บท 39: Time

It's been five months, five grueling, terrible months since Chloe fell into a coma. Brian waited by her bedside every day, waiting for her to wake up. He was waiting for her to show any sign of hope. Ryan has stepped in and offered to take care of Chloe while Brian was at work. Brian accepted under the condition that he was to call every hour with an update. Sam took over the cafe, waiting for a glimpse of hope that Chloe would pull through. Sally was arrested. While sitting in jail, she killed herself. Knowing that she killed Chloe's baby, somehow gave her the satisfaction to end her life. Chloe laid unconscious in the hospital room, while Brian sat next to her talking to her and holding her hand. "Chloe, please angel, wake up. Please just give some sign that you are still with us." Once again, he held her hand as always and kissed the back. This has become the new routine; the difference this time was Chloe. Chloe roused, moving her hand from his. This sudden movement startled Brian. At first, he thought he was seeing things, and there was no way she could actually be awake. He sat for a second, wondering if it was real. Once Chloe groaned and tried to open her eyes, he dashed out of the room, yelling for a doctor. He called both Ryan and Sam to come immediately, telling them there has been a change to her condition. "Ms. Wilson? Can you hear me? I'm Dr. Nazareth, do you know where you are?" Chloe looked around and saw she was in the hospital. "Hospital." She replied hoarsely. "I'm in the hospital, right?" Chloe looked around the room. "But why am I here? Did something happen?" Brian looked concerned and worried. "Do you not remember?" Brian spoke. "No doctor, I don't remember how I got here." "Doctor? Do you know who I am?" "Um... are you not another doctor?" Brian grabbed the doctor by his arm, dragging him out of the room. "Doctor, What's going on? Why is this happening?" "It seems she has amnesia. We'll have to run some tests. Prepare yourself for the worst. She could regain her memory, best case. Worst case, it may never return." Sam and Ryan showed up as they were talking in the hallway. "Brian, she's awake? Can I go see her?" "Before you go, Sam, prepare yourself. She seems to have forgotten some things and people." "Oh my, ok I'll take it slow." Once Sam entered the room, Chloe grew happy to see her. "Sam! Thank God you're here. I was beginning to think that no one cared. How long have I been here, and who are they?" Chloe pointed to Ryan and Brian, who exchanged looks of worry. "Chloe? What's the last thing you remember?" Chloe thought for a while. "Ah. Our July event at the cafe." "Chloe dear that was about seven months ago." "Seven? What happened, and why are they here? Do I know them?" "Chloe sweetie..." "Hey I'm Ryan, Sam's boyfriend and this is my friend Brian. We have known you for over a year now." "Really? Do you mind? I would like to speak with Sam alone." "Sure thing. We will go get some coffee." Ryan pushed a zombie-like Brian out of the room. Brian was still in shock that Chloe, his love, didn't remember him. "Ryan, what am I going to do? She doesn't remember me or what we had together. She doesn't even remember she was pregnant. How am I supposed to tell her about the baby? Do I even tell her?" Brian was losing hope by the second. His aura was dark and full of despair. His eyes were heavy with sadness and loneliness. He felt his world shatter. Brian thought he could handle things when she woke up that at least she was alive. But once reality sat in and he realized she didn't know him, that pain was indescribable. "Hey, look, man, I know it seems bad right now. Maybe she will remember you. Have hope. She is alive and awake. We will take it slow. Ok. One day at a time."