An Awakening

by Laura Sweat

“You’re right, there is no need for her to stay at night. She will argue, but I can handle it.” I consider his offer. I know Lydia will gladly take me home, but she has done so much already. “Are you sure you don’t mind coming all the way back here?”

  “Absolutely. I want to. Lydia has done a lot and I haven’t been able to be here. Let me at least get you home and help you get settled.” His answer is easy and sincere, so I agree.

  “I’ll try to get back before they release you. If not I’ll see you then.” He takes out a pen, gets a napkin from the tray, and starts writing. “This is my cell and my home number. I can be here in a little over an hour. If you need anything at all, give me a call, alright?”

  I take the napkin and look at him steadily. “Thank you, Alex. I appreciate it.”

  He stands close and appears to be studying me, but it isn’t awkward. “I’m glad you’re alright.” He holds my gaze for just a few seconds before he leans in and hugs me gently. I return the hug with the arm that doesn’t have an IV. His hair brushes my face as he quietly says, “Take it easy will ya? I’m ready to have you back.”

  “I will,” I answer as he lets go.

  “Okay. See ya soon.”

  He walks out and closes the door.

  The rest of the day is filled with activity. Lydia calls and we catch each other up. A nurse comes in and helps me with the painful task of getting out of bed for the first time. In all of this, I push myself in hopes that I can go home tomorrow.

  Night falls and I am drained. I close my eyes, sure that I will fall asleep easily.

  I begin to drift back and forth, drawn to sleep by exhaustion and back again by movement and voices in the hallway. I get that feeling a person gets when someone enters the room, but they don’t see or hear anything. It’s an indescribable change in the overall feel of the room.

  I barely open my eyes, but I don’t see anyone. I close them again and the feeling is stronger. Someone is here with me. I open my eyes again, wider this time, and turn my head. I see him sitting in the chair beside me. I know him. He is beautiful. In his smile, I can see that he is happy. He reaches for my hand, taking it gently. I can’t take my eyes off of him. If I couldn’t feel him touching me, I might think I was dreaming.

  “Jeriley.” His voice is like bells and I know immediately who it is I’m looking at. Adrian. My house. He is close, too close. I feel trapped. We leave in his car. I turn to look at him and it happens. I feel the pain in my back and in my head. The wreck.

  I grab my head with both of my hands and start to scream. In that same instant, he gets up and sits on my bed. He puts his hands over mine and pulls me to him, hushing me. Trying to calm me. He rocks us back and forth ever so slowly until I calm down. I don’t know how long it takes. I just know that he is here and I am terrified. I don’t want him to let me go, but eventually, he does. He pulls back from me, remaining on my bed beside me and looks at me closely; his look searching.

  “I’ve been worried about you. I couldn’t get here and I couldn’t get through when I called. Are you okay?” My mind doesn’t register that he has asked me a question and I sit staring, trying to put the pieces together. I hear the sound of breaking glass, and metal crunching next to me. I feel the jarring caused by the impact. We never saw it coming.

  “Jeriley,” His voice, his smell, the feel of him all come back to overwhelm me just like in the beginning. He smooths my hair away from my face as he tries to get me to answer.

  “Adrian.”

  “Yes, I’m here.” His voice is quiet.

  “The wreck. I remember. I have been trying, but I just couldn’t. Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

  “I’m fine. I had a few scratches and I’ve been a little sore. That’s all.”

  I am relieved and stunned. I didn’t expect to remember the accident so soon and I didn’t realize that I had forgotten Adrian. How could that have happened? I look up at him and see his gaze, steady and sharp.

  “Is something wrong?” I have to ask. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this. He seems almost anxious.

  “I’m just glad you’re alright; glad to finally see for myself.” He keeps looking at me, though, and it is a little disconcerting. “Is anyone coming to stay with you?”

  “Lydia has been here, but I told her she should go home and rest tonight. She hasn’t left the hospital for days. She’s been here the whole time. I don’t need anyone. I’m fine—”

  “No, I’m staying. I don’t want you to be alone.”

  “Adrian, really, I’m fine. I just need to rest.” I can see his determination. His mind is made up. However unnecessary, it appears that I will not be alone tonight after all.

  He doesn’t bother to argue with me further. He just settles himself on the bed, folding an ankle over his knee. He smiles at me and I can’t think about anything else.

  “I’ve missed you.” Bells. It’s all I can here. His voice drowns out every other sound; every other thought.

  “I’ve been asleep,” I answer absently.

  “I know, but you’re awake now.” He holds my eyes, entranced by his. This goes on and on or maybe it doesn’t. I can’t think clearly. He pulls my hands into his and holds on, our eyes staying connected.

  There is a noise that comes from somewhere far away. It is a constant repeating shrill that gets louder and louder. Adrian’s eyes close and for an instant, he looks furious.

  “I have to get this.” It was his phone ringing. His voice is steady and quiet, but he is definitely angry.

  “Adrian.” He answers tersely.

  He listens, staring out the window, without answering. He doesn’t move or even blink. He hangs up without making another sound.

  His eyes return to me and hold me again.

  “There’s been an emergency at work. I have to go, but I’ll be back.”

  “Okay.” My answer is breathless. I feel like I’m in a fog.

  He slides closer to me until his face is next to mine. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. I won’t wake you if you’re sleeping.” His breath is warm on my ear. I close my eyes and hold my breath.

  He kisses my forehead, lingering there. Finally, he gets up and leaves. I lay back on the bed, mesmerized. I look at the clock and realize that I have no idea how much time has passed. I feel shaken, confused, and a little bewildered. I am not strong enough for him yet. The effect he has on me is astounding. I have to sleep, but there’s no way I’ll be able to do it on my own now.

  I push the button to call the nurse and in a few moments, she brings relief. I fall into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

  CHAPTER 30

  Adrian’s fury is uncontrollable. He wasn’t this angry when he realized what Zain had done. It was the measly messenger calling as a result of his cowardice. He has to report now. The boss is tired of waiting.

  He walks down the hall and into the nearest elevator. It is empty so he takes the opportunity to shift, sliding into his more comfortable realm. Within a blink he is approaching the one he answers to; the one responsible for his purpose and his allegiance; the master deceiver.

  “You called?” He modifies his mood and keeps his composure. There is no need to let on that anything has gone against his plan, unless it is too late for that. He certainly won’t be the one to break the news.

  “Tell me. What have you accomplished?” He shows no sign of rage or disappointment. He seems only to be curious.

  “She has been unconscious for days. An insurmountable hedge was placed around her and Lydia. It has recently been removed. I was with her when you sent for me.”

  “I see.” He is deep in thought, perhaps considering the information he has heard or planning something. Adrian is unclear, so he waits silently.

  His commander paces to and fro, with still no visible expression. “Are you any closer?”

  “She was quite relieved to see
me. She is very weak both physically and mentally. At this time, she is completely alone. I feel it is imperative that I act quickly to take full advantage of her current state. I should have no difficulty.” He struggles to hide his intoxicating excitement at the thought.

  “Is there anything else?” He asks almost absently; still lost in thought. It is as if he is otherwise occupied.

  “Not at the present time.”

  “Go then and make good use of your time. Some other developments are taking place and I may need you to be available soon.”

  Adrian’s curiosity is peaked, but Jeriley is his priority. He leaves, calmly, keeping his composure, at least, until he is far away.

  Stephen watches as Jeriley sleeps. Her breathing is even and steady. She is peacefully resting. Her body needs it; as does her mind. He recalls watching from a distance as Adrian entered her room and she awoke to find him beside her. Though he is surprised that the hedge has been taken down so soon, he knows who is in control and has no qualms about what has taken place. The enemy has been allowed in, but only for a short time. He will not be allowed back in tonight. She will rest and get more of the healing she so desperately needs, both physically and mentally and she will be stronger in the morning.

  “Standing guard, I see.” The voice is smug, arrogant.

  “A formality really.” Stephen has nothing to prove to his adversary. He is simply stating the truth.

  “Of course,” Adrian’s overconfidence reeks like something spoiled by the summer sun. His arrogance is profound. “Your timing is impeccable. I must say, you are becoming rather predictable. Are you losing your touch, Stephen, or are you just getting sloppy?” He continues to gibe his opponent.

  “Don’t get comfortable, Adrian. Nothing has changed. You are still no match.”

  The remark is irritating and the evil doer is reminded of why their conversations never last long. He cannot stand to be in the presence of one of them for any measurable amount of time.

  He leaves in a huff to meddle elsewhere, spending some time back and forth between Lydia’s home and Alex’s. Though he is not in the mood to cause any real damage, he is nosy and does his fair share of plundering. He may get lucky and find something that can be of use later.

  CHAPTER 31

  Several days go by before I am finally allowed to go home. As promised, Alex picks me up and helps me get settled in. It feels good to be home. It is familiar and I desperately need familiarity right now. He leaves to go to the office, but not before giving me instructions to call him if I need anything.

  Lydia has returned to work and has offered to make dinner over the next couple of nights. This will be helpful as I am not even cleared to drive yet, but I am hopeful that things will get back to normal soon.

  I haven’t seen Adrian since he left the hospital the other night. He calls every day, but something is going on at work and he can’t get away. He says he misses me and wants us to take a few days to get away before I return to work.

  I am trying to find something to do to keep busy when I hear a knock on the door. I guess laundry and any other household chores will wait.

  I open the door to Stephen’s pleasant face. He smiles and it reaches his eyes. I back up, to let him in without saying anything. He comes through the door and stands there placing his hands in his pockets.

  “Hey you,” he says. “You look great. How do you feel?”

  “I’m good, considering. Come on in.”

  He follows me to the living room and I start to sit on the couch except that I hear the waves through the front storm door.

  “You wanna go out?” I ask.

  “Sure.”

  The wind is calm today. There’s only a slight breeze. There are a handful of puffy white clouds not too far off over the water.

  We find a place to sit in the sand and look out over the waves. Since the air is calm, the waves follow suit. They gently lap up onto the sand in a lazy sort of way. I close my eyes and breathe in the salt air. The sun on my face feels good.

  “It’s been a while since we got to visit like this by the water.” Stephen’s voice is quiet. He sounds like he is in deep thought about something.

  I lower my head and turn it in his direction. He is playing in the sand. His fingers go back and forth making tracks and then covering them up.

  I watch his fingers only briefly before I start picking up sand and letting it fall from my fingertips. It falls and I pick up more, examining it. Each time I let it go a few specks stick to my fingers. I’ve done this before. I have the strongest sense of déjà vu. It’s not just the sand; it’s being with Stephen, by the water. Then I remember the conversation in the park.

  “Do you remember that day at the park when we first met?” The question surprises me. I was thinking it, but I didn’t intend to ask it out loud.

  “Of course, I do. You were playing with the sand just like that.” He points to my hand and I hold it up. “Do you remember what we talked about?” He asks.

  “We concluded that nothing is random, and if nothing is random then everything has a purpose.”

  “That’s right.” He waits. He wants me to go on.

  “Who’s purpose?” I answer.

  I look at Stephen and he is looking at me expectantly. I recall when I first saw him that day at the restaurant. He was a stranger.

  “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:”

  My breath catches and I put my hands on each side of me in the sand to steady myself.

  “Strangers,” I say.

  Stephen doesn’t answer. He is waiting for me to put it all together and I do. Stephen, Adrian, the verse, the accident, the coma; it wasn’t random. None of it was random. I remember everything now. Stephen explained everything. It seems like it was a dream, only I know it wasn’t. It was too real.

  “I got another chance.” My words are soft, but he hears them. I look at him and his eyes give confirmation.

  “Yes.”

  “I have to choose.”

  “You do.”

  As wild as it seems it is more real to me than anything I’ve ever experienced before. I can’t explain it. I just know it. I feel it deep within me and it can no longer be ignored or put off.

  We sit in silence and I recall the visit that seems both real and like a dream all at once. I remember it in perfect detail; right down to the explanation of Adrian’s purpose and who he really is. As this soaks in, I feel relieved that he has been kept away the past few days.

  “I have only seen Adrian once since I woke up. He has called every day, but he says his job is keeping him away.” I confide in Stephen, trying not to let my fear get in the way of clear thinking.

  “That sounds about right.”

  “Is he being kept away?”

  “He is being kept at a distance, yes.”

  Relief washes over me and I decide to level with Stephen. I need his advice because, for the first time in my life, I have no idea how to proceed. Any other time I’ve had an important decision to make, I made it. This is different. I can’t afford to mess up this time.

  “I have no idea how to handle any of this. I feel like I’m in a foreign country or something.”

  “Sure you do. This is not as strange to you as you think. It will all come back to you. Take it one day at a time. If that gets too difficult, slow it down, but keep your eyes on Him.”

  I know to whom he is referring; that name that I haven’t acknowledged in years. “You mean Jesus.” My words are a whisper.

  “That’s the One.”

  I am certain now, that my life will never be the same and I’m okay with that.

  We stay on the beach talking easily for a while. Stephen answers my questions and I begin to feel more confident. Finally, I thank him, once again, for saving my life and for everything else he has done.

  “No need to tha
nk me. It has been an honor to watch over you all these years.”

  “All these years? I don’t understand.”

  “I was assigned to you many years ago. I have protected you all along your journey. Once your grandmother began praying for you, her prayers for your protection were answered. She has prayed for you a multitude of times; since before you were born. It is all part of His plan.”

  This leaves me speechless and I realize that I have more to think about and learn than I ever dreamed of. Something that Stephen said, stands out to me.

  “All along my journey?” I don’t quite understand it.

  “Your life. It’s a journey. Every life is a journey.”

  The clarity of it all comes crashing in like the waves. There are only two possible destinations. Every journey ends in one place or the other. The finality of it takes me by surprise and the argumentative part of me wants to research it, analyze it, and study it out to find definitive proof; but there is no need. The experience is proof enough. Add to that my experiences from years past and the things that Stephen knows that he couldn’t possibly have known; there is no other explanation.

  “I’m going to need some time to let all of this sink in. It’s all too much to take in right now.”

  “Take your time and don’t get discouraged. Remember, He is always with you.”

  Stephen stands and I do the same. We turn towards the house and walk slowly. Reaching the porch I stop and look back out over the water, contemplating that the One who made all of what I see, has made a connection with me. I don’t know how to take it and I have to look away. Stephen follows me inside the house and I can tell he is about to leave.

  “Will I see you again?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I would like to.”

  “Then we’ll see.”

  “It doesn’t sound like enough, but thank you, again.”

  “It is more than enough.”

  With those words, he walks to the door and leaves. I stand there and watch as he closes the door behind him and I am left to decipher and come to terms with all that has unfolded.