Page 115 of Rainstorm

I have no idea how much time has passed when a doctor comes to the waiting room and calls my name.

“Mrs. Holland? I’m Doctor Jung, the neurological spinal specialist,” he announces. “I’ve taken a look at your husband’s tests and scan results, and I believe we’ve found the issue causing his symptoms. We still need to talk to his current doctor, but after reading through what we already have and with my specialist knowledge in this field, I’m confident we can correct the malformation with surgery. It’ll take some time and rehab, but I think it’s highly likely that your husband is going to leave the hospital with full mobility.”

Relief washes over me. The doctor continues with his explanation about the surgery, even showing me the black and white scan pictures he brought with him.

This is good news. Really good news.

Thank the Lord.

Chase has been given another chance to live, to live his life to the fullest.

I can hardly believe it.

I have so many conflicting thoughts whirling round in my head.

I’m so happy for him.

I’m still angry with him though.

I want to go and find my husband.

And then kiss him.

And then murder him slowly for make us suffer this way.

Not the accident, God no. For his stupid divorce idea

Around four hours later my mother and my mother-in-law both blast into the waiting room with the force of a hurricane, followed by Ariel, who has also come to keep me company. It’s good to have a distraction and some company, even though it means I have to explain to Nora several times what little I understand about the surgery that Chase is having.

Yet more time passes and we’re still drinking coffee and waiting for news.

“No news is good news,” my mother says, in an effort to bolster our spirits when night is about to fall and we’ve still heard nothing.

“Yeah, and bad news travels fast. Just chill, Rosie. It’ll take more than this to beat Chase.” Ariel and her opinions are not welcome right now, so one look from me says it all. Shut up or I will make you. We’re in a hospital, there’s plenty of medical tape and I won’t hesitate to use it on your big mouth. So shut the fuck up!

Finally the female doctor returns with a look of what appears to be relief on her face. Do I dare to feel optimistic?

“Mrs. Holland?” Chase’s mother and I both jump up.

“My mother-in-law,” I hastily explain.

“I see. Well, Mr. Holland is now in recovery following his surgery, but he’ll shortly be transferred to an intensive care room, where we can carefully monitor his progress…”

“Please, can you just tell us how the surgery went?” Nora impatiently interrupts, clasping her hands in silent supplication for good news.

“As far as we can tell, it went very well, but it’s still early days. However, I’m pleased to say that Doctor Jung was surprised at how easily he was able to remove the obstruction, so we’re optimistic that he won’t be left with any significant neurological injuries. However, as I told Mrs. Holland earlier, we cannot fully evaluate how successful the surgery has been until your son is awake.”

“When will that be?”

“We’ll keep him sedated until tomorrow to let the spine recover, but hopefully in a couple of days we should gradually start to see results.”

“Sounds like a long process,” Nora worries.

“The recuperative powers of the human body are pretty amazing, Mrs. Holland.” The doctor smiles. “But nevertheless, it takes time. I strongly recommend you guys go home and get some rest, since Mr. Holland is not allowed visitors at this time, and is heavily sedated in any case. I suggest you maybe come back at about ten tomorrow morning.” Then she’s gone again, leaving without giving us the chance to ask further questions. I guess she’s told us all she can for now.

“So, are we staying or are we going?” Ariel asks, seeing that no one has made any move to leave.

My mother responds by putting her hand on her shoulder.

---