The Call Page 4
“Where is she?”
“Abraham, look!” Devon steps to the right, revealing a second bed in the room.
My world stops moving. Everything comes to a halt. I’m frozen stiff. The only thing moving on me is the rapid rise and fall of my chest with the large panicked breaths it's beginning to take in, and the wave of hot tears that are streaming silently down my face.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Oh God.
Angel, my sweet girl. She’s lying unmoving in that bed. I can tell where they have cleaned her up because her skin is still tinted a light shade of red, as if there was so much blood that not all of it would come off of her. I also notice where they had tape around her mouth.
The memory comes like a wave over my mind. We were happy, she was singing, and then blackness. I can see small flashes of blood-covered glass and fries. Then nothing but darkness. I can still hear her. Screaming. Crying. You promised!
A sob chokes off in my throat and Sam is at my side. “Elijah? It's okay. She’s doing so much better. Please, please calm down. Look at me.”
My eyes turn to hers. It's hard to make her out through the blur of tears filling and spilling over my eyes. “Sam? I can't, I can't lose her. Is she going to be okay?”
“I know.” She’s crying now. “You’ve got to be strong now. I know that this is a disaster. I know it hurts. But you have to be strong, for Reagan. We’re here. We’re here for you. All of us.”
“Elijah?” To hear my given name come from Devon’s mouth still scares me. My eyes shift to his. He has unshed tears swimming in his eyes.
“I just need a minute.” It should be me. I should be in worse shape, the one still in a coma. The vehicle was hit on my side. I don’t understand. I can't lose her. “Can I walk?”
The doctor nods. “Slowly. Baby steps, son. You’ve been out for three days now and that morphine/sedative combo will weaken you, a lot. I want everyone out. Now.”
“I am not leaving.”
“Mother. Please. I need a minute.” Her lip is quivering and her makeup is running down her face. “Please, Mother.”
Everyone leaves the room except for the doctor and nurse. “I’ve got to remove your catheter first. You should be able to stand and use the bathroom by yourself now that you’re awake. Just—” He gives a small pull and my whole body jerks. “Sorry. Okay, swing your legs over the side and let them dangle until I say.”
With a deep breath, I do as I’m told. It's everything I can do not to just lunge myself over to her. After a moment, they help pull me up. The nurse has hold of the IV pole and carts it with me. “Easy now.”
When I make it to the bed my angel rests in, I sit. “Can I have a minute alone please?”
“So long as you stay put. Don’t try to move by yourself just yet. I’ll be back in here as soon as I update your chart and talk to your family.”
They exit and close the door. “Oh sweet girl. I’m so sorry. I should have protected you better. I should have been ready for it. I’m so sorry. I’m hoping that, like me, you’ll catch bits and pieces of what the world around you is doing.
Hear me now, angel, I’m here. It's okay. I won’t leave your side. Reagan, I love you. Come home to me, sweet girl. I can't live in a world where you’re not. Please, Reagan. Find your way home.”
»»•««
Reagan
“Please Reagan.” Please? That voice is like heaven. I know it. Ow. My head is killing me. Everything hurts.
“Abraham?”
“Reagan?”
“Smartass.” I smile at him. “Who is that?”
“You know who it is. You’d never forget. It's in there. You just have to find it.”
“I’m tired of looking. Can you tell me yet?”
“Soon, sweet girl. When you’re ready to hear it.”
He smiles and kisses my nose. “I love you, sweet girl.”
“No.” He’s gone. But as he fades, so does my pain. Relief spreads through my body like warm milk. Oh God, that feels good. So tired. Maybe now I can get some sleep. I don’t know what happened, but I hope the pain stays away long enough for me to get some rest.
Crawling into bed with Abraham, I rest my head over his heart. That’s funny. I can not only feel his warmth, but I can hear his heartbeat. Mm. I snuggle deeper.
»»•««
Devon
“It was pretty horrific to watch. Pretty sure your wrist broke from the force of Chris slamming into you guys. You passed out immediately. That’s why you’re in better shape.”
I’m sitting with the cot pushed all the way up against the back wall so I can lean on it. Abraham has moved himself to Reagan’s bed. The doctor wasn’t too thrilled, but Abraham told him in no uncertain terms to fuck off. Sam and Damon have taken to his vacated bed. Everyone else was told to go back into the waiting area.
“And that fucker got away? I don’t understand.”
“His truck was huge, Abraham. With the grill guard on it, he barely put any damage on the damn thing. Plus he was the one doing the ramming. Everyone was more concerned with the two injured and half-dead people in the overturned Jeep.”
“Well, have the cops been in?”
“Yeah, I filled out paperwork as a witness the night I stayed here. It's not like I was getting any sleep anyway.”
His face gets remorseful. “I’m truly sorry that all this happened. But I’m even sorrier that you had to witness that. I can't even imagine.”
“Dude, don’t beat yourself up. Your body’s pretty fucked already. Besides, there’s nothing that you could have done. I’m just happy you’re both still breathing. And on your own at that.”
“What?”
“Reagan had a breathing tube the first night. They say that she’s improving, but not out of the woods yet. Doc says that it's all up to her will to live. She shouldn’t have even been awake, Abraham. Let alone moving around, yelling, and chasing after you.”
“She was yelling?” His head cocks to the side. “What exactly was she saying?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m pretty sure I heard her.”
“Something about a promise that you made. That she couldn’t do this without you.”
He looks down and his brows furrow. “Yeah, I heard her.”
»»•««
Reagan
“Can you hear them too?” Abraham strokes my hair as we lie in our bed.
He nods and kisses my hair. “I can. Do you know who the voices belong to yet?”
“No. It's so frustrating to not know what’s going on. Hey, I felt your lips on my hair.”
“You just have to hold onto that feeling like your life depends on it. Because, baby, it does.”
“Can you tell me yet?”
He laughs into my hair. I don’t feel the heat of his breath like I should, but I don’t tell him that. “No, angel. Not yet. You’re not ready yet.”
“I love you, Abraham.”
“And I you, sweet girl.”
»»•««
Abraham
“Get some rest, Abraham. You look exhausted,” Devon says while rubbing the dark circles that underline his own eyes.
“I am. I feel like I haven’t slept in days. It hurt too much to sleep, or I guess, actually rest. That’s why I asked the doc to give Reagan some pain meds. I don’t want to chance her feeling the pain like I did.”
“I hope she’s resting. We should too. I’m not leaving this room though FYI. I’ll take the cot. But I’m not leaving.”
“I wouldn’t ask you to. Sam, Damon, you guys stayin’?”
“Until they force us to leave.”
“Okay. I’m gonna shut my eyes for a little bit.” Leaning in, I kiss Reagan’s hair and whisper, “I love you, sweet girl. Come home to me.” I close my eyes and almost immediately slip into a dream.
»»•««
“I want to come home, Abraham. Please, just tell me how.
The pain has subsided but I want to feel you. I hate this dark place. This sucks so damn bad.”
“Reagan?”
“Well duh, who else would it be? It's only been you and me. Well aside from Adriana and Brandon.”
“Who?”
“Our children. What’s with you? I don’t like this game.”
“Reagan, I miss you so damn much.”
Everything changes so that I'm looking down on it, almost like I'm watching television. What the fuck is going on? Reagan is facing the empty spot that I stood moments ago, with an almost angry expression.
“Can you tell me yet?” Reagan asks as if she can still see me standing there.
Tell her? Tell her what?
“Not yet, sweet girl. Do you still see me?” It’s my voice, but I’ve said nothing and it comes from nowhere, echoing from everywhere.
“You’re right in front of me.” She says it full of snark.
“Reagan, I’m right here. Look at me!” I'm yelling at her, trying to get her to somehow look me in the eyes to let me know that I'm here.
She doesn’t turn. “I love you, angel.”
She sighs in exasperation, and then lies down in the grass and watches the clouds drift by, while two children run around with what looks like a full-grown Dozer. “I love you too, Abraham.”
Suddenly, I'm looking into a mirror and my reflection seems to have a mind of its own as it starts to talk to me. “You have to help her find her way home before it's too late. We can’t lose her. We’ll lose ourselves. She’s our angel. Our sweet girl.”
The Reagan engulfed in light, from my comatose dreams, appears next to my reflection. “Remember yet?”
“I do. How do I fix it, Reagan?”
“You have to make me remember. You have to be able to tell me. You have to find the words, Abraham. The words that will make me remember. You must hurry or I’ll be stuck here. Help me remember, Abraham. I love you.”
“I love you, Reagan. Reagan?” She fades away into the light and is gone. My reflection smiles, and then fades away into darkness. “Well that can’t be good.”
I yell to try and get Reagan’s attention while she lies in the grass and is looking up at the clouds again. “Reagan! Reagan, I love you! Come home to me! I’m here angel! I’m here.”
Everything starts to fade out.
No!
»»•««
Damon
When I open my eyes, Sam is still out on my chest and it’s dark in the room. Damn, how long have we been asleep? Devon is passed out, sprawled on the cot, and Abraham is snuggled around Reagan. Snoring.
I slide out from under Sam and head out to use the main bathroom so I don’t wake anyone.
When I make it to the reception area, I see Abraham’s mother sleeping on one of the hard chairs all by herself. As much as I despise that woman for how she treats Sam and Abraham, those who raised me raised me better than to just walk past her.
I walk to the desk. “Hey Mags?”
“What’s wrong, cher?”
“Can I get a cot, pillow, and a blanket?”
“For the ice queen?”
“Yeah, I can’t be heartless, even if it is her.” Her eyes soften and she walks into a room and hands me all that I’ve asked for.
“Your aunt raised you kids right.”
“Thanks.” I walk over and set everything up. Once I’ve got it all situated, I walk over and lift her into my arms. It's amazing how much she and Sam look alike. I’ve never noticed it until now. It could be because she’s cried off the pound of makeup she cakes on every morning.
When I lay her down and pull the blanket over her, her eyes peek open. She pats my hand and croaks out a thank you. “You’re welcome.” Without another word, I head to the restrooms.
She won’t be forgiven overnight. Not because she suddenly decides to care about her only son when his life hangs in the balance. She’s still a cold, old, self-entitled bitch. And as far as Sam goes? I’ll never forgive that woman for the words she spoke about Sam right in front of her that day.
»»•««
Reagan
“Angel?”
“Mm, no. Still tired. Shhh.” I can feel him chuckle next to me. “What Abraham? Unless you can tell me yet, then go away.” I’m more than just a little frustrated.
“Angel, look at me.”
Groaning, I roll over on the lounge chair by the pool and look at him. “What, Abraham?”
”Do you remember yet?”
“No, and I wish that you would just tell me what the hell is going on.” He sighs and lies flat on his back.
“It's okay. You’re still not ready.”
“What does that mean? ‘I’m not ready’. Ready for what?”
“Your mind isn’t ready to see it yet.”
“What?”
“Your mind is reloading, sweet girl. It's hurt and damaged. It's trying to catch up to your heart.”
“I don’t understand. My heart is faster than my mind?”
“No, your heart is stronger than your mind. It’s connected to me.”
“Okay…” I sit up and he mimics my movements. I'm waiting for an answer to a question I don’t know.
“You’ll know what I mean when you hear the words I have for only you.”
I flop back into my chair. “You’re impossible, Abraham. How long have we been here?”
“You don’t remember?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I knew the answer.”
“Smartass. A few days. Four, maybe five. I’m fading with each day, Reagan.”
My heart starts to race with my panic. “Fade? Why? Where are you going?”
“It's not me. It's you. Your time is fading. You need to listen harder. Focus, sweet girl. I’m here. It's okay.”
We both stare at each other. I start to hear a voice. I can’t…I can’t remember. The dots won’t connect.
It's okay, angel. I’m here. Calm down for me. Please. Breathe in. Breathe out. Calm. Calm. That’s it, baby girl. Calm.
My heart rate slows, and I take a deep breath while keeping my eyes on Abraham sitting across from me.
“You’re getting close, sweet girl. I love you, Reagan. Remember, focus.”
“Abraham? Wait!” He fades out and with a sigh I say, “I love you too.”
»»•««
Abraham
“What the hell caused it, doc?” I won’t get off the bed, not even while he’s trying to check her over.
“Elijah, you have to understand that she’s somewhere in her own subconscious right now. Just like you were. Her brain is trying to cope with what her body has been through.
“It's not that different as to when you’re dreaming. If you have a nightmare, your heart rate will jump. Sometimes you’ll talk or even scream in your sleep. It's not so different than that. We stopped any internal injuries in surgery when she came in. This is really up to her, son.”
“I can’t take the waiting. I want to help.” I’m so fucking frustrated. I know that I should be elated that she’s healing and that it was probably just a dream, but I hate having her so close but not actually here.
“I know. That’s what you have each other for. To lean on. I’ll be back to check on her in an hour.”
It's noon on day four for Reagan. I can’t imagine how her brothers are getting through this. I’ve been awake for barely twenty-four hours and I’m dying from the inside and out.
Everyone went to the cafeteria to get some food about fifteen minutes ago. The nurse went to get my lunch tray. I can’t even think about food. But she says if I don’t start eating, I won’t get my IV out. I’ll try.
“Knock, knock.” I look up to see my mother in the doorway.
She looks like hell. I don’t think I’ve seen her look anything less than immaculate in my entire life. Not even when she was in the hospital having Sam.
“Mom?”
“Please don’t kick me out. I would just like to speak with you.”
I’m wea
ry but I’ll hear her out. “Okay, but if I don’t like what you have to say, then you will leave.”
“That’s fair. Elijah, I know that I haven’t been there, well really ever. I know that I’ve been a crap mother. I know that my wants have always come before you kids. And I also know that I can’t change overnight, but I’d like to be given the chance to change. If nothing else, I’d like to be here for you to lean on while this…Reagan’s, health is in question.
“You really care for her. I can see that now. I’m truly sorry for the words I spoke to and about her. And when she wakes up, if she’ll allow me the time of day, I’ll apologize to her directly for my appalling behavior.
“I sent Sasha home. And I told her that I will no longer try to get the two of you to wed just because it would benefit me. I heard that she had a hand in something to do with the man that did this to you. I cut her loose.”
“Mother, sometimes it's too little, too late. And he didn’t just do this to me. He did this to Reagan. I love her, Mother. And one day, if she’ll have me, I’m going to marry her. She’s not just some girl that you insulted. She’s the love of my existence. And that ’boy’ Sam is with? That’s Reagan’s twin brother.
“I’m sure that you would love nothing more than to have all of this be swept under the rug. You’ve done irreparable damage to mine and Sam’s relationship with you. Not to mention our other siblings and Father.
“If you want to step up and be a mom, not a just a mother, you’re going to have to do it. And as for you and I? We’ve got problems. You won’t come in here and take advantage of my vulnerable state to try and win me back. Your relationship with me? It depends a lot on her.
“If it were just me I’d tell you where to go right now. Not because I’m ungrateful, but because it's no less than you deserve for the way you’ve handled me all my life. But it's not up to just me anymore. I have a feeling that you’ll have Reagan to thank someday, way down the road, for the repair of the mother/son relationship between us, because she never had the chance to build one with her mother.
“But you will do all the heavy lifting with this. A lot of it will be out of your comfort zone and it won’t just be me. You’re not just getting me and Sam. If you want us? You have to take our whole motley crew. Now, please. Go home. You’ve a lot to think about.”