by Rita Hestand
Deke went to the nurses' station several times through the night, but got little or no information.
"I loathe coming here. Doctors are not my favorite people."
Selma started several conversations and kept everyone's nerves from failing them. Clint and Abby returned with a huge bucket of chicken and veggies.
Abby called home several times to check on the kids.
But everyone was half asleep when the doctors finally came through the waiting room.
He introduced himself and noted the worried expressions.
"We did a couple of tests, some scans, and he has a serious concussion. There doesn't seem to be any brain damage as far as we have seen, no internal bleeding, but he is in a state of comatose for now. We don't know how long it will last. If he comes out of it soon, then the chance of damage is minimal. If he doesn't snap out of it within a couple of weeks, then we'll have to do further studies and go from there. We reset his leg, and bandaged his ribs. Normally he would be in a lot of pain, but because he is out of it, he isn't in pain at all. His vitals look good. But these cases can look good one minute and change in another. We will have to monitor him for a while. We did a oropharyngeal airway so he wouldn't asphyxiate, so he's going to look pretty tied to our equipment for a while, don't want to shock any of you. But it's all for his benefit. Right now he is stabilized but only time will tell if he's going to snap out of it. We are very hopeful at this point though. I want you all to understand that since he is in a coma, he will be plugged into respirators, feeding tubes and IV's all over the place. This is for his benefit, but it can be alarming to others. We are doing everything for him, and his chances of coming out of it are good, unless some unforeseen happening of course."
Samantha should have felt better, but not until she saw him could she relax.
"Can we see him…for a minute?" she blurted as the doctor was about to turn away.
"Yes, of course, but only each of you for a few minutes. Right now we are monitoring him pretty heavily, because we can't be 100% certain of internal injuries and him going into shock would not be good. So, for a short time and then after we are sure his vitals are stabilizing."
The doctor motioned for them to follow him and led them down the hallway.
But Samantha and the others were all shocked when they saw him. He was plugged into every machine it seemed and tubes hanging from his arms and mouth.
Deke looked at Samantha and tried to smile, "We'll visit a minute, and then let Samantha have some time alone…"
Samantha was grateful for his understanding.
She could barely contain herself long enough for them all to kiss his forehead and reassure him everything would be all right. She knew it was selfish to want to be with him alone but she did.
The door finally closed and she was staring at his limp, almost lifeless body. A huge bruise was all over his forehead, and his right leg was in a cast, she noted. His mouth was full of a huge tube. His arms were being pumped with lifesaving antibodies and a heart monitor echoed through the room. A balloon like feature was keeping his circulation going in his legs. His ribs were wrapped, he looked like a huge ball of pain, but his face was serene. Oh how she loved that face. How she wished he'd open his eyes and see her.
She looked at all the gadgets, and then at him.
"Oh my God, Jake, I was so scared of losing you. I still am." She sniffed and then blew her nose.
She came to the bedside and took his lifeless hand in hers. It was warm at least. He was alive. But could he hear her. Could he feel her touching him?
Nothing moved, and only the heart monitor's constant beating assured her he was still alive. Now, she could cry. She took his hand and laid her head against it, her lips touching him there over and over. "Please Jake…don't leave me…not now…not after we finally found each other…"
She cried for what seemed like hours.
Then her mother walked in, "They need us to leave, dear…"
Samantha nodded, wiped her tears, kissed his lips and walked away, every step seeming to take so much courage to walk away from the one she loved so much.
Samantha walked out into the hallway. She briefly noted that Emma, had gone home. Hannah came up to her and wrapped her arms around her. "He's going to come out of this, Samantha…"
It brought the tears back and she cried on Hannah's shoulder.
Then Cal showed up, he looked so concerned and older all of a sudden. The blood seemed to be drained from his face. He came up to Deke.
"How is he?"
Deke told him all he knew and Cal turned to look at Samantha, he took one look and cradled her in his arms. "We won't let anything happen to him…"
"I know…" she whispered, but deep inside she didn't know. Deep inside the fear of losing him was still too great.
When Selma came to hold her daughter, Cal went inside Jake's room.
***
A nurse glanced up from a machine that monitored something and Cal stared into her face. She was a pretty young African American with a kind face, and sympathetic smile. She glanced from her patient to the older man standing just a few feet away, and nodded.
"He's my son…do you mind if I say hello…"
The nurse nodded, and left.
Cal stared into his son's face, barely recognizing the face that look battered and blue. He glanced at all the machines, and out the window and back at Jake. Jake who didn't speak, Jake who didn't see, Jake who couldn't hear. He looked at the leg in a cast, at the bandages ribs and he took in a deep breath.
"I'm sorry son…I wish I'd been here. But I guess, I couldn't have done much anyway. What's gonna be is gonna be, isn't it? You know that. As you would tell me, it's in God's hands. But I need…" His voice broke a little as he tried not to look at his son too closely. "I need to tell you." He paused, came closer, and stared into his son's face. "Well, I need to tell ya how special you are to me. There's always something you wish you had of said to your kids. But well…when you told me about your plans to become a preacher, I saw my life and your mothers coming together and I saw a happiness I couldn't voice. I don't like to cry in front of people, but the happiness inside me was like a …a flower blooming. Not that I'm not proud of every one of my sons, but you…well, when Deke would say you were meant for something better. I felt the same, but I never could put my finger on what it was. I just felt it, deep inside me. Anyways….I just wanted you to know it son."
He was silent for a long while then he looked at Jake again, "You know, Samantha is a lovely girl, and she's out there right now, scared and waiting for you to recover. Try your best not to disappoint her. And…oh yeah…in case I don't say it enough…I love you son…"
He couldn't talk for a few minutes as he picked his son's hand up and covered it with his own. He tried to smile. "I remember a time when your hand was so small…." His words weakened as his voice seemed to fade away.
He cleared his throat.
He shook his head. "You never know, do you? I mean, you think things are going to go fine, and then suddenly something like this happens and it turns everything upside down for a while. But…"
He choked up, as his tears touched Jake's hand. He saw his tears and wondered if Jake could feel them. Could he hear what he was saying? "You can't let this spoil it all. You're going to be a preacher…remember. Make your mother proud of you. And you can't stay like this…I mean…Samantha…she's out there….scared to death…and you certainly know how to put the years on me…You gotta buck up and get tough son. You have too much of a future to just let it all fade away. 'Course I realize that it's really not in your hands anymore, and I'm not used to asking favors from God. But this is an exception," He looked up and out the window as though he might actually see God. "because this man, this boy, this person is so very special to me…to his entire family. Though he's never had a child of his own, he's loved all his family as though they were his. He's helped every time we needed him, he's been there. He's aspired to do so many things, and do
ne them. I can't see you God letting him pass on without using the great talent inside him. I mean, somehow I just know that he has more to give to this world. So if you can see your way clear…God I'd appreciate you letting him come out of this okay…okay?"
And then he bent his head to his son's hand, kissed it and cried like a baby. Finally Bertha came in and put her arms around him.
"Cal, honey, we need to leave. The nurse needs to check something. Come on, we'll come back soon…"
Cal looked up at Bertha who was crying too and stood up to hug her. "Your right…we'll be back son…but listen to what I told ya…ya here? You're very important to this family."
"That's for sure…" Bertha added, glancing over at Jake with tears in her eyes.
And he walked slowly out the door, arm in arm with Bertha.
***
Everyone went back to the waiting room, not knowing exactly what to do.
The doctor came in and told them there was no use staying the night, that he would be in intensive care for the first twenty four hours and they would call if there was the slightest change.
Cal nodded, "He's right. We need to get out of the way and Doctor, be sure to have this young ladies name and phone number because they are engaged, and she needs to know as much as we. She's family too."
The doctor smiled and nodded. "Just leave the information at the desk then."
"Don't you think someone should stay here?" Clint asked.
"Not unless you'd feel better, but you might need your rest. Because comatose patients need lots of support and you don't want to wear yourself out…." The doctor explained.
Everyone seemed to hate to leave, but Cal told them it was best. Samantha gave them her information, and then she visibly trembled. She wasn't sure she could walk out the door and leave him like this. She felt the need to be in his room, holding his hand, telling him how much she loved him and needed him.
But strangely it was Clint who decided to stay and keep everyone informed of the situation.
Deke started to protest, but Clint stayed him with a hand in the air, "Bro, when I was in the hospital, the one thing I wanted around me was family, not doctors, not strangers, but family. I couldn't have that, because I was so stubborn about not telling anyone what happened. But at least I know how it feels. And I'll admit right now, it was the loneliest feeling in the world, not having you guys with me. I never told ya'll that, but that's the truth. I missed you guys. And I knew if I would have made the call you would all have been there with me. So bear with me now…I'm not leaving him alone…we can all do this in shifts. That way no one will get worn out. Samantha your included." Clint winked at her.
"Don't forget me…" Selma raised her hand.
Deke grabbed her and hugged her, "Never, sweet lady."
Abby squeezed Clint's hand, her glance softening on him.
Cal nodded to Clint, "I wish we'd have known, Clint…"
"At the time I did to, but now that I think on it, I wouldn't want to put you through the worry of it, Dad." Clint patted his father on the arm.
Abby kissed Clint and told him she'd take care of the kids and help Emma out. Clint kissed her again, "You're a wonderful woman, I'm so glad you are in my life."
"Me too…try to get a little rest, will ya?"
"I will…just gonna sit with big bro…" he grinned.
About to leave, Selma stepped in front of everyone. "Okay, now it's my turn. I want to see Jake and talk to him. I don't know if he can hear me or not, but I just feel like I can do him some good. Like Clint I've been through some pretty rough times and I know what it takes. Is that all right with everyone."
Cal and Bertha walked up and hugged Selma, "Your part of this family too, now, Selma, it's perfectly all right…"
She smiled and shook their hands.
As Cal got to the door he turned and glanced at Clint, "You'll call us if there is any change. Or anything…"
"Of course I will, Dad, now go home and get some rest."
When they were all gone but her and Clint, Selma glanced up at him with a smile, "I'll try not to be too long…"
He winked, "Take your time, Selma. And thanks…for being here…"
Selma reached up to peck him on the cheek then walked slowly back down the hallway. Samantha had gone home only on her insistence. She knew Samantha would be up all night and worry and fret over this. She wanted to help the situation if she could.
She opened the door to his room. It was quiet only a small light on above the monitors disturbed the night. The machines beeped quietly, and reassuringly.
She stared at Jake for a long time, and then she took his hand in hers and held it. She marveled at how big his hands were compared to her own. She smiled sadly down into his face, moved his hair away and leaned to kiss him on the cheek.
"You're a handsome galute…you know that?" Selma smiled.
"My Samantha, she's waited a long time for the right man to come along. She's known heartbreak too. I guess life wouldn't be much without a little along the way, huh?
"Well now Jake, it's Selma. And just so you know. We aren't going to walk off and leave you by yourself. Clint's out in the waiting room, he was the one that brought it to our attention that we couldn't all walk off and leave you up here alone. I agree. I wouldn't want to be alone either. My Samantha stayed with me through the rough parts. And…I'm not much on hospitals and doctors. That's why I try to stay healthy, but at my age, it's a gamble. But you, why you can't even speak for yourself right now. You can't tell those hard headed know it all doctors that you need your family here. But luckily you don't have to, because we are here. And I know too, that it's Samantha that you want to see and be with so much, but she's not in the best of shape right now. She's sorta in shock, seeing you this way. She needs time to get over that so she can hold up. Women are strong partners Jake, but sometimes when they get socked in the belly with a good one, we need some recovery time. That's what I’m giving her now.
"I didn't come back here to talk about me though. I came to talk about you and your hopes and your dreams and my daughter. I know you love her. I can see it in your eyes every time you come to see her. And I'm so glad I could burst with the happiness this gives me.
"You're a good man, Jake. And I'm so sorry this had to happen. But I've got to set you straight about all this right now. We expect you to snap out of this. You can't lie here forever and put life on hold. You've got souls to save, and good things to do, and Samantha wants to help you do those things. You've opened up a whole new world for her, Jake. And you can't let her down.
"My whole life, my dream was for my daughter to meet someone as kind, loving, and giving as you. Someone with gumption, backbone, and smarts. You are all those things. You are my dream come true, Jake. And I'll not have you spoiling it for us.
"So make up your mind to get well. Make up your mind to return to us, Jake. We need you. I'm not strong enough to help Samantha through a crisis, so that's out of the question. You have to beat this. You sorta have to help me. You have to fight it. You have to have the will to make it. God will do the rest. But just remember that.
"I'm a fighter Jake, that's why I'm still alive. And I feel in my bones, that you are too. That's why I expect you to snap out of this. Come back to us Jake, you are still needed here.
"And another thing, when you wake up, you are gonna find out that the truck driver died. And knowing you like I do, you'll blame yourself. But the police have already arrested the ones responsible for all of this. It's taken care of. And it wasn't your fault. You have no guilt in this. So don't even go there. He's already in God's hands. So I want you to concentrate on getting better Jake.
"Are you listening?" she squeezed his hand. "You are surrounded by people who love you. Who would be devastated if anything went wrong. So you can't let it. Just like I couldn't give up when I had my cancer. I had to learn to be strong, 'cause my Samantha, it would have made a recluse out of her. I know that.
"So you just make up your mi
nd right now. I'm telling you, just like your mother would have if she'd have lived. You have to get better, not for yourself, because Lord knows where you are going afterwards, but for all the ones that love you so. I've never seen a family so pulled together. So you and I and even your brother out there in the waiting room, we all know what death is about, but I feel in my heart it isn't your time to die. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I think you have much work to do.
"So hone up, hon, get tough, and come back to us. We all need you…" she cried a tear, and then she smiled. "These aren't tears of sorrow, they are tears of gladness. I wanted to tell you how happy you made me feel to confess myself to you. Don't ask me how I knew it, but I did. How happy you've made my daughter, and the family you can build together…you are very important, and we want you back. And the power of prayer can bring you back to us, we know that. So if you hear me…if you sense something…anything, hang on, 'cause we all love you…"
She laid his hand down, and backed away. A smile was on her lips as she lifted her eyes to the ceiling and prayed aloud for him, then slowly walked out of the room, the only noise was the heart monitor, it was ticking very steadily.
Chapter Twelve
"How is he?" Clint asked Selma as she came down the hallway.
"The same sweetie. Get used to it, he'll be the same a while. But I think he's going to mend just fine. Especially with people like you, me, Samantha and your dad. Your whole family will be here, and what's left of mine will be. We won't let anything happen to him, now will we?" Selma smiled.
Clint nodded, "You are quite a woman, Selma. You going home now?"
"Yes, I need to check on Samantha and make sure she is alright. She's had a shock. But she'll survive this too. You staying?"
"Yeah, I'll be here until morning." Clint nodded.
"Want me to bring you something?" Selma offered.
"Nah, I had supper and I'll get some coffee later." Clint said.
"You're not worried about this are you?" Selma asked curiously.