“Well, son,” Francine admonished, getting to her feet, “you just have to give her time. She knows where you are, and she has your number. Colleen will contact you, all in good time.”
“For once, I really hope you’re right,” Terence declared. Then he stood and spontaneously enfolded his mother in a generous bear hug.
Francine smiled, but her eyes held sadness.
“Thank you,” Terence said, wholeheartedly. “Thanks for everything.”
“I owed it to you to finally tell the truth. So, now you know how imperfect your mother was,” Francine mocked herself.
“You were perfect for me, Mom,” Terence stated lovingly. “Look how I turned out. I could be dead or in jail. Instead, I’m alive and I have an education and a good job.”
“Get back to work, son,” Francine advised.
“I think I will,” Terence agreed. He took his mother’s hands in his and prayed. He praised God for the healing that had taken place that day. He asked God to remove all the hurt and pain of the past once and for all.
Francine listened to her son’s intense prayer and said one of her own. “Lord, please soften Colleen’s heart.”
Chapter Thirty-two
Colleen pulled into the parking lot of Long Island Jewish Hospital. Gina had called her to tell her the horrible news about Michael. He’d been in the hospital since New Year’s. That had managed to snap Colleen out of her stupor.
She had been like a zombie the last five days. Now she, like many others who hear about things like this, had started contemplating on how short life truly was. Colleen was grateful to be alive no matter what she was going through. She got on the elevator and headed for Michael’s private room.
Gina had taken off from work, of course, but Colleen could not imagine how her friend would look. When Gina rushed toward her, Colleen noticed that Gina’s face looked gaunt and her eyes had dark shadows under them. To Colleen, Gina looked like she’d lost weight.
It took some effort, but Colleen pried Gina out of Michael’s room. His mother and Keith were in there with him. They promised Gina that if anything changed, she’d be the first to know. Behind her back, Keith gave Colleen a thumbs-up sign. Evidently, they must have been trying to get Gina to take a break, but she probably stubbornly refused.
“Have you been eating?”
“What?” Gina asked. “I don’t know. I’ve been too busy crying . . . throwing up . . . and worrying to find time to eat.” Gina turned her head to look back into Michael’s room.
Colleen firmly held onto her hand. “You’re not going back in there. Not yet. You’re coming with me to the cafeteria to eat something, even if I have to spoon-feed you myself.”
Gina must have been too tired to argue with her. She tightened her grasp and led Gina to the cafeteria and over to the table nearest to the ordering station. Once Gina was seated, Colleen ordered her friend some soup and crackers and a salad for herself. She needed sustenance, too. She had probably lost a pound or two herself.
“Well,” Colleen began, setting the tray down in front of Gina, “it’s been awhile since you and I have seen each other. Pity it had to be under these circumstances.”
“Yeah,” Gina responded distractedly.
Colleen watched her pick up the spoon and swirl it around in her soup, too agitated to eat. She had to do something. “Luckily,” Colleen said, “I can always provide a source of diversion.”
“What do you mean? What’s wrong?” Gina straightened and asked with concern.
Gina was definitely focused on her now. “Terence and I are through. I packed his bags myself a few days ago,” Colleen confided, feeling her lips quiver. Her heart still ached over Terence’s betrayal.
Gina touched her on the cheek. That small human contact reached her, deep down inside. Tears pricked at her eyes. She blinked. But the tears wouldn’t be contained. She dabbed her eyes with a napkin. “I thought I had cried enough about this already.”
Gina picked up her spoon and took a gulp of the soup. “Tell me, friend. What happened?”
Colleen was surprised that Gina had not said anything nasty at that news. But she was glad about it; Colleen didn’t think she could’ve tolerated any I told you so, right now. “It happened on New Year’s. We went over to his mother’s house, as you know. And Francine was so nice to me that I was suspicious about it, you know?” Colleen informed her friend.
Gina nodded her on.
“Well, when the doorbell rang, I knew the real deal. This . . . This tart came waltzing in there . . . Her name’s Dana.” Colleen slurred Dana’s name like it was the bubonic plague.
“No,” Gina said with disbelief. “I hope you are not about to say what I think you’re going to say.”
“Yes!” Colleen confirmed, taking in Gina’s head swirl. “Dana headed straight to Terence and started talking about what a fine time they’d had back in Jamaica.”
“Wait a minute,” Gina interrupted. “When did Terence go to Jamaica?”
“On our honeymoon,” Colleen supplied. She waited for Gina to react as the atrocious implications sank in.
Stumped, Gina shook her head. “He didn’t. Tell me Terence didn’t do this while you were on your honeymoon.” Her eyes were huge and wide. “That’s low—even for him.”
“He did,” Colleen confirmed.
Gina jumped to her feet and hugged her friend in commiseration. “I can’t think of anything more reprehensible than that.”
“Aren’t you going to say anything else?” Colleen prodded. She tilted her head at her friend. Gina wasn’t spewing nasty insults and snide remarks, and for once, Colleen would’ve let her. Welcomed it even.
“What did he say?” Gina asked.
Colleen slid out of her grasp, and they both sat and returned to their food. “He said that he wanted to have a chance to explain. But I wasn’t trying to hear anything coming out of his lying lips. I had enough of him. So . . . I packed his clothes and sent him on his way.”
“Are you sure you did the right thing?” Gina slurped her soup.
Colleen looked at Gina as if she had antennas sticking out of her head when she asked that question. “What do you mean am I sure? Didn’t you hear a word I just said?”
“Yes, I heard,” Gina replied. “But you guys are married. That’s a whole different ball game. You should’ve at least heard the man out before coming to a decision.”
“Excuse me?” Colleen was dumbfounded. “Eat your food because hunger must’ve impaired your judgment. This can’t be my friend of over fifteen years talking like this. I’m confused, Gina. I thought you, more than anybody else, would be jumping up and down at this news.”
“Yeah . . . well,” Gina hedged, “that was before I saw you two together. The man is so in love, he can’t even think straight. You both looked smitten to me. Seeing you guys made me start thinking, who am I to judge or say anything about true love?”
Colleen didn’t utter a single word. She wondered if Gina needed to see a psychiatrist or had been invaded by aliens. “Who is this person I’m talking to?” Maybe her friend had a split personality.
“Trust me,” Gina chuckled, “it’s me, and I’m in my right mind. I just started seeing things a little differently, that’s all.”
“Since when? Okay, Gina, fess up. What’s going on with you?” Colleen turned the tables “You’ve done a complete one-eighty.”
“I guess I’ve learned that everything is not cast in stone,” Gina surmised, touching her chin in thought. “Sometimes you just have to carve your own way.”
Colleen didn’t have a clue what Gina was talking about. “Are you saying that I should forgive Terence and just pretend that nothing happened?”
“I’m not saying or telling you anything like that. All I’m saying is that you two have to take control of your own destiny, no matter what anyone might think.”Colleen thought about what Gina was saying. She supposed that there was some truth in it. However, Colleen wouldn’t have minded talking with her old c
ynical friend, the one who’d be trashing Terence for his dastardly deeds. But it seemed as if a new Gina had taken her place.
“Listen,” Gina reiterated, “I just want you to know that whatever you decide to do, I’m going to support you. That’s all. If you find that you can’t live without Terence, then talk about it with him. Go to counseling or something. Just be happy, girl.”
“Thanks . . . I guess,” Colleen said, “but my mind is already made up. Terence is history.”
The two women parted ways after that. Colleen walked away feeling even more confused than ever. She had expected Gina to be her staunch ally; instead, it seemed as if Gina was telling her to forgive. Colleen contemplated the irony of Gina ministering to her, though she was the one who was in church. Her friend had actually given her some food for thought. Colleen just wasn’t sure if she had it in her to forgive Terence or even hear him out.
Colleen’s heart felt like a block of ice. Francine’s apology hadn’t even chipped the surface. She was at a different place. She was tired of being trusting and letting men have their way with her. It was her own insecurity that had caused her to marry Terence within four months of meeting him. The aggravation that she was going through was no picnic. Colleen realized too late that it was not enough to get married. It took much more to stay married. It took more than she had. She dragged her feet, not anxious to return to an empty home.
Gina hurried back to Michael’s bedside, who, thankfully, had been transferred from ICU to a private room. He’d had some spleen damage and major internal injuries but had come through the surgery with flying colors. He’d need a couple months of therapy, but Michael was expected to be back to his old self in no time. All he had to do now was wake up.
She thought about how she’d called Terence low and felt like a hypocrite. There was something even lower than what he had done, and that was what she had done. She had slept with her boyfriend’s brother. How could she be hard on Terence when she herself was grimy?
She was relieved that Colleen hadn’t pressed her about her own relationship. She had no idea how she would have begun to tell Colleen the whole sordid tale. She still needed some time to sort things out in her own mind and come to grips with what she’d done.
Chapter Thirty-three
Keith sat with Michael, appreciating the quiet time. A nurse had convinced his mother to get some sleep in one of the empty rooms. He took Michael’s hand in his and talked.
He recounted all the mischief they’d gotten into and the pranks they’d pulled as boys. He spoke about all the good times they’d had. Keith spoke until his mouth was dry. He had to believe that his brother was still there, listening to his every word. He was told that people in this comatose state could recall conversations when they awakened.
Keith hoped that something would bring Michael back. For some reason, his brother seemed content to remain in that state. Keith was worried about that. He knew that the longer his brother stayed in the coma, the greater the chance of his regressing or becoming a vegetable. Keith couldn’t bear it if that happened. The sooner Michael awakened the better.
Keith turned around as Gina entered the room. He couldn’t help but look at her. His eyes bespoke of his love for her.
Gina saw it and mouthed, “Stop.”
Keith cut his eyes at her, not even bothering to respond. How was he to stop what he was feeling in his heart? Frustrated beyond belief because he couldn’t make his brother wake up and because he couldn’t have Gina, Keith got up and left the room.
Gina was a little taken at Keith’s abrupt departure, but she resolved that she would let him go cool off and sat down next to Michael.
“I love you,” Gina said, silently willing Michael to come back to her. “Oh, Michael,” she exclaimed, “come back to me, so I can make everything right!” She held onto Michael’s hand and placed her head into his lap.
“Why are you crying, Gina?”
“Because, I just wish that you’d wake up and tell me again how you—” Gina stopped and sat up. Her eyes widened, and she started hyperventilating. He’s awake! He’s awake! She looked into Michael’s eyes. They were opened and glued intently on her face.
“Michael! Michael!” Gina screamed with heartfelt joy. She jumped on top of him and stretched out completely. Then Gina kissed him with all the passion that she could muster like there was no tomorrow.
Keith heard Gina’s outburst and ran into the room. He saw Gina kissing his brother like a woman dying of starvation. Quickly he raced to get his mother.
When they returned, Michael’s room was filled with doctors and nurses. Gina was standing off to the side, beaming and crying at the same time. Gerry ran over to her, and the two women hugged, and laughed, and cried.
Keith whispered a silent prayer of thanks. Soon, all three were ushered out into the hall while the doctors and nurses examined every inch of Michael’s body. Then the psychologist came to speak to Michael.
The police were also notified of Michael’s recovery. Pretty soon, the place was like a zoo. Keith handled the cops himself.
It had been a week since he’d woken up from his coma, and Michael was way past ready to go home. The doctors wanted to keep him longer for more observations and tests, but he wasn’t having it. A part of him felt that if he didn’t have the resources to afford his private room and perks, they’d have shipped him out already. Hopefully, he would be heading home tomorrow.
As he lay there, Michael reflected on his life. He couldn’t believe he’d been reckless and drove himself into the embankment on the bridge. He didn’t know how he had allowed a woman to get to him like that. But the woman in question was no ordinary woman. He looked at Gina, who was busy reading a magazine. She looked beautiful.
Michael asked Gina to retrieve the pants he’d been wearing the day of the accident from the armoire. She went to do his bidding, then returned to her seat by the window. He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the small box. He opened it to peer inside. It made a small creaking sound, but Gina didn’t even look up from her article.
It was still there. The ring. Michael breathed a sigh of relief.
Should he wait? No, life was just too short. He had tried to conjure up a right moment before and that hadn’t worked. It had turned into a complete and utter disaster. No, there was never a right moment. Michael had to seize any available opportunity.
A sharp pain shot through his head. Michael harrumphed and held onto his cranium. Immediately, Gina rushed to his side in concern.
Michael shooed her back to her chair as the pain gradually lessened. The doctors had decreased his medication. He had to expect the pain. Michael actually welcomed it. It helped him remember that he was alive. God had been good to him.
Michael closed his eyes and allowed his mind to wander at will. Bits and pieces of little snippets of conversations from Gina and Keith came back to him. He had trouble piecing it altogether. Then he dismissed them. If he were meant to know something, he’d eventually find out. That was his policy. “Gina,” Michael croaked.
“Yes?” Gina answered.
She filled a glass with water and handed it to him to drink. The doctors had told him he needed to remain hydrated. Once he’d quenched his thirst, Michael asked the million-dollar question. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes, Michael,” Gina said, after hesitating. “Of course, I’ll marry you.”
Michael took the ring out of the box and placed it on Gina’s ring finger on her left hand. Then he pulled her in toward him to seal it with a kiss. He felt Gina returned his kiss with equal gusto before she pulled away. “I love you, Gina,” Michael stated, simply.
“I know, Michael. I love you too. I just wish that this tragedy didn’t happen to make me realize that.”
Michael did not give Gina a chance to think. “I want to get married as soon as possible, Gina. Is that all right by you?”
“Yes, Michael. That’s fine,” she agreed with an amiable tone.
“Gina?” Mich
ael took her face in his. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it, but he just couldn’t put his finger on it. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” Gina chuckled. “Why is it that you men become concerned when a woman just gives in?”
Somehow her reactions seemed somewhat forced. “I guess,” Michael capitulated, with a little hesitation, still trying to read her. “I was prepared for you to fight me tooth and nail and figured that I would have to drag you down to the altar.”
“Well, now you don’t have to,” Gina said. Then she excused herself. “I’ve got to hit the ladies’ room.”
Michael let her go without any further comments. He looked at the empty doorway. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Gina just seemed too—agreeable. No, agreeable was not the right word. It was more like she was resigned. She didn’t seem overly excited or jubilant. Just resigned. That didn’t sit well with him at all.
Gina entered the stall and plopped her head against the door. She berated herself for how she had acted. A great man had just asked her to marry him and had given her a sizable rock to prove it. Gina looked at the ring. It was exquisite.
She closed her eyes and gulped hard. She did not deserve this. Maybe she should tell Michael the truth. But Gina shook her head. She knew that she couldn’t do that. She couldn’t hurt him in that way.
Gina prepped herself. She was going to go back into the room and show Michael how happy she was. She had not responded at all like a woman in love. She ordered herself not to be so stiff and show a little more enthusiasm. She was going to be a married woman soon.
Gina resolutely quelled all the feelings of guilt and pushed them to the back of her mind. She pushed all of the love that she still felt for Keith way down in the inner recesses of her heart. Gina closed her eyes and brought Michael to her mind. She did love him, and she would spend the rest of her life devoted to him or she’d die trying.
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