Chapter 45
Ellis raced up the stairs and caught himself praying for Jake. How long had it been since he’d prayed for anyone? He reached Jake’s room first but slowed to allow Dr. Buck first entry.
“If you don’t mind,” Dr. Buck said to the crowd, “I would like a moment alone with the patient.”
He entered the room, and Ellis shut the door until there was only a crack for everyone to peek through. They watched as Dr. Buck leaned over the bed, checking vitals and studying the readings on Jake’s monitors. Rachel cried uncontrollably while caressing her son’s hand and quietly answered the doctor’s questions. Then, after several minutes, Dr. Buck began speaking loudly.
“Jake,” he said. “Jake, can you here me?” A moment passed, and then he laughed and said, “Do you recognize this woman?”
Ellis’ heart jumped when he heard a mumbled voice, obviously belonging to one who hadn’t spoken in seven years. Most of those around him began to cry uncontrollably. After a short time of testing, Dr. Buck glanced at his watch and spoke softly to Rachel. She reached up and hugged him, sobbing into his ear. Dr. Buck approached the door a moment later.
“He’s awake,” He said to an overwhelming cry of excitement and disbelief. “We must remember that he was unconscious for seven years and that he is very weak; but, despite that, he is now aware and recognizes his own mother. He can speak, albeit weakly and in broken sentences, but studies show that his motor skills should improve in time. He also remembers up to the point of his being wounded, or at least that general time period. We’ll know more over the next few days.”
“Can we see him?” Phil asked hoarsely.
“I think that would be all right, but I don’t want to overwhelm him. No more than two visitors at a time, not counting his mother.”
“Oh, where’s Sara?” Melba asked immediately. “She should be first.”
They turned to find her standing with Ms. Beverly at the top of the stairs. She was pale with tears streaming down her cheeks. Ellis could see the fear in her eyes as she dried her face with a sleeve.
“Let her through,” Ellis finally demanded of the numb crowd.
They stood aside as Ms. Beverly led her daughter to the door. She peered inside and trembled.
“Stan,” she said in a broken whisper.
“What was that?” Ms. Beverly asked.
“Stan,” she said again in a clearer voice. “I want Stan to come with me.”
Ms. Beverly stepped aside without debate. Stan hesitated beside Sara, looking into Jake’s room with the eyes of a little boy, but then his fears melted away and he wrapped his arm around her protectively.
“It’s okay, Sara,” he said reassuringly. “Everything’s gonna be alright now.”
The two walked slowly into the room, and Ellis’ heart broke for them. Not for what he was losing, but for what they were about to gain. He stole one final glance of Sara and Stan and headed for the stairs. It hurt leaving Sara two days ago, but it wasn’t like that now. He was leaving her with the only boy she had ever loved, and he was at peace with that. It felt good.
This was their moment, after all. Not his.