36. Skye
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
SKYE
“ S kye, you really should take a moment to rest, sweetheart,” Gwen gently urged, her voice warm and caring. “You’ve been juggling your main job while also taking care of Monte these past few weeks. I can only imagine how exhausted you must be. Go on; I’ll handle things from here.”
A wave of gratitude washed over me at her thoughtfulness, brightening my weary spirits.
“I will, but can I have just a few more minutes with him?”
“Of course. Just come and get me when you’re done.”
Once she stepped out of the room and closed the door gently behind her, granting me the privacy I craved, I took a seat beside Monte's bedside. I placed my hand delicately over his. With a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and selected “6, 8, 12” by Brian McKnight. The soft notes filled the room, and as I listened, memories of me and Monte’s time together flooded my mind, tugging at my heart. The song seemed to resonate with our past and current situation, even though we had been apart for quite some time. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I thought about all the beautiful moments we had shared, moments that now felt so distant.
“Monte, if you can hear me, please wake up! Blink! Squeeze my hand or something!” I pleaded, my voice trembling with hope.
Week after week, I had uttered these words, accustomed to receiving silence as the only reply. Just as I prepared to leave, ready to succumb to despair, I felt a faint but unmistakable squeeze around my fingers.
My heart raced—did I imagine that? But then, he squeezed my hand again, that time a little stronger.
“Oh my God, Monte!” I exclaimed, disbelief and joy mingling in my voice as I jumped up, a cascade of joyful tears filling my eyes.
I hovered over him, staring in awe at the sight of his eyelids fluttering open, revealing those familiar brown eyes I had so desperately missed.
“Gwen!”