Chapter 25: Lexa
The next three months went by horribly slow. I had my routine of talking to Dr. Santiago, working through the GED workbooks, and watching television. If everything went well, I would take the test next week to get my GED. Once I had it, I would study for the citizenship test and maybe even take some online college classes. Ash still hadn't woken up, but the last CT scan showed that the swelling on her brain was finally starting to decrease. So when I wasn't studying, I was exercising Ash's muscles so that they wouldn't be atrophied when she did eventually wake up. I also spent a lot of time watching television. There is only so much you can do in a hospital room, and Blake let me use his Netflix account when the internet was working.
Another month went by, I got my GED and passed the citizenship test. All that was left was to be sworn in. I had even taken a few business and finance college classes online. Blake had found me an online college that allowed me to set my own pace,, and since I had plenty of time, I was able to get through a two-year business program. After finishing up the college courses, Blake and Abby thought it would be a good idea to get out of the hospital some, even though I was against it. Commander Jarad asked me if I would go out as an interpreter occasionally with Blake's unit. I agreed to get everyone off my back, but only if Abby would sit with Ash while I was out on missions. I really wish Ash could be there for my swearing-in, in two weeks. The last scan showed that her brain was back to normal, but Abby said there was still nothing to do but wait. I was so tired of waiting. I was beginning to lose hope that she would ever wake up. I think Abby could sense this and told me to go take a drive or something that I needed to get out for a while. I couldn't bring myself to leave the room for more than a couple of minutes because I was afraid she would wake up and I wouldn't be there.
On Saturday, Blake came by and said that he and a few buddies of his had a day pass, and they wanted to go for a dirt bike ride in the desert and then out for drinks. He practically begged me to go with them, and then Abby started in on me about how she thought it would be good for me to get out for a while. So, I just gave in and said I would go on a ride with them for a few hours, but that was it. I even told Blake that he could use Ash's bike since it had been so long since it had been used. Abby promised to stay with Ash while I was gone. I told him I would meet him at the jeep in about thirty minutes.
After they left, I sat in the chair and held Ash's hand like I tended to do for hours at a time. I looked at her beautiful face, she looked like she was just sleeping, but I knew better. I said, "Look, Blake has asked me to go on a bike ride with him and some friends today. I don't really want to leave your side, but I think if I don't go, Abby will have me committed, which would screw up my upcoming citizenship. So, I agreed to go for a couple of hours. I promise to be careful and come back soon. Abby will be here if you need anything but don't give her a hard time. I will see you soon." I leaned in and kissed her lips.
When I walked out the door, Abby was standing there waiting. She told me to go have fun for a little while and not to worry. She would take care of Ash while I was gone. Reluctantly, I left. Blake and I unloaded Ash's and my bike. It had been a long time since I had ridden. We met up with his friends in the town to rent their bikes and then headed out into the desert. I hate to admit it, but I enjoyed being out and, on my bike, if only Ash could be with me. After a few hours, I told Blake that I was going to head back, but he was welcome to keep the bike as long as he wanted to just put it back on the trailer when he was finished.
I went straight back to the hospital and stopped by to see Ash before I went to take a shower. I walked in, and Abby was sitting beside the bed, reading a book. I waved hey to her and then walked over to Ash. I said, "Hello, my beautiful girl, I'm back." I leaned over and gave her a hug and kissed her neck like I always do. Over these past four months, I had continued to talk to Ash as if she were awake. I would tell her about what is going on and anything else that came to mind. To me, it was the new normal. I asked Abby if she minded staying a few minutes longer while I grabbed a quick shower, and she said no problem. I reached down and took Ash's hand and gave it a kiss, then said, "I will be back in a flash, babe." As I let go of her hand to walk away, she grabs my wrist.
I look at Abby, who is looking at me. I don't know what to do so I start talking to her. "Ash, are you awake? Can you hear me? Babe, if you can hear me open your beautiful blue eyes. Please, sweetie, come back to me." I can feel the tears start to fall down my cheeks. I stand there for a few seconds, and nothing happens. Abby says that it is a good sign, but it could have been involuntary. Finally, I sat down on the edge of the bed and pulled her hand up to my lips, kissed it again, and then put her hand on my cheek. "Ash, I need you to come back to me. Concentrate on my voice and the feel of my face. Please, Ash, wake up."
A few seconds later, I can see her eyes moving behind her eyelids. "That's it, babe, open your eyes for me. Show me those blue eyes, please." Slowly, she opens her eyes and looks at me. I can't believe she is awake. She tries to speak, but it comes out in a whisper, so I lean over so I can hear her better. "What did you say, babe?"
She says, "Lex is that you?"
"Yes, Ash. It's me." I grab her in a hug and kiss the side of her head, neck, and then lips. "Oh, Ash, I'm so glad to see those beautiful blue eyes of yours. I was beginning to think I would never see them again." I hug her again, and when I pull back to look at her, she has a smirk on her face. I say, "What?"
She smiles and says hoarsely, "Babe, I'm glad to see you too, and I'm not sure what happened, but...Babe, you stink."
Abby burst out laughing, and I join her as the tears start to flow harder down my cheeks. Ash reaches up to brush them away and says, "Don't cry about it, just go get a shower."
I look at Abby and ask, "Is this what you meant when you said she may have brain damage? I mean, she's been in a coma for four months, and when she wakes up, all she can say to me is don't be a baby, and you stink."
Abby just continues to laugh, but Ash says, "What did you say?"
I repeat myself and say, "I said you have had me worried sick for the past four months, and when you wake up, all you can tell me is that I stink."
Ash looks at Abby, "What is she talking about, Abby?"
I speak up and say, "Abby, why don't you fill Ash in on what's been going on the last four months while I go take a shower so maybe she will stop telling me that I stink."
Ash says, "Oh, don't be that way, Lex, you know that I love you."
Well, that stopped me dead in my tracks. So I turn to face her and say, "What?"
She starts to stutter and say, "I...I... I just woke up from a coma. Cut me some slack here."
I laugh and walk out to take a shower.
