by John Charles
Lane was still overwhelmed after the guests left. He sat on the couch, with Terry, and turned the pages reading little comments and thank you letters. There in front of him, was his life's work. Never had he appreciated what his life was about more than at that moment.
Chapter 18
Reade spent the night with Alex, fearing the worst, hoping for the best. The duty nurse and ICU resident checked Alex's vitals so frequently, Reade said, "You're in here so often, why don't you just pull up a chair and stay with me."
The resident looked from Alex to Reade and shrugged his shoulders. "I think Alex is doing just fine with you by his side. He doesn't need me on here too."
Alex was doing fine. His vitals stabilized after the shock therapy failure. Reade at first was furious, but Gena and Jason pointed out that they knew the risks going in to it. Even with that, he felt he almost lost Alex again. He couldn't allow that now, after waking up himself.
Gena walked into the room with coffee and bagels. "I figured you wouldn't leave him and probably didn't eat anything, so I brought us some breakfast." She pulled a chair next to Reade and took a sip of her coffee.
"I normally don't eat this stuff, but I guess I can break that rule, especially after breaking almost all the other rules in my life." He took a bite of bagel and smiled. "Mmm, this is good! Maybe I'll do this more often."
Suddenly Gena froze. Reade looked from Gena to Alex and saw that his eyes were open. Alex appeared to be looking directly at his mother. He blinked several times, then moved his eyes toward Reade, and stared at him.
Gena, not wanting to create too much noise got up, walked out of the room, and signaled the duty nurse to come quickly. When they entered the room, Reade was holding Alex's hand and whispering to him. Alex did not respond, but continued to look at Reade. When Gena walked near the bed, Alex looked from Reade to her as if he recognized them both.
Gena said, "Hi Alex, we've missed you. Are you going to stay with us, now?" She sat next to Reade and took Alex's other hand in hers, pulled it to her lips, and kissed his fingers. "The doctors say you are healing well and should make a full recovery."
The duty nurse didn't want to interrupt, having seen this type of awakening several times prior. She watched as Alex's eyes moved from one to the other of the people in his life. Then Alex closed his eyes and lay still. She checked his vital signs, again, and said, "That was very good. It shows he is still in there. The next time he opens his eyes, you do the same thing, talk to him, and tell him everything is fine. Get him to keep his eyes open longer, if you can."
Both Reade and Gena had huge smiles on their faces. "Did you see him look at each of us? I felt that he knew us and wanted to talk but couldn't," said Gena. "Is that normal?"
After checking Alex once again, she said, "Yes, patients frequently begin coming out of their coma slowly. Sometimes they open their eyes and look around, as Alex did. Other times they moan or cry. It's a good sign."
Reade's phone vibrated in his pocket indicating he received a text. When he looked at it, he froze. Gena saw his face and asked, "What is it?"
"I'll let you know after I call mother." He walked out of the ICU and made the call as he paced in the waiting room. His only response after listening to his mother was to tell her to get their attorneys on it right away. Then he went back to Alex.
Gena saw how upset he was, pulled him into a hug and held him for a few minutes. When he calmed down a little, she asked, "What happened this time" as if she already knew it had something to do with Harrold.
"My father was caught trying to break into my mother's house. The police arrested him for violating the restraining order. Apparently, he told the cops he had every right to enter the house because it was in his name, too. They didn't agree and took him to the station."
Reade and Gena sat with Alex for another hour when Reade said he had to get to the office. "I'll be back tonight. Looks like you'll be alone today. Jason texted me when I was talking to mother saying he took a double shift to help a coworker. See you later.”
"You found a good man Alex. It did take this accident for him to wake up. Now that he has, it's time for you to come back as well. He loves you Alex and I know you love him, too."
She watched his eyes as she spoke to him. They moved rapidly and his eyelids twittered, too. She had seen him do that when she checked on him as a youngster. "Where are you? What has you so totally in its grip that you prefer to stay in this dream?"
The duty nurse watched from the door, shaking her head. Alex was special — all her patients were special, but there was something different about Alex.
*****
At first, Reade wondered if he could really run a business on his own. Now, he couldn't think of anything else he wanted to do. The freedom of working without Harrold's bullying was something he only felt when he attended the academy. It was exhilarating!
He spent his day finalizing plans for a new member company to join the co-op, spoke to his mother's attorneys about Harrold's attempted break in and managed to have a peaceful lunch, too.
Alex never left his mind throughout the day. Where are you? What has you in its grip? What is this dream you are having? He wanted Alex back!
He arrived at the hospital at 9, his usual time. The lights were dimmed giving the ICU an eerie feeling with monitors glowing, beeping sounds coming from several patient's rooms, and the one window to the outside world illuminated by the full moon. Reade had walked into the ICU at this time every night for three months. Tonight seemed different.
Gena was gathering her stuff when he entered Alex's room. "How's our boy doing?" He asked as he bent down and kissed Alex.
Gena watched both her son and Reade interact. Smiling she sat down rather than leave. "I have the feeling that Alex will be back very soon. I know it's just a feeling, but it's very strong," she said.
Reade, still lying next to Alex, felt angry and sad. His anger only due to the sadness he felt looking at the man he loved, living in a dream world that he was not part of.
He raised his head, looked at Alex, put both hands on Alex's shoulders and yelled as he shook him, "Enough, Alex. You've had enough time to heal and to live this dream. It's time for you to come home!"
Gena looked at the scene unfolding in front of her in horror, even though she wanted to do exactly what Reade was doing. The duty nurse rushed into the room wondering what caused the commotion. Both women looked on with shock on their faces.
Reade was holding Alex's shoulders watching as Alex's eyes shot open and looked directly at him. Then his head abruptly turned to his left, his hands raised off the bed as though he were trying to stop someone or something from hitting him, and then his entire body flexed as if it had taken a severe blow.
Gena gasped at what she saw. The duty nurse rushed to the bed to check on her patient, Reade continued to hold Alex, yelling, "Come back Alex. It's time to come home. It's time to say goodbye to your dream and join us again!"
Suddenly, Alex screamed — screamed. It was not a full word, just a sound — his hands fell, his eyes closed, and his breathing went shallow, very shallow.
Chapter 19
Neither Lane nor Terry could fully retire as they were so entrenched in their life's work. Lane tried to stick to a three-day workweek, while Terry managed two mornings each week.
When not working, the two loved having fun. They enjoyed nature, cruising to exotic locales, meeting new people, and looking for new ways to enjoy each other's company.
Lane was meeting several neurologists who had used the spinal reparation process on a youngster that was born with a spinal defect. After the procedure, the child showed great improvement. They spent the day reviewing hundreds of X-rays and test results. Lane was in his element and didn't want the day to end.
He left the research center at 9 PM. The night was beautiful with a full moon that lit up the sky. Realizing he had not eaten dinner, Lane decided to walk across the street to his favorite deli to get a sandwich. His mind was occupie
d with the events of the day, and the upcoming fundraiser.
The light turned green, the walk sign illuminated, and he stepped off the curb. Onlookers said he didn't have a chance. The car turned the corner so fast neither the driver nor Lane could get out of the way.
Lane felt rather than heard the car approaching. He abruptly turned his head to the left, put his hands up as if to stop the car, and screamed.
The impact of the collision threw him over fifty feet, broke most of the bones in his body, and left him near death. A bystander ran to his side and held him as others called for an ambulance.
The owner of the deli knew Lane and Terry very well. They had been eating his food for most of their adult life. When he saw the accident, he rushed out of the store to find the victim was his dear friend. He quickly called Terry and told him what happened.
Lane was barely alive as they rushed him to the hospital. Paramedics did their best to keep him breathing though they knew he could never survive the damage his body had received. The emergency staff, at the hospital, did their best to make him comfortable. Terry and Sherry arrived minutes after the ambulance.
Both were shocked seeing what lay before them. Lane's body was mangled. His clothes had been cut off, IVs in both arms, and a breathing tube in his throat. Terry stopped dead in his tracks as he entered the emergency bay. In front of him was Lane of forty years ago. His legs gave out and he fell to his knees. "Oh my God," were the only words he managed to say.
A resident helped him to his feet and held him as they walked to Lane's side. Sherry stood by as doctors continued to administer emergency treatment. There in front of her was the best friend she ever had. Now he lay near death, once again. She could not wrap her arms around it. Why had this wonderful man been struck down once again — why?
After a few minutes, the surgeon said, "He'll never make it through surgery in his present condition. I think we should keep him sedated and see if he stabilizes. Surgery would kill him for sure, if we attempt it right now."
Terry looked from the doctor back to his life partner without saying a word. The emergency staff left them alone. Terry reached for Lane's hand and gently held it to his face. "We've come full circle my friend. I don't understand why this has happened, but it has. What do I do? Do I pray for you to live, knowing the extent of your injuries? Or do I just let you leave me? What do I do Lane?"
Sherry put her arms around Terry as he talked to her best friend. Then she touched Lane's face. As she did, she felt the life of the man she always loved travel along her arm. "I know you can hear me Lane. You need to tell us what you want. This time it's not up to us, it's your decision. Please let us know what you want."
They held Lane's hands and talked to him for the better part of an hour. Doctors repeatedly checked his vitals announcing there were no changes. After his routine check, one young resident asked if Lane had a living will. Terry said, "Yes, it's on file with the hospital, but I can tell you what it says. Lane always felt he didn't want any life support if his body couldn't live on its own. Is that what you are asking?"
The resident said he would report back shortly, then he left the emergency bay. Terry looked at his life partner and said, "Okay my friend, I think I know how to answer my own question. As Sherry said, it's up to you. If they doctors pull the plug and you stay with me, I'll know. But please understand, no matter what I want, it's up to you. If you want to go, then do it. I'll be alright."
The ER Chief and the resident came into the bay together. "Though it is too early to remove Lane from life support, I'd like to know how you feel."
Terry told him what he just told Lane. "It's up to Lane. If he wants to live, he will. If not, he knows I'm okay with whatever he decides." Sherry agreed.
The consensus was to keep Lane on life support through the night, if his body held out. If he were not healthy enough for surgery by morning, they would look at the alternative.
The night dragged on. Terry and Sherry took turns resting on the metal chairs in the emergency bay. The resident maintained his vigilant checks on all three of them. By morning, Lane showed no sign of strengthening enough for the needed surgery. In fact, he was slipping. He was simply too weak and would never survive surgery.
At 6am, the ER chief said they could wait until mid morning to make any decisions, and then left for morning rounds. Terry held Lane's hand and asked, "Talk to me. What should I do? I can't let them remove life support if it's not what you want."
By ten that morning, Lane let everyone know what he wanted them to do. His heart became erratic. It could not be stabilized. The breathing machine signaled that he was no longer managing to breathe without assistance. His body was failing.
Terry stood by his side as Lane struggled. "It's okay, Lane, I'll miss you, but it's okay to go. Let go and live, my love! Let go and live!"
Sherry held Lane's other hand and said, "You were my first and only love. I will miss you more than life, but I won't ask you to stay if that is not what you want. So, it's okay to go Lane."
As if to acknowledge both of his best friends, Lane opened his eyes, looked at Sherry, then turned to Terry and held his eyes in his, took one long breath and let go. His eyes remained open as if to say I will always be with you.
The wake was more than anyone could have expected. Thousands paid their respects to the man who allowed others to live. Terry knew Lane helped many people, but never realized how many people he affected. The lines seemed never ending. What was to be a one evening viewing had to be extended to three and people continued to come. Finally, Terry told the funeral director to shut the doors. "They can pay their respects at the grave site."
The funeral was reserved for friends and family. When it was time for the coffin to be closed, Terry walked to Lane's side, leaned in and kissed the man he loved for the last time. Then he placed a large box in the coffin. "Take this with you; it's your life's work. Maybe you can use it wherever you are going. I will miss you more than anyone can possibly imagine. Go and live again my love, live again."
Lane was buried in the family plot next to Terry's father. The gravesite had room for Terry and his mother. When the others had left, Terry, Sherry and Hallie held hands and said their final goodbyes to the man who made their lives worth living, turned and walked to, the waiting limo. Life would never be the same again.
Chapter 20
Reade arrived at the ICU at his normal time and was surprised to see Gena already sitting next to Alex. "What brings you in so early?" He asked as he entered the room, kissed his love and handed Gena a bagel. "Figured it was my turn to treat," he said.
"I had a feeling this morning, that Alex needed me. You know, that mother I need you feeling," she said as she watched her son. "Ever since he screamed yesterday, I felt something was different. He's in there Reade, I know it more now than before."
Reade took Alex's hand in his, brought it to his lips, kissed it, and said, "Alex, it's time for you come back. We know you've been dreaming and we know you are healing, it's time you came back to us."
"Jason called me last night. He has been promoted and transferred to a new station. He'll be responsible for several EMTs and three ambulances at the new station," said Reade as he sat next to Gena.
"That's a lot of responsibility to take on all at once. How will he manage it all?" asked Gena. "He's a smart guy, but even I'd be a bit intimidated if I went from paramedic to supervisor of a team that size."
"He said just about the same thing. He is a bit intimidated, but is sure he can make it work. Apparently, the prior supervisor had a personal emergency and took a leave of absence. The position is Jason's even after the guy comes back, if Jason wants to continue as supervisor."
"What about his medical degree? I thought he wanted to pursue that over the fire department?"
"He's going to take a semester off and work with the university on a flexible schedule. If it doesn't work out, he can relinquish the position when the other guy comes back from his leave. I think he'll do just
fine."
They watched Alex as they ate. Neither said another word for nearly an hour. They just watched the man in the bed. Suddenly Alex took a very deep breath, his head turned from side to side, but his eyes remained closed.
It was approaching the time when Reade normally left for the office. "I think I'll stay a while longer. I have nothing urgent on my schedule and I am having that feeling too.”
Just after ten, the duty nurse came into the room to check on her patient. "Alex has been exhibiting signs of stress for the past twenty-four hours. I doubt it has to do with you yelling at him, but I have not seen this in a coma patient for a long time." She completed her routine and said, "Keep an eye on him."
Reade and Gena also noticed that Alex seemed to be in some distress. His breathing was different; his body moved more than in previous days, and his head moved about more as well. "What's happening Alex, are you having a bad dream this time?" asked Reade as he held Alex's hand.
Gena moved to the other side of the bed and took Alex's other hand in hers. "It's okay Alex. Just let the dream go and come back to us."
As if responding to their words, Alex opened his eyes and moved his head from Reade to his mother and back again to Reade. The duty nurse came into the room saying Alex's heartbeat was showing an irregularity. She had called for the specialist not knowing what was causing the situation.
"He squeezed my hand," said Reade with the enthusiasm of a teen getting his first kiss. "There, he did it again!"
Everyone was keenly aware that Alex's eyes remained open and he was looking from one to the next as they spoke, as if he were following their voices. Then Gena noticed tears coming from her son's eyes. "Why are you crying Alex? What's happening in your dream?" Tears continued to flow, but Alex kept his eyes open and now seemed to be staring at Reade.