Page 94 of We Own Tonight
“I don’t know what happened. There was blood on the carpet from the bathroom to where I found him. I guess he hit his head and stopped there?” Now that I’ve had time to think, I’m trying to piece together the scene. My best guess is that he fell. I know his foot was giving him problems, so maybe he tripped? Either way, he hit his head, and then either fell again...or something. Why was he dripping with sweat? Did he have to drag himself from the bathroom? I don’t know. “I couldn’t tell the paramedics anything. I don’t know what caused this or if he takes any medication . . . I called as soon as I snapped out ofit.”
Savannah guides me to the chair, and she’s silent. “So, you and Eli haven’t really gotten to that share everything point?” she asks after a fewminutes.
“No, I guess not. We happened so fast and so strong. It was like this tornado that swooped us both up. Plus, I was dealing with my sister’s disease, and he was trying to be there for me. I don’tknow.”
She takes my hand in hers. “Randy should be out soon, he’ll let you know what’s goingon.”
“I should’ve gone and checked on himearlier.”
Hindsight is a bitch. I had a feeling when he wasn’t responding. I ignored it, and he neededme.
Randy comes into view, and we both stand. “He’s going to be okay. He’s confused, but he’ll befine.”
“Oh, thank God.” I sigh. The weight lifts from my chest, and I can breatheagain.
“He wants to see you, but he needs a few moretests.”
“Okay.” I’ll sit out here and wait forever if it means he’ll be okay. He’s going to be okay. I knew I was afraid, but I hadn’t realized how tightly the fear had gripped me until it was gone. “Do you know whathappened?”
Randy looks to Savannah and then back to me. “The details are fuzzy, but I’m sure he’ll explain what heremembers.”
“I’m going to call your mom,” Savannah says and kisses hischeek.
“I’m glad you checked on him,” Randy says as we take a seat. “I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t gone there. He’s really lucky to have you, Heather. I hope you know how much he lovesyou.”
It’s weird hearing this from his brother. We’ve only met twice now, but Randy seems to understand Eli at his core. He clearly loves his brother, and it’s a bond I can understand completely. What he said is something I would’ve felt toward someone lovingStephanie.
“I love him,too.”
He nods. “I believe youdo.”
Savannah returns from her phone call right as the doctor comesout.
He explains that Eli finished his CT scan, and they’re going to do some additional testing, but he’s alert and receiving fluids. “He’s back in his room if you’d like to see him, he’s asking for Randy and thenHeather.”
“I’ll be brief.” He smiles and then follows the doctor through the doubledoors.
Relief floods my veins now that we’ve confirmed he’s going to be fine. I close my eyes and say a silent prayer to Stephanie. I feel her here. This hospital was where we spent so much time together. Days of testing that turned into overnights because of her exhaustion. So many nights I slept in that God-awful chair that they said was a bed, hoping her pain wouldsubside.
I hoped it would be a long time before I walked these hallsagain.
Randy returns to the waiting room not even ten minuteslater.
“He’s waiting for you.” He smiles. “We have to get back to the kids, but if you need anything, just call, okay? I’ll come back tomorrow to check onthings.”
Savannah pulls me in and kisses my cheek. “I’ll call you tomorrow as well,okay?”
“Ofcourse.”
I make my way to Eli’s room and knock softly. The door creaks and his eyes meet mine. All at once, my emotions burst forward. Relief that he’s okay, fear that it could’ve gone another way, happiness that he looks a little like himself, guilt that I wasn’t there, and most of all . . . love for thisman.
“Eli,” I say as a prayer. I move forward, and he pulls me to his chest. “God, I was soscared.”
His arms are tight, and I breathe him in. “I’m going to be fine,baby.”
I lift my head and touch his face. “You scaredme.”
He closes his eyes. “I wasstupid.”
