They Say Love Is Blind

She forced herself not to cry, because then they might force her back to her room and she had to be here when they brought him around. She reached up and stroked his brow. He had thick bandages covering his head and she could see his thick brown curls poking through. She needed to kiss him but she couldn’t and so had to settle for bringing his hand to her lips.

  “I love you Lee.” She whispered. “I love you. Eu amo-te. You are everything to me. Without you I’m lost…” she closed her eyes. “Please. I’m begging you. Please.”

  CHAPTER 13

  Tory stayed there all morning. Francie tried to get her to eat but it wasn’t until her mother came into the room threatening to force feed her did she relent. Instead of hospital food, Kaye magically produced a container of sopa. It was lukewarm and all meat and vegetables had been strained from it, but it was the best thing in the world and she ate the entire container.

  Lee’s doctors finally appeared and after studying his vitals announced that it was time to bring him out of the coma.

  “We’ll stop the propofol and in about 2 hours he may come around on his own. It’s not totally abnormal if he doesn’t and if that is the case we’ll give him some drugs to essentially, ‘wake him.’ Any questions?” No one had questions and they began the procedure.

  Tory was tired but there was no way that she could leave even though everyone encouraged her to return to her room and rest, promising to wake her up as soon as he came around. She was adamant that she wasn’t going anywhere. She was holding his hand, stroking his knuckles with her thumb when there was a slight commotion at the door. She turned to see an older man and woman enter the room. Everyone jumped up and exclaimed.

  She realized that it was Lee’s mother and father. The older couple spared only a few moments in greeting before they joined her at the bed.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Torres, I’m Tory.” She said quietly.

  Lee’s mother gave her a wary look. His father ignored her all together. She moved her wheelchair back when they didn’t say anything to her, giving them room to visit with their son. Macey wheeled her across the room and sat down in a chair next to her.

  Macey was watching them sadly. The mood had changed since they arrived. Before there was quiet anticipation but now it was as if everyone was reliving the horror of the accident. Francie and Paulo went over to join their parents around Lee’s bed. They talked in quiet Portuguese. Mr. Torres shook his head violently and made a cutting motion with his hands and all conversation stopped.

  “What was that about?” she asked Macey who turned away and pursed her lips tightly. Tory’s face dropped. It was about her.

  “Macey…are your parents angry at me?” she whispered.

  “Come, let’s walk for a bit.” Macey wheeled her out before she had a chance to object. She glanced over at the bed to see if there was any change in Lee, but he seemed exactly the same.

  The two friends bypassed the waiting room where several other family members were waiting patiently for their turn to come into ICU. Mama had left to go back to the hotel and promised to return in the morning, hopefully to meet Lee--awake and able to communicate.

  They walked quietly down the corridor and to a private waiting area which was meant to only accommodate 2 or 3 people. Macey sat down and faced her. Tory recalled the first time she had set eyes on the full figured young woman that wore a perpetual smile on her face. It was the first time that she had ever considered that being overweight could also be sexy. Now her pretty face was closed but sadness radiated from her. Over the months they had become friends so it was very hard to watch her now when she seemed so lost. Tory knew that Lee was her favorite sibling though she would never admit it. She had to be mindful that watching him like this wasn’t just devastating to her but to them all.

  “What is it, Macey?”

  “There’s been some talk about…about the accident and how much you had to drink.”

  Tory’s mouth parted. “But—my dad said that the blood test indicated I was within the legal limits-”

  “You were, Tory.” Macey sighed and looked into the air. “Lee is so special to us. When you…or whoever is taking care of him, that person has to be even more careful with him; so that he knows that he is his own man, but doesn’t realize that we are keeping him completely safe. Tory, when he gets off that bus, one of our nephews is there making sure he doesn’t run into problems. We are a tight knit family but the reason we call him every single day is to make sure he is fine. We love cooking for him but if he is at the restaurant with us then we know he is alright. When he met you…we had no control over that, but it was the right thing for him.” Tory was stunned at the revelation and the silent control they exuded over him.

  “Tory, it takes a lot of work and patience to care for a visually impaired person-”

  “I know that!”

  Macey was shaking her head in denial. “You can’t do things like…drink until you’re impaired!” Tory’s eyes widened and she looked Macey straight in her eyes.

  “Is that what you think? That man was drunk and driving down the wrong side of the street! How is that my fault?”

  Macey sat back, concerned etched over her face. “I didn’t want you to get upset. I just wanted to tell you what the talk is within our family-”

  “How can any of you think that I can be at fault?”

  She was quiet for a moment and then she continued. “Because none of us can understand why a man driving down the wrong side of the street avoids hitting three other cars but hits yours. Tory, why didn’t you pull out of the way? Everyone else did.”

  She caught her breath. “I tried.”

  “Don’t be mad at me, Tory. I’m not…” Macey wiped tears from under her eyes. “I’m not saying that you are bad or did anything wrong. It’s just…when it comes to Lee you have to be more, better, faster, more alert, better in control.” She calmed and looked at her. “What do you think it will be like when it’s not just you two but children to look after?”

  “Stop it Macey.” She said firmly. “You underestimate Lee. And I don’t want to see him as the ‘handicapped’ person that you all obviously do. If you don’t mind, I’ll continue to see him as the capable man that I know him to be. He avoids accidents every single day—not because his nephew is up the block watching him, but because he’s just that capable!” Tory pulled the oxygen from her face. “That night I stopped drinking wine and switched to water so that I would continue to be sober—and at no point during the night was I ever drunk…” She suddenly paused and a look of dawning realization appeared on her face as that nights events came back to her. Tory’s eyes moved to Macey’s and tears appeared in her eyes, “Macy…maybe I am at fault--but not for drinking. Maybe if I hadn’t taken a moment to look at your brother…” she remembered staring at the contentment on his face and thinking that she was responsible for putting that look on his face. She remembered feeling amazed that he found her to be someone special enough to choose. He chose her. In that moment she had been more proud than she could ever remember. Tory swallowed and shook her head and returned the oxygen to its position beneath her nose. God this really was her fault…

  Macey was crying now to. “Tens que pedir desculpa, Tory! There is nobody better for my brother than you. You are the one that was God-given to him, I’m convinced of that. Please forgive me for ever doubting you. You are Lee’s woman in every way.”

  Tory stared at her in surprise as tears filled her eyes again. “But I just sat here and told you that I probably caused your brother’s accident-” Tory was shaken to her core at the thought that anything she had done could have contributed to Lee’s pain. Her daddy had alluded to drinking and driving. Stupid. She hadn’t been drunk but it was still stupid! And then she looks at him while driving…how long; 2 seconds, 5? More? How could she have been so careless?!

  “Tory I can see it on your face,” Macey gripped her hand tightly. “I have put this self doubt in you and now I have no doubt that no one will ever care for him more than you.
It was an accident Tory; an accident that is no fault of yours, an accident that happened on the day of your engagement, an accident that was brought on by a series of events that you could not foresee.”

  “We better go back.” Tory finally said.

  Macey stood and then paused. “Can you forgive me? I ask you this woman to woman.”

  “I…There’s nothing to forgive. You told me what was on the minds of your family and I appreciate your honesty even if it was hard for me to hear.” She reached out and took Macey’s hand. “The honesty within your family is what I most love about you. I’ll explain this to each and every one of you if that’s what I need to do, but for now, it’s the last thing I care about. Okay? I just want to go back and be with Lee.”

  Macey nodded and then began wheeling her back to ICU. A little girl about 12 met them in the corridor.

  “Aunt Macey! Uncle Lee is waking up!”

  CHAPTER 14

  Macey and Tory headed for the ICU. None of the family was in the ICU waiting area so it appeared that everyone was now allowed into Lee’s room to witness his awakening.

  Tory squeezed the armrest of the wheelchair. She knew that there was a chance that Lee’s brain could have been injured even though no one talked about it. She saw everyone crowding around the bed and Macey pushed their way through so that she was front and center.

  “Mr. Torres, can you hear me?” One of the doctors asked. There were interns, doctors and nurses all crowded into the room--not to mention a roomful of relatives and a fiancée in a wheelchair. But no one moved, no one barely even breathed.

  “Mmm…” Came the whisper of a groan from the bed. Tory squeezed her hands into fists. Was that a groan of pain, or was it just his confirmation? She saw that his eyes were still closed but his breathing was different and he was moving his limbs restlessly.

  “Mr. Torres, I’m Dr. Hendrix. Can you hear me?” There was no response and soon Lee began to quiet. Oh no…Dr. Hendrix tried for several more minutes before he paused and looked around the room. “He’s not responding to my voice. Someone else speak to him. Maybe if he recognizes the voice he’ll come around.”

  Several people turned to Tory. She reached for his hand but before she could even touch him Rosalind’s voice could be heard from where she was standing on the opposite side of his bed.

  “Leandro, Listen to my voice. You need to wake up, brother.”

  Tory’s mouth parted in surprise and outrage. She didn’t notice that several other people in the room had mimicked her expression but then Lee’s head turned in Rosalind’s direction although his eyes remained closed. His breathing calmed and he seemed to be awake and listening.

  Rosalind continued talking but now in Portuguese, encouraging words but words that Tory was hopeless to understand. Simultaneously, both women took one of his hands. Their eyes met and there was no pretense; the dislike was evident on both women’s faces.

  Rosalind turned her attention back to Lee and continued to speak to him in soft Portuguese. And then suddenly he was squeezing her hand. Everyone gasped in excitement. Rosalind’s face broke into a beatific smile.

  “That’s right, Lee. I’m here. I’m here.”

  Tory was confused with the need to jump out of her chair and beat Rosalind about the head and face, but she was also excited to see him waking. Come on baby…she begged silently.

  “Please, baby…” She whispered.

  A frown flitted across Lee’s face and he slowly turned his head in Tory’s direction.

  “Querida…” He mumbled.

  A short, relieved laugh gushed from her lips and tears were in her eyes. “Yes, I’m here.”

  He frowned and grimaced and then his eyes opened slightly.

  “Where am I?”

  “He’s awake,” someone exclaimed. Mrs. Torres nudged Rosalind out of the way to take her son’s hand. Ah, so she was just naturally rude. Then Tory didn’t feel quite so bad about the earlier snub. Rosalind looked unhappy about being replaced but moved aside to give Mrs. Torres room. Again, Portuguese was spoken and Lee listened quietly and although Tory was curious she was more relieved that Lee was alternately squeezing her hand and stroking her knuckle with his thumb.

  He suddenly interrupted his mother and turned to face Tory.

  “Tory, are you hurt?” Ah, so she had told him about the accident.

  She removed the oxygen. “I’m okay honey, I broke a rib…and I have a collapsed lung.” Lee pulled his hand from his mother’s grasp and grimaced as he tried to reach up to touch her. He couldn’t because of the IV and monitoring equipment, not to mention the bulky cast, so he was unable to see if she was okay.

  “You have two broken arms, honey,” she explained. “But you’re awake and you’re going to be okay now.” He flexed his fingers.

  Dr. Hendrix spoke. “Mr. Torres, I’m Dr. Hendrix. If you don’t mind I’d like to ask you some questions.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, we want to make sure that you haven’t experienced any damage to your brain and we’ll need to be sure that your central nervous system is functioning the way it should.” He turned to the crowd of people. “Unfortunately I’m going to have to ask everyone to leave now. But we shouldn’t be long and if you’ll return to the family waiting area I’ll consult with you when I’m finished.”

  Lee frowned again. “Is everyone here?” Everyone made sure to let him know that they were present—and it wasn’t quietly. He bit his lip lightly. “I’d like for my mother, father and Tory to stay, please. I need them to stay.” He clutched Tory’s hand and reached for his mother’s with the other.

  Everyone else left noisily, voicing their disappointment at being asked to leave. While this happened, Tory stood and pressed her face against his neck. It hurt her back and shoulders and took her breath away when she came out of the wheelchair but she couldn’t stop herself. She had to allow her lips to touch him. He closed his eyes again and leaned into her.

  “Tory,” he sighed and she could both feel and see the anxiety leaving his body. Mr. and Mrs. Torres watched her and it took a long time for her to realize it but when she did she watched them just as closely as they watched her. Something strange and surprising happened then. Both parents simultaneously smiled.

  She was guarded when she nodded a silent greeting. She had already tried to introduce herself and was ignored. She wouldn’t be so quick to make the same mistake.

  Mrs. Torres moved and was suddenly standing next to her. “Tory, sit back down. You need to stay healthy.” She urged her back to her chair and adjusted the oxygen back beneath her nose. Tory gave her a surprised look. “You’re a good girl.” She touched her cheek and looked deeply into her eyes. “You love my son.”

  “Very much so.”

  Mrs. Torres smiled. Tory was just confused. How did these people just arbitrarily dislike and then like someone?! She didn’t get it but was pleased the tides had changed in her favor…at least for now. Soon she would have to tell them about the accident and take blame for her part in it. But what she wouldn’t do is lay claim to driving impaired, unless it was impairment due to admiring your gorgeous fiancée.

  ~***~

  Dr. Hendrix and his team of doctors put Lee through comprehensive tests and then announced that he seemed very healthy despite being a bit groggy.

  “I have a headache,” he announced.

  “Of course,” Dr. Hendrix replied. “I’ll have pain medicine placed in your IV.”

  “When can we leave?”

  The doctor’s eyes flitted to Tory and then he raised a brow. “I’d like to monitor you for the next 24 hours and if all is well then I see no reason why you shouldn’t be able to go home tomorrow. I’m not your fiancée’s doctor but I will confer with him.”

  Lee squeezed her hand gently and then a moment later the doctors left to speak to the other members of the family.

  “Where are you staying?” Lee said to his parents once the room was empty.

  Lee’s father responded in
Portuguese but Lee interrupted him. “Daddy, speak in English, please. Tory doesn’t understand yet.” She smiled at the word ‘yet.’ The older man gave her an apologetic smile.

  “We forget easily.”

  “I’m not surprised. You haven’t been to the states in years, I understand.”

  “We speak English on the island but not much.” Mrs. Torres responded. “We’re staying with Raphael and Fiona-”

  “Well I would like for you to stay with me while you’re in town. We have an extra bedroom that I just use as an office.” We…She hadn’t had much time to absorb the fact that their lives were now one so of course it was we.

  “Is that okay with you Tory?” Mrs. Torres asked.

  “Yes, definitely. Lee and I don’t live together yet. But even if we did that would be fine with me!” She said quickly.