Hallie nods.
“They’re coming up.”
“Do you want me to go?” she asks.
“You look tired. And Mia needs you.”
“Mia has Mom and Avery. I’d still be at work. I can sleep later.”
She doesn’t want to leave me. I get it. I’d be the same if it were her in this hospital bed. They’d have to get a PET Team to haul me out kicking and thrashing. I’d stay with her no matter what.
I answer her with the answer I know she needs right now. It’s full of truth, despite the fact that I know I should try to make her go take care of herself.
“I want you here, Hallie. Unless you need to go. Promise me you’ll tell me if you need to leave.”
“I promise. I want to be with you, though.”
“Okay.” I give her hand a soft squeeze.
She pulls her chair closer and tilts her head so it’s on my shoulder.
I reach my hand up—the one with the IV in it—and run it down her hair.
I almost sayI love you. The words are on my tongue like runners at their mark, poised and ready.
I don’t say anything. I can’t.
Hallie sighs when I run my hand down her hair again.
“Cody gave me the rest of the morning off,” she says. “And I’d be here even if he didn’t.”
“I’m not going to be great company with the pain meds they just gave me.”
“You’re the best company,” she says. “My favorite company on earth.”
About an hour later, a nurse and an orderly come into the cubicle. Hallie’s head is still resting on my bed. She’s breathing softly—dozing on and off. The nurse takes my vitals and then the orderly unlocks my bed.
“Ready for your tour of Waterford Regional?” he asks. “I’ll be your guide today. We’ll be passing through the ER and heading to the elevator banks. Then we’ll get a close-up glimpse of the nurse’s station and finish your grand tour in a room with a view.”
“Sounds good,” I say.
“Your wife can grab your personal effects,” he says.
Neither Hallie nor I correct him.
My wife. That was my plan. Eventually we’d tell Mia we’re dating. Then, when Mia seemed to have adjusted to the idea and the time was right, I was going to propose. If Hallie wanted to keep the house in town, I’d sell my property. If they wanted to move out here with me, we could end her lease.
Now, I don’t know if I was being shortsighted and selfish with those dreams. How can I ask them to be with me whenthere’s a strong chance I could be injured any given day—taken from them without notice?
My eyelids droop from exhaustion—maybe from the meds too. The pain in my leg is subsiding a bit.
I glance over at Hallie. “You’re beautiful.”
She giggles lightly. “Am I?”
“Soooo beautiful.” My voice sounds far away to my own ears.
I look at the orderly. “And you’re funny.”
