She stands up and comes over to shake my hand. I can see where Harleigh gets her looks from; the resemblance is uncanny.
“It’s nice to meet you, Giovani. I’ve heard a lot about you from Harleigh.”
“Yeah…” I breathe out the breath I didn’t realise I had been holding. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know things were so bad. I thought I was going to walk in here and hold her, tell her that everything would be okay. Now…” I choke back my tears.
“Well, you can come and talk to her. The nurse said she may be able to hear us. It might help her recovery if she hears voices she recognises.”
Margery takes my hand and leads me over to the seat she just got out of. She makes me sit down and places my hand over Harleigh’s. I feel her warm skin, and it reminds me of many happy times we held hands in Bulgaria.
“I’ll just be next door visiting Gavin. I didn’t want to leave her alone, but I believe she’s in good hands now.”
“Thank you. I’ll take care of her.”
“Anyone that hops on a plane from Bulgaria to be by my daughter’s bedside gets my approval,” says Margery as she picks up her handbag. “Welcome to the family, Giovani.”
I don’t know what to say to that, so I just rub circles on Harleigh’s hand until the room is empty. I want to scream and shout. I’ve never felt this angry and fearful in my life. I can’t lose her… not now.
“You’ve got this, baby. You’re a strong woman. We have the rest of our lives to lead when you’re ready.”
And I will wait for her for as long as it takes.
Chapter 29
2 weeks later
Harleigh
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I don’t know how much longer I can hear that persistent beeping. It’s driving me crazy. I can hear my family around me daily, but I can’t open my eyes. Nothing I do is allowing me to open my eyes and return to my life. I’ve heard my mum cry and shout at everyone. I’ve heard Giovani pleading with me to wake up and come back to him. They might be a mess, but my heart is broken that I’m causing them so much hurt and pain.
“Good morning,” says a voice I don't recognise.
“Good morning, doctor. Any news?” asks my mum.
“Last night’s CT scan showed a significant improvement. Harleigh’s vital signs are improving daily, even off the ventilator. Things are looking positive. We’ve just got to wait for her to regain consciousness.”
“You’ve been telling us this for two weeks, Doc,” says Gavin.
“I’m sorry. I did tell you that people with head trauma react differently. I’ve seen someone with a worse head condition wake up in a couple of days.”
Nope. No more. I need to wake up. I squeeze my hand tightly, hoping that the hand I’m holding feels it.Please, someone feel it.
“Holy shit. Sorry. She’s squeezing my hand,” says Gio.
I’m happy to know its Giovani’s hand in mine. It has been there for so long that I don’t want to let it go.
“Harleigh, can you open your eyes, beautiful?”
I feel Giovani’s hand rub across my head and down my cheek. I’m feeling more power over my body than I have in so long.
I groan. I can hear it. I can feel how dry my throat and mouth are. It’s probably as dry as the Sahara Desert. I try to move my lips to speak, but they’re dry and stuck together.
“Come on, Harls. It’s time to wake up now, sissy.”
Gavin.
I feel my eyes pop open and everything in front of me is white and blurry. It takes me a few moments to make out shapes and figures, then I see Giovani hovering over me. He’s the only person I can see other than the doctor.
