Parker sighed as she waited for her father's secretary to forward her call. She glanced back into Lyle's room and checked to make sure he was still resting quietly. The phone connected and she heard her father's voice as she turned and closed the hospital door.
"Mr. Parker here"
"Daddy."
"Oh, hello Angel. How's your brother?"
Parker glanced down the hallway and then let her vision land upon her shoes as she spoke. "Daddy, he's awake."
She heard her father speaking to an attendant and waited for his response. "Daddy, did you hear me? Lyle's come out of the coma."
"Oh, yes. Well, that's wonderful news Angel! How soon before he can come back to work?"
Parker shrugged and then grunted at her own brilliance. "He's only woken up once. He was so distressed the doctor's had to sedate him."
"What do you mean, he paused, distressed?"
"Daddy, I don't know how to tell you this." Parker sighed and shook her head. "The doctor says that he has amnesia."
"You mean he doesn't remember anything?"
"No, nothing. He had no idea who I was. He doesn't even know his own name."
There was a long pause on the phone. "Is it permanent?"
"They say it's too early to tell."
"Very well Angel, keep me informed."
"Daddy, wait!" It was too late though. The only response she got was the static from the phone line.
**
Later that afternoon
"Good afternoon Miss Parker. How's our patient?"
"Still asleep!" She huffed in exasperation. "Just when I get use to the idea that he's finally waking up you go and put him back under again."
Dr. O'Connell chuckled as he started to examine his patient. "Well, he should be waking up soon. That was only a mild sedative." "Actually," he looked at his watch, "he should be awake within the hour." He turned to face her and frowned. "There is something I would like to discuss with you before he does wake up. May I speak to you in the hall?"
**
"What do you mean take him home with me?"
"Well," the doctor shrugged. "Physically there's nothing else we can do for him."
"What?" Miss Parker stamped her foot and growled at the doctor. "What about all his injuries?"
He jumped slightly at her tone. "Really," he held up his hands in surrender. "There is no need for concern. I can arrange for a physical therapist to see him at home. I believe the best thing for him now is to be in a familiar setting."
Parker could almost laugh at the absurdity of it all. 'Since when is my house familiar to Lyle.' "Doctor, I don't think you understand. Before his accident, my brother and I weren't on exactly good terms."
Dr O'Connell frowned. "I understand you may have had troubles before but at this point I believe you will have to lay them aside. Miss Parker, you have been by his side for the past two months. You can't possibly tell me you don't care about what happens to him." He watched as she tried to form a rebuttal but he spoke before she had time to contradict his statement. "There is no use in him staying here. All he needs is a nice bed and quite a bit of rest. He will be weak for some time and will need someone to look after him. I don't see how that will be any different than what you would be doing here."
She frowned with slight contempt but begrudgingly accepted his advice as she formed her next question. "What about the amnesia?"
"That is something that will take time. Physically he is healing well. However, he may need some help healing mentally and emotionally. As you know, the mind and heart are not my medical expertise. I believe that he should start seeing a psychiatrist as soon as possible. If you like I could recommend one for you."
"No that's alright." Parker smiled. "I have the perfect person in mind."