A beeping sound pierced my consciousness. Was it my alarm? I must’ve had one whopper of a nightmare.
I became mindful of something touching my leg. I wanted to open my eyes and look, but my lids were heavy.
That beeping. It wasn’t my alarm.
Suddenly, like rush of wind, I remembered the creek. The water had filled my lungs, and I was drowning. I remembered the impact of the rock…
I gasped.
The beeping quickened.
The thing on my leg squeezed.
A whisper. “Jules?”
Pat!
I pulled my eyes open to see his face hovering over me. “Jules!”
Pat!
I swallowed. I wanted to talk, but my mouth was so dry. I wanted to touch him, but I couldn’t lift my arms. I had so much to say.
Pat had tears on his face. “I’m so glad to see you.”
I was so glad to see him, too. More glad than I’d ever been. How did he find me? I wanted to ask, but my eyelids were so heavy.
His hands engulfed mine. He was saying something, but the darkness closed in again.
* * *
I awoke again to the beeping sound.
This time, I opened my eyes. The cloud of confusion had lifted. I was lying on a hospital bed and Pat—my dear Pat—was in a chair next to my bed. He had his head on the railing. It looked like he might be sleeping.
I reached up and sunk my fingers into his hair. The movement woke him, and he lifted his head so fast it startled me.
“Jules!”
“Pat.” My voice was froggy. I tried to clear my throat.
He smiled at me, face melting with relief. “You’re alert this time.”
I nodded.
“Let me get you some water.” He reached toward the side table, grabbed a styrofoam cup with a straw, and held it up to my lips.
I took a big, long drink. Felt a lot better after that.
“Thank you.”
He reached for my hand. “How are you feeling? Are you in a lot of pain?”
“Should I be in pain?”
He huff-chuckled. His signature sound. “Ah, the drugs are working, I guess.”
“What happened to me?”
