Out of The Box Awakening

by Theriot, Jennifer

  “Ash, this isn’t necessary, really I can walk!”

  “Don’t pull that crap with me, Olivia! It’s not gonna work. Sit still.”

  They rush me back into an exam room and ask Ash to wait outside for a few minutes. Ash pulls out my phone to call Alan. They’ve given him paperwork to fill out, and he realizes that he knows nothing about my medical history or how to properly answer the information on the forms. He dials Alan’s number from my phone.

  Alan answers.“Hey babe. What’s up?”

  “It’s not Olivia, Alan, its Ash.”

  “Uhhhh, hello Ash. Is everything okay?”

  “Look. We’re at the emergency room. I think Olivia has appendicitis. I’ve got to fill out these medical forms and I need her medical history information.” Alan is silent.. “Alan? Can you answer these questions so I can fill out the forms?”

  “Ummm…”

  “Well, can you help me out here? They need medical information. You should also probably head over here in case they need authorization to treat. We’re at Highland Park Hospital on Park Avenue.”

  “Well, Ash, honestly, I don’t know…what specifically do you need to know?”

  “Her goddamn medical history Alan! Does she have allergies? Her birth date? Blood type? Medications? Prior surgeries? You know, the things a husband should know. Help me out here, Alan! I need to get this done fast.”

  “Well, ummm let’s see…uhhh”

  “Goddammit! Alan… tell me you actually know something about your wife! I’ve got to get these forms filled out and I goddamn need your help!”

  “Uh, Ash, I honestly don’t know. I’m sorry, but I just don’t. We just never, well…”

  “Forget it! I’ll call Lainey. She probably knows a hell of a lot more about her than you do anyway. I suggest you get your ass over here in case they need next of kin permission. Geez! I can’t friggin believe you’re such a big help! Just get here now!”

  “Okay, I’m on my way!”

  Ash hangs up the phone and calls Lainey.

  “Mom?”

  “No, Lainey, it’s Ash. Look, we’re at the emergency room. Your mom is sick. I think it may be appendicitis, but they don’t know for sure yet. She’s in the exam room now.”

  “Oh, my God! What?”

  “Look, honey, I’ll explain in a bit, but I’m trying to fill out these medical forms. I called your dad first. He’s goddamn clueless, and I just need some help here. Can you help me with this, honey?”

  “Of course I will! What do you need to know? Start reading and I’ll give you the answers.”

  Ash reads the forms to her and she helps him get them filled out. Of course she knows the answer to every single question.

  “Okay, Lainey, let me get these forms turned in and I’ll call you right back. I’ve called a friend of mine who’s one of the top surgeons here, and he’s on the way. Don’t know anything now honey, but I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Ash, what can I do? She’ll be okay, won’t she?”

  “Honey, just sit tight. Nothing we can do until we know what’s wrong with her. She woke up during the night and couldn’t stop throwing up. She has bad pain in her side and a high fever. She’s exactly where she needs to be and I can promise you, she’s got the best doctors taking care of her. That’s all I know for now. Oh, and could you please call your brothers and let them know?”

  “Of course! Just keep me posted. I can get a flight out whenever. Tell her that I love her. Please, call me as soon as you have any news!”

  “Will do, honey. Let me go see what’s going on. I’ll be in touch!”

  “Thanks so much Ash. Talk to you soon.”

  The surgeon comes out to talk to Ash.

  “Malcolm, thanks so much for coming. What’s wrong with my girl?”

  “Well, first of all, she’s very, very lucky that she got here when she did. Looks like a ruptured gall bladder, and we need to get that sucker out ASAP. Look, Ash, I need to get scrubbed and into surgery. Don’t mean to rush out, but we’ve got to get moving here. I’ll have someone keep you updated. They’re taking her up now to surgery. She’s sedated and comfortable. She’s in good hands, my friend.”

  “Malcolm, can I just see her before she goes in?”

  “Sure thing, follow me.” He takes Ash to the elevator. Just as they’re wheeling me out, I look up and see Ash. I try to speak, but I’m too weak and lightheaded. I know tears are coming out of my eyes and I’m scared. Everything is happening so fast. He looks so worried as well.

  “Liv, honey, don’t talk. Everything’s gonna be fine. I promise. I’ll be here. Remember that I love you!” He kisses my cheek. Dr. Scott gives Ash thumbs up.

  “Okay. Ash, we’re outta here! Gotta get this little lady into surgery!”

  “Just take good care of her!”

  “Will do, my friend!”

  Dr. Scott rushes back into the surgery area, where they take me as well.

  “Olivia, I’m Dr. Malcolm Scott. I’m a good friend of Ash’s; I say that because I hope he considers me a good friend!” He chuckles. I can tell he is trying to make light of things so I won’t panic. “Anyhow, I promise, we’re gonna get that nasty gall bladder out soon. I know you’re in pain and we’ll make sure we take good care of you. Ash is in the waiting room, and I know he sure loves you.”

  “Did he call my kids?”

  “He’s taken care of everything. I can promise you. I’ve known the man for years, and he’s a stickler for details.” He laughs again, and then says, “You just relax and you’ll be fixed up in no time.”

  I look up at the ceiling. This is surreal. I’ve never had surgery before. Never been in an operating room except for when I had my kids. There is classical music playing. Everyone is doing their job. Running around, getting instruments ready, and talking small talk. Dr. Scott is talking with the nurses. He is reading charts and x-rays, commenting to the nurses and doctors.

  “Wow! This is some nasty booger!” Dr. Scott says.

  I wonder what that means. The music is soothing. I can tell Dr. Scott is respected by his colleagues. They remove the blankets from me. They pull my hospital gown up and I and totally at their mercy. It’s cold, really cold in here. Nurses start by putting an IV in my hand. I start shivering and one of the nurses bends down to me. “Olivia, I know it’s cold in here. We’re just about ready to get started. Dr. Scott is the absolute best surgeon there is! You’re in excellent hands. Are you ready?”

  I nod yes. The anesthesiologist starts the drip.

  “Olivia, okay, I need you to count backwards for me, honey.”

  Everyone is calling me sweetie or honey. In my mind, I feel at ease and in good hands. They’re going to take care of me. In classic Olivia mode, I start to over-think things. There are so many things I didn’t get to say to everyone. What happens if I never wake up again? I didn’t get to talk to my kids. I didn’t get the chance to tell them how much I love them and just how much they mean to me. I didn’t tell Ash how much I love him. My affairs are not in order. I’m unorganized. Please, please, just let me wake up after this!

  “Okay, Olivia, count with me…Ten, nine, eight…”

  I start to count and am immediately under. My life is in their hands.

  I wake up in recovery. My mouth is so dry and I’m nauseous. Why am I still nauseous? Oh my God! I have a tube in my mouth, and I gag.

  “Olivia…you’re in recovery, sweetie. They removed your gall bladder. You’re fine now. Try and stay still,” the nurse says.

  I motion to her that I need to throw up…I gag again. She comes over and helps me with the tube.

  “It’s a reaction to the anesthesia, sweetie. Just relax.”

  Somehow, I doze back to sleep, and when I wake up, I’m in my room. Even though I’m pretty groggy, I see beautiful flowers all over the room. Ash and Alan are both there. Ash is at my side, rubbing my head softly. He bends down and whispers in my ear.

  “Hey there, Sunshine! You sure had me scared the
re for a while.”

  I shake my head. Alan comes over to the bed.

  “Olivia, hi. How ya doing?”

  I know I look at Ash with a totally confused look on my face and I wonder what the hell he’s doing here. I realize Ash probably called him.

  “Uggghhh. Feel bad. Hurt.”

  I start to cry. Ash signals for the nurse to come in.

  Alan steps to the door and says, “I think I’ll just step outside. I’ll be in the waiting room if you need me.”

  Ash tells the nurse, “She’s really in pain; can you give her something please?”

  “Of course, Mr. Harper. Let me call Dr. Scott. He should still be in the hospital somewhere.”

  The doctor comes in shortly after they call him. “Olivia, hi. I’m Malcolm Scott. I did your surgery, remember me? That was some nasty gall gladder. It ruptured, but we got it out in time, thank God. You must have been feeling the effects of the bad gall bladder for a while. You’re gonna find that you’ll feel like a new person! Right now, you need to rest. I’ll have the nurse bring you something for the pain. Main thing is, and I can’t stress this enough, you need to rest. Can you do that for me?”

  I nod yes.

  Ash is by my side. “Liv, I’m here. I’ve called Lainey and she let the boys know. Everything is taken care of, honey. You just rest.”

  Dr. Scott bends down to whisper something in Ash’s ear. I can’t hear what they are saying. “Ash? Can I see you outside?”

  “Liv, I’ll be right back.” He kisses my head and he leaves the room.

  I hear them talking in the hall. I can’t make out what they are saying though. I can’t make myself stay awake to see what they are talking about, so I drift back off to sleep.

  “Look Ash. Here’s the deal. Her gall bladder ruptured. It was pretty damn bad. She’s had this condition for a while and probably thought it was just indigestion, ignoring all the other symptoms that come with it. Typical headstrong woman. Anyway, we got the gall bladder out, but we need to watch her very closely over the next few days. As much as we attempt perfection in surgery, there is a chance we didn’t get all of the infection out. Just as a precaution, I’ve called in an infectious disease specialist; Dr. Peter Chen. He’s the very best. What we need to do now is watch and wait.”

  “Malcolm, I trust you. I have every faith that you’ll take care of Olivia. She means everything to me, so please, get her better for me!”

  “Will do, Ash! I promise you, she’s in good hands. We’re gonna do our best!”

  Ash sits on the couch in my room and calls everyone to give them updates. Lainey and the boys say they are on standby to come in if need be. Tommy and the guys are at my door. They knock on the door to my room. Tommy peeks his head in quietly, and says, “Hey Dad, how’s she doin?”

  “She’s resting, son. You guys come in for a bit, but only for a few minutes. Malcolm said she needs her rest.” Tommy, the guys and Emily come into my room. Todd is first to come over to me. He bends down, rubs my cheek with two fingers and whispers in my ear, “Hey there pretty lady! How are ya?”

  “Hurt. Bad.”

  “Awww, poor baby! I’m sorry.” Todd rubs my head. “You’ll be back up dancing in no time, just rest up. Love you girl!”

  I nod and he kisses my forehead. Tommy comes over next, and he looks worried. He bends down and kisses me on the cheek.

  “You can’t be sick…who’s gonna take care of our family? We need you!” I wink at him and he rubs my arm. “I know you’re tired and don’t need company but we just want you to know that we love you Olivia. Get better!”

  Emily is by his side. “Olivia, feel better! Muahhh!”

  The rest of the guys come over to my bed and stand. Brady speaks for them “We just want you to know that we love you, Olivia! Get better! We’ll come back when you’re feeling better and bug you.”

  The nurse comes in. She is a petite Middle Eastern woman, who isn’t a bit intimidated by the guys.

  “Okay, guys, time’s up! Everybody out. Doctor’s orders. Scoot!”

  They all laugh and file out of the room. Ash tells me he’ll be right back. Ash stays out in the hall talking to them, and I fall back asleep. There’s not much else I can do. The best I can do at this moment is go back to sleep. Ash comes back into the room and I see him sitting on the couch, working on his laptop. He has those damn sexy half glasses on and is focusing on his work. Every time I move, he looks over at me. I wish he’d go home, but I know better. He’s here for the long haul.

  Nurses keep coming in, checking every possible vital sign I have. I heard them say that they are watching to make sure infection doesn’t set in. I heard Ash talking with Dr. Scott, saying something about a Dr. Chen coming in to see me tomorrow, and something about infection. I sleep through the night. In the morning, I wake up when several nurses are standing around my bed. “One-oh-four, call Dr. Chen!”

  I feel hot. Ash is at my side, and I wake up. “Liv, you have fever. They’ve called Dr. Chen, the infectious disease specialist. Malcolm will be up shortly. Nothing to worry about hon.”

  “I feel really hot, Ash…what’s going on?”

  “Honey, Malcolm said there may be a chance of infection since your gall bladder burst. Once Dr. Chen gets here, we’ll know for sure.”

  “Oh, my God! I feel so bad, what’s happening?”

  Dr. Chen walks in. “Hello Olivia, I’m Dr. Peter Chen. Dr. Scott has asked me to take over. It appears there may be some infection, so we’re going to get you on a high dose of antibiotic to fight the infection.”

  “Ummm, okay—what does that mean?”

  “Well, since your gall bladder in a sense exploded, there is a chance that they may not have gotten all of the remnants. The antibiotics will fight that infection. You’re going to feel really weak, and we will be monitoring you very closely over the next week or so.”

  “Week or so? So I’ll be in here for a while?”

  “Yes, unfortunately. It’s necessary so we can make sure we’ve isolated and treated the infection.”

  “Honey, everything is going to be fine. I’m not leaving. I’ll be with you every day, I promise.”

  “Ash, you have work to do. You really don’t have to stay. I’m fine! Go home!”

  “No damn chance! Tommy’s brought me clean clothes and I can work remotely, so I am just fine where I am!”

  Around four p.m., Todd knocks on the door and comes in. He’s wearing a T-shirt that says “Plays Well with Others,” and he smiles his bad boy smile. I smile back at him. He just makes me feel happy.

  “You up for company?”

  “Of course! I’ll always see you! So tell me what’s new? Nice T-Shirt, by the way!”

  “Well, I do have good news…you up for listening?”

  Ash looks at me, as though he’s wondering if I’m up for the company.

  “Ash, I’m fine. Really.”

  Todd sits down.

  “So tell me the good news,” I say.

  “Well, a couple of weeks ago I went to Evanston to see a guy about a car I’m thinking about buying. Another vintage Mustang. I went to a coffee shop in downtown Evanston, since I had a couple of hours to kill before I went to his shop. I was sitting by myself drinking a coffee, reading the paper…”

  “Wait, you read?”

  “Ummm, yes, Olivia, I do know how to read.”

  “I meant read as in the paper. You read the paper?”

  “Yeah, I read it every day. I also read music, by the way. Why?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought you kids never read the newspaper. Anyway, go on.”

  “Well, before I was interrupted, I was saying that I was reading the paper and this chick came up to my table and asked if she could steal one of the chairs from my table. I looked at her, and my God, she was fucking gorgeous!”

  “Well, did you let her take the chair?”

  “No, I told her she was welcome to sit at my table.”

  “And?”

  “And, s
he plopped her fucking hot ass down at my table and we started talking. We were actually talking. Not like the chicks I usually talk to. She actually has things to say and not like the bullshit talk with the chicks I usually hang out with. She’s getting her masters fuckin’degree from Northwestern, in Business. She’s freakin’ so smart! We talked for a couple of hours until I had to leave. She gave me her number and we’ve been talking ever since. Every damn day. We’ve had coffee a few times since.”

  “So, she’s pretty hot? Tell me more about her!”

  “Pretty hot is putting it mildly Olivia. She’s smokin-ass hot! Blonde hair, blue eyes, hot ass, brains, the whole enchilada!”

  “So, tattoos?”

  “Haven’t gotten that far yet. It’s winter Olivia. Her arms were covered, but pretty sure she has some, and I’ll bet they’re hidden, just waiting to be found!”

  “Todd, that’s wonderful. So, her name?”

  “Kyra. Isn’t that the most beautiful name? Besides, Olivia, I mean. She’s the most beautiful chick I’ve ever met!”

  “So…more details?”

  “Well, like I said, she’s got this beautiful long blonde, messy, curly hair, no makeup, at least I don’t think so, naturally beautiful. Damn!”

  “So, not like the typical Todd woman?”

  “Not at all. Polar opposite of what you’d expect to see me with! I swear, when I saw her, I was fuckin’ass blown away! I’ve never met a girl like this. Shit! She’s awesome!”

  “Awww, I’m so happy! So when do I get to meet her?”

  “Well, just get your ass out of here, and I’ll let you meet her. We’re going to dinner tonight and then to listen to a band she likes in the City. She loves music, by the way, which is another way to my freakin heart!”

  “So, nice body?”

  “Sinfully fucking so!”

  I laugh and flinch with pain.

  Ash comes over to my bed. “Son, I think my gal is getting tuckered out. You getting tired, hon?”

  Todd stands up and stretches. “Yeah, I should probably head out. Gotta head home and get my special car. I’m picking her up in the Mustang tonight.”

  “Well, if she gets to ride in it, she must be special. By the way, thanks so much for the flowers, they’re beautiful!”