Recognizing his look as serious and troubled, I feared the worst.
“As I suspected, Shay has a fractured skull. The pressure is building in her brain. After consulting with another physician, it’s been decided she’s going to require surgery.”
My throat immediately swelled shut and I couldn’t speak. I feared if I tried to talk my voice would come out as a squeak, so I remained silent.
Dr. Carson continued. “Your friend is being prepped for surgery now.”
Richard and Chuck came to stand on either side of me, looking to me to explain the details. “She’s going into surgery,” I said, as soon as the fear loosened my throat enough for me to be coherent.
The surgery unit was up several floors. Knowing there was nothing more they could do but wait, Richard and Chuck decided to leave the hospital. Being here clearly made them uncomfortable, Chuck especially. I promised to let them know how everything came out.
“Shay’s strong,” Richard assured me. “She stood up to that bully. I…I wish I could have done more.” I knew Richard had done everything within his power to protect her. I told him so and the old man’s eyes flooded with tears.
“If I had a daughter, I’d want her to be like Shay,” he whispered, rubbing at his eyes and sniffling. He ran his coat sleeve beneath his runny nose.
The surgical waiting area was large and a hospital volunteer manned the desk, ready to answer questions and check with staff if necessary. The room was full when I first arrived.
After a couple hours, I stepped into the hall and reached for my phone. When I’d served as the chaplain, cellphones hadn’t been allowed. The restriction had apparently been lifted. I’d seen others using their cells and no one had questioned it.
Linda Kincaid answered after the second ring. I trusted her and knew the children would be well cared for while I was away for the evening.
After a quick exchange of greetings, I asked her. “Would you mind watching Mark and Sarah after school?”
“Of course. When should I expect you?”
That was hard to answer. “I can’t be sure. I’m waiting for a friend to get out of surgery.”
Her sympathy was immediate. “I’m sorry. Anyone I know?”
“It’s Shay. She was attacked this morning.”
“Shay?” she gasped. “Why would anyone attack her?”
Rather than go into a lengthy explanation, I avoided the subject altogether. “It’s serious. As much as possible I want to be here for her.”
“Of course. I’ll do whatever you need from me.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, grateful beyond words. “As soon as I have information, I’ll let you know.”
Another ninety minutes lapsed before I got the news that Shay was out of surgery. By then Lilly Palmer had joined me. We both silently sat together. Soon we were the only two people left in the room.
“I told her to be careful,” Lilly whispered. “I was afraid something like this would happen. She’s come so far…” The rest of what she intended to say faded. Lilly was tough emotionally, but I could see how upset she was. When she first joined me, her eyes were bright, as if holding back tears. I knew the two of them were close and was grateful Shay had such a good friend.
The surgeon entered the room and both Lilly and I stood, anxious for a report on Shay’s condition.
“Are you family?” the physician asked.
“She has none that I’m aware of; I’m her pastor,” I said. I was more, but I didn’t mention it.
“I’m her friend,” Lilly volunteered.
The surgeon explained the details of the surgery at length and what had been necessary to relieve the pressure on Shay’s brain. The bottom line was that Shay’s prognosis was good, but it would be several hours, if not days, before she awoke.
Once she was out of recovery and in a room, we would be able to see her.
With family obligations, Lilly had to leave, but I promised to give her an update as soon as there was anything to report.
I walked Lilly to the elevator and once I returned, I found that Shay was out of recovery and in her room. Pulling a chair next to her bed, I held her hand and prayed as fervently as I had been doing ever since I’d received word she’d been hurt.
Sometime during the second day, Kevin came and we prayed together. Lilly Palmer stopped by every day and Richard did, too, but not Chuck. Thankfully Linda kept watch over the children.
For Mark and Sarah’s sake, I went home at night and answered their questions. Sarah prayed for Shay and I suspected Mark did, too, but not kneeling at his bedside the way my daughter did.
Shay didn’t come out of the coma for four days, and in that time I’d come to realize I’d fallen in love with her. Frankly, I don’t know how long it would have taken me to accept the truth if not for the time at her bedside. As I sat with her, I became more and more aware of how important she had become to me and to my children.
Now I just needed to find a way to let her know.
When I woke all I could see was glaring light. I opened my eyes and quickly closed them again.
“Shay? Are you awake?”
That was Drew’s voice. He was here with me? But where was I? My mind was muddled and I couldn’t figure out what had happened, and for the love of heaven why were there all these bright lights focused on me?
Someone reached for my hand and was kissing my fingers. I had to assume it was Drew, but I wasn’t opening my eyes with those lights blinding me.
“If you can hear me, squeeze my fingers.”
I squeezed Drew’s hand.
“Thank you, God. Thank you,” he whispered with such heartfelt emotion that I had to wonder what had happened.
My throat felt parched. He seemed to read my thoughts because I felt a straw at my lips and I sucked greedily. “Where…” I wasn’t able to finish the question, but apparently Drew knew what I was asking because he answered.
“You’re in the hospital. You’ve had surgery to relieve the pressure on your brain after you were attacked. You had a skull fracture.”
I’d been attacked? I had no memory of that. Who would want to hurt me this badly?
“I need to let the nurse know you’re conscious.” He released my hand and I heard the door open and close as Drew left the room.
Once more I tried opening my eyes, but I couldn’t against the intense brightness of the light. I felt like I was staring into the sun.
It didn’t seem that Drew was gone more than a few seconds when he returned with a nurse who immediately started taking my vital signs and talking to me. It didn’t take long for me to feel the urge to sleep, though. Voices surrounded me and whoever was speaking sounded reassured and pleased.
I attempted a smile. Pressing questions were asked of me that demanded answers I didn’t seem to have. I could feel the darkness inviting me back into the comfort of sleep again. Ah well, I was in no hurry and figured Drew would be able to explain it all to me later.
The next time I awoke, I again heard voices. One belonged to Lilly Palmer and the other was someone I didn’t recognize. I enjoyed listening in on their conversation. Lilly was telling the second person how we’d met over a year ago at Hope Center. She talked about how I’d arrived with attitude and how that had gradually changed. There was pride in her voice that made me realize how far I’d come, and at the same time, how far I had yet to go.
I wanted to explain that I’d had plenty of help along the way and much of that assistance had come from Lilly. The woman should have been a drill sergeant for the Marines. She’d pushed and prodded me until I’d wanted to scream, run, and hide. It wasn’t calisthenics she drilled into me, though. Lilly forced me to face the emotional garbage I’d been dragging around with me for years. Resentments, anger, fears—nothing was ignored or pushed aside. There’d been plenty of pain and tears but in the end it had been worth it. At one point in our counseling session I remember getting angry enough to stand up and scream at Lilly. She’d pushed me too far and I wasn’t going to take it any longer. What shocked me was the big smile that had come over her face. That moment had been the turning point for me.