“They can’t predict that but, best case scenario, I’d say at least two to three weeks.”
“What can I do to help her?”
“Some patients in a coma have nightmares. Some have visions. Some are aware of elements of their surroundings. I recommend that her visitors talk to her. If she knows familiar people are here with her, that will bring her comfort. Just make sure the conversations in this room are positive and encouraging.”
After they left, Luke paced. Then he stretched his frame onto the pull-out futon with an elbow bent over his eyes.
He was up and pacing again when two women rushed into the room. One short with pink hair. One slim and blond. Both looked as though they’d woken from sleep, thrown on clothes, and rushed here as quickly as they could. Worry pinched their faces.
The blonde introduced herself as Bridget and the other as Meadow. They talked to Finley for a long time in hushed tones. Then Meadow held Finley’s hand while Bridget walked over to Luke and asked a string of soft questions.
Yet again, he retold the story because he knew that’s what Finley would want. She loved these two and talked about them often.
When he finished explaining, Meadow finally spoke. “You can go now,” she said to him.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Her head swung around and they locked eyes. He let her see exactly how determined he was, and she eventually looked back to Finley, choosing to ignore him.
Medical staff came and went. Luke prayed. Scowled through gritty eyes at the wall.
What he did not do throughout that awful night?
Sleep.
When he finally did leave Finley’s room the next morning, it was with a purpose.
He needed to make a house call.
Around nine a.m., Luke knocked on Robbie and June’s front door.
Robbie answered. “Luke,” he said with friendly surprise. “How are you?”
“Not well. Can we talk?”
The older man’s smile dropped. “Certainly. Here.” He motioned to the office off the foyer. “Right this way.”
“Honey?” June called from the back of the house.
“Finley’s friend Luke is here to discuss something with me,” Robbie called back. “We’ll be in the office.”
She made a happy sound of acknowledgment, then he and Robbie were shut inside an office that resembled a movie set for the office of a comfortably rich man. Dark wood desk. Full bookshelves. Windows letting in golden morning views of his acreage.
“Care to have a seat?” Robbie asked.
“No.”
“All right.” He wore the same type of tidy, classic clothing he’d worn the other times Luke had seen him. A striped blue-and-white button-down shirt under a maroon V-neck sweater. Khaki pants. He half-sat on the edge of his desk. “What’s wrong?”
“Your niece is in the hospital.”
He flinched. “What? Why?”
Luke told him about his promise to Ed as Ed was dying. The treasure hunt. How Finley had been injured.
Robbie had an excellent poker face. However, Luke was now certain that Robbie was hiding something.
Light tapping sounded on the office door. “I brought coffee,” June said.
