Christmas Eve - Morning and Afternoon

Shane opened her eyes. She was lying on the sofa. She must have fallen asleep after all. She smelled coffee and blueberry muffins. The clock on the wall read 7:00 a.m. She pushed back the blanket, stood up and headed for the kitchen.

"Good morning," Chris said as Shane entered. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"I'm not really hungry."

"I know, but you should still try and eat something."

"I need to get ready for work."

"Do you have to go into work today?"

"This is the final day of the 'Dear Santa' project. I need to help Rita and Norman."

"What time can you call the hospital?"

"I'm not going to call. I'll stop there on my way to work."

Chris took the pans of muffins from the oven and placed them on the counter.

"I'll be back down in a few minutes," Shane told her.

Shane took a quick shower, dried her hair and applied her makeup. She reached into the closet and pulled out the first outfit her hands touched. Black pants with black tasseled belt, sleeveless black top and brown checked jacket with black, brown and white trim. She'd worn these clothes the day she and Oliver sat in the hospital chapel following his and Joe's rescue from El Dorado Canyon, but this time, Oliver was hurt and in the hospital, and might not . . . . No! She refused to think about that. She dressed quickly, slipped on her black heels and returned to the kitchen.

Chris sat a plate of muffins on the table.

"Just coffee, Mom."

"How about if I put some in a bag and you take them with you?"

"That's fine. Norman and Rita will enjoy them."

"Shane, you need to eat. Not taking care of yourself isn't going to help Oliver."

Shane finished her coffee.

"I'll have a muffin when I get to work. I promise."

Chris looked doubtful, but she handed Shane the bag.

"Call me as soon as you can."

"I will. Good bye, Mom. See you tonight."

Shane walked out of the hospital elevator and headed for Oliver's room. The door was closed. She knocked and opened the door. Before she could enter, a nurse shook her head and gestured for Shane to follow her.

"My name is Carol. I will be Oliver's nurse today. You're Shane?"

"Yes."

"Dr. Carlson is examining Oliver now. Please wait in the family lounge. He'll come and talk to you as soon as he's finished."

Shane walked to the lounge and sat down on the edge of a chair, but stood up again a moment later. She began to pace. Five minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20. What was Dr. Carlson doing that took so long?

She stopped and looked out the window.

"I'll wait 10 more minutes, and if he doesn't come, I'm going back to Oliver's room," she said to herself.

"Miss McInerney."

Shane turned. The doctor extended his hand.

I'm Dr. Carlson."

Shane shook hand.

"How is he?"

"All the test were negative. His vital signs are good..."

"but he's still unconscious," Shane finished.

"Yes."

"Why isn't he waking up?"

"He will. He did sustain a large contusion on the back of his head. He may just need a little more time to recover. Please try not to worry. I'll check on him again this afternoon."

Shane reached into her purse, pulled out her business card, and handed it to him.

"My cell number is on the card. I want to be called the minute he opens his eyes."

"Of course. Please excuse me; I need to continue my rounds."

Shane walked slowly back to Oliver's room. She just stood in the doorway. He hadn't moved since last night.

She squared her shoulders and walked over to the bed. She bent over, slid her arms underneath his chest, and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Oliver, please wake up. Do you hear me? You need to wake up. Open your eyes, Oliver. Please, open your eyes."

Shane raised her head. Nothing. His eyes remained closed.

Carol walked into the room.

"I need to change the bedding."

Shane stood up.

"I need to leave for work anyway."

She leaned over again and kissed Oliver's forehead.

"I love you," she whispered into his ear.

"I'll be back around six," she told Carol.

"I'll be here," Carol assured her.

"How is he?" Rita asked as soon as Shane pushed open the door to the DLO.

"The same."

"He isn't awake?"

"No."

Shane's lower lip trembled. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Rita, I'm so scared. I'm so scared he may never..."

Shane couldn't finish the sentence.

"Don't think like that," Norman said.

"I'm trying."

Shane set coffee and the bag of muffins on the table. She took a tissue from her purse and wiped her cheeks.

"I brought breakfast."

Norman opened the bag and sniffed appreciatively.

"Blueberry muffins." He handed one to Rita, one to Shane and took one for himself.

Shane still didn't feel like eating, but she didn't want to upset Rita and Norman. She pulled the paper off the muffin and broke off a piece. She put it into her mouth, then lifted the coffee cup and took a swallow. She had to force herself to finish the muffin, but by the time she did, she felt a little better and ready to turn her attention to the duties of the day.

"Let's get to work," she said.

She reached into her purse and pulled out her laptop. Rita handed her a large stack of letters with incomplete or incorrect addresses. Shane lifted the first one from the pile and keyed the inquiry. Rita and Norman resumed examining and organizing the remaining letters.

Shane looked at the clock. It was just a few minutes before noon.

"Finished," she said, handing the last letter to Rita.

"Hopefully that's it," Rita said. "If we get any more this afternoon, Norman and I can handle them."

"Are you sure?" Shane asked.

"We're sure," Norman assured her. "Go on. We know you want to be with Oliver."

Shane bit her lip and brushed a tear from her cheek. "Dr. Carlson promised to call me if Oliver woke up, so I guess he hasn't."

Rita and Norman put their arms around her.

"We're having dinner with Norman's family tonight, but please call us if there's any change," Rita told Shane.

"I will. You are coming to the service tomorrow?"

"You're going to the service?"

"Of course. Oliver would want us to go."

"He would. We'll be there," Rita promised.

Shane pulled on her coat, picked up her purse, and left.

Shane stepped out of the elevator and saw that the door to Oliver's room was closed again.

"What now?" she asked herself. She walked quickly down the hall and knocked on the door.

Carol opened the door. "Good afternoon, Shane."

"What's wrong? Why was the door closed?"

"I just checked his vitals. He's stable."

Shane started pacing. "He's stable. That's all everyone keeps telling me, but no one can tell me why he doesn't wake up."

"He will."

"How can you be sure?"

"I've seen cases like this before. I'll be back later this afternoon. If there's any change, press the call button. I'm going to lunch. Can I get you anything before I go?"

"No, thank you."

Shane took off her coat, pulled a chair next to the bed, and sat down. She reached out and took Oliver's hand in hers. He didn't move.

Shane sat there holding his hand the entire afternoon. She talked to him from time to time, but that did absolutely no good. He lay still and silent on the bed.

Just before 5, Carol and Susan came in.

"Shift change in about an hour," Carol told Shane. "Can you step out for a few minutes?"

Shane stood up and pulled on her coat. "I'll just go. Nothing I've tried makes any difference."

"Please don't be discouraged," Carol said.

"It's getting difficult," Shane whispered.

"I know." Carol patted Shane's hand.

"I'll be back first thing in the morning."

"Try to get some rest."

"I'll try."

Shane walked out the door and headed for the elevators.