I’d told Merit to head home a few hours ago. She’d looked exhausted and so pale. Timberlynn had hovered around Merit like a momma bear, as well, and kept insisting she go home and eat a proper meal and get some sleep. When Merit finally agreed to go, I had to hide my disappointment. It was nice knowing she was here to lean on when I needed her.
I dropped my head back down onto the side of the hospital bed, and I grabbed my father’s hand in mine and fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill free. I drew in a deep breath, then lifted my head and stared at my dad.
“So, I was thinking of taking some time off. Maybe you and I could work on that old Chevy you’re trying to rebuild. Maybe even paint the barn. You’ve been talking about wanting to paint that barn for a while now.”
The sounds of machine beeps and clicks, along with the steady rhythm of the breathing machine, were my only answer.
“Merit’s been here, but that shouldn’t surprise you. She loves you like a father, you know. I haven’t actually been very truthful with her, Dad. Or with myself, for that matter. I need you to wake up and tell me what to do, Dad. I think…I think I might be in love with her.”
My father’s finger twitched, and I jumped in surprise.
“Dad, I’m here! Dad? Can you hear me?”
This time his hand squeezed mine gently, and I wanted to cry out with joy.
“I’m so sorry, Dad. I’m here, and I’m not going to be leaving. Don’t worry about anything. You’re gonna get out of here, and we’re going to start working on that car. You hear me, Dad?”
He moved his hand slightly, and I reached over and hit the call button. Not even thirty seconds later a nurse walked in.
“Is everything okay?”
“He squeezed my hand!” I cried. “Twice.”
She smiled. “Let me notify the doctor on call. Actually, I think Doctor Holden is still here—let me go page him.”
I looked back down at my father and smiled. For the first time in hours, I felt a bit of hope.
“Mom’s here, too, Dad. Once the doctor comes in, I’ll go get her. I had to beg her to go get a bit of sleep. She’s in the waiting room, though.”
The slightest bit of pressure on my hand told me he understood.
“Christ, Dad, you scared us. I love you, Dad. I love you so much.”
This time his grip tightened, and I could tell he was trying to open his eyes. Tears flowed down my face as I smiled.
“No, just relax. You don’t need to do anything. I know you love us, too, Dad. I know.”
The door opened, and the nurse walked back in. “Doctor Holden is still here and on his way.”
“I think he understood me. I told him my mom was here, and he squeezed my hand.”
She grinned, then started to take his vitals, writing some notes down in his chart. Less than five minutes later, Frank walked into the room.
The nurse started to fill him in on my father’s vitals and repeated what I’d told her.
“Let me go get my mother,” I said as I gently squeezed Dad’s hands. “I’ll be right back, Dad. I’m going to go get Mom.”
Frank nodded and started to listen to my father’s heartbeat.
I had to force myself not to run down the damn hall to the waiting room. When I stepped into the room, I came to an abrupt stop.
Sitting on the small bench was Merit, my mother curled up next to her. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of them both. I looked at my poor mother, who I knew was exhausted, and then to Merit. Had she even left? Her head was leaning back against the wall, and her hand was resting protectively on my mom’s arm, as if warding off any bad will that wanted to come her way. The two of them together made my chest squeeze, and I longed to pull them both into my arms.
Quickly, I walked over and bent down, pushing back a piece of hair that had fallen out of my mother’s ponytail.
“Mom?” I whispered softly. “Mom, wake up.”
She slowly opened her eyes, and I made sure I had a smile on my face. She sat up quickly, which in turn woke up Merit who rubbed at her eyes.
“What is it?” Mom asked.
“I was talking to Dad, and he squeezed my hand.”
She brought her hands up to her mouth. “Oh, that is wonderful! Did he wake up?”
My smile faded some. “No, but he for sure knew I was talking to him.
“Code Red, room six two. Code Red.”
Suddenly, everyone started to move about quickly. A nurse rushed by, and I stood. When I walked around the corner, I saw there were a few nurses running in and out of my father’s room.