Anna smiles and reaches into the paper bag, pulling out another burger.I think I love her right now.I offer her a half-smile and take it from her while she keeps eating.
After two burgers and a pile of fries, I’m stuffed.
And for the first time in what feels like forever, I feel my energy returning.
***
Anna left a little while ago. After spending about two hours with me, she realized I wanted to be alone with Dee. The thing about Anna is that she can read me like a book, knows exactly what I want, and gives it to me.
When the doctor comes in, I watch him check Dee over.
“Well, how is she, doc?” I ask, and he smiles, which instantly makes me more alert.
“She’s doing as well as we are expecting her to do at this time. We need to take her for another scan to check that the swelling is reducing, and if it has, we will bring her out of the induced coma,” he informs, and for the first time since this happened, I smile. I actually smile.
Jumping up, I rush around and hug him. He laughs and pats me on the back.
What the fuck?Since when have I turned into a hugger?
“So, when are you taking her for the test?”
“In a few minutes,” he replies, and I exhale heavily.
“I’ll be back in a moment to take her up.”
“Thanks, doc, I appreciate it.” He walks out, and I return to Dee’s side. “See, you’re getting better, baby. You’re on your way back to me.”
Someone clears their throat, and I look up at Mom, who’s standing in the doorway.
Why is it that when something horrible happens, and you see your mum, everything falls apart?
I can’t control myself and let out a loud sob.
“Oh, honey…” She rushes to my side, wrapping her arms tightly around me.
“Colter, she’s going to be okay,” she says, trying to comfort me as she strokes my hair.
I feel sick, physically sick. I haven’t seen my mother in years, and when I finally do, it’s because of something terrible. I feel guilty, an undeniable sadness, but most of all, I feel loved.
“Colter, look at me,” she says, holding me at arm’s length, and I meet her gaze. She pulls a tissue from her bag and hands it to me. While I blow my nose, she looks at me with thatlove look. You know, the one all moms get when they look at their children. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry this happened to you both. But I am so very proud of you for being here and helping her recover,” she says, kissing my cheek. She looks down at Dee and smiles. “She is beautiful, isn’t she?”
“Dee’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known, Mum. She’s not just beautiful on the outside. She’s undeniably gorgeous on the inside as well,” I reply, and Mom smiles back at me.
“You really love her, don’t you?” she asks, wiping a tear from her cheek.
“With everything I am,” I confess, and Mom pulls me in for another hug.
More hugging? Fuck, I’m turning into a pussy!
Mom stays for a while, catching up as I tell her all about Dee after she’s wheeled away for her test. I hate watching her leave without me. I beg them every time to let me go with her, but they never say yes.
After she leaves, I impatiently wait with Dee in her room for the results to come back. I’m holding her hand and just staring at the tube coming from her mouth.
I wonder if she’s in pain.That thought makes me cringe.
“You!”someone yells, and I turn to see Mr. and Mrs. Norman walking through the door.
I blow out a heavy breath, knowing this won’t be fun.
