Chapter 47
Summer
Although I slept soundly through the night, my dreams were a chaotic jumble of past and future possibilities.
Memories of when we were kids, Ray taking Jake away from me after he leaves the hospital, Jake not knowing who I am, Jake moving in with me and Zander.
The most prevalent, though, is me living with Jake and all the guys in this big house with kids running around.
I’m not sure how to feel about the last one.
After eating blueberry pancakes and filling my thermos with tea, we head to the hospital. My stomach is a mess of fluttering nerves, excitement, and a bone-deep dread all tangled up together.
Zander squeezes my hand as we leave the elevator and head down the hall.
“Morning,” Leigh greets us. “Dr. Crosby is in with Jake now. He had a good night, sleeping on and off. Faith gave him a little broth this morning before she left, and he’s been sipping on water and ice chips.
She set up a sitcom for him to watch, but he slept more than anything.
Head on into the left room, and Dr. Crosby will be in when she’s done. ”
“Thanks,” I smile. We settle into the lounge area, and I pull out my schoolwork. I’m reading through the physics notes from yesterday when there’s a knock at the door. Dr. Crosby enters and sits in the armchair. “Good morning.”
She looks a little weary this morning. “Morning. Is everything all right?”
“Jake is fine, Summer. I told him he was going to be okay, but that he'd been in a coma for a while. He seemed to handle that information well. There are gaps in his memory of the accident. Either that, or he hasn’t processed them because he didn’t ask questions about it.
He also hasn’t asked about you or his family.
I’m not sure what the best approach is here. ”
I smile to myself. “He won’t ask you questions, Dr. Crosby.
He’ll wait you out until you give him the information.
It’s a long story, but when we were kids, a police officer came to school, and he taught us to have a safe word or phrase if we were ever in trouble or really scared.
It became a thing between Jake and me as we got older.
If one of us was scared or confused, the other would say the phrase, reassuring us that everything would be alright.
I bet he’s waiting to hear it because he’s overwhelmed.
We’ve never let each other go through anything alone.
I waited a long time to hear it after the accident, but I never did. ”
“How much have your looks changed since you saw Jake last?”
“I’ve filled out, but my hair and face are the same. My skin is probably tanned. Why?”
“I’m debating whether sending you in there will be too much for him. He’s still healing, and I don’t want to overwhelm him.”
“Tell him you have a message for him. Tell him, ‘flying makes me a better care provider,’ and see what his reaction is. I’ll wait here until you think he’s ready, Dr. Crosby.”
“Thank you, Summer,” she says, typing on her phone. “I’ll be back.”
Zander looks at me after she leaves. “How did two kids come up with a phrase like that?”
“Oh, Jake loved the movie Big Hero 6 when we were little. It’s something the robot says in the movie, and Jake thought it was the coolest thing ever, so we chose that as our safe phrase.”
He smiles at me. “Clever.”
We go back to work, but I’m distracted now.
Jake is awake and right on the other side of the wall.
I wonder what his reaction to the phrase was?
Suddenly I see Leigh rush into his room.
“Zander,” I say, getting up and going into the hallway.
I duck behind the desk to look at the monitor.
Dr. Crosby is sitting to Jake’s right while Leigh is pushing on his shoulders.
Jake looks mad. I’d know that face anywhere.
“I need to go in there,” I say, looking up at Zander.
He watches the screen for a minute, then says, “You know him best, darling. You do what you think is right.”
Nodding, I go over and knock on his door. A few seconds later, Dr. Crosby slips out. “Summer?”
“He’s mad. What was his reaction to your saying the phrase?”
“He got upset, wanting to see you. I told him you would visit later, but he isn’t interested in waiting. He’s getting more upset than I want him to be right now. “
“Let me in. He’ll calm down right away. I promise.”
She thinks for a minute, then nods. “He needs to rest his head on the pillow. I don’t want him to aggravate the base of his skull, nor do I want to sedate him. Also, he doesn’t know what day it is or the specifics of the accident. He needs to remain calm.”
“Understood,” I say, moving around her and opening the door. The rooms must be soundproof because I can hear Jake arguing in a broken voice with Leigh as soon as I enter the room.
“Flying makes me a better care provider,” I announce.
Jake freezes as Leigh steps back. “I cannot deactivate until you are satisfied with your care,” Jake responds with a scratchy croak.
A huge smile breaks out on my face as I walk over to him. “Jake,” I whisper.
A look of sheer relief washes over his face. “Summer,” he says, attempting to sit up.
Leigh steps forward again, but I hold up my hand. “Jake, lie back. You’re still healing. Head on the pillow.”
He does as I ask immediately. I hear the door close again as Dr. Crosby joins us. I take a seat on the edge of his bed and grab his hand. “You’re okay, just relax.”
“How are you okay?” Jake asks me.
Unsure how to answer, I raise a brow at the doctor. “Jake, remember you were in a coma for a while. Summer is healed now.”
“I’m fine, Jake. Some scars, but I’m good.”
“I have so many questions, Sum.”
“I know, but for now, trust me, we’re both okay. That’s all you need to know right now.”
“Okay. For now, not forever.”
“Deal.”
“Jake, I’d like to check your incision before I leave, then you and Summer can visit,” Dr. Crosby says.
They raise the head of his bed up and pull a section from the bed to access the back of his head.
Once done, they lower his bed back to a 45-degree angle.
“It’s pulled a little, but no bleeding. Please keep your head cradled in the pillow. It is very important, Jake.”
“Okay,” Jake agrees.
“We will be back in a little while to check on you,” Leigh smiles as they both leave.
I take a seat on the edge of the bed again. “Sum. What the heck is going on?”
“First, did the doctor tell you about the procedure?”
“She said she woke me from a coma by stimulating a nerve below my skull.”
“She did, and until you’re healed, you need to keep your stress down. That’s very important. Your big old brain is sensitive right now,” I smile. “Just focus on healing. There’s lots of time for questions later.”
“Fine, but I don’t like it. You’re older, Sum. I can see that, and I’m weak. I’ve got no muscle tone. I don’t think I’m going to like the answers to my questions.”
“The questions can wait. They need to wait, trust me. Now, do you need anything? Want some ice or water?”
“Mothering mode activated. That didn’t take you long,” he smiles. “Ice would be good.”
I get up and wheel the bed table over, setting the ice, water, and remote on it. I take a seat and tip the ice cup into his mouth. “Wanna watch tv?”
“Sure. That show last night was good.” I turn the sitcom back on, then pull a chair over and take Jake’s hand. “Is it really gonna be okay, Sum?” He sounds so unsure.
“Yeah, it is,” I smile, looking into his eyes. “Promise.”
Leigh comes back in with broth at lunchtime. “Hey guys. Jake, ready for some broth?”
“My favorite food,” he deadpans.
Chuckling at him, I get up and stretch. “Behave. You’ll be back to burgers in no time. While you eat, I’m gonna grab some lunch too. I’ll be back quickly.” I lean over and kiss his cheek.
“You’re leaving?” Jake is freaking out again.
“I’m just going downstairs to grab a plate of food. I’m not even leaving the building.”
“Don’t be long. Please.” Jake sounds vulnerable right now. He’s putting on a brave face, but deep down, he’s scared.
“If Jake doesn’t think the smell of food would bother him, I can have something sent up for you, Summer?” Leigh offers.
“Thanks Leigh. Jake, I’m just going next door to grab my bag. Less than a minute, okay?”
“K. Thanks, Sum.”
I squeeze his hand and walk out. Zander is working on his laptop on the couch in the room. “Hey. Leigh offered to have food sent up for lunch. Jake got stressed when I said I was leaving, so I’m gonna grab my bag and go back in. Are you okay here by yourself?”
“I’m fine, darling. Jensen is printing a large poster of Troy falling into the pool for me today,” he smiles. “Payback for the penguin. How is Jake?”
“Good for you. Jake is outstanding. Curious, but not pushing since I asked him not to. He realizes a lot of time has passed, though.”
“Text if you need anything. I’ll be here,” Zander replies.
“Thanks, Dad.” Grabbing my bag, I go back into Jake’s room. He finished his broth, and Leigh is checking his vitals. I drop my bag on the couch and check my phone. I have texts from the guys asking about Jake. Sending a quick group reply, I tell them I’m with him now and will check in after school.
“Summer. I’ll grab the menu for you,” Leigh offers before leaving the room.
She comes back, and I choose a chicken salad and a cupcake. Thanking her, I take my seat again. “How bad was the broth?” I ask.
“Not bad. It was chicken, I think. Hey, what day is it?”
“Friday.”
“Are you gonna give me more?”
“Nope, and don’t ask.”
“Fine. I might snooze. Seems I get tired quickly. Don’t leave while I’m asleep, okay?”
“Promise I’ll stay here. Sleep Jake.”
He closes his eyes, so I watch tv until Leigh brings my lunch. After eating, I use the washroom, then grab my laptop and get schoolwork done. I text Zander, but he’s fine. He got lunch at the truck across the road.