From Sleep May Come: Contemporary Romance

by Julie Miller

  Nurse Ovid asked if Michael was fine. No particular response in words. Ovid forced a friendly smile and made his way back to the nurse station. Nobody liked to be ignored. More work was to be done.

  GOOD MORNING. LA, LA, NA… GOOD MORNING. A performance from the phone’s alarm clock rang as it caught the janitor’s attention. It was positively great to acknowledge that this hospital did have a janitor on staff. Pee stains came into his first thought once he knew his shift was over for the day. “Excuse me, there is pee on the tile in room 321. You might want to wait until the parents leave.” Not being sure whether the Mexican lady understood any form of English. The lonely doctor headed to his locker to collect his winter coat. Thinking about a nap. One very uncontrollable heck of a long nap that was similar to the length of the Great Wall of China, which included a grown mad and depression. Michael knew he would cry himself to sleep again as he had during the previous nights. Most likely, Michael had felt incredibly happy to have gotten through his first day at the new hospital. He felt accomplished like a politician getting over a successful debate.

  Opening the thick wooden door, the lonely doctor opened his grey metal locker. Collecting his things, he smiled and yawned. The winter sun brighten the tiny locker room. Michael stared at his phone and noticed that he had missed one call. Clicking on the voice mail box button, he refreshed another yawn. Della had lefted her soon in law a voice mail explaining that she wanted news about her daughter. She could have easily ringed the behavioral health institution. So why didn’t she? Right, because she was a grieving mother. If she was going to hear any bad news on Sam’s mental mind then dang it, she would hear it from a familiar voice. The phone went back into the pants pocket. Michael felt something hard in his back pants pocket. He slipped and touched with fascination. March 12, 1998. Samantha placed a note in his pocket as she had done since they had gotten married. The honeymoon in Hawaii was perfect. The sky was combined with orange, white, yellow and some blue. No rain.

  Leaving her newly wedded husband every morning treated to be a tormenting disaster. As he stepped foot on the subway, she would call him immediately, letting him know just how much she loved him. March 13 had arrived around 9 AM when Michael woke up. He was running tardy for work. No mister, no way you’re leaving me yet, Samantha said as he drank his coffee. They were both standing at the kitchen marble countertop. Michael ditched his dark caffeine and carried Samantha onto the counter. He positioned his arms around her lower back for a collection of a dozen pecks. “One peck for here, and one for right here and more, more, here. I can spend my life doing nothing more besides kissing you. I would gladly.” The younger Michael said to his newly independent wife. Samantha delighted him all the way to the bed as they tried not to rush on their way there. Michael was in a fast rush.

  He never knew that Samantha had put a charming little note in his pocket after their love session. It was remembered vividly, he had been so worried because he did not want to get fired for being late on his second week at the hospital. Every doctor had to be respected, this meant no being tardy. Not even slightly. Samantha was sitting on the toilet as her husband was taking a misty shower. She told him that she was pregnant. Michael had gone excited. He walked out of the shower with the shower water still playing its role. He kissed her, as he wore nothing but nudity. Kissing her, like he promised he would every day of his life from their wedding vows. It was all touchy and feely romance, of course. He, the nude husband went back underneath the warm water and closed the sliding door. He shouted, “YES!”

  Samantha blushed, pulled her pajamas back on. Sam had recalled the fuzziness she had recently experienced with her husband. So she had to blush more often. And she joyfully ran into the kitchen with an optimistic soul. Singing the tunes of a popular band at the time:

  I got you

  You got my soul

  Come to me

  Lets rock n’ roll

  Oh yeah, yeah

  Rock with me

  Mrs. Randall searched for a clean pan to use in order to make eggs. The stove went warmly hot. It was dark red like a heating fire one may have expected on a barbecue grill. The eggs on the pan were doing their magic, scrambled eggs. She proudly found the orange juice and dipped half a glass into the clear mug. Not having much patience, she gathered two forks and began eating the pre- heating eggs before they were completely finished. Michael literally ran into the kitchen and kissed his wife for the last time in one morning. Everything was a happy fairy tale ending. He had the woman, career, looks and a baby on the way. He would be a father. It was weird to actually consider the endless possibilities. Changing a diaper, teaching the baby how to talk or walk. His first words would be related to medical relations. It had to be. Specifically, the words would define knowledge. Medicine, glove, IV, care, patient and prescription must be the words his dearly beloved son would know when he would begin to pronounce words. Would a baby be capable of pronouncing words like that?

  Learning milestones began while the baby was to be in the mother’s womb. It all mattered. There were important rules in raising an intelligent child. Play light classical tunes, avoid stress, talk to the baby and let him know that he is special. When he is delivered then start expressing the alphabet, colors, shapes, animals and simple names. Samantha had admitted that she wanted her baby boy to grow at his own pace. But Michael knew that he would be sure to make sure Kurtis was ahead of his classmates. Maybe he would have been two entire classes ahead of his actual age range. Why and how? Well, any son of Michael’s would certainly be impressive with a capital I.

  Medical Proportions

  A new nurse in training named Summer Gonzales volunteered to keep a close eye on the patient in room 321. She had been told that the parents in the hospital room were slightly insane. They argued about who caused what and why. The father ran screaming out into the room as he nodded his head in furious anger. A father gone mad because some fool decided to run over his daughter for whatever reason. Rachel was sweet as can be and specifically more or so, she did not deserve to be in a nasty coma. Rachel Abram would stick this out but when would she actually wake up, was the important question everyone wanted to know.

  “Mrs. Abram? Can I get you a popsicle?” Fear in her tone made her look tiny like a preschool child. Similar to a teacher’s pet because she knew that her fellow peers were cheating on a serious important test but she feared to actually tell the truth. Preventing any rash emotion was the right direction to go.

  “No whoever you are. I don’t think eating will ever be possible when my daughter is on a breathing machine.” Diane had gone stiff.

  “I’ll be out here if you want me.” Summer offered.

  Diane Abram opened her mouth afterwards. “He blames me, you know. He thinks that I caused the car accident. I was the one to give her the keys. I swear to you that I did not know a seizure would come. It is my fault? I saw she put her inhaler in my back seat. I put it in the glove compartment. I had just cleaned my car and she knows I don’t like messy stuff. So that’s why I put it in there.”

  Summer was taught how to comfort worried family members when she had been in nursing school. This would be her first experience calming a parent. “No. No. No. It is not your fault a seizure came. People with a set of those kinds of sensitive lungs have seizures all the time on a daily basis. Maybe your husband is worried like you. Once Rachel wakes up because she will. Then you will be happy again.” Nurse Gonzales sounded convincing.

  Diane starred at her daughter who had cuts all over her face. She wondered if they would ever subside. “Yup. I guess.”

  Summer walked over to the troublesome mother and rubbed her shoulder to assure comfort that was seen in the distance. Who was a nurse to make a promise to a patient’s parents without truly knowing what would be the determined fate. Little Miss. Sunshine had passion for caring for others. It was the main reason why she decided to leave a customer service job. Her bravery led her to a cheap community college just within four miles from her
apartment. Treating people involved a personal thrill that continued to progress in different areas of life. Being a doctor would have been better too. Though, a person like Summer was too scared to be responsible for a life. Maybe she was fooling herself to tell a patient’s mother that her child would be safe. The wellness would protect her after a couple of months. It almost always did.

  The lonely doctor found something to be proud about in months since he last visited his unhealthy mental wife. A new nurse brought interest into his day. He would hopefully no longer need to work with that bossy nurse who did not own any manners nor even temperament towards her boss. Pushing the elevator button to 3. Waiting for the doors to open. Another doctor was in the elevator. “So how you’re liking it here?”

  “Excuse me? I like it a lot. Thanks.” How did this doctor know about his situation? Was he loosing his mind, Michael thought without making a strange awkward scene. It seemed that people were reading his mind with super powers, which was completely unacceptable. The door opened and Michael walked forward as he gave the other doctor no more thought.

  “What’s new, Taylor?” Michael asked in gleeful cheer.

  “Everything’s good. We have a new nurse again.” Taylor said as she wrote down something on a blank sheet of paper.

  Michael had already known of the situation. He was thrilled to meet this new nurse. “I know. Where is she?”

  “Umm. Room 321.” Taylor finally looked up from her paper and she noticed that the usual sad doctor was smiling.

  “Why?” The lonely doctor was curious. Taylor Springs did not know what to say.

  Michael walked straightly to the latest new patient on his floor before he went to his locker to freshen up. Making his way inside of room 321, he noticed that the pee stain was gone. Good. The new nurse turned to her boss as she knocked down a tissue box from the counter top. Nervous prey, he thought with ambush. Summer quickly moved her right foot to lean down in order to retrieve the box. This was interesting. He was the one everyone talked about. She heard about him when she was earning her RN certificate. It was sadly based about a serious doctor who had gone hard right when his wife began to walk butt naked in a mall, embarrassing every shred of dignity the doctor carried within his relationship. She would make a move, if only he was not her boss. Michael Randall appeared fit, determined, motivated and also like he knew everything in the world that was worth knowing. Unnecessary information could have fit his knowledge description but he managed to charm the ladies with his appearance. He did not need to put in much effort neither.

  Blue light eyes like the sky on a clear spring day. About 5’8 height, broad, muscular cheeks, dirty blonde hair but he looked like he had brown eyes when he turned to check on Rachel. Wait, Rachel. Right. Get it together. Summer spoke up, “her vitals seem good. Doc.”

  “Seem?” Michael pointed with amusement when he darting his eyes for a bigger explanation.

  “She is doing fine.” Summer said as she pinched her neck, making others think she was itching her hair, when in fact she was causing herself pain for not thinking, as a nurse should.

  Diane excuse herself to the restroom. The facet turned on then off. Mrs. Abram spread her arms and got comfortable on the sofa. Michael politely asked to talk with the new nurse. Wanting to not be terrified out of her wit, she agreed and followed the handsome but sad doctor. “What subjects are you good at, Summer?”

  Now, this was it to make a good impression. “Passed healthcare data management with a 89%. Medical terminology with a 85, Computer platform technologies 92%, Ethical considerations 93%, coding and classification…” Summer forgot.

  “Okay. I’m happy to know the big man hired someone with knowledge. We have a nurse here by the attitude of rudeness. Feel free to put her in her place if needed. So in case you do not know too much about me. This is actually my third month at this hospital because I was transferred. I love dogs, reptiles and especially frogs.”

  Summer smiled without meaning too. Was he flirting with her? She was happy by her decision to wear natural make- up. Nice choice, good job, she thought. “This talk seems mighty personal. Aren’t we supposed to be professional, Dr. Randall?” Giggling a little.

  “You’re right.” Dr. Randall stated with a shy smile. Staring at his shoes, he felt guilty for flirting with another woman when he was already married.

  “Umm. How is Samantha?” Summer cleared her throat.

  Michael developed a sad expression. His smile became a frown. Samantha’s psychologist called him yesterday afternoon to ensure a progress report. Sam was still gaining weight and looking out that window by the piano. The weight gain medication helped her stack on three pounds in six months. She was expected to gain more weight but she refused to eat anything solid or anything nutrient. “Who? You’re right, indeed. That is personal. I am going out. Bye.”

  Each nurse besides Summer stayed after the evening shifts had arrived. It was now 2: 10 AM. Mrs. And Mr. Abram finally lefted to get some decent amount of sleep. They were making nasty remarks to one another when they had last been seen. Summer told them bye but Mr. Abram ignored her. Michael checked up on all seven of his patients whom were still in a coma state. He visited Rachel’s room for a small glance. Stepping beside her bed, her face was naturally beautiful. Diane cleaned her make- up off. Rachel looked like a goddess. The red cut marks all over her face and neck were painful, he imagined. Michael felt too lazy to head to an empty room for a quick nap. Pulling up the only chair in the hospital room, he sat by Rachel. He wondered what he should say. Something motivating.

  “You’re different. You remind me… of when I was a teenage boy. I had a crush with science. That probably doesn’t even make any sense. You’re different. Right now, you’re the only patient on this floor with a worst condition in comparison to the others. I wonder what caused your rough accident. Maybe you were talking to a friend on the mobile?” Michael brought both of his hands together and broke away the tears.

  “Guess what. My insane wife’s psychologist called me yesterday. He said that my wife will most likely be in that crazy institution for another year or more. Like I did not already know, you know? I wish everything would change. God, forgive me for saying that but I wish someone else had suffered from a baby. Samantha, my wife of more than two years has been mentally sick for a long long time now. I don’t know what else to do. I don’t. Have you ever dreamed about being some place different? It is perfect until you hear the alarm clock go off. Then everything else is back where it was a couple of hours ago. Sam was not the only person to loose him. If he had been born, his birthday would be the same date as yours. You and my son would have had the same birthday. September 14th… that month will come fast. And I cry, cry. And more tears.”

  Dr. Randall began to loudly sob. He sobbed for five seconds then he lowered his volume. The door was shut closed.

  A Family’s Territory

  The parents of the coma patient stated to ruin Dr. Randall’s reputation if he did not leave Rachel Abram alone. A transfer to another hospital had clearly not done anything good. He was still visiting her every single day. He brought her red roses, yellow lilies, and eight get better cards every Thursday mornings. Supposedly, he touched her hands when he spoke out loud with his depression. Explaining to his former coma patient that he would be awaiting when she woke up. Dr. Reese warned Michael to stop disrupting the peace. Though, sadly it seemed that life was indeed a miserable joke. One love gone instantly mentally unstable and the second, in a coma who was not able defend herself. To make matters worst, the Abram parents did not want Dr. Randall anywhere near by their daughter. The threats escalated when they felt as if they were not being taken seriously.

  “Man. Why are you doing this to me. Dr. Randall, you know you aren’t welcome here anymore. Her parents don’t like it. You need to leave, okay? Get up. Come on.” Reese said with frustration in his voice.

  Michael was fed up with not being heard. It was like he spoke but nobody understand, “I can hel
p you. I have researched her case for over eleven months now. I can help you.” He pushed.

  “We both know she’s like any other coma patient. She’ll wake up eventually but right now, you need to leave. Go visit your wife. I bet she requires your full undivided attention.” This was said with some hope. It had become Dr. Reese’s mission to send the good doctor gone insane away.

  “Please! Just listen to me. Five weeks ago, she moved her fingers, like this when I was talking to her. She responded to my voice. She knows where she is. I can help her wake up. Give me a try?” Michael pulled his fingers back to his side after his visual demonstration with hope in his eyes.

  “You can’t let her parents know. Look in my eyes. Tell me you’ll be quiet.” Dr. Reese said as he gave in to bait. Dr. Randall was surely a depressing story to view. His first love was mentally unstable and his second was in a coma. Michael Randall was a good man, all doctors were. They had a soul plan to save the world from any harm. Though, was it possible that Rachel responded to Michael’s voice? Dr. Reese needed to know but he needed to save his skin too. He was taking a very huge risk.

  A little boy with a brown teddy bear watched as the two men in white coats seemed to be having a discreet discussion. The doctor with blue eyes looked to be crying. The little toddler walked his way over to Dr. Randall and Dr. Reese. Both men were astounded. Dr. Reese wanted to pick the little boy up and carry him back to his family but the waiting room was too packed. Blue Banner Coma Hospital was Rachel’s new hospital. At least fourteen people waited around for their family and friends as they sit with impatience. Which father did the boy belong to? The little boy continued to stare up at the two doctors. He pulled on Michael’s white coat and giggled. He placed both of his hands in the air and made a good opening and closing fist.