Blurred Lines

Chapter Four

"You should really try and get some sleep," Bri urged over the phone, yawning into the speaker. I felt bad for keeping her up but after my dad called my grandparents and the Averys' to fill them in, Bri called to check in on how I was doing.

"I know." I switched my phone to my other ear. "I'm just scared that as soon as I do, the doctors will come out with something to say. I don't want to miss anything."
"Then make your dad promise to wake you up as soon as they come out. I'm sure he will."

"I'll probably do that." I stifled a yawn, pausing against the wall as some doctors walked by. I moseyed back to the waiting area where Dad was pacing back and forth next to the windows, his phone glued to his cheek. He gave me a small wave when I walked over, plopping down on a chair.

"Okay, I'm going to go." I slunk back in the cushion. "Thanks for calling, Bri."

"Always. Let me know what happens, okay?" Her voice was quiet.

"I will," I promised. "See you later."

When she hung up, I got Dad's attention and mouthed, "I'm going to sleep. Can you wake me up when the doctors come out?" He shot me a thumbs up and turned away, directing his attention back towards his conversation.

I curled up between the armrests and allowed my eyelids to finally droop close. Images flashed in my mind of the car crash, the red and blue of the lights glaring off the metal of the cars and making the glass glitter on the asphalt. I tried to slow my breathing, feeling it ramp up with anxiety from the memory. Focusing on the sounds around me, I allowed the white noise of voices and footsteps to settle like a blanket over me.

****

"Blair, wake up," Dad whispered, shaking my shoulder. My eyes blinked open and for a moment I was confused as to where I was. The rising sun cast orange and red shapes through the giant windows and across the white tile, spreading the warmth around the waiting room and onto my huddled body. More people were sitting in the blue cushioned chairs, chatting to the nurses or doctors and amongst one another. Dad pointed towards the desk and I shot up as the surgeon walked over from where she was writing something down on a clipboard.

"John Watson? Blair?" She asked.

Dad and I both nodded.

"My name is Dr. Macey. Thank you for your patience, I know it's not easy to wait." She tucked her hands in her white coat pockets. "Jen came in with quite a few injuries. The big ones were her broken leg, ribs and collarbone. She also had a lot of internal bleeding, which we have managed to control. She has not woken up yet and is currently being transported to the intensive care unit."

Intensive care unit? My pulse skipped a beat, shocking my brain from being able to think clearly.

"Are we, um," Dad stuttered, blinking. "Are we allowed to go and see her? Do you think she'll be okay?"

"Yes, I can take you up to her." Dr. Macey shifted and I could detect that she was trying to remain professional, but was also feeling a little bit uncomfortable. "We are going to monitor her 24/7 and we have strong hopes that she will be okay."

"You hope?" Dad's voice was sharp. "What do you mean? You don't think she will be okay?"

"We are doing our best, Mr. Watson," she replied. "Now, would you like to see her?"

"Yes, yes of course." Dad hugged my shoulder and we followed Dr. Macey into the elevator, up to the sixth floor.

"This way." Dr. Macey led us out to the third door on the left. Through the window I could see her tucked under a white blanket on the hospital bed. She looked so peaceful laying there, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow underneath her. We walked into the room silently, as if our presence might wake her. Tape covered the thin plastic tubes snaking out of her arms and connecting to the beeping monitors surrounding her bed.

I felt like I couldn't breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes and threatened to brim over, but I tried to blink them back. Behind me, Dad choked and I think he was trying to stifle his own tears.

We both shuffled to her bedside, watching her. Dr. Macey tried to explain something else but I couldn't hear her past the blood rushing through my ears. I looked up at her and then at Dad, unsure of what to do.

Dad saw my expression and turned to Dr. Macey, composing himself and clearing his throat before asking, "Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions in the hall?"
"Of course." They walked out, stopping in front of the window.

I looked down at my mom, my heart aching for her. She looked as if she was just asleep, as if she might wake up at any moment and wrap her arms around me, evaporating all of my worries.

I found her hand under the blanket and clasped her fingers in mine. A tear escaped, dropping to the blanket and creating a small dark circle in the fabric. I bowed my head over her, allowing the tears to free fall.

"Mommy, wake up," I begged. "Please wake up."

****

Thoughts? This chapter was on the shorter side, but it was definitely emotional. It honestly made me sad writing it because I'm getting so attached to my characters already.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well! 

- Payton