8:15 am
Undisclosed Healthcare Facility outside Charlottesville
It had been a long night driving but they had just pulled into the parking lot and were heading inside the facility. It had been a few days since either had been able to come and see Nikki and both were barely able to contain their excitement. They went to the reception desk and were given directions to the 4th floor where they would be met by Nikki’s doctor.
When the elevator door opened, Nikki’s doctor was waiting for them. When Dante saw the look on the doctor’s face, his heart dropped, something was wrong. Simon shook his hand and the doctor led them over to the vacant waiting area where he asked them to take a seat. Both men regarded each other and tentatively took a seat. The doctor then explained to them that Nikki has regained consciousness and was now able to breath on her own, but she hasn’t responded to anyone. She seems to understand when someone is speaking but hasn’t said anything yet. The doctor tried to reassure them that this was not uncommon with a severe head injury, which Nikki’s would certainly qualify. He added that it might take some time and that it can’t be forced. They agreed that it would be too much for both Simon and Dante to go see her at the same time, at least today, so Dante told Simon to go see her first.
Dante paced the waiting room for what felt like 10 hours, when it was more like 20 minutes that Simon returned. Dante could tell immediately that she didn’t recognize him. The pain and anger were visible in his stormy eyes. Simon came to Dante and looked him in the eyes,
“Go see her, but don’t be upset if she doesn’t recognize you. Just let her know you care about her and are here for her if she needs us.” Dante swallowed past the lump in his throat and followed his unsteady feet to her doorway. Taking several breaths to calm his racing heart, Dante gently opened the door and took a few tentative steps into the room.
Nikki was sitting up in her bed, staring out the window that overlooked some woods and mountains off in the distance. When she heard Dante approach, she turned and stared into his eyes for several seconds. It wasn’t Nikki looking back at him, but there was something, some kind of recognition there. He took a step closer and she cocked her head to the side, studying him. Dante swallowed several times and finally said,
“Hi Nikki, I’m Dante. I’m so sorry you got hurt, I was with you when it happened..” He stopped, the lump closing his throat. He took several breaths trying to calm down and saw tears rolling down Nikki’s cheeks. Dante fought with everything he had not to fling himself into her arms, but he could tell that she still didn’t recognize him, only that she thought that she should. Dante stepped up next to her bed and asked,
“Is it ok if I just sit here with you for a little bit?” Nikki nodded her head slightly and Dante pulled a chair up next to the bed. Her hand was laying next to her and Dante looked at it and then up at her eyes. Nikki turned her hand over and Dante gently took it and held it in his own, instantly slowing his heart rate. Nikki seemed to calm with the contact as well and the two sat like that for several minutes until Dante noticed that Nikki had drifted off to sleep. He was about to stand up when he heard a faint noise behind him and turned to see Simon standing inside the door smiling at him. He motioned for Dante and he reluctantly laid Nikki’s hand gently back beside her and followed Simon out the door.
“I have an idea.” Simon said, excitement in his eyes. Dante listened and had to agree that it was worth a shot.