Finding Our Course: Collision Course Duet

by Ahren Sanders

“You aren’t seriously going to write a letter to the president, are you?” I question her.

  “Hell yeah. He needs to know that there are some incompetent people on his ships. No offense, Nate.”

  He sighs and looks at me. “Is she for real?”

  “Who knows?” I bite my tongue, trying not to laugh at his expression.

  For the last three hours, Quinn has done her best to get our minds off waiting to hear news. There’s still an edge of tension floating around the room, but her efforts are working to a degree. Even Sheila and Dave have cracked a small smile. Her latest effort is to write the ‘boss’ of the Navy and explain their erroneous actions reporting the wrong sailor hurt.

  Poor Morgan has only spent a few hours around us before today, and he’s probably regretting his decision to stay. Crystal, on the other hand, is encouraging Quinn in her endeavors to lighten the mood. I watch as every time she looks at him, his eyes melt. Even with my growing anxiety, I’m happy for them.

  “Randolph family?” An older man in green scrubs comes in, and we all stand.

  “Yes,” Dave answers.

  The man looks around the room, questioning the number of true family members.

  “I’m Dr. Crabtree, Bryce’s surgeon. Can I speak with the parents in the hallway?”

  A whimper slips through my lips, and Quinn is at my side in an instant.

  “Dr. Crabtree, we can speak freely here,” Dave answers.

  The doctor nods and takes the cap off his head. “Bryce had very little bleeding in the brain. We drained it, but there is still swelling. His lobes look good, but we will watch for memory loss and motor skill functions. There was more swelling on his pituitary gland, but we think that is from the impact. We set his collarbone and the fracture in his shoulder. The burns are superficial and will heal in a few days.”

  “This sounds positive.” Shelia speaks up and reaches for my hand. I walk to her side and hold on.

  “Yes, but the next forty-eight hours are critical to watch his reaction after the surgery. We’ve tried to wake him, but he’s still not responding. He was extremely agitated, and his blood pressure kept spiking. We had to sedate him more than I liked.”

  “So he’s probably drowsy. He’ll come out of it,” Dave pointedly states.

  “No, Bryce is in a coma. He’s semi-responding, but this could go either way. He could slip deeper or start to wake up.”

  “He flexed his fingers and moved his eyes earlier with Devon,” Nate breaks in. “He was responsive then.”

  The doctor’s eyes scan the room and land on mine. “Are you Devon?”

  I’m so scared I can’t answer, but Sheila answers for me. “She is.”

  “Then I suggest you keep talking to him. If he was reactive to you then that’s a good sign.”

  My heart flips in my chest. Pressure builds, and I lose my footing. Morgan catches me and whispers how I need to be strong. Instantly, I strengthen and stand tall.

  “When can we see him?” I ask with a solid sense of purpose.

  “In about an hour. He’ll be in ICU for at least a day. Then we’ll re-evaluate,” Dr. Crabtree answers and looks at Sheila and Dave. “I’d like to speak to the parents alone.”

  Shelia lets go of my hand, and she and Dave follow him to the hall. I turn around and face my family and friends.

  “We need to get a plan together. I’m staying here—no matter what.”

  “Tell me, sista.” Quinn takes out a pen and pad.

  “Sheila and Dave need reservations at a hotel nearby.”

  “Done.”

  “My parents, too.”

  “Done.”

  “Morgan and Crystal need a place to stay for a day or so.”

  Morgan breaks in, “I can handle it.”

  “I need—”

  “Devon,” my mom stops me. “We got it. Your job is Bryce.”

  “I hate to tell you, but when the ship gets here, this hospital will crowd with visitors. Regardless of his visitation rules,” Nate speaks up.

  “I’ll help,” Jamie tells him, and my mom’s head swings to her. “I can be the mediator.”

  Mom’s eyes bulge out of her head and then start to swell. I finally see what Nate refers to as rainbows and unicorns. Mom loves the idea of ‘love’.

  We talk and plan a little more until Sheila and Dave walk in, their faces blank.

  “The doctor said we can see him two at a time,” Sheila tells us. “Then the nurse tried to convince us that he’s stable and we should go get some rest. They’ll take care of him tonight.”

  “Bullshit,” I think I whisper until Quinn starts to snort.

  My eyes meet Sheila’s, and she grins. “That’s what I told her.”

  “No way is he going to be alone.”

  “Count me in,” Nate agrees and sits back, resting his hands behind his head.

  I’m sure the nurse had good intentions, but she’s stuck with us.

  Chapter 33

  “Devon,” a hushed voice calls my name. “Sweetie, you need to wake up.”

  I bury my face in the warm blanket and try to block out the sound.

  “Devon.” This time, a hand rubs my arm until I open my eyes.

  It takes a few seconds to focus, and I remember where I am. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, there’s no change. It’s time for my assessment. You should step into the waiting room,” the nurse tells me.

  I scoot my chair back and step away from Bryce’s bed. He looks so peaceful lying there, but the sound of the machines reminds me he’s not asleep. He’s still in a coma. The ache in my chest returns, and I catch the nurse watching me cautiously.

  “What’s your name?” I ask her.

  “Cindy.”

  “Are you his nurse for the rest of the night?” I look at my watch and see it’s midnight, which means I’ve been asleep for about forty-five minutes.

  “Yes.”

  “If I promise to stay out of your way, do you think me and my brother can stay in here while you do your assessments?” I point to Nate, who is asleep in the recliner. “He just fell asleep and has been with Bryce since the accident. I’d hate to wake him up and go to the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting room.”

  She looks between Nate and me, and her face fills with understanding.

  “You have to stay back there.” She points to the wall.

  I nod and kiss Bryce’s cheek lightly before standing back. While she works, I send a quick message to everyone that there’s no change.

  Once Bryce was moved, we all took turns coming to see him. After six hours of alternating visits, I could see the exhaustion and worry starting to take its toll on everyone. The parents got hotel rooms close to the hospital, but Nate insisted Quinn, Crystal, and Morgan stay at the townhouse. They tried to talk me into going with them to sleep for a few hours, but I refused to leave. Nate agreed with me and said we’d take the first night with Bryce. It took a lot of convincing, but Shelia and Dave finally agreed to go and sleep for a few hours if I promised to send them updates. So far, there was nothing to tell them, but I sent messages anyway.

  After twenty minutes, Cindy gives me a small smile and motions me back to the bed.

  “How is he?” I slide my hand under his.

  “No change. The doctors will want to run a few tests in the morning to look at his brain activity.”

  “Is that normal?”

  “Yes, especially if they plan to move him.”

  “Have you been doing this long, Cindy?”

  “I’ve been a nurse for twenty-nine years.”

  “Have you worked with a lot of patients in Bryce’s condition?”

  “Too many to count.”

  “How can I help him?”

  “Keep doing what you’re doing. Touch him, talk to him, make sure he’s as comfortable as possible.”

  “Can he hear me? Can he feel me?”

  “Opinions vary, but I think so.”

  “It doesn’t seem like enough.” My voic
e breaks. “I want to do everything in my power for him.”

  “So far, you’re doing it.” She pats me on the arm and leaves.

  I sink back into the chair and scoot in as close as possible. Carefully, I lay my head next to his ear. “Bryce, I love you so much. Can you hear me?” I whisper, trying not to wake Nate. Nothing happens, and I lean my head against his temple, fighting the urge to break down.

  For the rest of the night, I talk about nothing specific, only stopping when Cindy comes in to check on him. Finally, I drift to sleep with my arms wrapped gently around him.

  “Dev, I’ll stay with him the whole time. You need to get some rest in a real bed,” Nate pleads with me, and I continue to refuse.

  “Not happening.”

  “We agreed he’d never be alone, not that you’d be here around the clock. You’re exhausted and need a decent meal.”

  I cut my eyes and shoot him an evil glare. “Stop trying.”

  “I promise if he so much as twitches, I’ll call you.”

  “Nate, I can’t leave him. If he wakes up and I’m not here, it’ll kill me. He needs me.”

  “He’ll kill you if he opens his eyes and sees you right now. Seriously, you look like you need your own hospital bed.”

  I run my hands through my ratty ponytail and know he’s right. I must look like shit. It’s been two days since Bryce was moved to his own room, and I haven’t left his side for more than ten minutes. I’ve been sleeping in the recliner, unless Sheila and Dave need it, and then I go to the side of his bed and lay my head down. Usually, I prefer to be close, but it annoys the nurses when they come in. Even though we’ve gotten to know each other, I try to respect their space.

  “I’ll make you a deal.” I get up and go to my bag in the corner. “If you promise to stay right here the whole time, I’m going to take a shower—a real one, where my hair gets washed and legs shaved. Then, if Sheila and Dave are here, I’ll go to the cafeteria and get a sandwich with you.”

  “Can we eat it down there? Give you a change of scenery?”

  “Don’t push your luck. We’ll eat it up here, and maybe the smell of food will make him realize he’s hungry and wake up.” I chuckle at my clever thinking.

  Nate nods and turns on the TV while I go to the small bathroom. For the first time in days, I allow myself time to enjoy the pounding of the hot water on my aching neck and back. Washing my hair and shaving my legs feels like a luxury. When my skin starts to wrinkle, I force myself out and go through the routine of dressing in a clean sweat suit and putting on some make up. Nate’s voice drifts through the door as he tells Bryce about the rankings in the NCAA Basketball tournament.

  My mind flashes to last year when we all watched the tournament together, and the familiar ache clutches in my chest. God, I wish I could crawl up in Bryce’s lap and watch the tournament for hours while he holds me.

  “You done in there?” Quinn’s voice interrupts my thought as she knocks softly on the door.

  “Yes.” I open it and walk out. She’s not alone. Our whole group has crowded in the small room.

  “You look and smell a lot better.”

  “I wasn’t that bad.” I try to defend myself but realize she is probably right. “Okay, maybe I was.”

  “We made a plan this morning. Your parents are coming with us back to Charlottesville. I’ll pack you some more clothes, and anything you need for school, and they’ll drive your car back.”

  “That’s a good idea. I’ll text you a list of things I need. I’ve already emailed all my professors, and they’ve understood. Most of my stuff can be done electronically.”

  “I’ll send all my notes for as long as you need,” Crystal offers.

  My mom walks up and puts an arm around my shoulder, tugging me gently into her. “We’ll be back in a few days. You need me, anytime, you call.”

  “Okay.”

  We say our goodbyes, and Sheila and Dave stay behind while Nate takes me downstairs. Before we get to the cafeteria, I see the blanket of snow on the ground outside and guide him toward the door. When we step outside, I pull my hoodie up and cross my arms. Even though I’m freezing, the fresh air is welcomed.

  “I wonder if the fresh air would help Bryce? Maybe that’s exactly what he needs.”

  “If you think the hospital staff is going to let you wheel him out here in the twenty degree weather, you’re crazy,” Nate informs me.

  “I know. It was only a thought. I’d do anything if I knew it’d help.”

  “Come here.” He holds his arms out and then closes me into his warm body. “I love him, too. We’ll get through this. Remember, the doctors said his brain is healing itself, and we can’t rush it.”

  “What if they’re wrong? What if he stays like this forever?”

  “He won’t.”

  “How do you know? He hasn’t moved in three fucking days!”

  “Devon.”

  “No, Nate, you don’t know what I do. I’ve been researching online, and there is a myriad of outcomes, most of them not good.”

  “What the fuck? Myriad of outcomes? What sort of bullshit have you been reading?”

  “I googled brain injuries, and there are hundreds of thousands of articles on short term and long term complications. Amnesia, paralysis, loss of bodily functions to name a few. The longer he lays there, not responding, the greater the chances I’ll lose my Bryce!” People walking by glance our way as my voice gradually becomes louder. I duck my head in embarrassment, but the possibilities race through my mind.

  “Researching online? You know better than that! Are these the same sites that said you had MRSA because of an infected mosquito bite?”

  “It was scary!”

  “The same sites that convinced Quinn she had a brain tumor because she had had a migraine.”

  “It was a bad migraine, and she had it for more than four hours.”

  “The same sites that—”

  “Stop!” I hold up my hand to his face. “I get your point, but I had to do something. The doctors aren’t telling us anything.”

  “The doctors are telling us what they can. This is not cut and dry, Devon! Is this what you’ve been doing at night? Staying up and filling your head with a bunch of crazy shit?”

  I stare at the ground not answering.

  “I’m scared. He’s more than my best friend.”

  For the first time since arriving, I think about how this affects Nate. His fear and uncertainty are clear from his tone.

  “I’m a selfish bitch.” I cling back to his arms. “You’re hurting, too.”

  “Yeah, but I get where you’re coming from. Just don’t lose sight that other people love him, too, especially his parents.”

  “I know that!” I step back, completely offended. “Why would you say that to me?”

  “Because the same thing you’re thinking is most likely on their minds as well.”

  “Oh, God, I didn’t think of that. I’ve been too lost in my own head.”

  He stays quiet and lets me process what exactly has been going on around me. Realization comes crashing down and hits me square in the face. An idea pops into my head, and I grab Nate’s arm and drag him back into the hospital.

  “Come on.”

  “Where we going?”

  “First stop is the gift shop. Then you’re buying me lunch while Sheila and Dave visit with Bryce. After that, you’re going back to your place to pick up the list I’m making for you.”

  He gives me a grin and follows obediently.

  By the time I get back to the room, Dave has dozed off in the recliner and Sheila is sitting on the side of the bed reading. She raises an eyebrow and looks between me and the bags I’m carrying.

  “Did you go shopping?”

  “Kinda, although my selection was limited.”

  She watches me closely as I unload playing cards, magazines, snacks, and the only board game the gift shop had.

  “I’m sorry, Sheila. I’ve never acknowledged how scared you mu
st be. It was selfish.”

  “Sweetheart, it wasn’t selfish. We know how much you love him.”

  “Yes, but so does everyone else, too. So, starting now, we’re going to change our tactics. This room isn’t going to be sad and solemn.” I unwrap the cards and wave them in front of her. “Will you teach me some card games?”

  She smiles for the first time in days, and her eyes brighten. “I’d be happy to.”

  “Nate will be back with Jamie in a few hours. This afternoon, we’re watching the basketball games. I want Bryce to hear what’s happening.”

  Her smile widens. “The guys will love that.”

  “Then we need to get ready. The ship arrived today. Nate’s already fielding calls. I suspect we’ll start getting visitors soon.”

  “Should we prepare the nurses?”

  “Nate has strict orders while he’s out. One of those is to bring back the biggest fruit and chocolate baskets he can find. So I’m sure he’s already called Jamie to help.” I giggle, remembering the look on his face.

  “Good call.”

  “Now, I want to know how to play poker, so I can beat Bryce when he wakes up.” I hand her the cards and settle on the edge on the bed.

  While she shuffles and deals, I reach over and bring Bryce’s hand to my lips. “Time to get up, baby. You’ve slept long enough.”

  I don’t know what I expected, but like all the other times, he gives me no response.

  Chapter 34

  “So after we have the third child, I’m calling it quits. And then, of course, we’ll need the five bedroom Victorian home I’ve been dreaming about. At that point, we’ll also need a guest house because our parents will be around all the time. You can have a man cave if you promise to keep a wine cooler stocked at all times for me and my craziness.

  “Okay, enough daydreaming. Time for studying.” I reach inside my bag and get out my laptop to review the notes Crystal and Quinn scanned and emailed. “I’d read them to you out loud, but you’d never want to wake.”

  The words mix together, and my eyes start to cross, so I decide to take a break and call Quinn.

  “He up?” she asks in greeting.

  “Not yet but anytime now. How are you?”