Chapter 2
Arax
“Miss Arevin?”
I hurried over, my legs feeling as heavy as lead. “Yes? Hi.”
“I’m Dr. Maitland, your mother’s physician.”
When he took an extra-long pause, I knew. I just knew. The heat drained from my face, and my body temperature declined. I became lightheaded but was brought back when Daniel gripped my arm and squeezed it tightly.
“There is never an easy way to say this. I’m very sorry, but there was nothing we could do. She passed peacefully a few moments ago, while we were prepping her for her tests. I’m so very sorry for your loss, my dear.” The doctor’s voice was placid, yet his words were anything but.
I remained motionless, unable to speak. Daniel’s hand stayed on my arm while he addressed the doctor.
“Was she in any pain?”
Dr. Maitland looked from me to Daniel. “Most likely not. Many stroke patients do not even realize they are having one. The pain is usually minimal. Your mother suffered a rather massive stroke. It is very likely she was unconscious for some time.”
Daniel looked at me, seeking approval to ask further questions. I nodded just enough for him to notice. He knew me well and went to ask the very thing I dreaded knowing yet anxiously needed to find out.
“If we had… had gotten to her sooner,” he said with difficulty. “Would she… Is it possible she could have survived?”
The doctor nodded understandingly. “A fair question, and one that I’m afraid is impossible to answer.
As I mentioned, your mother suffered a massive stroke.
Even if she had survived, the likelihood of a full recovery was slim.
She would have had either partial or complete paralysis, along with the possibility of compromised brain function.
Her quality of life would have been severely affected.
We can perform an autopsy with your consent, Miss Arevin, to determine the specific cause of death if you’d like. ”
I agreed to it, and Daniel asked a few additional follow-up questions, but I wasn’t physically capable of listening anymore.
Something strange was happening to me. The weight of the world came crashing down on my head.
My brain was being pulled in several different directions, breaking apart, then coming back together.
The pressure between my ears was almost unbearable.
The room started spinning. Round and round it went.
Colors, shapes, and bodies all bled together.
Sounds muffled, coming from farther away every moment, unintelligible words with no meaning.
“Rox?” Daniel’s alarmed voice rang loud and clear, but I couldn’t answer. My eyes rolled back. The dizziness took over, and I lost my balance. My face was rapidly rushing to meet the ground.
“Shit, Rox!”
My chin hit something firm but soft, and I felt myself being lifted.
“Hey, hun. I got you, okay?” Daniel said softly. I looked up into his soulful amber eyes and smiled wanly before my lids shut, and I passed out.
When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed. Despite being covered with a blanket, I was freezing. The cold had probably forced me awake. I heard the droning of machines and noticed I was attached to several monitors and a line that led to an IV bag. I remembered fainting but couldn’t recall why.
A low grunt had me looking to my right, where Daniel had fallen fast asleep in a chair next to me.
Why is Daniel here? I thought, and my memories rushed back.
My mother. I had the overwhelming urge to vomit.
I bit my tongue to stop the feeling from getting worse and shut my eyes, concentrating on my breathing.
What happened next was no better. My body shook and the tears came, unwelcome and brutal.
I forced the sounds back, struggling to control my crying.
I put my hands over my mouth, trying to stay quiet.
My entire world had changed in a matter of hours.
My mom, who for the first time in years had shown signs of living, rather than just floating through life, was gone. I couldn’t believe it.
Arms wrapped around my shoulders and drew me in for a tight, protective embrace.
Daniel rested his head gently on mine and held me close.
He didn’t say anything and simply let me cry.
He had always understood me better than I cared to admit, and he knew that what I needed was his silent support while I dealt with the unexpected loss.
Only when my tears receded did I finally attempt to speak.
“How long have I been out?”
“A few hours,” he replied, still hugging me. “You spun around and dropped. I’m glad I was able to catch you.”
“You didn’t have to stay,” I said weakly, hiding the fact that I couldn’t be more grateful he was here.
He came around and sat on the bed in front of me. “You know I wouldn’t leave you, Rox.” He smiled and took my hand.
“Is my mom still…”
He shook his head and looked downward. “They had to take her down for the autopsy,” he said sadly.
“I went in and said a few words. I know you don’t believe in the stuff, but I sent her a prayer for safe passage into the afterlife.
My mom and grandma are doing the same back at the reservation. I called them.”
He glanced up at me and took my other hand in his. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to say good-bye, sweetie.”
My eyes went to the door, and the lump in my throat grew bigger, threatening to burst. I let the tears go, hearing them drip with the voracity of a river onto my cheeks and down my chin.
“Me too,” I replied, bidding my eyes to wring themselves dry.
“I also promised her I’d look after you. She looked peaceful, still so beautiful.”
I nodded, and a few more tears ran down my cheeks.
Everyone always said how much I resembled my mother, but I disagreed.
She was far more attractive than me, especially when she had been younger.
Her beauty was unequaled. Even with life taking the toll it had on her, she had a loveliness that never dulled.
“Thank you, Danny, for doing that.” I paused.
“And for not letting me be alone tonight.” It was true, what he said.
I didn’t really believe in religion, but for whatever reason, ancient rituals always struck me as more sincere and grounded than other, more modern systems. While I knew nothing of his faith, I knew extending their time-honored ways to me was sacred and very special.
“Of course, Rox,” he said quietly. “I’m going to go get the nurse now that you’re awake.”
The nurse who came to check my vitals told me the attending physician had recommended a neurologist come look me over. “Given what just happened to you, he wants to be sure,” she said kindly. “Dr. Park is our absolute best. Don’t let his youth fool you. The man is brilliant.”
“Talking me up again, Sarah?” a voice belonging to the assumed Dr. Park said from the doorway. The nurse wasn’t kidding. He was very young. He didn’t look to be much older than me.
Nurse Sarah chuckled and bid us farewell. Dr. Park approached my bed, smiling sympathetically at Daniel and me.
“My condolences to you both. I’m very sorry to hear of your loss.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” I replied.
“I imagine it was kind of a shock, Miss Arevin.”
“It was. My mother didn’t seem sick,” I said with a bit of regret, wondering if there were signs I’d missed.
“Strokes are tricky… and often strike with no warning. I encourage you to take this time to mend and heal. While it’s normal to feel some guilt, thinking there’s something you could have done differently, the truth is that there usually isn’t.
You and your husband did everything right, and I’m sorry we couldn’t have had better news for you tonight. ”
It was like he was able to read my mind, but then again, I was sure Dr. Park had handled many a family who’d lost someone; therefore, he knew exactly what to say. Nevertheless, his words did give me a small measure of comfort.
“I appreciate you saying that, Doctor, and for the record, we’re not married,” I said, clarifying for the sake of changing the subject.
“Oh, forgive me. You and your boyfriend then.”
“No, I’m sorry. I meant—”
“Buddy, we’re not together,” Daniel snapped, quite peeved at having to explain. “If you’re trying to find out if she’s single, your timing couldn’t be more terrible.”
“Danny, it’s okay,” I said, trying to bring down the tension. Daniel wasn’t usually so abrasive, but it had been a long, exhausting night for both of us.
“No, he’s right,” Dr. Park said shamefacedly. “It was poor form on my part. I apologize.”
“Accepted,” Danny replied quickly.
The doctor nodded and moved on.
“I looked at your CT scan and your EEG, Miss Arevin. Everything appears to be normal. The results from your EKG came back fine as well. Your blood pressure was very low at first, and I believe that was the main contributor to your fainting. It’s to be expected after what you’ve dealt with tonight.”
I nodded.
“So she’s okay, health-wise?” Daniel asked.
“Yes,” Dr. Park confirmed. “We got a little worried, since you became disoriented and your pulse was weak. Try to take it easy for the next few days, and let your mind and body relax. Easier said than done, I know.” He gave me a small smile.
“And again, I’m sorry for your loss, as well as for my behavior. ”
“Thank you, Doctor. Don’t worry about it.”
I had to sign off on a ton of paperwork for my mother before we were finally able to leave the hospital.
“Let’s grab some coffee before we go,” I told Daniel. “It’s kind of a long drive. I don’t want you passing out at the wheel, and I still need to figure out arrangements for… for her body.” I choked a little on the word.
“Already done,” Danny replied.
“What?”
“I called the nearest mortuary to Spruce Grove. They should be calling you to finalize the details so you can let the hospital know.”
I just stared at him, and he shrugged.
“I did it when you were taking care of the paperwork. Figured it was the last thing you’d want to do right now.”
“Oh God, Danny.” I started crying again. The night was catching up to me with a vengeance. “Did I mention how thankful I am that you’re here?”
He grinned and threw an arm around me. “Whatever I can do to make this easier, Rox.”