"See?She moved it!"Gray kissed her temple, tears streaming down his face.Could she be waking up?
The nurse pressed the call button; it had been right beside him all along.Gray was overwhelmed as he fumbled with Riley's now-soapy hair, and bubbles grew everywhere.
"Ohhh, Shanti, I'm so sorry!"Gray apologized, helpless as the mass of bubbles seemed to multiply.
"My dear, slow down!Let me clean this up."Shanti worked quickly, wringing out Riley's hair as Gray dried his hands and grabbed hold of Riley's hand again.After Shanti wrapped her head in a towel and removed the basin, she quietly left the room as Dr.Munson arrived.
"I hear we've got movement!"He clapped Gray on the shoulder."Tell me what happened."
Gray explained as the doctor flashed a penlight into Riley's eyes."There's movement here too!"Dr.Munson smiled."This is the breakthrough we've been waiting for."
He called for a reflex hammer, tapping on Riley's reflex points.Her body responded to each one."Incredible!She's not awake yet, but her body is waking up.Nurse, grab the pins; we'll do a quick pinprick test."
Gray watched, elated, as every test made her heart rate spike slightly on the monitor.Riley wasn't conscious, but her body was fighting to wake up.
"We'll be keeping a close eye on her now," Dr.Munson said, grinning at Gray."Though I'm not sure we can match your hawk-like vigilance."
"How are you feeling, by the way?You look much better."The doctor pushed Gray toward his own bed, knowing full well he'd crawl back into Riley's later.None of the staff had the heart to tell him to stop.They figured the contact would help them both.
As Gray glanced at Riley one last time before the doctor closed the curtain, he could've sworn he saw her foot move.
Wake up, my love.We're all waiting.
Chapter 90
Night visits
Twomoredayspassed,and each day, another part of Riley's body stirred.First, a toe twitched, then all her fingers.Her body worked hard to wake up, though her eyes remained closed.
Whenever anyone spoke to her, her heart rate would spike.She was there somewhere; she just couldn't seem to wake up.
The wait was agonizing for Gray.He left the hospital after Dr.Munson cleared him."There's no use staying here.Go home, get some actual sleep."
But Riley's parents were at his house, and there wasn't room for three.They had offered to find a hotel, but Marta insisted Gray stay at Riley's place and help her with Bear.
"He's just so much dog to take care of!"Marta exclaimed, though Gray knew Bear wasn't difficult at all.Still, he appreciated Marta's insistence.It gave him something to do, and he hated feeling so helpless just waiting for Riley to wake up.
Each night after visiting hours, Gray would sneak back into the hospital.The nurses would smile, turning a blind eye, and he'd slip into bed beside Riley, stroking her hair and whispering to her.He knew that on the mainland this would never happen.But here on the island, the staff knew Riley and cared for her deeply.
In the mornings, they'd greet Gray with a coffee and some Johnny cake before sending him home to catch some proper sleep.He'd never had the island specialty Johnny cake before but it had become a staple in his morning routine since discovering it, Gray felt a tightening in his chest thinking about how thoughtful the staff were to him even though he'd only been on the island for a short time.
On the third night, as Gray lay next to her, Riley sighed.He held his breath.Had he imagined it?Then she sighed again, her head turning onto his shoulder.
"Riles, can you hear me?"Gray whispered, holding her hand.He felt slight pressure.Was she squeezing his hand?He squeezed hers back.
Riley screamed.
Gray shot out of bed, panic surging through him.What was wrong?Nurses rushed in, eyes wide as Riley sat up in bed, screaming and crying.
"What happened?"one nurse shouted as she tried to calm Riley.
"I don't know!"Gray stammered, waving his hands in confusion."She was fine, and then—this!"He had no words for what was happening.
Riley had stopped screaming, but now she was sobbing, deep, gasping sobs.She clutched her head, and Gray's heart sank.Was she back underwater?Reliving the drowning?
The night doctor rushed in, his presence commanding."Status, nurse!"
"Patient woke up screaming approximately three minutes ago.No clear signs of pain, but possibly in shock," the nurse responded.
