Chapter 11
"The Truth is in my Hands"
Annie woke the next morning with a start as pain began erupting from her head. As she startled awake, the usual panic began to come as her eyes opened to complete darkness. Waking up in a void of nothing was something she just couldn't get used to. It had been almost a year since Africa, but she still woke in a panic when Silke was not there to comfort her. This morning, August was there when she woke.
"Good morning Annie, you're okay. I'm right here. You're in the hospital. How do you feel? Do you need me to get the nurse?" He said calmly as she struggled to orient herself to her surroundings.
"August?" She replied.
"Yes. Are you okay? You seemed to wake rather abruptly there." Auggie asked coming over from the right side of the room where he had been sleeping.
"Just a headache. I guess a mild concussion will do that to ya." She said as she turned her head to where he now stood. "Have Joan or Danielle got back?
"Joan is still in DC, she will be back in the morning. Danielle came back late in the evening, she checked on you, but you were already asleep. It's the middle of the night, you've been asleep for 10 hours. I sent her to the hotel. But she left you a surprise."
"A surprise?" Annie questioned.
"Yeah." Auggie said, "Do you mind if I-?" He asked hovering over her hand. "Do you mind if I move your hand to guide you to it?"
"Sure, that would be helpful." Annie asked glad he had asked before just grabbing her hand.
Carefully, he picked up her uninjured hand and brought it to the anxious furry animal sitting beside the bed. "She hasn't taken her eyes off of you since Danielle brought her in a couple hours ago."
"Silke!" Annie exclaimed excitedly as she explored her dog's features as if for the first time.
"I've missed you so much." Annie said to the dog as Silke carefully brought her front paws on the bed so Annie could reach her better. Silke seemed to understand that Annie was injured and she couldn't do the normal things she would with her. As Silke licked Annie's hand Auggie couldn't help but notice how happy Annie was. The smile on her face was one he had not seen since he met her. He was glad to be able to see this side of Annie. As Annie had a moment with her dog, Auggie watched quietly.
"Is her food and water here?" Annie said after a few minutes.
"Yeah, it's in the corner here with her bed, toys, and treats. Danielle brought everything Sill might need."
Annie laughed, "Silke."
"What?" Auggie asked confused.
"Her name is Silke. It's German. It means heavenly." Annie answered him with a smile.
"Oh, well, I guess you're the language expert. How'd you come up with the name?"
"I don't really know. The first time I met her, she brought an instant peace to me. At the time, I had just finished rehab and I wasn't even sure I wanted a guide dog, but the instant we met I knew she was the dog for me. Silke just came to me and it seems to have stuck."
"How long have you had her?" Auggie asked curious
"Ummm, let's see. I got her in August last year. So just over 6 months." Annie replied still rubbing her dog. Auggie was amazed that Annie seemed so happy. Despite everything she'd been through, this dog just brought her peace.
Annie really was happy right now. For the first time since Africa, she was comfortable with a man being alone with her in a room. She couldn't explain why, but she trusted August. Not completely, but more than she did even her brother-in-law, Michael. Maybe it was the fact that he had to be there since she might need protecting or that she had been the one to come get her from this latest kidnapping, but she really did trust him.
"August, could you do something for me?" Annie asked slightly uncertain.
"Of course." Auggie answered coming over to the bed next to her.
"Would you mind taking Silke for a walk for me? I know you said it's late, but if she's been here for a few hours and hasn't been potty, I don't want her to be uncomfortable, she won't do her business inside."
"Sure thing, will you be okay by yourself for a few minutes? Or should I get a nurse?" Auggie asked not really wanting to leave her alone.
"I'll be fine. When you get back there's something I'd like to talk about." Annie said confusing Auggie.
As Silke got off the bed, Annie felt the bed shift and immediately missed the weight Silke had provided beside her.
"Come on girl, let's go for a walk." Auggie said as he put Silke's leash on. "Hey she seems to like me. Her tail is wagging."
Annie smiled. "Thanks for telling me that."
"Oh?" He paused then said "Of course!" Realizing that she would have no way of knowing that her dog's tail was silently wagging unless he told her so. He made a mental note to try to tell her when things were happening around her.
As she heard the room door open and close again, Annie sighed then cringed as her broken bones made themselves known to her again with the slight movement. As she sat thinking, she moved slightly to get into a more comfortable position. Each movement pained her, but she was grateful for the small moves as well. They told her that she was still in control of those functions. She could still move her legs and arms (despite one of each being in a cast or brace). She could hear perfectly and had sensation in the hand she could move freely.
As she continued laying there she became more determined in her resolve to tell August what she needed to say. This was in her hands now. She needed to be able to control it.
When Auggie returned with Silke he asked "Do you want her with you again or on her bed?"
"On her bed for now." Annie replied again surprising him with the accuracy she could direct her face towards him.
"Can I get you anything?" He asked as he walked towards the bed presumable after putting Silke on her bed.
"I could use some water." She admitted.
"Certainly. I watched Danielle earlier when she was giving you water, is that how I should do it this time too?" Auggie asked a little uncertain whether to just give her the cup or assist her.
"That will be fine, normally I'd be fine to drink, but straws tend to move and I really don't want to have to hunt for it or worse spill the water."
"I understand. I don't think you're incapable." Auggie admitted.
"But you did, right?" Annie questioned
"Yes, you're right. I did. I've learned since then and I know you'll continue to surprise me with your abilities." He answered as he poured water into a Styrofoam cup.
"I'm bringing the straw up to your lips" Auggie said. Annie leaned her head forward slightly and readied her lips as the straw touched her lips she drank slowly from the cup as he patiently waited for her to finish. Numerous sips later, she leaned back against the pillow again.
"Need more?" he asked.
"No, I'm good for now. I have something I'd like to talk with you about if you're up for it. I have no clue what time it is or if you've been able to sleep."
"It's 3am, but I've had a few hours' sleep. We can talk about anything you want to for as long as you're up for it. I want you to feel like you can trust me. I understand that takes time." Auggie told her. He wasn't sure what she wanted to talk about, but he certainly didn't want to deter her from wanting to talk to him in the least.
"Well, first of all, could I ask you for something a bit strange?"
"Anything."
"Could I hold your hand while we talk?" Annie asked unsure of how he would take the question. She explained further. "It's just, if I can touch someone while I talk to them, it makes them seem more real. I know you're not a floating voice in the room, but it helps to feel like you're really here if I can touch you since I can't see you."
"Of course you can!" Auggie said glad she was willing to let him touch her since they were alone. "You don't have to explain yourself to me if you don't want to either."
"Well, I kinda do. The more you know about my disability and how it affects me, the better we will get along in next few weeks and months."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense. I'll grab the chair from the corner and bring it closer to the bed while we talk." Auggie said as Annie heard his footsteps go around the bed. Annie took a slow deep breath in and ten exhaled just as slowly. This is in your hands, Annie. She thought to herself as the chair Auggie moved scraped against the floor as it was moved.
As he sat down and pulled the chair closer to the bed, he said "I'm going to take your hand now." Annie was surprised at how big his hand felt around hers as she allowed her hand to be clasped into his. It was more comforting than she could explain to have this connection. She typically only did this with Danielle, but she knew now that she had to trust someone. She needed Auggie's protection and he would need to know what to do when certain things happened, how to treat her, and what to expect. But most importantly, he needed to know the truth behind how she went blind.
"August, have you been told anything about my blindness?" Annie started.
"No, I figured if you wanted me to know, you would tell me. Otherwise, it isn't my business how it happened." Auggie stated honestly. He had been curious, but he didn't want to bring it up.
"I think you need to know the truth. I found out yesterday that Joan knows the truth."
"What do you mean the truth? Is it something you lie about?" Auggie asked perplexed.
"Actually, yes it is. But let me explain. This is something I and only I should tell you." Annie stated. She was determined that this was what had to be done. If he would be spending time with her, he needed to understand everything. She of course would get around to telling Danielle as well, but having lied to her for almost a year, she knew that would be a more delicate conversation to navigate.
Author's Note: More updates coming. Please review if you can.
