It was all a dream…
Beep..Beep..Beep.. Jocelyn Fairchild sat beside her daughter's hospital bed listening to the now familiar beep of machines that were keeping her daughter alive. It had been three months since the accident that left Clary in a coma, and Jocelyn visited every day and everyday was the same. She sat in the uncomfortable chair drawing or reading or talking to Clary hoping that she would wake up. Today was like any other. Visiting hours began at 8 am. Like clockwork the doctor arrived at 8:30 to report that nothing had changed. Luke Garroway, Jocelyn's longtime friend would bring her coffee at 9:30 on his way to open his bookstore. At 12:30 Simon Lewis, Clary's best friend would arrive and sit with Clary for an hour on his lunch break so that Jocelyn could eat lunch. Jocelyn would return at 1:30. At 5:00 the doctor would return to review the vital signs for the day and at 5:30 Luke would arrive and insist that Jocelyn go home.
Knock, knock. Jocelyn looked up to see Dr. Catrina standing in the doorway.
"Good morning Jocelyn." Dr. Catrina said as she entered the room. "You've added some new artwork I see." Jocelyn was a painter, when she finished a piece she hung it in the room for Clary to see. The exposure had led to a full time job with the hospital supplying artwork for patient's rooms and waiting rooms.
"Yes, I thought the sunrise over the lake would be an inspiration for Clary to wake up. It hasn't worked yet." Jocelyn replied.
"Well, just keep doing what you're doing." Dr. Catrina continued to go over the vitals with Jocelyn just like she did every day. Before leaving Dr. Catrina turned to Jocelyn, "I'm leaving early today, I have a medical conference that I am speaking at, Dr. Jeremiah will be on call tonight if you need anything. He's new to this hospital but he is an excellent doctor. His specialty is the brain and memory, sometimes I swear he can read minds." Jocelyn nodded and went back to reading to Clary a classic A Tale of Two Cities.
The day progressed with Simon brining a recording from his bands latest performance for Clary to listen. The band wasn't very good to say the least and they could never decide on a name but it made Simon happy to share his music with Clary and who knows maybe she couldn't hear it. Jocelyn returned and Simon went back to work at the video game store. At 5:00 Dr. Jeremiah entered the hospital room. He was unlike any doctor she had seen. He wore long robes, his head was shaven and he had odd tattoos on his hands.
"Hello, I am Dr. Jeremiah though most people call me Brother Jeremiah since I studied with Tibetan monks."
That must explain the robe and shaved head thought Jocelyn. "Hello, I'm Jocelyn Fairchild and this is my daughter Clary." Jocelyn said extending her hand. Dr. Jeremiah shook her hand and after they exchanged pleasantries he walked over to Clary.
"Hello, Clary it's a pleasure to meet you. I hear you are having a hard time waking up. Let's see what we can do about that." The doctor sat next to Clary for a good ten minutes, just talking to her, asking questions and of course getting no answers. Jocelyn was amazed, he didn't take blood or check Clary's vitals he just talked to her. At the end of the conversation all he said was "I know you'll wake up soon Clary." He thanked Jocelyn for allowing him to visit, wished her well and left. The odd encounter still had Jocelyn puzzled when Luke arrived at 5:30. Luke of course told her not to worry and to think nothing of the odd encounter.
As they walked out the door neither noticed the slight twitch in Clary's hand.