Page 49 of A Burning Rage

As I take my seat, Cooper fills me in.

“Nothing new,” he says. “A nurse came in to change his bandages. No sign of infection, but his temperature is up a bit, so they’ve put him on an antibiotic as a precaution. How’s everything at home?”

“About as good as can be expected under the circumstances. The kids are okay. Luke was upset. He’s wondering where Shane is. I told him Shane got hurt and was in the hospital so he could get better. He asked to see him. Mom told him maybe later. I didn’t exactly lie to Luke, but I certainly took liberties with my answers to his questions. And then, when the kids were distracted, I snuck out of the house.” I gaze up at Cooper. “I feel awful. I lied to my son. I told him Shane got hurt because he fell down.”

“That’s not entirely a lie,” Cooper says. “He did fall.”

Cooper and I both turn when the door opens and in walks Dr. Markowski. My pulse picks up as I hope she has some good news for us.

Because I can’t take anymore bad news.

Chapter 18 – Beth

Dr. Markowski walks into Shane’s ICU room. She gives me a friendly nod. “Hello, Mrs. McIntyre.”

“Call me Beth, please.” I watch as she approaches Shane’s bed.

She uses her stethoscope to listen to his heart, lungs, and abdomen. Then she lifts the sheet to check his bandages.

“So far, things are looking good,” she says. “His blood pressure is stable, and his oxygen levels are good. Although he has a slight fever, it’s not something I’m concerned about as he seems to be responding well to the antibiotic. I ran a blood panel this morning, and his white blood cell count is in an acceptable range, so I don’t think there’s an infection.”

“Does this mean he’s out of danger?” Please say yes.

“It means he’s stable, and I’m not seeing any red flags. Let’s see how he’s doing in the morning, and if there are no issues, I think we can bring him out of sedation.”

I’m so relieved to hear that, a sob escapes me.

“You can stop worrying about your husband,” Dr. Markowski says to me. “He appears to be out of the woods.”

* * *

For the rest of the afternoon and early evening, Shane’s family members come back, one or two at a time, to see him. Now that they know he’s in stable condition, they want to see him with their own eyes.

Everyone is rather stoic when they stand next to his bed, all except for Bridget. She bursts into tears at the sight of him lying there so still. Calum pulls her into his arms to comfort her.

After Shane’s parents visit, his brother Jamie stops by, guided here by his dad. I’m surprised to see Jamie is wearing a pair of dark Aviator glasses to hide his prosthetic eyes. Since Molly came into his life, he hardly wears them anymore, certainly not when he’s around family. Maybe he feels less comfortable without the glasses in such a public, crowded place as a hospital.

“Can I touch him?” Jamie asks.

“Of course.” I take Jamie’s hand and guide it to Shane’s face. Naturally, Jamie would need tactile proof that his brother was alive since he can’t see Shane for himself.

Gently, Jamie traces Shane’s features, skimming his fingertips across Shane’s forehead, down his nose, and across his cheeks. When he places his palm on Shane’s chest, I realize he’s feeling Shane’s chest rise and fall with each breath.

Jamie’s voice shakes a bit when he says, “We’re all here for you, brother.” He swallows hard. “Just get well and come back to us.”

After squeezing Shane’s hand, Jamie steps away from the bed. “He’s the glue, you know,” he says to me. “He’s always been the leader, the one we kids would turn to if we needed help. He’s always there for us. He’s the one our parents turn to when they need something. I don’t know how we’d function without him.”

My eyes tear up at his words, and I reach for Jamie’s hand. “I hope you never have to find out. I hope none of us do.”

* * *

Once everyone in the family has had a chance to see Shane, and finally breathe a sigh of relief, Cooper and I are once again alone in Shane’s room. Dr. Markowski has come in a couple more times throughout the day and reassured us things are still on track. If he’s still doing well by morning, they’re planning to bring him out of sedation.

Cooper has been bringing me meals from the hospital cafeteria so I don’t have to leave Shane’s side. He hovers over me like a mother hen, making sure I’m hydrated and well fed. The morning sickness comes and goes at odd times, so I never know when it’s going to hit me. I’ve had to run to the bathroom on more than one occasion.

Sophie calls me in the evening after she puts Luke and Ava in bed. “Your mom is coming over in a little bit to spend the night with the kids,” she says. “And, of course, Sam is here. It’s a good thing because Luke is clinging to him. He really misses you, Beth. And he keeps asking for Shane.”

“Thank you, Sophie. I really appreciate you taking care of my kids today. Shane’s doctor is planning to bring him out of sedation in the morning, if all still seems well. Maybe once Shane is awake, I can bring Luke here to see him.”