Meeting the Jokers

Part 27

A doctor was rushed in- then two more swarmed in. It was incredible. Smiles were on everybody's faces.

All the drugs they tested him with, all the wires that he was attached too- now all nonsense.

He was awake.

Maybe not completely awake and conscious- but he was coming around.

Q's eyes fluttered slowly and scanned the room with no focus. His head rocked backwards and to the left, his eyes rolled slowly into his head, but he was here and alive.

In the forming crowd, there were hugs and tears. That was just from the 3 guys. Sal was the most relieved. His face was red and tears were streaming like a waterfall.

It was almost beautiful.

Slowly, I squeezed his hand and gave him a reassuring smile. Things were going to get better.

I knew it.

One doctor objected Q with something in his arm, and left subsequently. Looking pleased.

Two days later

Q just opened his eyes again. It lasted 10 seconds. Then they shut.

"Is that the record?" Sal smirked, checking the time on the stop watch. That's all we did to fill the time.

One day later

Completely conscious. Q is awake! The day and night went in a blur- if I'm honest I can't remember a single moment because of my exhaustion.

But here I am, pleased to say Q woke up! Completely.

Sal gave a knowing smile at me, and Joe and Murr rushed in immediately. Joe felt obliged to clean the food off his face before he greeted Q.

Q lay still like a corpse, his eyes wandering and surveying the room. What was he thinking?

Does he remember us?

"Guys," one of the producers- Pete, I think his name is- said, "we have to get him out by tonight. We have to get back home."

My heart sunk. They were going back to New York. Staten Island. I was going back to my home- 20 miles away. Hundreds of miles from Staten Island.

Take me with you.

"Is he ok to leave tonight?" Sal asked.

Pete nodded his head, with Casey backing him up, "it's gonna be fine."

"Hey, buddy," Joe said, leaning in to Q, "are you ready to come home?"

"Home?" Q mumbled, then repeated to digest the word properly.

"Yeah."

To hear Q reply was a heartbreaking and uplifting moment. He was getting better. I guess when you have enough money people will make sure you survive.

There was still that fear that Q won't remember us. I've heard story's of terrible things happening after strokes.

Four hours later

The nurses told us Q is alright to leave- as long as we drive carefully and Q keeps reminding us he is ok. 1) to make sure he really is ok and 2) so that we know he can still hear us and hadn't passed out.

Me, Sal, Q and Joe got in one car- Sal drove the producers van, me at shotgun and Joe keeping hold of Q in the back.

"We're not driving to New York are we?" I asked.

"No," Sal said, keeping all eyes on the road, "were going to the nearest place we can stop. I think. I'm just following the guys in front." The van we left Murr in.

"Well you could always come to my apartment," I suggested, "I live, like, 20 minutes away."

"That's a great idea," he said, and pitched the idea to the producers ahead. We were off back to my apartment.

Then I panicked- I wasn't rich like these guys. I worked in a cafe! That means I don't have a huge apartment with huge paintings and beautiful furniture. I have a one bedroomed apartment the size of someone's living room. Maybe not that small but it felt like it.

"Are you ok?" Sal asked. Either to me or to Q.

"Q?" Sal said, looking in the mirror. Q was staring outside. The passing trees. The horizon. It was what Q hadn't seen in nearly a week.

"Olivia? Are you ok?" Sal asked.

"I'm fine."

I was more than fine.

These guys wouldn't leave me. We were like family.