“How are you feeling, Alexandra? You don’t need to talk; Only nod if you feel okay.”
The kind nurse held a glass of ice chips for Alex to pick from.
“Listen to me, Ms. Ayers. I need you to give your vocal cords a break for a few days okay? Those breathing tubes are rough on the throat and your airway has some additional healing to do.”
Alex nodded, mildly irritated with the elementary medical terminology. Surely she doesn’t know I’m a registered respiratory therapist.
“And if you feel like you are having any difficulty at all breathing, please let me know right away.”
She nodded once more.
“The plan is to get you to a room on the floor in the next day or so, and then get you out of here.”
Hearing this had Alex smiling.
“Any pain?”
Alex shook her head no.
“Okay. You rest today. I’m sure your visitors are going to love seeing you with that tube out of your mouth but remember…you need to take it easy. Only talk if it’s absolutely necessary.”
The nurse left as Alex sank into her pillow. Her throat ached as if she scoured it with something porous. Her body, especially her shoulders, ached as well—yet she couldn’t help but smile.
Nearly nine in the morning, her breathing tube had been removed only an hour prior.
Just as she was getting comfortable, the curtains parted and Bishop cautiously entered.
“It’s out…and you’re doing awesome!”
Pulling the chair to the side of her bed, he took her hand. “I’m so thankful you’re okay, Alex. You’re such a blessing to us all.”
Although she’d been told not to speak, she couldn’t remain quiet any longer, she had to tell him while she had the opportunity. “B…Bishop.” Her words were a faint whisper.
“Alex, you’re not supposed to talk.”
“Listen to me, please.” She strained, nearly inaudible. “I’m so sorry, for everything.”
“Alex, I know, I don’t care—”
“If you can forgive me, I promise you’ll never have to worry about my honesty again.”
“Alex…I already know this. Don’t let your first words be an unnecessary apology. We’re past this…I’m over it. I’m ready for what comes next. I’m ready for us.”
The ambition in his eyes nearly brought tears to hers. The idea of a second chance, of seeing where their relationship might go with complete transparency, was mesmerizing.
“So, plan one…we have to get you out of here as soon as possible. Mom, Tyson, and I have decided that Thanksgiving is at our place this year. We have a lot to be thankful for…I know I have so much to be thankful for. And then you and I are going to heal…we’re all going to heal. I’m ready for this if you are.”
She couldn’t contain her emotion; tears escaped her eyes as she brought his hand to her lips, kissing it.
“Tyson and Mom are in the Gift Shop downstairs, they should be up any second. I can’t wait for Ty to see how gorgeous you look.”
Alex shook her head in disagreement. Bishop leaned across her and kissed her forehead.
“Just so you know you are a hero, Alex. They’re saying all the animals from the shelter are accounted for…and breathing. Edna is recovering too.”
The memory of the night returned in fragments of panic and terror laden calls for assistance from both Edna and several four-legged refugees.
“They’re assuming it was an electrical fire from the center of the building.”
As if she were downwind to a burning building, the stench of thick smoke loomed heavily on her senses; Alex couldn’t shake it.
“Holy shit…Alex, you look…beautiful.” Tyson appeared, toting a large stuffed frog and gummy bears with Constance right behind him.
Accepting the gifts from her brother, Alex hugged him around the waist for a solid seven seconds.
Releasing him, she took a moment to absorb the reality of the situation. She was recovering from something that could have been remarkably more disastrous than it was…but everyone in the room was too. Looking at the three faces looking back to her she inhaled deeply; using her hands she motioned them in for a group embrace. Constance was correct; that was not her incident, she had recovered.