Chapter 8

8.10 – Sara was standing in the small hospital visitor's room shower letting the hot water pelt her aching neck muscles. She was so tired; she closed her eyes for a few seconds and felt herself nodding off. She pulled herself together again and started washing herself. She thought about seeing Tegan awake earlier and smiled. She seems okay, she's fine Sara, she's going to be fine... just relax. Sara repeated these words in her head over and over again.

9.05 - Tegan woke up feeling groggy again after what seemed like ages but what was in reality only about 2 hours. She tried to ascertain whether or not she was feeling better. She seemed to be breathing a bit better and her headache felt better but every muscle in her body seemed to be screaming in pain. She felt as if she was tied up in a boxing ring for 12 hours and had the crap kicked out of her. Lindsey and Sara was there again, it felt good to hear them whisper sweet and supportive things to her. She was too tired to really communicate back but she squeezed their hands and nodded when they asked her questions. She's never been happier to have them with her. Everything will be fine. Lindsey's here, Sara's here…. They will make sure I'm OK. Tegan told herself. Two nurses bought in what seemed to be a portable wash basin to wash Tegan's hair and to give her a sponge bath. Tegan looked and felt so much better after the sticky sweat and dry blood on her body and in her hair was washed out. She fell asleep almost immediately after the cleaning session and was out cold for the next few hours.

11.30 - Sonia came jogging down the hall, she saw Sara standing in the distance and immediately felt emotional seeing her youngest looking alone, lost and scared. Sara briskly walked up to her and wrapped her arms around her mother and held her so tight. They both broke down and started crying. Sara couldn't let go, she wanted her mom to hold her tight forever and tell her that this was all just a dream, that everything was ok but she didn't…. She just shook with emotion in Sara's arms. "Are you ok Sara?" asked Sonia concerned, she took Sara's face in her hands and looked into her eyes. "Sure mom, I'm fine… Tegan… Tee is…" Sara stumbled over her words. This didn't happen often. "Where's Tegan Sara, show me where to find Tee" asked Sonia. "They've taken her for some tests mom, she'll be back soon. Let me take you to Lindsey" Sara led Sonia by the hand to Tegan's room, Lindsey was sitting on a chair outside and jumped up when she saw Sonia "Sonia! Thank god you're here!" exclaimed Lindsey and hugged Sonia tight. "She's ok Sonia, she's going to be fine. The doctors seem happy with her progress. I think she's feeling a lot better" reported Lindsey Not sounding very convinced. The group moved to the waiting room and was informed a few minutes later by Kate that Tegan's CT scan showed some improvement, she was sleeping now but they could see her. Sonia immediately sprung into full on mom mode and asked Kate a myriad of questions. Kate answered all her questions calmly and with great empathy, she had a bedside manner unequalled in that hospital. Calm, empathetic, gentle.

Sonia walked into her daughter's ICU room trying to be strong. She didn't know what she expected but she did not expect Tegan to look this bad. She had so many machines around her, so many IV lines, her face was pale and her cheeks seemed sunken in. Dark circles around her eyes. The eye with the large bruise around it was swollen, she could see her lips through the mask and they seemed cracked and dry. She gently kissed her on the forehead, stoke her hair and took Tegan's one hand in hers and held it in both of hers. She started crying but shook her head and pulled herself together. Sara was standing next to her and had her hand on her shoulder. She needed to be strong, for Tegan but also for Sara who seemed to desperately be looking for an anchor. "Mommy's here honey, you're gonna be just fine, I promise" said Sonia softly. Tegan opened her eyes… "Mom?" asked Tegan groggily… Talking seemed to take everything she had out of her.

Tegan was so relieved to see her mother... Some days you just need your mommy, it doesn't matter how old you are. She tried her best to communicate with Sonia but everything seemed to hurt when she spoke... and her mouth and her brain seemed to not be on the same page. She made a lot of whimpering sounds before finally being able to get some words out. "Mommy" she smiled weakly… "hey honey, how are you feeling" asked Sonia. Tegan was scared but seeing her mother there calmed her. "Hmmm, ok… I'm ok" mumbled Tegan. "What…. are... you doing here?" asked Tegan in obvious pain, sweat beads started forming on her nose from the effort. "My baby girl is in the hospital, do you really think that ANYTHING would keep me away" said Sonia and kissed the back of Tegan's hand again. I spoke to your Dad and to Bruce and they're both on their way – I tried to stop them from coming but they insisted. "Cool" said Tegan very softly. "Mom…. I'm... so happy ... you're ... here..." said Tegan winded. "I'm right here Tegan. I'm not going anywhere, you just rest and get better ok!" said Sonia smiling although pain was evident on her face. "I'm fine...' mumbled Tegan sleepily... " I'm ok..." she said at the end of the short conversation and felt blackness creep back... she tried to fight it with all her might but her eyelids fell closed and the outside world was switched off.