Page 82 of Jack

“Wake up, angel.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“I need to see those pretty brown eyes of yours.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“Wake up, angel. When you’re ready, I’ll take you for a ride through the mountains on my bike.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

“I love you, Lily.”

Beep

Beep

Beep

Chapter 37

__________

Jack

“Jack.”

I raise my head off the bed at the sound of Mom’s voice. My eyes instantly go to Lily. Her eyes remain closed. She’s still sleeping. I let go of her hand and run both of mine over the top of my head. This room is supposed to be better. I’m supposed to help her fight. I do. I whisper encouragement to her all day and into the night. Lily still sleeps.

Everly brought me a book with encouraging poems. I’ve read those. Maci showed up late yesterday with a romance novel. I refused to read that. My sister highlighted a few of the romantic lines for me. She thinks I need help in that department. I skimmed over a few of those. They’re ridiculous. No way does a man talk like this. Somewhere around midnight, I read the highlighted lines. Lily still sleeps.

They’re no longer keeping her in a medical coma. I don’t understand why she doesn’t wake up. Waiting for her eyes to open is as bad as waiting was when she was in surgery.

“Sweetie, I think the couch folds out into a bed.” Mom’s hand rubs back and forth across my shoulders.

It does, but I refuse to leave Lily’s side. The couch is too far from where she sleeps. Jay’s napped there a few times, not me.

“It’s been two days, Mom. Why won’t she wake up?”

Mom sighs. Her hand stops moving. “Her body will know when it’s time. We have to talk her through it until then.”

A throat clears from across the room. I raise my head all the way. Dad stands in the doorway.

“We need to talk.”

“Jacob, can’t it wait?” Mom asks.

---