Page 135 of Billion Dollar Mistake

“She’s in an induced coma,” my dad says.

“What. Why?” My eyes dart between the two of them.

Mom inhales a deep breath before gripping my hand and explaining. “She has a broken pelvis and internal bleeding, Son. They are trying to stabilize her.”

A numbness settles within me, rendering me speechless. I gaze blankly at the end of my hospital bed and mumble, “It’s all my fault.”

Mom attempts to comfort me by stroking my arm, but I pull away. I don’t deserve warm touches. My girlfriend is in a coma because I was reading an email from the board of directors of the Boston hospital.

I’m a selfish prick. That should be me in the induced coma not Nova. She’s innocent. I’m not. I’m a criminal. They should lock me up and throw away the key. I deserve any punishment thrown at me.

“The driver who ran the red light died at the scene.”

I don’t know how to feel about that. Should I be happy? They could have made a mistake like me. One single mistake cost him his life; I just hope it doesn’t cost Nova hers.

“Is she at this hospital?”

“Yes, but she’s in the ICU.”

“And where am I?”

“On the medical ward. You’re lucky you missed surgery. You have a few cracked ribs and a lot of bruising, but you’ll recover.”

I grow quiet. Unsure what to say. I don’t feel lucky.

“When can I see Nova?”

“I don’t know. We’d have to ask the doctors and nurses,” Mom replies.

I find the call button and press it. I’m not waiting a second longer. I want to go see Nova. Need to see her. Tell her I’m sorry. Tell her. Fuck. Tell her I love her. I’ve never said those words to her. I’ve felt them for so long, but it wasn't the right time. Now I worry I’m too late.

A nurse walks in. My parents back away from my bed to give her room.

“Mr. Lincoln, you’re awake.”

“Seems so,” I say.

She walks directly up to the machines and assesses them. I watch her intensely. She presses buttons and then she is putting a cuff on my upper arm.

“I’m going to check your vital signs.”

She takes my temperature and other signs before informing us that they are all within the normal range.

“Do you need some more pain relief?”

“No.”

I’m tender but not enough to require painkillers. I want the pain as a reminder of what I did. What I’ve done to Nova. If she’s in pain, I need to be too.

“Are you hungry?”

As soon as she asks the question, my stomach grumbles.

“Yeah.”

“A man of few words, aren’t you? Well, I’ll call the kitchen to bring you some food.”

She looks like she is leaving.

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