Page 11 of Still The One

‘Me?’

I don’t know if it’s the tone of her voice, or the fact that I’m following a conversation between the two of them while my head feels like it’s off-duty at best, but something about thisconversation seems real. Like I’m not dreaming it. I didn’t know I was distracted earlier but it sort of makes sense that if I was, she’d be behind it. It’s pretty much been that way since I lost her.

‘You know our boy believes in signs – what do they call it? Fate? And considering his distraction and the fact that he ended up with you as his nurse, that seems fateful. I think he may have something to say about that when he wakes up.’

I do. I have shit to say! I can’t die right now – I’ve got regrets. Unfinished business on all fronts and the last thing I need to do is try to make this up to her when I’m a ghost, lingering around the hospital attempting to get her attention. Nobody’s got time for death at the height of their career!Come on, Foster, acknowledge her before she’s gone again.

It takes everything in me to attempt to squeeze her hand. A tiny ‘he’s right’ gesture that she’d not understand, but I know, and if I ever get this tube out of my throat and don’t feel like I’m floating on the edge of the matrix, I plan to tell her exactly that if she’ll hear me out.

‘Swedish meatballs!’ There’s panic in her voice, along with what sounds like relief.

‘What?’ Matty asks.

‘He squeezed my hand!’ She holds my hand tightly, grasping it with her other after a few seconds. ‘He squeezed my hand,’ she says in a near whisper, but I can hear the hope intertwined with the fear she’s probably feeling.

Seconds later, water flows from the sink as Eve chatters about what just occurred with whoever just entered my room. She’s worried about me waking up too early and risking my stability. I just want to know what the hell happened to put me in this position.

‘Hi, Foster, it’s your nurse, Chelsea. How are you feeling?’ she asks as if I can answer as she touches the side of my face. ‘I brought Dr Sully this time. Can you open your eyes, sweetheart?’

I am trying, lady – with everything in me, I’m trying.Ahhh! No. Not the bright light.Stay back, Foster. Don’t let this death shit tempt you.When the blinding light flashes into my other eye, I’m confused.

‘Might have just been a reflex,’ a male voice says.

‘No.’ Eve insists. ‘He responded to a statement.’

Yes, girl. Read my mind. I know you have the ability. That was part of what scared me about you the most.

‘Matty said something and Foster squeezed my hand as a response. I know it. Watch…’

A hand grabs mine again, and I know it’s Eve’s. She’s one of those women with dainty hands. We compared hands once. She’s got long, slender fingers, brightly painted nails at all times, thin gold bands on the forefinger of her right hand and thumb of her left, and skin as soft as silk. She always has a bottle of lotion in her purse because she can’t stand sandpaper hands – which I sometimes have.

‘Do you have something to say to me, Foster?’ she asks, her voice tinged with worry.

So many things, Evie. Some that might piss you off.But a guy’s got to start somewhere now that he’s got the chance, right?Squeeze her hand, Foster. Could you help me out here, brain? I know you work – nine times out of ten.

With everything in me, I focus on one thing. The signal from my brain moves through me like molasses. It’s not the speed at which my mind usually works. But finally, what feels like hours later, she squeals when my hand clutches hers.

‘Huh,’ the doctor says. ‘He may be coming to, but we’ve got him pretty sedated and would like to keep it that way for now, considering his condition. Chelsea, you want to up the meds a tad?’

Up the meds? No. But it’s too late, whatever meds they’re talking about she must have administered immediately because I feel as if I’m floating.

‘I know you’re worried, Eve, but for his safety, we need to keep him sedated,’ the man continues. ‘My main focus is getting him through the next couple of days. After that, we’ll re-evaluate and, if possible, ease up on it. Obviously, he can hear you, so talk to him?’ he suggests. ‘I usually advise light conversations, listening to music, reading, or reminiscing about happier times.’

Happier times. Reminder: you married this guy.

The room falls silent for a moment and all I hear is shuffling.

‘Hey—oh, sorry—didn’t realize it’d be a full house. Should I come back?’ the voice asks.

‘No, she works here,’ Eve says to someone.

‘I took lunch and wanted to come check on you.’ The woman, whose voice I don’t quite recognize, is speaking to someone in the room. Maybe me, but I’m not sure.

‘Who’s this?’ Matty asks.

‘This is Kait, my best friend,’ Eve tells him. ‘Kait, this is Matty, Foster’s trainer.’

‘Trainer. Friend. And stand-in father figure,’ Matty explains.

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