CHAPTER 48
Palmer
Over the course of the next few days, Ofelia and I make sure we never leave Bailey alone.
We take rotations going to the bathroom or to the cafeteria to bring food back for both of us, but most of the time, we just sit and talk.
The nausea has come and gone, but I always try to just push it down.
When I can’t, I make up an excuse about using the restroom even if I just did.
Ofelia probably thinks I have a UTI, but she hasn’t said anything, so I’m not going to.
Ofelia tells me stories about Bailey and his sisters growing up. I learn that he calls her every week and that Diaz is her last name, not Bailey’s dad’s; after he left and the divorce was finalized, she changed her last name. She hadn’t planned on changing the kids’, but Bailey had been insistent.
“He’s always been stubborn.” Ofelia laughs, but then her voice takes on a more serious edge. “That’s how I know he’s going to be okay. He has to be.”
This time, it’s my turn to comfort her. “Show me some more pictures?” I prompt gently, laying my hand softly on her arm.
Tears shine in her eyes, but she nods and unlocks her phone.
We spend hours laughing and talking, between new inside jokes we’ve developed from the lack of sleep and stories about Bailey.
I keep convincing myself I’m seeing his fingers move or his eyes open, but it’s always a figment of my imagination.
Lindy and Chase have been in and out the past couple of days, but they both flew home yesterday.
They shared their own Bailey stories, giving Ofelia a little glimpse into his life as it is now.
The version of himself that Bailey has presented to his mother is carefully curated, and the three of us blew it out of the water as we tell her about the goofy things he does.
I tell her about how Bailey and I met, leaving out anything marginally inappropriate, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Lindy based on the knowing smirk she gives me.
I’m in the midst of telling her about Mouse peeing on him when we’re interrupted by a knock on the door.
“He’s always been an animal lover.” She smiles. “So that doesn’t surprise me one bit. Come in!”
A knock followed by Bailey’s doctor and a nurse we are familiar with from her rounds slip in with quiet greetings.
I instantly want to vomit. Judging from the look on Ofelia’s face, so does she. Bailey’s doctor rarely comes to his room, and she never comes with a nurse in tow.
What bad news are we about to hear?
Dr. Middleton wheels her stool over and sits in front of us, while the nurse, Sandy, checks Bailey’s vitals and scribbles on a clipboard before coming to stand near Dr. Middleton.
“How are you ladies doing today?” Dr. Middleton asks, her hands clasped loosely in her lap.
We don’t say anything, just nod.
“Well, we’ve got some news,” Dr. Middleton starts. “I’d like to think it’s good news, but as you know, nothing is ever perfect. In cases like this, however, we have to take the good where we can get it.”
The blood drains from Ofelia’s face, and her nails dig into the skin of my hand when she grabs it. I’m not sure if I’m the one trembling or if she is.
Dr. Middleton continues. “The good news is the swelling on Bailey’s brain has gone down substantially and he’s healing nicely. He is finally to the point where we can remove the tube and start waking him up. In fact, we would like to go ahead and do that today.”
Ofelia and I collapse back against the couch, releasing a collective exhale.
“The other side of that is we’re not entirely sure how these injuries will have impacted Bailey when he wakes up.
Obviously, there’s concerns with his memory, but we don’t know how his other skills might be impacted.
And with the additional physical trauma, we just don’t know at this time.
” Dr. Middleton presses her lips into a thin line.
“With that being said, we are going to celebrate the fact we can begin waking him up, and we’ll tackle everything else as it comes. Do either of you have any questions?”
A few moments of silence pass, and I wait for Ofelia to speak. Her shoulders shake with silent tears, so I speak up. “What can we do to help?”
“What you’ve been doing since day one,” Dr. Middleton says.
“Just keep talking to him and be here for him when he wakes up. I’ll give you ladies a minute to chat with him, then we will have you step out while we extubate and begin the process of backing off the medications.
When we’re finished, you can come back in. ”
Dr. Middleton and Sandy step out, and Ofelia stands next to the bed, whispering to Bailey. I look down to give her some privacy. She steps back after a moment, her face tearstained, then gestures for me to take her place.
I take a moment to study Bailey’s face, memorizing its serene state and preparing for the inevitable pain that will come when he wakes up.
The fear that wracks my body is nearly debilitating, but I won’t let him see that.
No matter what happens when he wakes up, I’ll be here; I’m not going anywhere.
I lean forward and press a kiss to his forehead, ignoring the churning in the pit of my stomach. “I’ll see you soon, handsome.”