Golden Slumbers

Chapter 6 - A Bump On The Head

Zoe woke up to the sound of coughing the next day. She rushes downstairs and sees Paul with his hand on his chest. "Paul, what's wrong?!" Asked Zoe worriedly. "I... I..." Stuttered Paul. He collapses to the ground before he could say anything. "No!!!" Zoe yelled. She drops down to Paul's level and rolls him onto his back. He was unconscious.

"Paul, are you okay?" Asked Zoe. She shakes Paul, but he doesn't move. "Darling, can you hear me?" Zoe asked. She shakes Paul again, but a little harder. Still no movement. "Please don't be in another coma!" Cried Zoe. She checked his pulse. He still had one, but it was weak. "He must've been dehydrated. He hasn't been drinking any water since he got home." Zoe said.

Instead of sitting around and doing nothing, Zoe got off the floor, grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and walked back over to Paul. She lifts up his head, puts the glass up to his lips, and pours some of the water into his mouth. He swallows it, but his eyes remained closed. After a few minutes, Zoe pours the remaining water into Paul's mouth. Once again, he didn't open his eyes, but he swallowed the water.

The next thing Zoe did was hold Paul's hand close to her chest. She closes her eyes as she goes back to one memory with Paul she never forgets.

Four Years Ago

Zoe was struggling with her guitar. She's always wanted play it, but she wasn't any good. Paul approaches her a minute later. "What's the trouble, Zoe?" He asked. "I'm having a hard time changing the chords! Can you help me, please, Paul?" Zoe asked. "Of course, love! I wouldn't be a good boyfriend if I said no." Said Paul. He grabs his guitar and sits on a chair in front of Zoe.

"What do I do first?" Asked Zoe. "Okay, you're holding the guitar correctly, but if you wanna change the chords, you have to really press down on the strings. Sometimes you have to move your hand up and down on the frets, depending on the key of the song." Paul said. "Okay?" Said Zoe. "Let me hear you play an A chord." Said Paul. Zoe watched the way Paul's fingers were arranged, and did the same thing. She strums afterwards. "How was that?" Zoe asked. "That sounded wonderful, darling!" Paul said.

"Is there anything else I should know?" Asked Zoe. "Well, there are times when songs are in a minor key or chord. For that, you take a capo and put it on the guitar's neck. Now, let me hear you play B minor." Said Paul. He hands the capo to Zoe and she puts it on the guitar's neck. Afterwards, Zoe mirrors the way Paul has his fingers arranged for the next chord. After she strummed, Paul smiles.

"What'd you think of that?" Zoe asked. "You're on a roll, Zoe, my dear! There are a few more things you need to learn, then you're on your way to becoming a successful guitarist!" Paul said excitedly. He continues giving Zoe more guitar lessons for the rest of the day.

Present Day

Zoe opens her eyes after a while. She smiles at the memory of the day Paul taught her how to play the guitar. She looks back down at her boyfriend, who's still unconscious. Zoe cradles him into her arms. She strokes his hair and quietly sings to herself.

Deep in the meadow
Under the willow
A bed of grass
A soft green pillow

Lay down your head
And close your eyes
And when they open
The sun will rise

Here it's safe
And here it's warm
And here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet
And tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

Deep in the meadow
Hidden far away
A cloak of leaves
A moonbeam ray

Forget your woes
And let your troubles lay
For when again it's morning
They'll wash away

Here it's safe
And here it's warm
And here the daisies guard you from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet
And tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

Here is the place where I love you

Deep in the meadow
Hidden far away
A cloak of leaves
A moonbeam ray

Forget your woes
And let your troubles lay
For when again it's morning
They'll wash away

Here it's safe
And here it's warm
And here the daisies guard
You from every harm

Here your dreams are sweet
And tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you

Here is the place where I love you

Zoe kisses Paul on his forehead after she finished singing. "If you can here me, Paulie, I love you. I love you so much." She whispered. She continues to gently caress him as she sings another song to her love.

Once, there was a way to get back homeward
Once, there was a way to get back home
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Golden slumbers fill your eyes
Smiles awake you when you rise
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Once, there was a way to get back homeward
Once, there was a way to get back home
Sleep, pretty darling, do not cry
And I will sing a lullaby

Zoe felt tears filling her eyes after she finished singing again. Paul has been unconscious for hours, and she worries he won't wake up again. Zoe pulls Paul close to her and hugs him tightly. "Don't do this to me, Paul! I need you!" She cried.

It started to get late. Just so Paul can be comfortable, Zoe grabs her pillow from her room and a blanket from the couch. She gently lays Paul's head onto the pillow and puts the blanket on top of him. Before leaving his side, Zoe grabs a washcloth from the bathroom, runs cold water on it, rings it out so it doesn't drip, folds it, goes back downstairs, and placed the washcloth onto Paul's forehead. She kisses his soft lips afterwards. "I love you, sweetheart. I hope to see you wide awake in the morning." Zoe whispered.

Instead of sleeping in her bed tonight, Zoe decided to sleep on the couch. She didn't close her eyes right away, mainly because she was worried about Paul and how he fainted earlier in the day. He even bumped his head after he hit the ground. Zoe had a good feeling about what'll happen when he wakes up the next day. Five minutes later, her eyes started to feel droopy, and she finally drifted off to sleep.

Here's the first song Zoe sang before Golden Slumbers earlier. ~ Amanda