Why the fuck can’t she talk?
“That’s not normal, right?” I repeat, and Shannon shakes her head.
“It can happen, Colt. She’s still trying to wake up, but all of her functions may not come back at once. It’s okay. Try not to worry. Just reassure her and be here while she has her eyes open. She probably won’t stay awake for long and will more than likely not even remember,” Shannon tells me, and I nod, all the while my eyes are still fixated on Dee’s.
Shannon walks over and squeezes my shoulder. “You’re doing great,” she reassures me again and leaves me once more.
I exhale and caress Dee’s cheek. When her eyes close momentarily, I start to panic. “Dee?” She opens her eyes again, and a tear falls down her face. I instantly wipe it away with mythumb, then lean down and kiss her lips. She doesn’t kiss back, but I don’t care. As long as she keeps looking at me, I’m happy.
“I love you so much. You have no idea, Dee. Don’t worry. I’m going to be here every step of the way to get you better. You can count on me, baby,” I tell her and raise her hand, kissing it again. Her mouth twitches, and I focus on her lips as they try to turn into a smile. I exhale and can’t stop the tears that flow. I feel like such a sissy, but I smile as brightly as I can and kiss her lips again. “I-I love y-you,” I stammer through a sob, and she smiles this time fully, then closes her eyes and exhales. I caress her cheek, willing her eyes to open for me again, but her hand loosens in my grip, and I know she’s fallen asleep.
Exhaling loudly, I sit in the chair.
That was intense.
Dee was looking right at me, and I could finally see she was there. It must be so frustrating for her not to be able to talk. I wish this were all over, and we could start moving forward with our life together.
Over the next few hours, Anna and Johnny visit, bringing me food, for which I’m thankful. Then Dee’s parents make an appearance. After I explained everything that happened with Dee, their feelings matched mine. A sense of relief mixed with equal frustration.
It’s late in the day when they leave.
Hux enters with a fresh set of clothes. “You really need to shower, bro. You’re beginning to smell worse than the hospital,” he jokes while chuckling.
“Fuck off! You know I’m not leaving her side.”
He shakes his head. “Okay, seriously, it’s been over a week. You need a shower. I’ll stay here with Dee, and you can leave the bathroom door wide open so you can watch her from the shower if you like. You know I’ll call you if anything happens. C’mon, Colt, you need to start looking after yourself. You’re probablyknocking her out with your stench, so the quicker you shower, the quicker she will wake up,” Hux quips, and I punch him in the arm, then lift my arm to sniff my pit.
“Fuck, I really do stink,” I admit, and proceed to have an internal debate about whether I should leave her side or not.
“I don’t think I can leave her. What if she wakes up again?” I question as I stroke her hair.
“Then Iwillcall you. Leave the door open. Just shower!” Hux demands as he points to the bathroom. I exhale in defeat while I stand, then lean into Dee, kissing her softly.
“I’ll just be in the other room. I haven’t left you. I never will,” I whisper and kiss her again.
It takes all of my strength to let go of her hand. After hesitating for another minute, I finally grow the balls to let go. I feel like such a dick, but Hux is right. My smell is offensive, and I’m sure the nursing staff will appreciate it if I have a shower. So I walk into the bathroom, leaving the door wide open.
I strip down the quickest I ever have and hop into the alcove. The warmth of the water on me feels terrific, and for a brief second, I relax. Then I peer out into the room and see Hux watching Dee, and instantly, I’m panicked. I don’t want Hux to be the person she wakes up to. So I wash in record time, then get out and wrap a towel around my waist.
When I walk out, I see she’s still asleep, and Hux looks me over. “Quickest shower ever, bro,” Hux says, and I nod, walking over to her. She’s resting so peacefully.
“Yeah, I panicked.”
“She’s going to be fine. You know that, right?” Hux asks as he throws a clean pair of pants at me. I catch them, and my gaze travels to Dee’s still body on the bed.
“I bloody hope so,” I reply while I dry myself in the middle of her hospital room, pulling on the pants.
She lets out a moan, and I’m by her side in an instant. Hux moves to stand next to me, and I grab her hand tightly, trying to give her some comfort. “Baby, you with me?” I question softly, and she opens her eyes, but the spark that’s generally in them has faded.
She shakes her head like she’s trying to gain her bearings, and I take her cheeks in my hands, forcing her to look at me. Dee frowns, releasing a groan as she tries to sit up.
“Dee, don’t move. You’ve been in an accident.” I try to calm her down, but it doesn’t work. Instead, she thrashes her head from side to side, which forces me to let go of her.
“Who the fuck are you?” she asks.
My chest constricts.
My heart stops beating.
