Page 98 of Fortunate Miracles
We grab dinner at the hotel restaurant before going up to our room. After I shower, I text everyone an update. Seb video calls with Alex and Bay. “Sunshine. I miss you,” he smiles.
“Miss you guys too. Did you win?”
“Yeah, we did. You look tired,” he says with concern etched across his face. “Can we come visit tomorrow?” Seb asks.
“You certainly can, but I can’t introduce you yet, and I’ll be with Jake most of the day. I am tired, but it was a good day because I spent most of it with him. Ray is still at the hospital visiting.”
“Is he feeling okay?” Alex asks.
“He is. He has to take it easy after the procedure, but he’s comfortable. Dr. Crosby hasn’t told him much yet. His stress level needs to stay down until he’s healed.”
“He must have a million questions,” Bay says.
“Jake does, but he’s accepted he needs to wait to get answers. What are you guys up to?” They’re staying at Alex’s house overnight and going swimming. We chat about school, and E joins them fresh from the shower. Since I'll be unavailable all day and they can't meet Jake yet, they decide to wait to visit. Things are still weird between E, Seb, and me. E is trying, though.
Chapter 48
Summer
The next morning we arrive at the hospital before 7am, and Ray walks in just after us. “Morning, everyone,” Leigh greets. “Jake is getting a bath in a few minutes if you want to say hi.”
“Thanks,” I smile, heading into the room. “Morning, handsome,” I greet.
Jake smiles. “Hi Sum.”
“How was your night?”
“Fine. Boring.”
Jake never did well just sitting around doing nothing. His mind always needs to be occupied. “Well, you’re getting a bath in a few minutes, and then Ray and I will come visit. I’ll just be next door, okay?”
“Any chance you could sneak me some grape juice?” He asks hopefully. Jake loves grape juice. He’s been drinking it since we met in kindergarten.
“Possibly. I’ll see what I can find,” I wink. Leigh comes in, so I tell him I’ll be back soon.
When I go next door, Dr. Crosby is there with Ray and Zander. “Good morning, Dr. Crosby. What did I miss?”
“Nothing Summer. We were waiting for you.” I take a seat beside Zander on the couch. “Now that Jake is awake, we will continueto introduce information to him daily, and he’ll have a scan on Monday to check the back of his head. From experience, it takes at least a week to heal. As soon as it’s completely healed, I can discharge him. Have you given any thought as to how you want to handle rehab?”
I look towards Ray, but I know he hasn’t arranged anything with the state his mind was in. “No. I need to figure that out.”
“Perhaps take some time today to do that. I can provide a list of places here in North Carolina. There’s no rush, but in my experience, the sooner our patients can get on with their lives, the better for them. I was going to speak with Jake about the procedure we performed on Monday and about his injuries. I believe heavier conversations need to wait until he’s fully healed.”
“Can I ask why you wait to provide info? I understand stress is bad, but it makes little sense to me at the same time.”
“I’ve had two adverse reactions with my patients in the past. The first successful procedure we completed, I told the patient the second day after he woke up about the length of his coma and the accident. He had lost all his family, and he slipped back into a coma that night and never regained consciousness again. I waited longer to update another patient and gave her the information more slowly over a few days. Unfortunately, she had lost her child and wasn’t fully healed. She smashed her head against the guardrail on the bed before the nurse could run into the room. Now I’m extremely cautious.”
“Understandable, Dr. Crosby. Wow. I’m so sorry.”
“My condolences,” Zander adds.
“Thank you. I’ll leave you to talk. When Leigh is done, I’ll go in and speak with Jake, then he's yours the rest of the day,” she says, getting up and leaving.
As soon as she leaves, I turn to Ray. “Please don’t take Jake away from me.”
Ray smiles. “I’ll do whatever Jake wants, Summer. Which means I’m likely moving.”
“Any chance you’re interested in Charleston?” I ask. Zander puts his hand on my arm. “Sorry. I’m just excited at the thought of Jake being nearby.”
