“What does that mean?” Kate asked.
“It means they are in a vegetative state requiring round-the-clock care.”
“Oh.” Maggie breathed out the syllable as the news landed with a thud.
Kate leaned forward. “What are the statistical chances of that happening?”
The doctor just angled her head. “We’re not dealing in percentages now. We don’t know.”
“Any other possible outcomes?” Eli asked.
The doctor hesitated, as though giving them a half-second to process what she was going to say, even though Maggie could have predicted she’d save worst-case scenario for last.
“In some cases, patients with injuries like Mrs. Wylie’s do not regain consciousness at all when the sedation is withdrawn. We don’t see brain activity return. The body keeps doing its work, but the brain is not truly functioning, and the organs will shut down.” She looked at Kate. “Statistically, it’s the least likely of the four, but it is a possible outcome.”
Tessa’s hand reached for Kate’s, tears already spilling over her cheeks.
“I’m not going to give you false optimism,” the doctor added. “But we have reason to hope she’ll wake and have minimal brain damage.”
Reason, Maggie thought. Not “every reason” or any other glossy, hopeful, cheery thing. Just…reason.
“How many hours until she wakes up?” Tessa asked, a note of true Jo Ellen optimism in her voice.
“We really don’t know. Sometime tonight or overnight. We can only have one person in the room at a time, but you may keep someone posted around the clock if you like.”
They glanced at each other, all silent for a moment.
“If you have no other questions.” Dr. Halpern stood briskly. “We’ll get her prepped and started.” Her face softened as she looked from Tessa to Kate. “You’re her daughters, right?”
They both nodded and she gestured for them to get up.
“Come and give your mom a kiss for luck before we start.”
They smiled and followed her out of the room, leaving Eli and Maggie in the heavy silence.
“Oh, man.” Eli groaned and threaded his fingers through his hair, a familiar gesture that telegraphed his stress. “Long day ahead. You want me to take you home, Mom?”
“I want…” The door opened slowly, as if whoever was on the other side wasn’t sure they were allowed in.
“Hello?” a low man’s voice called.
Oh. She let out a small sound. Exactly what she wanted, to be honest. Orwho.
“Brick.” She took a quick step and opened the door. “You’re here.”
“Of course,” he said, reaching for her. “I figured you needed a friend.”
And the truth was, she’d never needed one more.
The hospital coffeeshop was busy at this hour, but somehow Brick found the perfect table with two comfortable chairs, bought coffee and pastries that Maggie would never in a million years order, but suddenly longed to eat.
“Thank you,” she said when he returned from the counter with a tray. “For this, and for coming. It was kind.”
He smiled, his blue eyes glistening. “I love Jo,” he said simply. “And this is what you do when a friend is in trouble.”
She opened the lid to her coffee and added a generous amount of cream even though she usually had it black. She needed comfort and, right now, it was in front of her in the form of a sweet bearded and tattooed man who’d probably arrived on two wheels.
“What’s the status?” he asked, then held up a hand. “Unless you don’t want to talk about it.”
