Part 3 - An Experience to Forget

I lay on my dad's lap curled into a little ball. It reminded me of when I was little and could actually fit into that space. It used to give me comfort and protect me.

It couldn't protect me from this.

Dad wrapped his arms tighter around me as a few more tears spilled over. I snuggled deeper and wished the world away.

Ethan, or ET as Graham liked to call him, had been getting coffee when we arrived. He now sat with his head on Graham's shoulder, eyes closed, lips slightly parted. Gentle snores escaped him.

I was unsure as to why Graham and Ethan were still there. It had been four hours since we'd met. They could have left if they wanted but they chose to stay. I was grateful because their presence made me feel more comfortable.

I'm not certain why I felt that way. It was probably because they were the last to see, touch, and talk to my Al. Maybe my superstitions were showing and I wanted to keep them close to keep her close. Or maybe I was going nutty and believed that their brief encounter had left Al's essence on them and that was what was comforting me.

@@@@@@@@@@

I awoke to the enticing smell of hot chocolate wafting towards me. I looked down at a small drool patch on my dad's chest, then up and into the smiling eyes of Ethan.

Then I remembered where I was and why.

I dropped my head back down and breathed out a heartfelt guilty sigh.

A warm cup was placed in my hand.

"You needed the sleep." When I didn't respond, he continued. "Your dad said you don't like coffee, but you do like chocolate" I looked up with a small smile for the poor guy. "I thought we could all use something warm because it's freezing in here and you were shivering, so�"

My smile grew a little. He was sweet, and nervous.

I cut him off, "Thank you." I looked deep into his eyes as I said it, trying to convey that I wasn't just thanking him for the hot chocolate.

Ethan opened his mouth to say something more, but my hand on his arm stopped him.

"Thank you," I whispered again. He nodded and retook his seat with Graham.

@@@@@@@@@@

A man in blue hospital scrubs wandered towards our little group. He smiled on his approach and I felt a small weight lift itself from my chest.

"Jordana Michaels?" He looked at me questioningly.

"Yes, sir?" I replied. A quick glance at his ID badge revealed that this was Dr Phil Daniels, and he was an orthopaedic surgeon.

"My name is Dr Daniels. I was one of the doctors operating on Alexandria. She's out of surgery. She's in a critical but stable condition in intensive care." He smiled reassuringly at me but it didn't help. I was in a nightmare. I wanted to open a door, any door, and go someplace else. "Why don't we sit down while I explain everything?"

The colour drained from my face at the thought of what he might say next. My throat was dry and my tongue was sticky. My knees buckled and I fell unceremoniously into a chair behind me. Dad grasped my hand to provide support as Dr. Phil carried on.

"Alexandria suffered a number of injuries. She had a punctured lung, which I believe was treated at the scene and significantly helped her." Graham nodded shyly and smiled slightly at me. I was, yet again, thankful that Graham and Ethan had been there.

"She had multiple fractures, including the cheekbone, collarbone, three ribs, and her right radius. She also had a compound fracture in her right tibia. She didn't have a lot of internal injuries, miraculously, so most of surgery was just realigning and setting the broken bones."

He paused a moment and looked pensive before continuing and I knew we were getting to the serious part.

"She had a particularly nasty bump to her head. There's some swelling but we can't really tell anything more at the moment." Another pause. "She's in a coma."

I swallowed non-existent saliva into my already dry throat and tried to control my breathing. I felt dad squeeze my hand and it grounded me again.

"Can I see her?" I practically begged.

"Visiting hours start at 9am so why don't you get some rest and�"

I reached out and touched his arm to make him look at me.

"Please," I whispered in a pain-filled voice. I let the agony of the last few hours show in my eyes.

I saw the battle behind his eyes and I saw my victory.

"Just for a minute, but don't tell anyone ok? And I have to warn you, she doesn't look so good."

I nodded, relieved.

I followed him through countless corridors and double doors. Nothing was said until we reached her room and I gasped at the multitude of machinery she was attached to.

"If she improves in the next few days, most of the machines will disappear. But she'll need the rest until she wakes up."

There it was, 'if'. 'If' drove home the fact that it still wasn't certain she would survive. They'd done all they could, the rest was up to her.

I walked slowly toward her prone figure and held the hand closest to me. The cold, soft, almost lifeless hand that wouldn't squeeze me back.

"I love you, Al." I whispered. "Hang in there."

I placed a gentle kiss on her ring finger before turning and walking away.

Dr. Phil had some more explaining to do and I needed to compose myself before facing everyone again. With visiting starting in five hours, I didn't have much time.

Continued...