Chapter 2 #2
As the words penetrated Devyn’s sleep-fogged brain, she forced her sluggish eyelids open. Struggled upright from the bedside chair where she’d planted herself three days ago, once the swelling in Lauren’s brain had subsided.
“Her eyes opened briefly.” The nurse motioned toward Lauren.
“I can’t believe I missed it.” Devyn pushed herself to her feet. “Or that I dozed off.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. Hospital stays take a huge toll on families as well as patients. Did you get any sleep at all last night in that chair?”
“Not much.” Like maybe two fitful hours, if she was generous in her estimate. The remainder had been spent watching Lauren for signs of returning alertness.
“You’re entitled to doze off. I’ll let Dr. Sherman know about the change. I assume she spoke with you about what to expect as your sister wakes up?”
“Yes. Post-traumatic amnesia. She said Lauren could be agitated and confused and might not recognize me at first, and that she could behave out of character.”
“Any or all of those may happen. Go ahead and talk to her. It’s possible she’s beginning to become conscious of her surroundings. I expect Dr. Sherman will stop by over lunch to do an assessment.”
As the woman disappeared out the door, Devyn took Lauren’s hand.
“Hey, sis. I’m still here, waiting for you to wake up.
And the news is all positive. The swelling in your brain went down, and everything looked normal on the last CT scan.
I gave the people at your dental office an update, and they said to let you know your job will be waiting whenever you’re ready to come back. So no worries on that score.”
She didn’t mention the other information her sister’s office had relayed, after she’d made a comment about not being able to reach Dennis.
It seems her sister had been separated from her husband for more than a year.
Another shock in a shock-filled trip. One that raised further questions.
Until Lauren was able to communicate, however, those would remain unanswered.
Devyn leaned over and picked up the stuffed bear attached to colorful helium-filled foil balloons and set it on the bed beside Lauren.
“Wait till you see the darling little bear and balloons your office sent.” She picked up her sister’s hand and stroked her limp fingers over the plush fur. “Isn’t that soft?”
If Lauren felt anything, she gave no indication.
“Anyway, they’ll be here for you when you wake up.” Devyn disengaged the weighted balloons from the bear and set them aside. Nestled the bear beside Lauren’s hand. Perched on the side of the bed.
And for the next hour, while she waited for Dr. Sherman and nurses bustled in and out, she kept up a running commentary, filling her sister in on the local weather, calling up every funny story she could remember that she hadn’t already shared over the past few days, and talking about her childhood memories of Hope Harbor—including the fish tacos from Charley’s iconic wharf-side stand.
“I haven’t gotten down there yet, but that’s the first place I plan to visit.
” Hopefully it was still there. Trips to the taco-making artist’s stand had been one of the highlights of her youth.
“I’ve missed not only his food but his wisdom.
Right now I’m staying at a hotel here in Coos Bay, but I’m planning to crash at home once you wake up.
In my old bedroom, if it still has a bed.
I called your minister at Grace Christian, and he’s having someone get your mail until I come down.
He’s also got the whole congregation praying for—”
“I hear there’s good news.”
As Dr. Sherman swept into the room, Devyn stood. “The nurse said she opened her eyes earlier, but I haven’t seen any indications that she’s coming around.”
“Let’s try to encourage her.”
The doctor circled around to the other side of the bed and took Lauren’s hand.
“Lauren, if you can hear me, squeeze my fingers.” After a moment, she raised her voice.
“Lauren. Squeeze. My. Fingers. I know you can do it. See how I’m squeezing yours?
Squeeze back.” After a few seconds, Dr. Sherman’s lips rose a hair. “Very good.”
When the doctor glanced over and gave a thumbs-up, Devyn’s throat contracted.
“Lauren, I want you to open your eyes and look at me.” A few beats ticked by, and the doctor leaned closer. “Come on. Open your eyes. I’m waiting for you.”
Nothing.
Devyn’s spirits dipped.
If she’d opened them earlier, unprompted, why wouldn’t she do it now? Did that mean—
Wait.
Lauren’s lashes fluttered . . . and suddenly popped open.
Yes!
The neurologist eased closer to her. “Can you look at me? I’m on your right.”
Lauren continued to stare at the ceiling . . . but her hand snaked up toward the ventilator tube.
“Excellent.” Dr. Sherman straightened and spoke across the bed.
“Purposeful movement toward an area of discomfort indicates a heightened level of awareness. So does her response to commands and her earlier spontaneous eye opening. She’s wakeful and aware.
That means consciousness is returning.” She refocused on Lauren. “Lauren, look at me.”
In slow motion, Lauren’s gaze shifted toward the doctor.
“Good job.” The doctor smiled at her, then released her hand.
“So what happens next?” Devyn gripped the siderail of the bed, watching her sister.
“We’ll change the settings on the ventilator, give her less support, and watch her closely for the next couple of hours. If everything looks good, we’ll remove the breathing tube.”
“She’ll be able to talk to us then, right?”
The doctor’s hesitation was brief but telling. “There would be no mechanical impediments to speech at that point.”
Translation?
There could be neurological ones.
Stomach knotting, Devyn took Lauren’s hand again as the doctor conferred with the nurse.
They’d passed one hurdle. Lauren was returning to them.
But would it be the fully functioning Lauren who’d tripped and fallen on Saturday—or someone who was going to need major assistance not only now but perhaps forever?