Chapter Nine

Hours ticked by and it felt like life its self had stopped. Jack couldn't sit still he kept pacing the floor wondering if Ennis was all right. He would walk by the room and look in just to make sure he was still breathing. Junior had never seen Jack like this and it was breaking her heart. She knew now more than ever that the love he had for her daddy was pure and a once in a lifetime deal. She prayed that her daddy was going to be ok. He had to.

Junior stood up and walked over to Jack. She wrapped her arms around him and said "It's gonna be fine. Daddy's a fighter, he'll be ok."

"I know he is honey." Jack answered as he held her tight.

"Is Jenny comin'?" Jack asked.

"Kurt's on his way to get her now. I told mama but she didn't know if she was comin'. I know she's worried and she said she'd pray for him." Junior knew the real reason why her mama wouldn't come and she thought it was stupid for her to act that way. She could only hope that her mama would change her mind and put the past behind her where it belonged.

Two hours later Jenny arrived. The first thing she did was run over to her sister and hugged her. Then she went to Jack and did the same.

Six hours had past and still no change. Everyone was getting sick of waiting. Both the girls had asked the doctor if they could go in and see him and he told them yes but only for a few minutes. The girls went in together and Jenny lead against Junior. She couldn't stand seeing him lying there hooked up to all the machines. His face was black and blue as well as swelled. His arm and leg were in a cast and he had bandages everywhere.

The doctor came to them about 2 in the morning and said, "I've got good news and bad. The good news is the blood clot appears to be shrinking and we won't have to do surgery, the bad news is Ennis has slipped into a coma."

No one said a word. The girls began to cry and Kurt held his wife while Bobby tried to comfort Jenny.

"Just how bad is it doc? Don't fuck me around now, give it ta me straight."

"Jack at this point I really can't say. Sometimes patients come out of it within 24 hours others a month. I can tell you that the longer he's in it the more chance of brain damage and the chance of him waking decreases."

"I see, can I stay with him?" Jack could feel the tears threatening to fall.

"Sure you can. He can hear you so talkin' to him can help. I wish there was more I could do."

"Thanks Doc I know yer doin' yer best." Jack turned and looked at the kids. He knew this was just as hard on them and he wished that he could ease the pain somehow. He walked over to them and said, "Ya all heard what the doc said now, and we can't give up. Yer daddy's gonna be just fine. In the mean time I want you kids to go back to the ranch and try and get some sleep. I'll stay here and call ya if there's any change."

"Jack please…" But that was all Junior could say before Jack cut her off.

"Junior please go, it's not doin' anyone any good if we get sick. It'll be ok. I promise." He gave both the girls a kiss and left to go and be with Ennis.

Once inside the room he pulled the chair as close to the bed as he could get it and took Ennis by the hand and began to cry.

"Ok cowboy it's just you and me now. I know we've been through a lot, hell more than most, but I'm not ready to give up just yet. Not on you or us. Ennis ya got ta hear me and listen to me fer once, you need to wake up, you need to come back to me."

"Jack is that you?" I can here you but why does my head hurt and why can't I open my eyes? Jack why are you not answerin'me?" Ennis couldn't understand what was going on. Why was everything so black? And why did he feel so alone?

Jack decided to pray one more time before closing his eyes for a little nap.

"Ok God, it's me again. First thanks fer gettin' rid of the blood clot but now can ya do somethin' 'bout this coma thing. Maybe what we have is wrong to some but if there's one thing you taught us it was love so please don't let this love die. If you take him then ya better take me to because life just ain't worth livin' without him. Amen."