I start to say something, but I’m abruptly tired. I can’t hold my eyes open.
“Rest, Mr. Arden. I’m going to want to run some tests on you in the morning.”
I nod. At least, I think I do.
*****
“Evan?”
I try to say something, but my lips won’t move. It hurts to try, and my throat is still too dry to make a sound.
“Can you hear me?” It’s Alina’s voice. “I think he’s awake.”
“Mr. Arden?” I recognize Dr. Reiss’s voice.
I will my eyes open and stare into Alina’s beautiful, tear-streaked face.
“Don’t cry,” I say as I try to lift my arm. Alina wraps her hand around mine.
“Thank God!” She squeezes my fingers tightly.
I want to grip back, but that part of my body isn’t responding well. Alina strokes the side of my face, rubbing underneath the oxygen tube. It’s itchy there around the tape, and her touch is just what I need.
“You always know the right thing.” I’m mumbling, and I’m not sure if I’m making sense. My thoughts are disjointed, and I’m not completely sure this isn’t all a dream. It feels like one.
“I just about gave up hope, Evan.” Alina bites down on her lower lip, but the tears flow anyway. “I didn’t think you were ever going to wake up.”
“I’m awake.” Seeing her so obviously distressed focuses my thoughts. “You know me, I don’t sleep that much anyway.”
She smiles and shakes her head.
“You’ve made up for it,” she tells me. “I think I prefer it when you wake me up every night.”
“You’re going to have some more sleep coming your way,” Dr. Reiss says. “It will help you recover as much as anything does. You have a long road ahead of you. I have a lengthy list of tests for you. We need to get some kind of idea how much damage you have suffered.”
“But he’s awake and speaking,” Alina says as she looks at Dr. Reiss. “That’s definitely good.”
“Without a doubt. I’m not too concerned that he doesn’t remember the night he was brought here, but there may be additional memory loss. I’m going to count on you, Alina, to alert me to anything you consider abnormal.”
“In what way?”
“Specifically, anything you would consider unusual for Evan to do or say. He suffered major trauma to the left frontal lobe of his brain and possibly some to the temporal lobe, too. I’m pleased that he’s speaking. There could have been damage to the speech center of the brain. If either of you notices any problems with speech or comprehension, let me know, but I’m more curious about personality changes. Mark Duncan should be able to help in that area as well.”
“Mark?” I look back and forth between the two women. Mark Duncan had been my military psychologist.
“He’s been here to see you,” Alina tells me. “I met him, and he seems really nice. He said you worked with him before.”
“Yeah, a while ago.” Talking is wearing me out quickly.
Dr. Reiss starts talking about tests she wants to run and when I can try eating solid food. I tune it all out and just stare at Alina’s hand wrapped around mine. For seven weeks, she’s been coming here and sitting with me. Seven weeks she’s been waiting.
I spend the day being poked, prodded, and questioned. Alina stays in the room with me the whole time except when I am taken to have X-rays and an MRI done. I’m exhausted by the time they’re all finished with me, and then I hear something about physical therapy starting the next day.
Fabulous.
The nurse leaves us alone after Alina points out the exception to the visiting hours rule. I get settled back into the bed and drink some of the juice that’s been left for me. No solid food yet, but Dr. Reiss said I could try some tomorrow.
“Evan, I need to ask you something,” Alina says as she looks toward the door and then leans close to me. “I hate to even bring it up, but I know you have to have some somewhere.”