Chapter 13
Thirteen
Cali sat in the recliner with her laptop on her lap.
She had been so behind on work that she opted to do some of it while posted up at the hospital.
Day by day, Rio had been weaning off the life support machine.
While the doctors had been hopeful, he had yet to awaken.
Ruthia was still camped out in the room, praying relentlessly for a full recovery.
Her dedication had been so inspiring to Cali.
When the door opened, Cee walked inside carrying keys in his hand.
“Hey, Ms. Campbell,” he greeted Ruthia. “What’s up, Cali?” He gave her a friendly hug.
“Hey, Cee. You been okay?”
“Yeah.” He handed her the key. “I got your oil changed earlier.”
While Cali had been supporting Rio at the hospital, Cee and Slime took care of anything she may have needed.
Cee ensured that her car was filled with gas and taken care of while Slime took care of the landscaping and house needs.
She had been so thankful for their loyalty and couldn’t wait for Rio to wake up so she could tell him all about it.
“Thank you so much.”
“You know I got you.” He turned and looked at Rio. “Still no change?”
“Not yet,” Ruthia answered. “But my boy will be back before you know it.”
Cali was thankful for her faith because hers was undoubtedly wavering again.
Cee took a seat, pulling his phone out. Cali resumed doing her work in her laptop while Ruthia changed the water in the vase for the flowers. Muffled noises diverted her attention to the bed where Rio was. His chest heaved as a stifled cough stalled in his mouth.
“Oh, my God.” Cali jumped up, making her laptop crash to the ground.
She hurried over to Rio and Cee followed suit. Without warning, he pulled at the ET tube that was inserted into his mouth.
“Go get the doctor,” Cali ordered urgently to Cee.
He ran out the room as Ruthia came out of the bathroom with the vase. As soon as she saw Cali struggling to keep Rio from pulling at the tube, her eyes expanded as she dropped the vase from her hands. Shards of glass scattered across the shiny tile while she hurried over to the bed.
“My God is faithful!” she shouted. “Rio, I knew you would come back to us.”
“Help me restrain him. I think he’s choking,” Cali fretted.
Seconds later, Cee entered the room with the doctor and nurse right behind him.
“Excuse us,” the doctor said, gently moving Ruthia and Cali out of the way.
“Is he okay?” Cali questioned, eyes filled with concern.
“He’s coming out of the coma.” The doctor pulled out his flashlight, opening Rio’s eyes to take a look. “DuRio, I am Dr. Benjamin at the hospital. You’ve been in a coma and had to be on a ventilator. You're okay but I need you to calm down so we can get this thing out of you.”
Rio had a panicked look in his eyes as the nurse and doctor grabbed his arms.
“My God, my God, my God,” Ruthia praised, lifting her hands in the air. “Nobody can tell me my God ain't good.”
“Damn.” Cee shook his head. “I can’t believe he’s waking up.”
Cali would’ve been bothered by his statement if she wasn’t amazed her damn-self.
She had hopes that this would happen but seeing Rio try to take a breath on his own left her speechless.
While the doctor and nurse worked on Rio, Cali stood by, pressing her hands together while holding in tears.
She didn’t want to celebrate too early. She was traumatized from watching Rio struggle to hold on to life.
Was this his last breath before he was taken from her?
Did he make one last appearance before God sent him on his way?
Cali wasn’t sure, which was why she held her praises until she knew for sure that Rio would be here to stay.
The doctor turned to them as they waited in silence. “We’re going to ask you all to step out for a second while we assess him.”
“Is he alive?” Cali asked, needing confirmation. “I mean is he going to be okay?”
“Right now, we’re trying to get him stable.” The doctor looked at the nurse. “Call the respiratory therapist.”
“I know he’s going to be okay,” Ruthia stated with such confidence. “We’ll step out while you do your check up.”
They all filed out of the room and stood outside the door.
“This is why I told y’all to pray. The power of prayer can move mountains. I’m so glad my boy is here,” Ruthia whimpered as tears rushed from her eyes.
Seeing her tears of joy prompted a smile to surface on Cali’s lips. Although they didn’t have confirmation that Rio was okay, the doctor didn’t give them any bad news either.
“I’ll be right back.”
Cali walked down the hall and stepped inside the bathroom. She locked the door, got on her knees and pressed her hands together.
“God, thank you for giving me a second chance to get right. I promise I will never betray Rio again if you give him back to me. Keep me from being selfish and make me a better wife. I swear, I’ll never be disloyal again. Amen.”
After a few shed tears, Cali got up and washed her hands. When she stepped back out of the bathroom, Ruthia frantically waved her over.
“We can go in and see him. He’s awake.”
They all rushed in, but Cali stopped in her tracks.
There was a cloud of unbelief that was suspended over her head.
Although half-open, Rio was awake, but his breathing was very shallow.
Despite that, he was no longer trapped in the deep slumber that held his spirit hostage.
He was back, not one hundred percent but he was there, and she could only give credit to God.
Slowly, Cali approached the side of the bed. Ruthia showered his face with kisses while Cee patted his shoulder.
“Rio?” Cali said.
It took a while for his lazy gaze to drift to her, but when it did, she smiled the biggest beam she’d ever shown.
“I’m so happy.” She choked back tears. “We’ve been praying so hard for you.”
Rio looked away, seeming to fight the urge to drift back to sleep. Cali grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it. Knowing she had almost lost the husband she’d been unfaithful to was gut wrenching, but she made a vow to herself to be better for him.
For hours, the doctor ordered neurological assessments to see how much damage had been done to Rio’s brain.
He had a CT scan, spinal tap, and blood work done.
A respiratory therapist was also called to help with his breathing.
Rio was so weak that he could barely move his limbs.
Cali hadn’t thought about the aftereffects from the coma.
She didn’t realize there could be further damage due to him being unconscious for almost two months.
News had spread quickly. Deasia had come after work. Slime came up along with more members from TLM, including Jovanis. As soon as Cali sent the news to her family, they had come along with Irish.
“Cali, I knew Rio was a fighter,” Douglas assured, pulling her in for a hug.
“Yeah, me too.”
“He’s got a long road ahead but I’m sure he’ll be okay with you by his side. I know this was a lot for you, but you showed how faithful you are. Rio is lucky to have you as a wife.”
Cali would’ve relished in her father’s words if it weren’t for the guilt that accompanied her day and night.
“Thank you, Dad.”
“No, thank you for being you.”
He pinched her cheek, causing a goofy smirk to settle on her lips. When he walked away, Irish approached her.
“How you feel, boo? I know this is a relief.”
Cali pushed out a dramatic sigh. “It is but there’s still work to do. He may have some brain damage, especially from the blow to his head.”
“Hopefully not. I’m praying he’ll get back to ordering you around in no time.”
Cali tittered, remembering how Rio always tried to dominate her time.
“Look, I’m hoping that part of his personality is gone.”
“Don't do my boy like that.” Irish laughed. “You know you loved to be ordered around by him.”
Cali’s smile suddenly faded. Her reverie had betrayed her, pushing memories of her lying to Rio to spend time with Braye. It was funny how a car accident and a month-long coma had changed Cali’s perspective. She was wildin’ out back then, without any shame for her actions.
That won’t be the case anymore…
Bria came over, positioning her purse strap over her shoulder. “My bro gave me a smirk, so you know that made my entire night.”
Cali beamed. “Yeah, he’s showing a bit of his personality.”
“Well, I gotta get home to the boys. Lo is calling, asking when I’m leaving. You know that’s code word for it’s time to bring my ass home.”
Cali and Bria shared a laugh, knowing how impatient her husband, Lo, could be.
“Yeah, sis, get out of here before he pull the fire alarm and have the whole hospital in the parking lot.”
“Girl, fuck you.” Bria laughed then gave her a hug. “I’ll come back tomorrow after I drop the boys off at school.”
“Okay.”
“Bye, Irish,” Bria said before giving her a hug.
Cali went toward the corner, watching everyone dote on Rio.
She didn’t realize how loved he was until this accident.
Or maybe she was so wrapped up in her infidelity that she hadn’t realized she had a good man in her life.
Now that she had been granted a second chance, Cali planned to be the very best wife to her husband.
One week later…
The progress Rio had made had been astounding.
Still suspended in disbelief, Cali watched Rio work with the physical therapist, trying to gain some motor skills.
He was weak, not having much energy most of the days but he was trying to recover.
Although they were still in the hospital, Cali felt better knowing he was fully awake.
The doctor notified her that there was some small damage to his brain, which was why there was a delayed response at times when he was asked a question.
He was still Rio but just a bit slower in his responses.
“You got it, son,” Ruthia encouraged him as he attempted to grab the tennis ball in front of him. “There you go.”