a machine. I have an IV in my arm, and a tube around my nose for oxygen. I press the nurse button and 30 seconds later a nurse was in my room. "You're finally awake," the nurse says, fixing the cover on my foot. "Why am I here?" I ask, trying to sit up. "No, don't sit up, you're still weak. The airport had a shooting & you were shot in the back of the head," the nurse says. She picks up a clipboard from the end of my bed. "Is my sister okay?" I ask, rubbing my head. "Yes, she delivered her baby," the nurse says. "When? Yesterday?" I ask.

"Yesterday? You've been in a coma for 7 months," the nurse says, and sits the clipboard back down. The nurse walks over to me and helps me sit up. She adjusts the pillows and makes me comfortable. "What's your name?" I ask her. "Diana," she says.

"Is there anyone I can call for you?" Diana asks. "My sister please," I reply. She nods and exits the room. I look around to try to find a mirror, but fail.

"How could this happen to me? How could I have been in a coma for all these months? I wonder what's changed, I missed out on so much," I think to myself. Nurse Diana walks in again and sits in the chair next to me. "She's on her way now," Diana says. I just nod my head and look down at my hands. "Are you okay?" Diana asks. I don't look up at her ,because if I did I would start crying. "Yes," I lie, wiping my eyes.

"My mother was in a coma for 2 years, and when she woke up she didn't couldn't believe it. You were actually lucky, not saying you are lucky, but its only been 7 months. You can still catch up and live your life again," Diana says, reaching for my hand. "How do I do that?" I ask, looking up at her. The tears sting the sides of my eyes. "I can't answer that for you," she says. I put my head back down and try to stop crying.

"Do you believe in God?" Diana asks. "No," I say, and she gasps. "You need to find a relationship with God before you can be happy again," Diana says. "My pastor tried to rape me when I was small," I say. "You don't have to go to church to have a relationship with God. All you gotta do is accept him into your heart and pray to him," she says.

I don't respond. We sit there in silence, and after about 5 minutes she removes her hand from mine. I don't say anything. I just sit there and wait for my sister. I had no words left. 30 minutes later, my sister Kelly walks through the room door.

"Blake! I'm so glad you're okay," Kelly says, crying. Her stomach is flat now and she has died her hair brown. Her face isn't swollen anymore. Everything looks normal on her again. She hugs me tight and her tears run down my back. I hug her back.

She stops hugging me, and looks at Diana. "Thank you for sitting with her," Kelly says, and Diana leaves. "Hey, how are you feeling?" she asks me. I shrug my shoulders and smile. "I feel fine. My head hurts a little," I say, rubbing my head. "You want to lay down?" Kelly asks. "No i'm okay," I say. "You want me to tell you what's been going on?" she asks. I nod my head.

STORY-TIME:

After I had my baby, I was told that you were in a coma. I cried for about 2 days, but then I had to shake back for my son. His name is Jacob Johnson. He's 7 months today and he looks just like his father. I decided to stay in town until you woke up. I didn't care how long it took. I started working on your business making everything run smooth. Kevin called looking for you one day, and I told him that you were in a coma. He wanted me to tell him where you were staying, but I refused. I came to visit you 3 times out of the week. A guy name Liam came over, and I told him you were in a coma. I didn't tell him where you were. This handsome ass guy with blonde hair came over, he said his name is Lucas. I told him the same thing, but he didn't ask what hospital you were in. He gave me a card for you. I didn't open it. A lawyer came over as well, he said something about divorce papers.

John left me a few months ago, and I went on a date with your new neighbor, James. He's so sweet, and he loves Jacob. I've been living a great life I was just waiting on my sister.

                                  END

I open my arms and give her another hug. She seems like she's been through a lot and I felt bad I wasn't there for her. "I'm awake now and everything is gonna get better," I say, and smile. Kelly smiles back. "I can't wait to meet Jacob," I say. "I'm gonna ask the nurse if I can take you home today, and if you can have your phone," Kelly says, and leaves the room.

Kelly's phone starts ringing and I answer it.

(Phone Conversation)

Me: hello?

other: Kelly? It's Kevin.

Me: It's Blake.

Kevin: Are you okay? Where are you? I wanna see you

Me: I don't wanna see you.

Kevin: I didn't sign the papers.

Me: Why?

Kevin: I can't give up what we have.

Me: Kevin.. no! You left me and I'm done with you. You don't get to come back when you're ready anymore.

Kevin: I promise this is the last time.

Me: You say that everytime! No!

Kevin: Blake.

Me: Kevin.

Kevin: please.

Me: I can't.

The phone goes silent and Kelly walks in. "Who is that?" she mouths. "Kevin," I say. 

Me: You can get clothes and things tomorrow.

Kevin: Are you seriously saying no?

Me: Yes. It's over.

Kevin: okay, I guess I'll see you tomorrow then.

(Phone conversation ends)

I put the phone down from my ear. Everything goes numb as I think about what I did. "Blake," Kelly calls to me. "I just told my husband it was over," I say, and a tear rolls down my cheek. A weight feels lifted off of me. Another tear falls, and Kelly walks over to me. "You were protecting yourself, and that doesn't make you a bad person," Kelly says, and I break down crying. My sister always knows exactly what to say. "It's gonna be okay now," I say, wiping my face. I pull myself together. Kelly smiles and sits on the bed next to me. "You should stay with me," I say, grabbing her hands. "Really?" she asks, looking shocked. "Yes, I would love the company," I say. "Of course I'll stay, but do you really wanna deal with a baby?" she asks. "Why wouldn't I?" I ask.

Nurse Diana comes into the room and Kelly walks over to her. " The doctor wants her to stay overnight before going home for observation," Diana says, and Kelly nods. "What about the phone?" Kelly asks. "Once she has some test done and he clears her. Then, maybe. I can't say until she has some test done on her brain," Diana says. Kelly nods and says," Thanks."

"The radiologist is coming now to escort you," Diana tells me, and leaves. "I hope everything is okay. I have to go and pick up Jacob for his doctors appointment. I'm gonna leave your phone on this table, and you can get it once you have been cleared," Kelly says, sitting the phone down. "Are you gonna come back?" I ask. "I'll try," She replies, and leaves.

Once Kelly is gone, the radiologist comes in and takes a CAT Scan on my head. After 30 minutes, the doctor says I can have my phone. I grab my phone from the table and type in the password. I was surprised i remembered the password. I text Liam.

(Messages)

me: Hey.

Liam: Is it really you?

me: Yes. Did you miss me?

Liam: Yes, your sister didn't want to tell me where you were.

me: She was just being a good sister.

Liam:Yeah I know, but can I come see you.

me: Yeah. Im at Grove Hospital.

Liam: on my way!

(messages end)