Chapter 47 #2
Dr. Crosby returns mid-afternoon and asks to speak with me in the hallway. Since Jake is awake, I tell him I’ll be right back. “Everything okay?” I ask as we go next door.
“I wanted your opinion of Ray. I’m concerned about his response to seeing Jake. I called last night and told him Jake was awake, and his initial reaction was denial, but I told him to come this afternoon. Do you think he would overwhelm Jake?”
I look at Zander. “He and Jake were always close, but Ray isn’t himself. He may have a breakdown once he sees him awake.”
“I agree. He’s got a lot of trauma and guilt. Seeing Jake awake will force him into reality. It might not be pretty,” Zander adds.
“What about showing him Jake on the monitors first? See how he responds? Then explain that he can’t upset Jake, so his stress levels stay down. If he can’t keep his composure, then delay his visit?” I suggest.
“Excellent idea,” Dr. Crosby nods.
“I’m happy to help with Ray if needed,” Zander offers. “He seems to respond well when we talk. I know he wouldn’t want to hinder his progress.”
“Good. We have a plan. He should arrive anytime now. Thank you both.”
I go back in to sit with Jake. “Hey,” I smile, retaking my seat.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing to worry about. The doctor is pleased with your progress. Now, how about a movie?”
“Can you snuggle?” He asks.
“Hmm, let me grab Leigh and see if we can get you slid over a bit,” I smile. Poking my head out the door, I call Leigh over.
“Hi. Do you need something?”
“Yeah. Can we slide Jake over so I can get on the bed with him?”
“Sure,” she smiles.
I help her support his head with the pillow as she shimmies him over. “Thanks, Leigh.” I make sure he has enough water and ice before getting in on his right. Lying on my side, I snuggle into him like I used to do in Virginia.
“This is better,” Jake sighs. “I hate this stupid pillow, though.”
Leaning back so I can see his face, I understand his frustration.
He can only look up. I text Leigh if I can sit him more upright, and she replies right away that I can.
I reach over and hit the button on the bed rail to raise his head more.
Once he’s sitting up, I get up and lean on my arm. “Better?”
He gives me a smile. Oh, that smile. The one that got to me growing up and made my belly erupt with butterflies. The one that turned us from friends to more. “Yup.”
I lean in and give him a soft kiss on his lips, but pull back quickly. “Can’t move your head yet,” I remind him.
“How long before I can kiss you properly?”
“Several more days, handsome,” I smile. I settle back down, turning onto my back.
It’s a tight squeeze; my shoulder has to go on top of his, but we can both see the tv.
I turn on a movie and relax. Before long, Jake's breathing softly and deeply in sleep. I peek behind me to confirm he’s out.
Smiling, I continue to watch the movie until my phone vibrates, so I get up quietly.
I don’t want to risk Jake waking and seeing the date over my shoulder.
It’s Zander. Ray's here watching the monitor, and he wants to know if Ray can come in. I ask if he can hold it together, and Zander assures me he can. He’s been here for an hour watching the monitors.
I look up at the camera and smile, nodding.
A minute later, Ray slips inside. He looks like he’s been crying, but seems happy.
He immediately pulls me into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Summer,” he whispers.
“It’s okay, Ray. It’s going to be okay now,” I whisper back.
“Dad?” I hear Jake call, so I pull back.
Ray freezes for a minute as I see tears fall again. He walks over and grabs his hand. “Hi. Sorry, I wasn’t here earlier. How are you feeling?”
“Tired but okay. Why are you crying?”
“You were in a coma. Duh. He’s happy you’re better,” I say, getting back on the bed. I’m not going anywhere until I know Ray won’t cause Jake any stress.
Ray smiles at me. “She’s right. I’m just happy. You know I’m a crier. Are you in pain?”
“No, not really. My head is tender, but not bad. You look terrible, Dad.”
Ray laughs, a joyful sound from his soul. “Thanks son. I can feel the love.”
We sit and chat for about an hour before Ray excuses himself to take a phone call. I lean my head on Jake’s shoulder. “Sum. Is Dad okay?”
“He will be Jake.”
“Sum, that’s not a real answer, and where’s Mom?”
Sitting back up, I look into his beautiful cobalt eyes.
“Questions can wait until you’re healed.
I’m fine. Your dad is fine, and your mom is fine.
Okay? Please don’t push right now. I’m sure you’re frustrated, but you’re still healing, and too much info too fast will stress you out.
Dr. Crosby will tell you what she can. Please trust me? ”
Jake sighs. “Fine. I trust you.”
Smiling, I kiss his cheek and lay back, turning on another movie. Leigh comes in with more broth, and I offer to feed Jake, so she checks his vitals and then leaves us alone. I give him his first spoonful, and he scrunches up his nose. “What?”
“That’s terrible.”
I take a spoonful and cough. “Yup. You’re right. I’ll get Leigh to get another flavor. Be right back.”
Leigh agrees to get more of the chicken from lunch and makes a note not to serve Jake the beef broth.
I peek in on Zander, who's on the phone, but he waves and smiles at me. Ray stops me as I'm about to enter Jake’s room. “Summer. I’m going to stay this evening with Jake. I’m so sorry this was all on your shoulders.
You’ve been incredible, and I’m so grateful you never gave up on him. ”
“It’s okay, Ray. I’ll always be here for Jake. You need to be the best version of yourself for him, though. Consider talking to someone?”
“Zander and Dr. Crosby said the same thing. I will. I never realized what I was doing,” he sighs.
“Let’s go back in with Jake.” He follows me back into the room and I climb up onto the bed. Jake is half asleep again, but perks up when we come in. “Leigh is getting you chicken broth,” I tell him.
We chat until the broth arrives. I spoon-feed Jake as Ray tells stories of when we were younger. Once he’s finished eating, I tell him I’m heading home, but I’ll be back at 7am tomorrow.
“Jake, I’ll be staying,” Ray says, which seems to help his panic.
“Are you okay if I leave?” I ask with concern.
“Yeah. I’m good, Sum,” Jake smiles.
“Alright. Get some rest. Keep that curious brain back until you heal,” I say. I get up and give him a peck. “Love you, handsome.”
“Love you, Sum. Don’t be late tomorrow.”
“Promise,” I smile. I grab my bag and say goodbye, walking out. Zander is watching tv on the couch when I go into the next room. “Hey.”
“Hi darling. Come check this out,” he says, patting the seat beside him.
I sit and he hands me his phone. There, in the Finn lounge, are two enormous posters of Troy falling into the pool beside the penguin picture of Zander.
Chuckling, I hand him his phone back. “Two posters? Troy's gonna be so mad.”
“Payback,” he smiles. “Ready to go?”
“Yup, Ray is staying for the evening.”
Once we’re in the car, Zander asks how Jake is.
“Good. He’s curious, but he’s behaving. He asked a few questions, but I told him they had to wait until his head heals and he’s accepted that for now.
It’s weird. I was nervous about seeing him this morning, and I thought I would burst into tears when I finally talked to him, but I didn’t.
Our relationship didn’t skip a beat, and it was totally normal between us.
I got misty-eyed for a minute, but then the last two years just dissolved instantly. ”
“That’s wonderful, darling.”
“How was Ray when he came in?”
“Denial initially, then he saw you two talking and burst into tears. He cried for a long time. I tried to get him into the other room, but he wouldn’t leave the monitor, so Leigh gave him a chair to sit on and watch.
When he composed himself, Dr. Crosby took him to her office, and they talked for a while. ”
That was probably a much-needed cry, but I feel bad for him. “He apologized to me. Hopefully, he can heal now.”
We grab dinner at the hotel restaurant before going up to our room. After I shower, I text everyone an update. Seb video calls with Alex and Bay. “Sunshine. I miss you,” he smiles.
“Miss you guys too. Did you win?”
“Yeah, we did. You look tired,” he says with concern etched across his face. “Can we come visit tomorrow?” Seb asks.
“You certainly can, but I can’t introduce you yet, and I’ll be with Jake most of the day. I am tired, but it was a good day because I spent most of it with him. Ray is still at the hospital visiting.”
“Is he feeling okay?” Alex asks.
“He is. He has to take it easy after the procedure, but he’s comfortable. Dr. Crosby hasn’t told him much yet. His stress level needs to stay down until he’s healed.”
“He must have a million questions,” Bay says.
“Jake does, but he’s accepted he needs to wait to get answers.
What are you guys up to?” They’re staying at Alex’s house overnight and going swimming.
We chat about school, and E joins them fresh from the shower.
Since I'll be unavailable all day and they can't meet Jake yet, they decide to wait to visit.
Things are still weird between E, Seb, and me. E is trying, though.