Second Chances

Untitled Episode

I leaned my head back against the pillows and just held her hand. I closed my eyes and let the tears flow. I could hear Donna crying quietly next to me. I must've fallen asleep because I could feel myself slowly waking up. Donna was talking quietly to someone. Licking my lips, I slowly opened my eyes. Donna is standing by the window on her phone. She hears me waking up and turns to me, giving me a small smile. It doesn't reach her eyes. "Gotta go she's waking up. I will. Love you too" she came over to the bed. "Hey, How are you feeling?" bringing the cup and straw to my lips. I gulped down some ice water and looked at Donna. "How long was I out this time?" Looking back down at her cell phone. "About 2 hours" "I'm sorry" "Mom, you've been thru hell. If you fall asleep occasionally, I mean it is completely understandable." " How is Carl?" sadness in her eyes "Mom, he's hanging on. They've got him in an induced coma to try to help his healing." "I need to see him. I need to know what's going on. Where is the doctor? I need to know what is going on!" "Mom, Mom, calm down! You're gonna hurt yourself." I was trying to push myself up off of the bed. I saw black spots and the room started to spin. "MOM!" she yelled at me. Startled, I looked in her eyes and saw fear there. I attempted to calm myself down when I saw that. "Ow, that hurt." I said sheepishly. "You know I don't like secrets. I need to know what's going on with him . He is my husband, my best friend, I HAVE to know what is going on." " I know mom. We will get you the information that you need. Ok? Now you have got to settle down and try to heal." "OK, OK. I'm kind of hungry. Can I have food?" "I'm not sure mom. I can find out if you want."" Please? looking hopefully at her. She reached past me to press a button on the bed rail. After a few minutes, an older nurse in purple scrubs came in. "Oh Mrs. Smith, you're awake. How are you feeling?" "Hungry" I said sheepishly. "Well, I've gotta see what it says you can have. Give me a few minutes, and I'll be right back to let you know." with that she turned and walked out of the room. I heard a ding and Donna looked at her cell phone. "Mom, I'm gonna trade off with Hailey, she wants to see you." and left the room.

I heard my girls talking quietly in the hall. I couldn't hear what they were saying as much as I tried. They were keeping something from me and I didn't like it. I closed my eyes and some tears slipped down my cheeks. I wiped the tears away as Hailey walked thru the door. "Hey kid. How ya doing?" I say with a halfhearted smirk. She pauses, looking me over "Mom, you look like shit." "Gee thanks," I say halfheartedly. She leans down and hugs me gently. "I'm hurting." "Well duh, Mom you were in an awful wreck. Do you remember what happened?" I glanced to the side and swallowed painfully. She immediately grabbed the cup and guided the straw to my lips. I gulped thirstily. "That is so good." Studying my face, "Yeah I bet. You look awful mom." "Well, I hope I look better than I feel. I hurt everywhere. "Mmmmhmmmm." she says, crossing her arms across her chest. "Don't think that you are going to get away with changing the subject." in the most parental voice I've ever heard. "Hey, don't go parenting me young lady. I AM your mom after all." " I'm aware of that mom, you just scared all of us. I just wanted to know what you remember of the accident?" Frowning, I concentrated and closed my eyes." Nothing right now honestly. Not exactly sure when, exactly the last thing that I remember is?" my eyes started to water again and I angrily swiped at them with my injured hand, causing me to hit myself in the face with a cast. "Ouch, dammit!" Just then th nurse walked in with a tray. "Well, Mrs. Smith, you can have broth and jello right now, and we will see how your system tolerates this and speak to the doc later on. Does that sound OK to you?" she said with a gentle smile. "I don't really have a choice, do I?" I snapped. Looking sheepishly at the nurse, "I'm sorry, I'm hurting, and I don't mean to take it out on you." She shrugged, "It happens all the time. We see people at their best and their worst." "When can I see my husband? What is going on with him? Why isn't anyone telling me anything?" I saw her shoot a glance at Hailey and catch a subtle head shake, "Jean, Carl is fighting right now. He is stable but heavily sedated to facilitate his healing. You won't help him any by not taking care of you right now. Please eat what you can." She glanced at her watch, "Once you're done I will be back to give you your medicine and grab your tray." she patted my hand and walked out. I grabbed my jello and had a hard time coordinating. Hailey grabbed it from my hand. "Mom let me do that, you're still pretty weak." Quietly, I nodded my head and allowed her to feed me. "I remember doing this for you girls." "Yeah, well it's my turn to take care of you" "Can you turn the tv on? You know I don't do silence that well." "Sure" She grabs the remote and starts scanning the channels. As she is flicking thru the channels, I see a flash of a scene from the accident. "Stop." "Mom, I don't think you should watch this." I look briefly at her, "No I need to see this. Turn it up," My eyes are glued to the screen