Once we’re outside, with Ceres nearby, I put the phone back to my ear. “Hi, what’s up?”
“Sorry darling. I know you’re at the game, but I just got the most incredible phone call and had to tell you right away.”
“Oh, what about?”
“When we met, I put feelers out to various medical groups about Jake, and I got a call from a research center in Charlotte a few minutes ago. They have a new experimental treatment they believe could work on Jake and want to include him in their trials.”
“Oh my goodness, Zander.” I lean up against the wall and look over at Alex. He looks curious, but says nothing. “Are you sure? How much do they know about his condition?”
“They know what you and I know. They've had success waking up patients like Jake, who have no known damage, but the RAS (reticular activating system) isn’t functioning. If we’re interested, they want to transfer him next week. Can you contact his dad?”
A whoop leaves me. Help for Jake! I can’t believe it! “Zander, this is amazing. You are the best. I’ll call him right now,” I reply,hanging up and finding Ray’s number in my contacts. I call and leave a message since he didn’t answer. “Alex, Zander found a new experimental treatment for Jake that works in Charlotte. They want to move him next week,” I say excitedly.
Alex breaks out in a huge grin. “That is wonderful, Summer. I am so happy for you.”
Taking his hand, I pull him back into the gym and share the news with Bay, who is elated, too. I wish I could tell Nick about it, which deflates me a little, but I try not to dwell on that. My Jake may wake up! Geez, I need to be realistic, though. There’s no guarantee this will work, and I don’t actually know anything about the treatment yet, but it’s a chance. A chance that didn’t exist before. I’m feeling a little giddy.
Anxiously waiting for halftime so I can call Mal, I watch Seb and E on the court. It’s hard to concentrate on the game because we're winning by 20 points. Finally, the buzzer sounds, and I motion for Alex and Ceres to walk with me again.
Since the day is warm, I head outside the building. Mal answers right away with concern as to why I’m calling again. I explain about the research center in Charlotte, and she’s as overjoyed as I am for Jake. I promise to call as soon as I hear more. Next, I call Sue and let her know. I am practically bouncing after my calls, turning to see Alex smiling at me. “What?”
“I do not know if I have ever seen you this happy.”
“Oh. Well, it’s been rough lately.” The loss of Nick haunts me daily.
Nodding, he suggests we go back inside before the second half starts. I follow him back to our seats just as the buzzer sounds. Seb catches my eye and raises an eyebrow at me, but I smile back to let him know everything's okay.
When the game's over, we say goodbye to Penny as we wait for Seb and E. As soon as I see them coming our way, I practically skip down the stands. “Guys, Zander got Jake into an experimental trialin Charlotte. They believe they can wake him, and want him moved there next week,” I say, beaming from ear to ear.
Seb grabs me in a bouncing hug. “Amazing news, Sunshine. When do we leave?”
A joyous laugh bursts from me. “I don’t know. I left a message for Jake’s dad. He has to approve it, but I can’t imagine he’d say no.”
“I’m happy for you and Jake Summer,” E says.
“Thanks, E.” I give him a small smile.
Zander texts me the name of the facility when I ask, so I research it online after Ceres drops me home. When Ray calls later in the evening, I explain about the research trial, and he promises to call them tomorrow morning. I don’t think he believes it’s possible to wake Jake, and is humoring me, but as long as he talks to them, I don’t care.
I’m anxious the next morning, waiting to hear from Ray. I’ve cleaned the house, harvested from the garden, and baked cookies. All the guys are busy today, and Zander is cutting the grass. I tried working on the herbal course and doing homework, but I can’t concentrate. Finally, when I think I’m going to burst out of my skin, the phone rings. “Hello?”
“Hi Summer. It’s Ray. How are you?”
“Good. Did you talk to them?” I ask anxiously, pacing in front of the kitchen island.
Ray chuckles at me. “Yes, I did. I forwarded all of Jake’s medical records to the research lead first thing this morning. I just got off the phone with her a few minutes ago. After reviewing Jake’s files, she thinks Jake is an excellent candidate for their trial.”
“Oh my gosh, Ray. This is so amazing! When is Jake being moved? How long before they wake him? I need to book my flight.”
Ray is laughing now. “Calm down. He’ll need special transport from Charlotte to Virginia, and I don’t know how long that will take to arrange. Then, they need to run their own tests on Jake before the trial. I was given the name of a medical transport company, so I’ll call them Monday. But Summer, this will be a long journey even if it works, you understand that, correct?”
“Of course I do. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, Ray, if we get Jake back. Whatever you need, you let me know, okay? Zander has a small plane here if we need it, and he’s a pilot.”
“I will, Summer, and thank you, sincerely. I had given up hope of ever talking to my son again. I check every so often for new treatments, but I never would have heard of this research if it weren’t for you and Zander because it's privately funded. You’ll hear from me on Monday with an update, okay?”
“Okay Ray. I have a good feeling about this,” I reply before hanging up.
Outside, I find Zander in the front yard on the ride-on mower. Waving my arms to catch his attention, he stops the blades when I jog over. “Ray finally called. The head researcher went over Jake’s medical records and they think he’s a perfect candidate. They want him flown there right away,” I tell him, hugging him as best I can while he’s sitting on the ride-on. “Thank you so much, Zander.”
