Last Heartbeat

by T. R. Lykins

  Kristen types her phone number into my phone and gives me a hug. “Please call me soon, okay? If you need something let me know. I will stay with you if you need me to.” She looks at me with tired eyes.

  “You go ahead and I will stay. I couldn’t leave here if I wanted too. Alexia might wake and be scared by herself. I plan on being here until she wakes.”

  “Okay, Phillip. Make sure you call me with updates.” She leaves, but I can tell she was sad about leaving Alexia here.

  After Kristen leaves, I become restless and pace the waiting room. Some of the people who are in here waiting keep watching me like I am a ticking time bomb. I don’t care how they watched me. The only thing I can think of is Alexia and why they are not letting me know what is going on. I decided to give the doctors a little while longer and then I will demand answers. Now, I will pace until then.

  Every time the doors open to the waiting room, I stop to see if it is a doctor. Right when I finally decide to go ask the nurse if she knows anything more, the doors open and I look to see who it is. This time, it isn’t the doctor. It’s Tyler and Jacob. They have a bag from my favorite burger place and something to drink. I smile at them, because they knew I would be hungry.

  “Hey, guys. Thanks for coming and bringing me food.”

  We find seats and they started asking me everything about Alexia. I tell them the basics because I really don’t know how much she would want them to know. When I get done eating and telling them what I know, the doctor finally comes to find me. He asks me to go with him and the guys say that they wait on me until I come back out.

  “Hi, my name is Dr. Martin. What is your name and how do you know Alexia?” He asked and shakes my hand.

  “I am Alexia’s boyfriend and my name is Phillip. Her roommate and I found her unresponsive. I rode in the ambulance with her. Can you tell me how she is?”

  “Well, Phillip, I can tell you that she is fine right now and when you gave the list of medicine to the nurse that helped. As soon as we gave her the medication, we were able to regulate her heartbeat and now she is resting. Her body did start the process of shutting down. I believe she was barely shutting down when you got to her, and that has also helped in this situation. Now we have to wait until she wakes up. If you were family, I could go into detail about the test that we had to run on her, but I can’t tell you. Sorry about that. Just know that she is doing well right now. Did you call any of her family members?”

  “Yes, I called her parents and they are getting the first flight out of Cleveland today. They probably are flying here now. Thank you for saving her, Dr. Martin. Do you know when I can go see her?” I hope he tells me that I can see her soon.

  “They are getting her room ready right now and you should be able to see her in about thirty minutes or so. I have to get back to my other patients. Ask the nurse for Alexia’s room number and have her to tell you when you can see Alexia. Take care, Phillip.”

  “Thanks again, Dr. Martin.” I smile at him and shake his hand. Then he leaves me.

  I head over to the nurses’ station and ask about Alexia. She looks up Alexia’s information and tells me her room number. The nurse says to wait a few minutes and she would tell me when I could go up. I thank her and head to the waiting room. I tell Tyler and Jacob what the doctor said and inform them that they should go ahead and leave because I am staying until Alexia wakes up. Tyler goes gets me some snacks and drinks before they leave me. As soon as they leave, I am allowed into Alexia’s room. I head up to see my girl.

  I pause at her door before I open it. I admit to myself that I am scared. I don’t know what they have done to her. I hope her parents hurry and get here so I can find out. Maybe she will wake up first and then I can ask her about everything.

  I open her door and head over to Alexia. What I see surprises me. She looks better and looks like she does when she is asleep. I am glad she doesn’t have tubes down her throat. If it weren’t for her IV or the heart monitor, I would think she was sleeping.

  After seeing Alexia, I relax a little bit. I pull the chair close beside her bed, so I can hold her hand. I talk to her and tell her everything, hoping she can hear what I am saying to her. I wonder why she hasn’t woken up yet.

  As time passes, I become worried again, but she looks peaceful. A nurse comes in a few times to check her vitals and tells me that everything is fine. I will have to believe the nurse for now, so I just have to wait. I will not leave this hospital until Alexia wakes up and I even tell her this. I continue holding her hand, and I even rub my fingers across her face. I kiss her on her lips and still she doesn’t wake up.

  I must have fallen asleep while talking to Alexia. I am awakened by voices in the room. I don’t move or open my eyes at first, because I am hoping to hear something that will let me know how Alexia really is. I think I hear Dr. Martin talking to a lady. Could Alexia’s parents already be here? How long did I sleep? They are talking in very low voices, so I really can’t hear everything they are saying.

  I am about to rise up when I hear my name being spoken. The lady asks what I know about Alexia’s condition and the doctor tells her what he told me. She says that it is good and she’s glad that didn’t tell me more. I am about to get mad and let them know about it when the lady says she is glad that I am here with her daughter. She goes on saying that it is Alexia who should tell me about her condition and not anyone else that Alexia had told her that she was going to tell me earlier in the day all about it, so I relaxed. I decide that it is time to let them know I am awake by moving like I am now waking up.

  I stretch out my arms, pretending to wake. I look over to see who is behind me. That must be Alexia’s mom because she looks like her. I smile at her and get up. I hold out my hand to shake hers.

  “Hi, I am Phillip. You must be Alexia’s mother, Mrs. Morgan?”

  She shakes my hand. “Yes, I am her mother. Glad to meet you finally, Phillip. I wish it were under better circumstances. Alexia has told me so much about you. I am glad she has had you with her. How long have you been here with her?”

  I smile again. “I have been here as long as Alexia has. I don’t plan on leaving until she opens her eyes. I hope it is soon, but if not, I will be here. Did you just get in from the airport?”

  Mrs. Morgan nods. “Yes, we did and came straight here. We haven’t even found a place to stay yet. You know Alexia would want you to take a break and rest. We are here now if you want to leave and rest up.”

  “Mrs. Morgan, you and your husband can stay at my place. No need to get a hotel. I have an extra bedroom, but it has twin beds. You can stay there. I really don’t need to leave and rest. I plan on being here with her. Did Dr. Martin tell you anything about Alexia’s condition and how long she will be here?”

  “Phillip, please call me Julie. I wouldn’t want to put you out by staying with you. Yes, Dr. Martin told me everything. Alexia must have forgotten to take her medicine today. He said once she wakes up she should be fine. It might take a few days for her body to recuperate from its shock of medication withdrawal. The test shows that her heart is fine. Now we have to wait until she wakes up. I am not telling you anything else about her condition because she wanted to do that herself.” Julie yawns and I know she must be tired. When I look out the window, I notice it is already dark.

  “I insist, Julie that you stay at my place. I will call the security guard and tell him to let you in the building. Is your husband with you?” I look at her and she really reminds me of Alexia except her eye color is different.

  She smiles. “Yes, my husband is here. He just stepped down to the cafeteria to grab us something to eat. I told him to get you something. I hope you will like what he brings. You were sleeping when we got here and didn’t want wake you to ask. Thank you for letting us stay with you. I can see why Alexia likes you. You are so good to her. She told me about this past weekend that you two had a great time. She tells me everything and always has so don’t be embarrassed. When she told me this morning th
at you and her were dating and that she wanted to move in with you, I was shocked. Now, meeting you and seeing how much you care for her, I understand.”

  The door opened and a guy comes in carrying food. I guessed this is Alexia’s dad. Yes this has to be him, because he has the same eye color that Alexia has. He hands the food to Julie and comes over to shake my hand.

  “You must be the Phillip, I keep hearing about. My name is Steven and I hope you like hospital food because I just got us some chicken sandwiches.” He smiles at me.

  I shake his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Morgan and yes I am Phillip. I am still a growing boy so chicken sandwiches are good for me. Thank you for bringing me food. I was telling your wife that you two could stay at my place while you’re here. I know the both of you are tired and I will stay here with Alexia. You can go to my place and rest. I will call when she wakes up.”

  “Thank you, Phillip. That is generous of you. We are tired, and the doctor said she would be a sleep for a while. Why don’t you go with us to rest?”

  How could he think that I would leave her?

  Julie looks at me and knows I won’t leave. “Steven dear, Phillip is going to stay with Alexia. He already told me he wasn’t leaving until she wakes up. We will have to leave him here.”

  He looks at me and realizes that is true. “Okay son. Call us if something comes up. Call me Steven and not Mr. Morgan. Since your Alexia’s boyfriend, we should me on first-name basis.”

  “Sure thing, Steven. I will write down the address and here is the key to the condo. I have plenty of food so help yourselves.” I gave them everything they needed and they left.

  It has to have been stressful for them to get the call from me about Alexia. I make sure the security guy know about Alexia’s parents and he says he would let them in and show them which condo to go to.

  Now that it is late and I have eaten my food, I have to relax myself. I text the guys and Kristen updates about Alexia and ask Tyler to bring me a phone charger the next day. I don’t want to be without a phone. I wash up in the bathroom and realize that I have to ask Alexia’s parents to bring my medicine in the morning. I’m glad I already took my dose today. I head back to the chair beside her bed and notice that it reclines. That is nice, so I can sleep. I see a blanket and extra pillow in the closet. Now I am set to stay here with my girl.

  This is my routine for the next two days. I talk to Alexia, her parents, and my friends when they all come in. They each try to get me to leave, but I can’t go. Thankfully they bring me food, my medication, and a phone charger. I emailed my professors and they email me what I have missed in class. I can makeup the work. If Alexia doesn’t wake up soon, I will have to request clothes too.

  The doctor keeps telling her parents and me that she is still doing fine and improving each day that she will wake up when her body lets her. I have been here for three days now and I miss her so much. I miss looking into her blue eyes, listening to her talk and laugh, and I miss her in my arms smiling up at me.

  Her parents left a little while ago and I am relaxing in my new reclining bed. I fall asleep for a little while and I think I hear movement, but then there’s nothing. I go back into deep sleep. Seems like I’ve slept for about an hour when I wake up. I open my eyes and there is the greatest sight I have ever seen right in front of me. My blue-eyed princess is looking at me. I hurry and move my chair close by her bed and grab her hand in mine.

  We start talking about what had happened and how long she was a sleep. She keeps telling me that she’s sorry, she was going to tell me, and she made a mess of things and how she would understand if I want to leave her because she is broken. I even wipe her tears away.

  Not long after she wakes, Kirstin comes in and they talk. Alexia asks her what all did she told me and Kristen tells her. I wonder what Alexia is now keeping from me, but I decide that it doesn’t matter to me. I decide to interrupt them because I have to tell Alexia everything I was feeling. How much I loved her and how I donn’t care that she has had a heart transplant. That it doesn’t matter if we have kids or not because there are other ways to have kids if we decided later we did. She keeps arguing that I don’t know what I am getting myself into, but I let her know that I do. I let everything out of my heart to her and forget we were not alone until I hear someone behind us.

  It is her parents and Kristen. I tell her parents that everything I said is true. I even ask them for their blessing to date Alexia and move in with me. I am surprised when Steven says yes first but we have to have Julie’s blessing first. Then Julie says that she has to talk to Alexia by herself before she will agree.

  We all step outside Alexia’s room, and now I have to wait until they are done talking to hear if she gives me her blessing. I am wondering why they have to have a secret conversation first. Kristen seems to know more but doesn’t say anything. Then says that she had to go. Here I am, pacing the hall. Steven seems as nervous as I am and I wonder if he knows why they are having a private talk. It seems like forever when the door opens.

  Julie comes out and smiles at me. “Phillip, while I was talking to Alexia, she went back to sleep. She said for Steven and me to take you home and get cleaned up. You should rest a bit and then come back. She has to talk to you about something when you get back. Go home for a little bit.”

  “Why do I have to leave? I can wait until she is awake again to talk to her.”

  “Alexia told me to make you go and she said you needed a shower because you were starting to smell bad. Not to worry. She will rest until you get back.” She smiles, and I knew that comment was from Alexia. I want to go check on her again, but I don’t.

  “Okay. Long enough to shower. I don’t want to stink up this hospital.” I laugh, and we leave to go back to the condo.

  Driving back home after three days in the hospital feels good. It be better to have Alexia with me. The doctor said that she would get out tomorrow and I can’t wait. I hope what she tells me is something good. I have this feeling it isn’t.

  Could Alexia’s mom have talked her out of our relationship? Would Alexia dump me after everything? I decide not to worry too much until I talk to Alexia. I’m glad her parents are driving me home because I really am tired. More tired than I thought I was.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Alexia

  I must have been extremely tired. I don’t wake up until the sun is coming through my hospital window. I feel much better this morning. My body doesn’t feel tired or weak. I hope that means they will let me out for sure. I look around the room to see if anyone is with me, but there is no one. I wonder why Phillip didn’t come back. Maybe he did and I was asleep, so he left. Hopefully he isn’t mad because I had Mom make him leave last night. He really needed to rest and get cleaned up. He looked so tired.

  What will I tell him today? Do I have it in me to tell him that I have his dead brother’s heart? If I want to be his girlfriend I have too. I can’t keep this secret from him any longer. I hope he forgives me when he hears what I have to say. Telling him will be the hardest thing for me to do. I love him and never want him to feel heartache or pain. I plan on telling him once I get out of this place.

  The door opens and Dr. Martin comes in. “Hello, Alexia. How do you feel this morning?”

  “I feel like my normal self. I slept well last night and no longer feel tired or weak. Does this mean I get out of the hospital today?” I smile at him, and maybe he will let me go.

  “Well, with all the tests you had done, everything looks good. Your blood work is normal and the EKGs and echocardiogram show no damage to your heart. You have to promise me not to forget your medication or you will be back here. If you promise me, I will start the process for your discharge.”

  “Don’t worry, Dr. Martin. I promise to take it. I don’t want to come back to the hospital again. Nothing against you or anything, but I have had enough of hospitals for now.” I smile really wide from knowing that I will be getting out soon.

  “Okay, Alexia, I wi
ll go tell the nurse to start discharging you. Is your family here to take you home?”

  “It is still early. I will call them to come get me. They aren’t too far from the hospital.”

  “It has been nice to meet you, Alexia. You were my first heart transplant patient. Most of the time, the patients I see are not lucky enough to get a donor. Take care of yourself.” With those words, he left me.

  Yes I have been lucky or maybe it was a miracle my mother prayed about. I will probably never know for sure.

  I call my mom and she says that they will come pick me up. They ask me if Phillip is still here. I say that he wasn’t when I woke up. I tell her that he probably went to get something to eat. She says that I am probably right. We hang up and now I worried about where he could be.

  This time when the door opened in comes Kristen. I love her, but I’m wondering where Phillip is. “You are awake. You were sleeping last night when Phillip and I were here late. Where is lover boy at now?”

  “I don’t know. He wasn’t here when I woke up. Must be out getting food or something. The doctor said I can go home and he already has started the process to discharge me.”

  “Yay! I am happy for you. Phillip said he was staying last night. I guess he did go for food or something. What did your mom tell you in private yesterday? Phillip is scared that she wanted you to break up with him.”

  “No, she didn’t try to talk me into breaking up with him. After I tell him what she said, he might break up with me. This has me scared to death to tell him. I don’t want to lose him. I now know have to tell him everything.”

  “Alexia, what is it? Tell me so I can give you my opinion about it.” She looks concerned.

  I end up telling her everything about who my heart donor is, how my mom prayed for a miracle, and even about Phillip’s mom. When I was done she just looks at me for a minute. I believe she might be in shock. I hope Phillip doesn’t have this reaction.