NASH
“Sadie,do you know where you’re at?” Dr. Hatchet’s voice is calm—something that would soothe a crying baby.
Sadie’s brown eyes shift nervously to her mother, not me. I ignore my disappointment, silently watching from the foot of the bed with my hands in my pockets.
“It’s okay, sweetie.” Lynette Bradley squeezes her daughter’s hand, gently nudging her to answer. Behind her, Sadie’s dad smiles despite the worry in his eyes.
The reassurance is enough. Her gaze darts back to the doctor, and she answers. “The hospital.”
“That’s right.” Dr. Hatchet smiles. “You were in a bad skiing accident.”
The way she gasps breaks my heart.
“You’re okay, but you suffered severe head trauma, were on life support for a few days and in a coma for several weeks.” Dr. Hatchet hesitates, giving her a second to process.
Traces of panic build behind Sadie’s eyes, causing her mom to jump in.
“You’re okay,” Lynette consoles, pushing her daughter’s matted brown hair back from her face. “Everything’s okay.”
Sadie’s eyes travel over her body, taking in the hospital gown, the IV in her arm, and the pulse monitor until she focuses back on her mom as if she were her only lifeline.
Another beat of disappointment.
I’mSadie’s lifeline.
It should be me sitting beside her, brushing her hair back, keeping her calm.
I fight the negative thoughts, knowing this moment isn’t about me or us. I’m glad the Bradleys are here for their daughter—something good that came from this accident. Sadie is alive and awake. That’s all that matters. Everything else will sort itself out in time.
“I’m okay?” Her words are coarse and feeble.
“Yes, you’re very fortunate,” Dr. Hatchet answers. “Besides a few lacerations, the doctors have mostly been treating your brain trauma and swelling.”
Sadie’s brows cinch together in the most adorable way, and I can’t help but smile as my eyes fill with moisture.
“Is my head okay?” Her fingers move along her forehead, checking for injuries, stopping on the bandage that covers stitches from one of her deeper cuts.
“It’s much better.” Dr. Hatchet smiles through her words. “But we still need to check some things out. Is it okay if I ask you a few more questions?”
Her hand drops into her lap. “I guess.”
“Do you remember your name?”
Confidence flicks through her eyes. “Sadie Marie Bradley.”
Technically, her name is Sadie Carter now, but seeing how she woke up from a coma thirty minutes ago, and she’s been confused up until this point, I’m not holding it against her.
“Do you know who these people are?” Dr. Hatchet looks at the Bradleys.
“My parents.”
“Do you know their names?”
“Jay and Lynette Bradley.” Her lips slightly lift as she stares at them.
She smiled.
It was barely there, but I’m counting it.
