Carolina

by Sara Mullins

  Dr. Smith changed the subject, trying to talk to Mark about anything but the troubles that surrounded him. They watched a little bit of boring morning television before Dr. Smith left to go home. Mark made it to noon before he finally gave in and shut off the TV. He looked over at Nicole. “I’ll be back, hon. I’m gonna go get something to eat.”

  Mark drove into Carolina, eyeballing the diner. He decided against it and headed over to Joe’s instead. The usual Saturday lunchtime line had formed, and Mark patiently waited his turn. The customers disappeared and he finally stood face-to-face with Joe at the counter.

  “Mark! God, man, how are you?”

  “I’m doin’ alright, buddy,” Mark said.

  “Dude, I heard what happened with Nicole. How’s she doing?”

  “She’s comin’ around. Starting to heal up.”

  “That’s good, man. That’s good. What was up with that psycho that went to your house that night? I about crapped when I heard that,” Joe said.

  “Psycho is the keyword there. And I about crapped, too,” Mark said laughing. “It’s a long story, I’ll catch you up sometime.”

  “Deal. Hey, I suppose you didn’t come here to get interrogated. What can I get ya?” Joe asked him.

  “I’ll take my usual cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, and pickle. And add some mayo and mustard please,” Mark added.

  “Chocolate shake, too?” Joe asked.

  “Of course,” Mark said.

  “You got it, pal. It’s on the house, alright?”

  “Thanks, but you don’t need . . .”

  “Please, I insist,” Joe pleaded.

  “Alright, but just this once.”

  Mark smiled and walked off to the side to wait for his food. He stood under a tree to shade himself from the hot sun. The 92-degree weather practically cooked the customers waiting in line. Underneath a neighboring tree, an elderly couple sat side by side at a picnic table, eating their lunch in the shade. The gentleman caressed his wife’s back as they talked softly to each other. Mark found himself watching the couple while he waited. He grinned at first, then felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. He drifted off into a daydream, flooded by the happy memories that had lifted his life over the last few months. And for the first time since the tragedy began, Mark felt overwhelmed with worry. Tears rolled down his face and his hands shook at his sides.

  In the distance, Joe called his name. Mark was unresponsive. “Mark,” Joe said again, but once again he just stood there.

  Joe walked outside carrying his food. The elderly couple looked up. Joe approached Mark with caution and nudged his arm. “Mark?” Joe asked. Mark’s eyes finally moved off of the couple, who now stared back at him. He looked at Joe, who asked, “Are you alright?”

  Mark shook his head. “No.” He cried quietly. “No.”

  Joe put his arm around him. “Hey, man. It’s gonna be okay. She is strong. She is young and healthy. She is going to be okay.”

  Mark nodded in agreement. “I know, it’s just not fair. Why? Why her? She’s so perfect. She wouldn’t hurt a soul. She’s never hurt a soul,” Mark wept.

  “I know, I agree. It isn’t fair. I don’t know why this stuff happens, but I do believe that she is going to be okay. And this experience may bring you closer than you’ve ever been. You’ll never forget it, that’s for sure.” Joe smiled at him, trying to sound as optimistic as possible.

  Mark raised his eyebrows in response. “Yeah, I guess not.” He looked around at the concerned customers, feeling a little embarrassed. “I’m sorry, man.”

  “It’s okay. Don’t apologize, it’s okay.”

  “Thank you.” He sighed. Joe handed him his food and patted him on the back. “Thanks. I’m cool now.”

  “Alright.” Joe started to walk back to the ice cream shop. “Listen, if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.”

  “Thanks, man,” Mark said.

  He munched on the burger as he walked back to his truck. He took another bite, then his phone rang. Mark chewed and swallowed with haste. He struggled to pull the phone out of his pocket while holding on to his food. “Hello?”

  “Mark, this is Dr. Baker at Williams Memorial.”

  Mark’s stomach turned. “Yes, hello, doctor.”

  “We have some updated news if you would like to head in.”

  “I’ll be right there,” Mark responded immediately.

  He rushed his last few steps to the truck and headed toward the hospital. The thought of not knowing what he was about to hear sickened him. His hands trembled to the point where he struggled to drive. He arrived at the hospital, swallowed the lump in his throat, and got out of the truck.

  Mark made his way through the building to Nicole’s room. The nurse saw him arrive from the counter. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re here,” she told him.

  He nodded at her and turned back to look at Nicole. She was lying there peacefully, just as she had done when he had left her. The doctor approached the counter and talked to the nurse for a moment, then the two of them walked into the room.

  “Alright, Mark. First things first. You can relax a little bit,” the doctor said, glancing at Mark’s white knuckles. “It’s okay, I didn’t mean to alarm you.”

  “I’m good,” Mark said.

  “Well, we have some good results from Nicole’s newest scan. Of course, I can’t guarantee anything one way or the other, but it’s starting to look optimistic. The scan showed a higher activity level in her brain.”

  “So, what’s that mean?” Mark asked.

  “Typically, an increase in brain activity can lead to an increase in awareness,” the doctor said.

  “Are you telling me she’s waking up?”

  “I’m telling you that it’s more likely. As I said, I can’t guarantee anything. Just know that there is hope. Keep doing what you’re doing and stay positive.”

  “Do you think . . .” Mark started. He swallowed the lump in his throat then finished. “Do you think she can hear me?”

  “I can’t tell you that one way or the other. Normally, people in a coma aren’t aware of anything in their surroundings. However, with increased brain activity . . . well, you never know. It doesn’t hurt to keep trying, though.” The doctor smiled at him.

  “I won’t quit trying,” Mark said. The nurse teared up and the doctor’s smile grew.

  “You’re a good man,” the doctor said.

  “I just love her. That’s all there is to it.”

  “Hang in there, Mark. Let us know if you have any questions,” the doctor told him, patting him on the back. He and the nurse then turned and left the room.

  Later that night, Mark tossed and turned in the recliner trying to fall asleep. Tick, tick, tick; the sound of the second hand moving echoed in the room. After an hour of changing positions and looking at the clock, he finally dozed off.

  Mark felt a gentle hand on his left arm. Then a soft voice spoke to him. “Mark. Mark?” the voice said. He cracked open his eyelids. Nicole stood next to him, smiling.

  “Nicole?” He sat up quickly. “Nicole, you’re awake!” He jumped up out of the chair and wrapped her up in a hug. “Oh my God. I knew it. I knew you’d come back to me.” He squeezed her tight and she caressed his back to comfort him.

  “It’s okay now, baby. Everything’s gonna be okay,” she reassured him.

  He sobbed on her shoulder. “I was so afraid I was going to lose you.”

  “Mark?” she spoke in his ear.

  “Yeah?”

  “Mark?” she said again.

  He pulled back to look her in the eye. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “Wake up, Mark.” She smiled at him.

  “Mark,” the nurse said jostling his arm. “Mark, wake up,” she said again. He finally came to, gasping for air, looking around the room. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He looked up at her, then looked at the bed. Nicole was still lying there. His head dropped in disappointment.

  “W
hat time is it?” he mumbled in a daze.

  “It’s a quarter till three,” she said.

  “What’s wrong? Why did you wake me up?” he asked.

  “I thought you’d want to know that she’s been moving a little.”

  “Moving? What do you mean?”

  “Nothing major, just slight movements with her arms and legs. Almost as if she’s restless,” the nurse clarified.

  “Wow, that’s great!” he said.

  “I thought maybe you could talk to her. See if we get any kind of response,” she said.

  “Okay, of course.”

  Mark stood up and walked over to Nicole’s bedside. He stood next to her and looked her over. Then he took her hand and held it in his, using his other to softly stroke the back of hers. “Nicole, if you’re listening to me, I need to tell you something.” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “The first time I met you, that day at the veterinary clinic, you changed my life. I knew the moment you looked at me that you were special. I had to meet you, to know who you were. And now that I know you, I know that I’m not the same without you. I can’t think, I can’t sleep, I can’t smile . . .” he faded off. “I get that we haven’t been together that long, but I can’t ignore what I feel. I love you, Nicole. I love you so much. I’ll stay here with you forever if I have to.” He cried gently and rested his forehead on her arm.

  Nicole’s other hand gracefully touched the back of his head, her fingers running through his soft hair. “I love you, too,” she said. A tear rolled down her temple. The nurse gasped in the doorway. Mark lifted his head in disbelief and met her gaze. His words left him and all he could do was cry. “It’s okay,” she told him. “Don’t cry, baby.”

  “I thought I was gonna lose you.” He stared into her eyes and wiped her tear. “God, I can’t believe you’re looking at me, talking to me. Every day I prayed that you would open your eyes and look at me.”

  “Come here,” she said, pulling him in to hold him. They held each other close until the doctor walked in. He let them embrace for a moment before asking Mark to leave so he could assess Nicole’s condition.

  Mark walked out and paced in the hallway. He quivered from a mixture of nervousness and excitement. After what seemed like an eternity, the doctor walked out to talk to Mark.

  “Mark, she looks great. For being in a coma for twelve days and everything she’s been through, I couldn’t be happier. Now, I want you to remember that people typically don’t wake up from a coma and immediately go back to normal. It’s going to take some time for her to get used to things again. Things that you and I take for granted, like walking and eating, are going to be rough for her for a while. Depending on how she handles it, she may have to receive therapy. But overall, she’s young and healthy. I think she’ll be just fine,” the doctor said to Mark. “Are you doing alright?” the doctor asked him.

  “I’m great,” Mark said. “I think I’m in shock, but I’m great.”

  “That’s understandable. This is going to be a recovery process for both of you. Just try to stay strong and positive like you have been and you guys will be back to normal before you know it.”

  “Thanks, doc.”

  Halloween rolled around at the veterinary clinic. Nicole sported some adorable gray cat ears and a painted nose and whiskers. She stood at the front desk talking to Sherrie at the end of the day. “So, you guys got plans tonight?” Sherrie asked.

  “Not really. I think we’re just gonna pick up a pizza and watch scary movies all night.”

  “Ooo, that sounds fun,” Sherrie said.

  “Yeah, I’m excited. I love Halloween,” Nicole added.

  The bell rang and Mark walked in. “Hey, girl. You ready to go?”

  She nodded at him in response. “See you tomorrow,” she told Sherrie.

  “Have a good night,” Sherrie said. She smiled at Mark and he flashed one back at her.

  Mark and Nicole grabbed a pizza then headed down the highway toward home. She held her hand out the window, enjoying the unseasonably warm air for the last day of October. When they pulled in the driveway, Bentley barked in excitement from inside the house. They went in to eat their pizza and decide which classic Halloween movies they wanted to watch.

  Mark looked up at Nicole. “Hey, you want to take a ride real quick before we watch a movie?”

  “Sure,” Nicole said. She followed him out the door into the garage and jumped on the four-wheeler behind him. He fired it up and took off down the road. “Where are we going?” she asked.

  “Thought we could take a lap around the pond today,” he told her.

  “Okay, that sounds great.”

  They trekked down the drive. The sun was approaching the horizon in the west, creating a beautiful orange October glow over the pond. Colorful leaves dropped from the trees and fell below to meet the others that had preceded them. Mark stopped the four-wheeler and sat for a moment.

  “What’s wrong?” Nicole asked.

  “Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to show you something.” He looked at her furrowed brow. “It’s kind of a surprise,” he elaborated.

  “Okay,” she said curiously.

  He took her hand and walked with her down the dock. They strolled to the end and she stood next to him waiting on his next move. He turned to face her, smiling at the whiskers painted on her face. “I like this look,” he said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Oh yeah, it’s cute.”

  “Why, thank you,” she said, striking a pose.

  “I think you should wear it more often,” he said, with more sincerity.

  “Well, thanks, but…”

  “And I want you to wear this.”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a jewelry box. Nicole’s heart rate doubled. She looked at the box then gazed up at his face. He stared down at her with a serious, yet vulnerable expression that instantly conveyed how much this moment meant to him.

  “Nicole, I know this probably sounds crazy, but I knew when I met you that you were an amazing woman. And the more time I spend with you, the more it just adds to that. I love you. I’ve loved you since that day we ran into each other. When I saw you lying in that hospital bed, helpless, I thought I was going to lose you. And that thought was the worst feeling I’ve ever known. I’m not whole when you aren’t with me. I guess it may seem fast, but I know what I feel in my gut.” He opened the box, revealing the ring within. “Will you marry me?”

  She stood in tears, her head hanging down. And with the slightest touch, he lifted her head as he had done under the fallen tree. She gazed up at his gorgeous green eyes. “Yes, baby.” She struggled to get any other words out, despite the thousands that flooded her mind. He held her head with both hands and pulled her into his lips.

  Chapter 15

  Mama stood next to Nicole’s trembling body in the bathroom of Mark’s house and looked at her in the mirror. Nicole smiled back at her and forced herself to focus on breathing. Mama inspected the curls in Nicole’s hair; one last check before they left the house.

  “God, why am I so nervous?” Nicole asked Mama in frustration.

  Mama chuckled. “Well, that’s normal, honey. This is one of the biggest moments of your life. It’s exciting. If it makes you feel any better, he’s probably worse.”

  Nicole raised her eyebrows. “That’s true.”

  “Listen, the two of you love each other. You’re like, well, you’re like peanut butter and jelly, I suppose,” Mama said. She noticed Nicole’s bewildered expression. “My dear, peanut butter is good by itself. Jelly is good by itself. But when you put them together, you get something new and even better than what you had to begin with.”

  Nicole nodded and grinned. “Thanks, Mama.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie.”

  Nicole turned back toward the mirror and looked down at her white and yellow sundress.

  “You look beautiful,” Mama told her.

  “Thank you,” Nicole said. “I just wish . . .” she started
. Her nose and throat burned, trying not to cry.

  “Your mom and dad are here with you, honey. They will be inside you forever. Nothing can take that away.”

  Nicole grabbed some toilet paper and dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes. Mama wrapped her in a hug. “I’m glad you’re here with me,” Nicole said. “I’m starting to sound like a broken record but thank you for everything.”

  “It’s the least I can do,” Mama said.

  They pulled away from each other. Nicole glanced at herself one more time then checked the clock on the bedroom nightstand. “I guess we better get going.”

  Mama and Nicole walked outside and climbed into Ben’s truck. Mama took the driver’s seat, barely looking over the steering wheel. Nicole picked at her fingernails on the passenger side. The truck rolled down the short stretch of road until they approached the gate. It couldn’t be missed as it was decorated in dozens of white balloons. They turned and traveled along the rocks toward the trees ahead. The daisies and balloons formed a white tunnel leading through the woods to the water. They cleared the edge of the forest and the sun beamed down on the truck like a spotlight. Mama stopped and put it in park.

  “You ready?” Mama asked.

  “Oh yeah, I’ve been ready,” Nicole replied without a second thought.

  Ben opened the passenger door and took Nicole’s hand. He helped her step out onto the walkway of stepping stones that Mark had made for her.

  Mama climbed out of the truck and walked over to face Nicole. She looked up at her and smiled. “We love you, darlin’,” Mama said.

  “Love you too,” Nicole replied.

  Mama turned and walked through the tunnel of white arches that covered the walkway. Ben grinned at Nicole and squeezed her hand in his. She nodded at him, then they followed behind Mama. The arches glowed in the sunlight, making them feel like they were strolling into heaven. The tulle and daisies danced in the light breeze. “This is gorgeous,” Ben said.

  “Isn’t it? My sister and I made it. We worked on it for three days,” Nicole said.