I can’t decide if I should leave or wait for her to come back. It’s been a couple of hours and I’m starting to get worried. Just then my phone rings. For some crazy reason, it reminds me of the phone call I got when my dad died. That same chilling feeling courses through my entire body.
“Hello?”
“Vincent. You need to listen carefully. Don’t panic. I’m on my way to get you now. Maggie’s been in a car accident. I don’t know anymore information than that. I was driving back to campus when I saw an ambulance pulling away from the scene. That’s when I noticed her car. I pulled over and asked one of the officers which hospital the paramedics are taking her too. I’m almost here. I’m not hanging up. Vince, you with me?”
My whole world just stopped. Maggie? Car accident? This can’t be happening. I can’t lose her. I try to choke out some sort of response, but come up empty. Because without her, that’s exactly how I feel.
“Vince, where are you? I’m at the dorms and I don’t see you anywhere.”
Suddenly my blood starts pulsing through my veins again. I need to get to her. Now. I look down at my phone, attempting to dial a number when I realize someone is on the line.
“What? Who is this?”
“It’s Asher. Where. Are. You.”
“I’m at Maggie’s. We were trying to work things out and she left. Oh God, I caused this. I made her leave Milford, I made her fall into your arms, I made her rush out of here because she can’t trust me. I did this. I ruined us. I ruined her.”
“Vincent, you didn’t do this. This is no one’s fault. Do you hear me?”
I don’t say anything else because I can’t. The ability to form coherent thoughts, let alone words, has left me. I stand still, numb, waiting for Asher. It’s not long before he’s at the door. I open it to find worry painted across his features.
“Let’s go. The hospital isn’t far. I’ve already been in touch with Heather. She said she would call Amanda and fill her in. I figured she’s known her the longest, so she’ll know what to do next.”
I feel like I’ve stepped out of my own skin. Nothing seems real. We pass the road crew, still cleaning up debris from the accident. It looks like it was bad. Very, very bad. Once we reach the hospital, I don’t wait for Asher to park the car, I jump out the first chance I get and run through the emergency doors.
“I’m looking for Maggie Wilson. A young girl brought here by ambulance very recently from a car accident.”
“Are you a family member?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see if I have any information.”
I wait impatiently at the counter, hoping and praying they can tell me something. Asher walks up beside me just minutes later.
“Anything?”
“Not yet.”
“I’m sorry but we don’t have any updates. All I can say is that she was brought in thirty-minutes ago and is currently being worked on by the doctors.”
“That’s it? That’s all you know? Isn’t there someone else you can talk to? Please, I need to know if she’s alright.” I’m pleading with this woman who doesn’t know Maggie. She doesn’t know how precious she is to me. How I would do anything for her.
“Come on, man. Let’s go sit down and wait.”
I look over at Asher. His face is somewhat reassuring in a time when we know absolutely nothing. So we sit. And wait.
Two hours later and still no news. Heather is here with us now, pacing the waiting room floors, while we all wait for an update. The nurse at the front desk has been zero help. It’s the not knowing that is killing me. I decide to step outside and call my mom. I don’t know if I should notify her Grandfather just yet considering we don’t know anything.
“Hello, Vincent. How are you?” I completely lose it once I hear her voice. I cry for a solid minute before I’m able to answer. I’m sure I scared the crap out of her.
“I’m sorry, mom. I’m okay. Well, not really. Maggie was in an accident. I’m at the hospital now but it’s been over two hours and we still haven’t gotten an update. We have no idea what’s going on and I don’t know if I should tell her Grandfather because we don’t know anything.” I start to cry again once I finish.
“Oh my God, Mijo. Not Maggie. What can I do? What do you need? I should come up there right now. You shouldn’t be alone.”
“I’m not alone. Asher and Heather are here. Friends of hers. I think Amanda is on her way. I’m not sure. I’m just worried about her Grandfather.”
“I think he needs to know but I don’t want to tell him over the phone. Tell me his address and I will go to his house. I would want to know the minute something happened if it were you.”
“But he lives like two hours away.”
“I know that. It doesn’t matter. Maggie is family and this is what we do for family.”
My mom is amazing. Her strength gives me a small sliver of hope. I’m glad she’s going to tell her Grandfather. She’s right. I would want to know as soon as it happened. I give her his address and walk back inside. I ask the nurse for any updates again. Once again, I’m told nothing.
“I’m sorry. I haven’t heard anything from the doctors. Please be patient, it means they are with her and unable to break away. She’s in good hands, sir.”
Another four hours pass with zero news other than she’s stable. I guess that’s something. I’ve already updated my mom. Tommy and Amanda walked in about a half hour ago. Now we’re all just sitting and waiting. Praying that Maggie survives this. At exactly 2:03 am, a doctor approaches our small group.
“Are any of you family members?”
“Yes.” We all say in unison because we are her family.
“Let me rephrase. Are any of you legally related to the patient?”
“Why does that matter? We’re here because we love her. Just tell us already what in the hell is going on!” Amanda shouts up at the doctor from her chair before bursting into tears.
“Please, she doesn’t have any living family except for a Grandfather in Ohio. He is very old and unable to travel at this time.” I’m surprised to hear Asher’s voice. I don’t think he’s spoken a word over the past two hours.
“I can give you an update but nothing more. She’s in stable condition. We have her in the ICU. That’s really all I can say.”
“Please, please tell us what happened? What’s wrong with her? Is she going to be alright?” I grab the doctor’s arm pleading with him to give me more. Something, anything to give me hope.
“I really shouldn’t be doing this.” He lets out a long sigh. “Are you telling me that neither parent is living?”
“Yes.” We answer in unison again.
“I’m going to need her Grandfather’s information so I can update him. I will let him make the decision as to what I can share with the rest of you.”
“Of course. I have his number right here. You can even use my phone.”
“I’d rather call from the hospital line in my office. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He turns around, walking down a long hallway before disappearing around a corner.
“This is pure agony. I need to know what’s going on. Why won’t they just tell us already?” I’ve really tried to hold it together. I have. But I’m reaching my breaking point. Tommy puts his hand on my shoulder.
“Just give him a few minutes to talk to her Grandfather. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.”
This has been the worst day of my entire life. At least when we lost my dad, we got the news quickly. There was no waiting around for the hospital staff to decide if we were technically family or not. I start to pace at the five-minute mark. No one gets in my way, they all just sit and stare at the double doors leading to the hallway the doctor disappeared down. After fifteen agonizing minutes, the doors push open. The doctor has returned with a chart in his hands.
“Maggie Wilson was brought in due to a vehicular trauma. The rotator cuff in her right shoulder is torn, she sustained four broken ribs, a fractured right tibia, a collapsed l
ung and a severe concussion. We were able to restore her lung but due to the massive injuries she suffered, we currently have her in a medically induced coma. This is the best way to allow her body time to recover. We feel that if she was to wake up now, the pain would be too much for her to bear. She is in the ICU and will remain there until we are able to bring her out of the coma. We anticipate that she will make a full recovery.”
I drop to my knees, thanking God for saving her life. Tears flow out uncontrollably as I feel several hands on my shoulders and my back, all rejoicing with me.
“When can we see her?” Amanda asks.
“I’m sorry but none of you will be allowed in the ICU. Only immediate family. We do have a waiting area that will be a bit more comfortable than the emergency room.”
“Please, you have to let me back there. I have to see her. She has to know that we’re all here. That we all love her and that we aren’t going anywhere.” I plead with the doctor.
“I’m afraid I can’t. It’s hospital policy.”
“But if she did have her parents here, they’d be allowed back, right?” Asher is the one to speak up this time.
“Yes. The patient can have one visitor at a time.”
“Listen here, I don’t give a damn what the hospital says, she doesn’t have anyone else. Can’t you see that? We’ve been here for hours; we’re all she has. Just let one of us go back to be with her. Please, man, have a heart.” Tommy says while squeezing my shoulder tighter than any vise grip imaginable.
“Please, I’m begging you. That girl lying in that hospital bed is my life. Without her, I don’t make sense. My life doesn’t make sense. I need her just as much as she needs me. We’ve followed all your rules; we haven’t pushed our way through those doors the entire night. I just need to be next to her. Please.”
“Fine. I will let you and only you into the ICU. The rest of you will have to wait in the waiting area until she wakes up and has the strength for more company. Follow me.”
I get up off my knees, wipe the tears from my eyes, and head down the long hallway behind the doctor. Apprehension coursing through my body, anticipation building with each step. But nothing could have prepared me for what I saw next.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
This part of the hospital is eerily quiet. Like death is creeping around every corner, waiting for its opportunity to seize life. The doctor leads me to the last room down a short hallway. I see huge glass doors that slide open once we reach her room. It reminds me of the doors downstairs leading into the emergency room.
The space is small. There is a chair next to her bed but not much else. I take a deep breath before looking at her tiny, broken body in the huge white, hospital bed. She looks completely shattered. Her head is wrapped in gauze, her shoulder is in a sling, her leg is in a cast, and she has a breathing tube shoved down her throat. She has a few bruises on her face, her arms and I’m sure many more under her hospital gown. I step slowly over to her fragile frame.
“Can I touch her?”
“Yes but be very careful. For now, maybe just her hand. Sometimes patients respond to the touch of a loved one. I’ll leave you alone for now. Visiting is limited to two hour increments so the patient can rest.”
He walks out of the room without another word. I sit down next to Maggie, looking over all the injuries her body has sustained. I reach down, touching her fingers gently with mine. I start to rub small circles on her palm before lifting her hand gently to my lips. I place a soft kiss on each delicate finger. I wrap my warm hand around her cold, pale skin. Holding her the only way I can. I sit like this, not moving an inch until the doctor comes back in the room.
“You’ll have to step out now. She needs to rest.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Please don’t make me call security.”
“Didn’t you say she’s in a coma? So what does it matter if I’m here or not? Just please let me stay.”
“Let me check her vitals before agreeing.” He’s a short, stocky man with black hair and a stern look on his face. His expression screams professionalism but his eyes show a tiny fragment of empathy.
After several minutes of waiting patiently, watching him read print outs from the multiple machines hooked up to Maggie, he finally relents. “She seems to have improved slightly since you entered the room. For that reason alone, you can stay.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. If there are any negative changes in her status, you will be removed. Understood.”
“Yes, sir.”
I haven’t talked to her yet. I think my mind has been in shock. I just want to sit next to her, taking in everything about her injuries, trying to understand how she can possibly heal from everything she’s endured. I can’t take it anymore. After losing count of how many bruises, bumps and scrapes cover her body, I gently bring her hand back to my lips.
“Magnolia, I love you. Please come back to me.”
Over the next three days, I sit and wait. I watch her chest rise and fall, I listen to the rhythmic sound of the machines breathing for her, I watch nurse after nurse check her vitals. I’ve only left the room to update everyone camped out in the waiting area. Every time I leave her, it feels like I just left a piece of myself in that ICU room. Amanda forced me to eat a protein bar on the second day. Then Tommy ordered pizza today saying we’re celebrating Maggie being brought out of the coma. But I can’t eat a single bite until I know she’s really okay.
The doctor put his foot down when it was time to start the process, forcing me into the waiting room with everyone else. We look like a pretty sad bunch. The girls have gone back to Maggie’s to shower and eat a few times, dragging Tommy along with them each time but they still look exhausted. I have to give Asher credit. He’s been here almost as much as me. There are text books spread out over the entire room but no one is really looking at them.
I’ve been staring at the same empty pizza box for the past hour waiting on the doctor to let me back in Maggie’s room. The waiting is the worst feeling. He told us that it’s a slow process, they start to wean her off the medication slowly, watching her brain activity and monitoring her closely to be sure her body is ready. He also told us it could be anywhere from 12-72 hours before she wakes up. This has been pure torture. I just want to see her eyes open, hear her voice, feel her hand squeeze mine back. I can’t sit here anymore.
“I’m going to step outside and give my mom a call. Come get me if anything changes.”
“We will.” Asher looks up at me with his tired eyes and wrinkled clothing. He offers a small smile of reassurance. He knows how much I hate leaving the hospital for any reason. Maybe the fresh air will do me some good. I walk out the doors that lead to a garden on the east side of the building. It’s still freezing out here but the tall walls help protect you, at least a little, from the blistering wind.
“Vincent, is everything okay? How’s Maggie?”
“Hi mom. She’s doing good. They’re reducing her medication so they can bring her out of the coma. We should know how she’s responding soon. How is everything there? How’s her Grandfather?” My mom hasn’t left his side since the accident.
“As good as it can be. I know it’s hard to be there waiting but it’s even harder to be here waiting for the phone to ring. Joe is getting antsy. I think he wants to come up and see her.”
“I think that would be good for both of them. But maybe wait a couple more days. The doctor said it will take time for her to wake up after being in the coma. I promise to try and call more often. I know it’s hard for you both not to be here. I wish I had better news. But right now it’s a waiting game.”
“I understand, Mijo. I know you want to be with her as much as possible. Don’t worry about us. Just focus on her. I’m sure she knows your there.”
“Thanks, mom. I’m going to head back in. It’s already been a couple of hours since they started the process and I’m hoping they let me back in her room soon.”
“I will. Love you too, Mom. I’ll call later.”
I head back into the warmth of the building, longing for some good news. When I walk in the waiting room, I get a sad smile from every single person. That can only mean there hasn’t been any updates. I sit down next to Tommy, leaning my elbows on my knees and resting my face in the palm of my hands.
“Why don’t you go home and shower? Maybe try and eat something?”
“You know I’m not going anywhere.”
It’s not the first time one of them has tried to convince me to leave.
“I had a feeling you’d say that. I talked to one of the nurses and she said you can use a shower in one of the empty rooms. Asher brought you some clean clothes to change into. I’ll come get you if we hear anything. I’m sure Maggie will appreciate it if you take a shower. Your kind of starting to smell.”
“Thanks, man. Maybe a shower will make me feel a little better. Plus, it’s something to pass the time. I hate being in this room, so far away from her.”
“I know. I can’t even imagine if it was Amanda lying in that bed.”
I get up slowly, taking the small bag of clothes from Tommy. There’s an older nurse working the station today, I’ve seen her a few times. She isn’t one of Maggie’s but she seems to know who I am. She tells me that the first room on the right is empty and that I can shower in there. I thank her and head into the darkness. After finding the light switch, I see a small room off to the side. I turn the water on and climb in, letting the warmth sooth my aching body. I haven’t really slept in three days and my body is starting to feel the effects of sitting on a tiny chair in her room. Because you aren’t supposed to be camped out in the ICU, they don’t offer any pull out beds for family members. It doesn’t matter anyway. I don’t think I could sleep even if I wanted to.
Sublime Forgiveness (Sublime Series Book 3) Page 19
