PHILIP
Five days. It had been five long days at the hospital waiting for Ryan to wake up. The swelling had gone down on its own, which pleased the doctors. It was just a matter of time before he woke up. I reached over and brushed his hair from his eyes. He was breathing on his own, and if someone didn’t know, they’d think he was just sleeping. His bruises were gone, he looked perfect. But he always looked perfect to me. The doctors said they were confident there was no brain damage. It was just a painful waiting game.
Abby stayed with Courtney while I was at the hospital. Daniel was able to get the court decision reversed until our scheduled hearing to plead our case. Abby came bouncing into the room with Courtney hot on her heels. “God you’re fast.” Courtney smiled. “I’m out of shape.”
“Has he woken up yet?”
“No, Abby bean, not yet, but soon, okay?” I saw her face fall briefly but she covered it with a smile.
“Ryan, you need to wake up or you’re gonna miss the hearing.” She pouted, leaning over the side of the bed, talking directly into his ear. “Do you think he can hear me?”
“I don’t know but the doctors said he might be able to. That’s why we talk to him all the time in hopes that he comes back to us.”
“What happens if he doesn’t wake up before the hearing?” She looked up at me, turning away from Ryan. Her lip quivered. “Will they send me away again?”
“Abby, it’s gonna be fine. We’ll do everything in our power to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Courtney tried to soothe her. Abby grabbed Ryan’s hand and squeezed it lightly. I jumped from my chair when I saw his finger twitch.
“Oh my God, Ryan?” Leaning over him I watched as his lashes fluttered. His lips moved but no sound came out. I pushed the call button for the nurse. “Abby’s right here holding your hand.” His eyes opened briefly and a smile graced his lips before he fell back to sleep.
“Ryan?” Courtney and Abby shouted at the same time.
Abby looked as if she was about to cry. “Why did he go back to sleep? What’s happening?”
A nurse walked in smiling. “That happens with head injuries as severe as his, darling. Now that he’s woken up once, he will wake up for longer and longer periods. It’s good news.”
“See Abby?” I smiled the first genuine one I had in almost a week. Ryan was going to be fine. It might be a few more days but he would get through it.
I had taken to sleeping in the chair next to Ryan’s bed. I wasn’t technically supposed to be there after visiting hours but the nurses let it slide. My head was laying on the bed next to his hand late that night when I felt fingers running through my hair. Looking up, I saw Ryan’s eyes on me. He was smiling. “Hey.”
“How are you feeling? Should I call the nurse?” He shook his head.
“Water?” he croaked. His throat was obviously sore from the lack of use over the last week.
“I’ll call the nurse, I don’t know what you’re allowed to have.” I pushed the button.
“How’s Abby?”
“Shh, don’t talk until I know if I can get you some water or something.” I squeezed his hand. “Abby is good. She’s at Courtney’s house for the time being.” He looked confused.
“We have a hearing in two weeks. I’m appealing the court’s decision to take Abby away. The judge gave me temporary custody until then. It was either that or they were sending her to a group home.”
The nurse walked in before he could react and started checking his vitals. “You gave everyone quite the scare. No more going after kidnappers like that, got it? Doctor’s orders.” She smiled at him as she began changing out his IV.
“His throat is dry, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to give him any water.”
“Yes, water is fine. Sip it slowly, we wouldn’t want it coming back up. You’ve been out a long time.”
I walked over to the hospital tray and filled the plastic cup with water and put the straw to his lips. He sipped it slowly before nodding his head that he was done. “Thank you.”
His eyes closed again but this time it didn’t freak me out. I breathed a sigh of relief and laid my head back on the bed.