Oliver followed the nurse to Shane's room. As they walked, she talked.
"My name is Marcie. I'll be Shane's nurse for the night shift. The doctor won't be in to talk to you until morning rounds. All I can tell you right now is that she is stable. She is in a medicated coma and is therefore intubated. Just a warning, her left eye is swollen badly and she may not look like herself. Please don't hesitate to ask me any questions."
Marcie walked ahead of Oliver and opened the door to room 22. He found himself taking a deep breath as they entered the room.
Nothing could have prepared him for that moment. Not just her eye, but the entire left side of her face was swollen. Her head was bandaged with her blonde hair matted and sticking out underneath. She had a tube secured with tape around her mouth, obscuring the bottom half of her face. Her right arm was in a cast. There were cords and tubes everywhere. Oliver was not quite sure what they all were for. He suddenly realized he hadn't moved and the nurse was watching him carefully.
"Let me pull up this chair for ya…" she offered, as she moved a blue recliner closer to Shane's bedside. "Sorry we don't have couches. Rooms are too small, but you are welcome to stay the night in the chair. I can get you a pillow and blanket."
"Um, thank you. That would be helpful." said Oliver as he moved to sit down.
She looked at him for a moment and then said, "I just took all her vitals, gave her her medications, and checked her bandages. I'm going to go check on my other patient right next door. Please don't hesitate to press this button if you need anything." She paused for a moment and then said, "I'll take my time."
Oliver looked at her gratefully. He desperately wanted to be alone with Shane and Marcie knew it.
Once she was gone, Oliver quickly took Shane's left hand in both of his, needing to feel as close to her as possible. Her hand was warm and familiar. It was the only part of her that seemed uninjured. But where was her ring? He glanced around the room and noticed a small table with her belongings stacked neatly in plastic bags. He grimaced when he noticed her coat had blood stains on the shoulder. The ring was in a bag with her other jewelry. He quickly took it out, placed it in his pocket, and returned to Shane's side.
He held her hand again, wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say. He glanced at the clock. 12:30.
"Well, Shane, we're a little bit past curfew." He half smiled, thinking of the night before. "I'm afraid this may be becoming a habit." The smile faded as quickly as it had come. He'd give anything to go back to the night before, to redo this day over again. "I'm... I'm sorry I wasn't with you. I should have been with you."
The tears he had been forcing back all evening were flowing freely. "I am so sorry you're hurting. I would change places with you in a heartbeat if I could, sweetheart. I'm... I'm going to need you to wake up, when it's time. I can't... can't..." He meant to say more. To somehow express to her the pain of imagining life without her...that his soul was intertwined with hers, and to sever that connection would be too much to bear. How devastating it was to think of their future of happy memories being snatched away before it had even begun.
He watched her breathe in and out rhythmically. Oliver reached in his pocket to grab his handkerchief and pulled out a piece of paper as well. It was the note Shane had left him earlier that evening. It was a simple expression of love. He opened it carefully, read it again, and placed it back in his pocket.
He held her hand gently in both of his as he looked at her steadily. His voice took on a pleading tone. "I need you to stay with me, Shane. Please. Please stay. I love you too."
He didn't know what else to say, but wanted her to hear his voice. Suddenly, he could almost hear her say it, "Mr. O'toole, I need something...profound." A half smile found its way to his lips. Shakespeare. He began,
"Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be 's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
At some point, Oliver laid his head back in the chair, still holding on to Shane's hand, and fell into a fitful sleep.
"Mr. O'toole?"
Oliver felt a hand nudge his shoulder and he snapped awake.
"Sorry to disturb you, but your father, Joseph O'toole, is here. He must have your permission to enter." Marcie explained.
Oliver glanced at the clock. 2:00 AM. He'd slept for an hour and it had only felt like moments. "Um, of course, please send him in."
Marcie nodded and left the room.
Oliver stood as Joe entered and embraced his son in a huge hug. He glanced at Shane over Oliver's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, son. I'm sorry I wasn't here sooner. How is she doing?"
Joe pulled up a folding chair next to Oliver's. He looked at Shane soberly while Oliver explained what he knew so far. Joe's eyes were red as he took it all in.
"Do you think, with her head injury, that they are worried about her...waking up on her own?" asked Joe tentatively, watching Oliver carefully.
Oliver's body visibly shuddered as he nodded. "They haven't said as much, but that was the feeling I got when they expressed the seriousness of her condition. They just kept mentioning more tests that need to be done."
"How are you doing, Ollie?" Joe asked quietly.
Oliver scoffed slightly, "I'm not the one in a hospital bed, fighting for my life. I'm fine." He had a slight edge to his voice for the first time. "I should have been there! I could have done something to change all of this!"
Joe was staring steadily at his son. "Perhaps things would have been different had you been driving. Then again, maybe you'd be in a bed right next to Shane. You can't always be there to protect her from everything. This isn't your fault." He leaned and placed his hand on Oliver's shoulder. Oliver looked down at his hands, refusing to make eye contact. "This is not your fault. There is no way you could have foreseen this. We cannot prevent or prepare ourselves for things like this. We can only face them when they come. Please don't blame yourself for this horrible accident. Shane wouldn't want you to carry that around with you."
Oliver sighed and placed his face in his hands. His dad was right, of course. But he hated feeling so powerless. "Dad, I don't know if...if I could go on without..." He looked at Shane and then turned to face his father with tear streaked cheeks.
Joe searched his sons face for a moment and then spoke softly. "I know you don't believe it right now, but you would find a reason to wake up every morning. You would." Joe straightened himself in his seat. "But let's focus on her pulling through. We'll cross a different bridge if we come to it. Let's hang on to hope." He looked a Shane. "She is a strong woman. You two are so happy together. She has a lot to live for. If she can help it, I believe she will do all she can to stay with us."
Oliver hadn't realized how much he needed to hear his father's optimism. It gave him courage to truly hope. It wasn't that the fear was gone, it was simply not as consuming as it had been minutes before. He felt himself slowly letting go of the weight of responsibility for Shane's current circumstances. It was like he was thinking clearly for the first time since the phone call at the DLO. He felt the power of faith stirring within him.
"I know you'll take care of Shane, but I'll be taking care of you. Rita said you haven't had anything to eat. Here is a sandwich and a Yoo-Hoo." said Joe as he handed a paper sack to Oliver. "I need you to eat that in front of me or Rita will not be satisfied, and I'm not about to upset a pregnant woman." Oliver chuckled slightly, unwrapping the sandwich.
"Norman and I also went to your home and packed you some necessities so you could stay with Shane. The bag is in the truck. I'll go grab it for you. Would you like me to stay tonight?" Joe asked as he stood to leave.
"No, that's alright. You go home and get some rest. Oh my goodness! I have not informed Shane's mother!" Oliver looked alarmed.
Joe smiled, "Already taken care of. Norman and Rita are picking her up at the airport at 10:00AM tomorrow and bringing her straight here. Rita has been keeping her updated."
Oliver looked relieved.
"You're not going through this alone, son. We're all here for you." said Joe reassuringly.
"Thank you, Dad. I love you."
"I love you too. One day at a time, okay? Take it one day at a time."
The next day was full of test after test. Shane stayed asleep as the world bustled around her. Oliver had had no real idea how busy a hospital actually was. He paid attention and quickly learned what each tube and wire was for, which beeps were actually important, and when to ask for more information.
Ms. McInerney's flight had been delayed slightly. It was now noon and Joe and Oliver sat at Shane's bedside, waiting for her arrival. They had just finished lunch when a police officer entered the room.
"Hello, I'm officer Wallace." he said as he shook hands with Oliver and Joe. "I'm in charge of the investigation regarding Ms. Shane McInerney's car accident. I can't share much, given that the involved party was a minor. I can say that she was under the influence of alcohol and was responsible for what took place. I have some paperwork I'll need filled out by Oliver O'toole, as Ms. McInerney is unavailable to do so." he said as he gestured toward Shane.
Oliver reached his hand out and took the packet of papers. "I am Oliver O'toole. May I inquire as to the other driver's well being?" he asked.
Officer Wallace's face fell. "Yes, as it will be in the newspaper tomorrow. She passed away early this morning."
Oliver looked stunned. He hadn't even thought of the other driver. At all. And she had been fighting for her life right along with Shane. Only her family was now preparing for a funeral instead of recovery.
"Thank you for your help and cooperation. Please leave the paperwork at the front desk once complete. I wish you folks the best." said Officer Wallace as he glanced at Shane and left the room.
Joe and Oliver looked at one another. And then they both looked at Shane. She didn't look great, but her skin had color to it and her heart rate had been steady all day. Oliver felt so grateful for that.
"That poor family. I can't imagine what her parents must be feeling right now. Dad, let me be the one to tell Shane, once she is stronger." Oliver had begun to speak of when Shane was awake, instead of if. It helped keep him focused on the present.
Joe simply nodded, hoping that his son would have an opportunity to have a conversation with Shane once again.
Oliver and Shane had traveled back east for several days at Christmas time. Oliver had met his future mother-in-law and she'd liked him so much, she insisted he call her mom. She looked a lot like Shane, except with brown hair and a slightly longer face. They were both headstrong, but Heather McInerney was quieter in nature. She had spoiled them with all of Shane's childhood Christmas traditions and enjoyed watching the happiness that seemed to emanate from Shane whenever Oliver was around. She was thrilled for them both.
Joe had left the room to join Norman and Rita in the waiting room as the nurse announced that Shane's mom had arrived, keeping the two visitor rule.
As Heather McInerney entered, she went went straight to Shane's side. She touched the uninjured side of her face and held her hand. She began crying as she spoke "Oh honey, I love you. You've got to get better, baby." It was a touching scene and Oliver found himself crying once again as well. He took out a clean handkerchief and offered it to Heather.
She turned and gave him a huge hug, not saying anything. It was hard to tell who was comforting whom. She let go and analyzed Oliver. His face was covered in stubble and he looked exhausted. "How are you doing?"
"I'm alright. Still waiting for test results, but her color is slightly better today and her heartbeat has been steady." Oliver said encouragingly.
Heather McInerney smiled. "That's probably because you're here. She is always calm when you're around."
"I don't know about that…"
The nurse had come in and overheard the last part of their conversation. "Oh, I've noticed that too! Her heart rate goes up slightly when you leave the room and calms again once she knows your back. She is definitely aware of you!"
Heather gave him a 'told you so' smile.
Oliver hadn't realized this, and found it extremely comforting that Shane knew he was there. His face noticeably brightened as he sat and took her hand once again.
"I'll need to open her gown and change her bandages." said the nurse, as she began laying out materials on the bed next to Shane.
Oliver stood abruptly, wanting to give Shane her privacy "Oh, I will step out for a moment." And with that, he left the room.
The nurse watched him leave and then watched the monitor as Shane's heart rate rose a bit. She turned to Heather with a smile, "See what I mean?" She began working, "Is he always this polite and considerate?"
Heather chuckled, "Yes, he is! I'm so glad they found one another!"
The nurse smiled and began her work.
Oliver stood just outside Shane's door, waiting for word he could reenter. Around the corner came a doctor, walking straight towards him. Oliver had seen him around, but had yet to speak with him.
He reached out his hand to shake Oliver's. "Hi, I'm Dr. Benson. Shane's doctor for the day. Sorry I did not come by this morning, but I wanted Shane's test results before we spoke."
Just then the nurse came out to let him know she had finished. Oliver looked at the doctor, "Shane's mom has arrived and I know she'd like to be a part of this conversation."
Doctor Benson nodded as they all walked in to room 22.
