Coming out of Anesthesia...

I went towards the doctor as the boys looked up and then stood up.  The doctor walked us over to the corner and spoke in a whisper as to make sure only we heard.

Dr.: “I am Doctor Johnston.  I was the attending in the case for Mr. Billingsly.  He was in that big accident on the highway as you know and his left leg was broken and he has a few broken ribs on his left side, and he’s a little banged up.  He looks much worse than he is.  We had to use some pins to put his femur back together.  It looks like he may have had a previous injury there.  He is doing just fine and with some rehab should be back up and walking.”

Me: “Can we or I see him??”

Dr.: “Of course, he is still coming out of anaesthesia so maybe in about an hour or so.  I must excuse myself as I have other patients to attend to.”

I nodded as he walked way.  I was happy that was all Joel had suffered as it could’ve been so much worse.  We had stopped watching the news so we don’t know entirely what happened or why his left side was injured. 

M: “Thank goodness!  He will be ok.  He made it through the war; he can make it through this.”

I nodded in agreement, but I knew what Joel had told me that his last girlfriend had left him while he was injured, so I had to wonder how much of this was playing on his mind.  Duane went to go get some more caffeine while Monroe and I waited.  Ever notice when you’re waiting an hour seems like forever??

Duane came back with empty handed, noting that nothing was open but as soon as we knew where Joel was he was going to go find an open coffee shop somewhere.  Just as he sat down a nurse walked in and asked if we were here for Joel and escorted him to his room.  I was walking quickly behind her while Monroe and Duane trailed behind; I think Duane was checking out the nurse more than just walking behind me.  We approached room 312 and she gestured for us to go in. I all of a sudden froze in my spot, almost stealing myself for the worst.  I took a deep breath and Monroe took my hand and led me inside.  There was my handsome man lying in an ugly hospital gown, he was banged up, but seemed to be sleeping.  I walked slowly towards him and sat down in the chair next to the bed and slowly grabbed his hand.

Me: “Baby? Are you awake?”

Monroe was standing behind me with his hands on my shoulders and Duane stood back from the bed. I think he was having residual feelings of being that patient in the bed.  Joel slowly started to stir and his eyes slightly opened before a tired grin spread across his face and then he closed his eyes again.

Joel: “I thought I was dreaming when I heard your voice.”

Me: “You don’t remember what happened baby?”

Joel: “No”

Me: “You were in a car accident on your way to see me”

Joel: “An accident?”

Me: “yes Joel”

Joel’s brow furrowed at the fact that he was told he was in an accident.  I started to wonder if he had more injuries than what they originally thought.  Maybe he wacked his head or the impact did something to his brain.  But the doctor never told me that he had any trauma to his brain.  I looked up confused at Monroe, not sure what to say next.

Monroe: “Joel where do you think you are right now buddy?  And who do you think you are talking to?”

Joel sighed and took a deep painful breath; he gripped my hand tightly while doing so.  He opened his eyes slightly, and a little more confusion spread across his face...

Joel: “I am back from Afghanistan and in a rehab hospital!  And while I don’t know exactly who you are sir, this is my girlfriend” A smile spread across my face when he said that.  “Her name is Anna...right?”




***SIDE NOTE:  I HAVE PUT ANOTHER POLL AT THE TOP, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO VOTE. IF YOU ARE VIEWING THIS ON A MOBILE PHONE, YOU MAY HAVE TO SWITCH TO 'VIEW WEB VERSION' TO VOTE.  ALSO I WILL BE CREATING ANOTHER BLOG FOR POINTS OF VIEW AND FLASHBACKS.  A FEW READERS HAVE EMAILED AND SAID THEY FEEL THAT IT DISRUPTS THE BLOG FLOW.  WHICH IS FINE, I WILL DO IT ON A SEPARATE SITE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO CONTINUE TO READ IT.***