Two on a Train- chapter 8
The family released their hold on each other and moved over to the waiting area. All they could do was wait for news and try the best they could to comfort one another. After what seemed like an eternity, two doctors came out to see the family. All four sets of eyes were glued to the doctors, their hearts in their throats, their breaths momentarily being held as they braced themselves for the worst news.
"We were able to get her heart started again. Your mother is some fighter. I was almost positive she wasn't coming back but she keeps defying the odds. We are going to take her for another MRI to rule out any internal bleeding and run more bloodwork. They should be down in about 10 minutes to take her for the MRI. If you'd like to see her briefly, you can go in but only one at a time please" said the doctor as they headed back out in the hallway.
The family let out a collective sigh of relief and once again entered into a group hug. They didn't need any discussion between them to know Angela was going to be the one to go in. Tony wheeled her down the hallway and into her room. He adjusted the wheelchair so it was as close to the bed as possible. He leaned down and put a gentle kiss on Angela's forehead before he left the room.
"Oh Mother… I hope you can hear me. I've never been so scared in my entire life. I can't lose you… especially after the last conversation we had before… As usual you were right. You were so right… I've even broken it off with Andy" she said with a slight chuckle, half expecting Mona to sit up and give her an 'I told you so' comment.
"I could really use your advice right now. I think things with Tony are finally getting back on track… maybe even starting something, I don't know. I'm still so confused with everything that's happened, but the one thing I'm sure of is how I don't want to take this family for granted anymore. Things are going to change! I'm not going to work so much and we are going to spend more time as a family more often. If Tony and I do start something, I'm going to need your advice so, as you would put it I 'don't screw it up!'" she said with a smile.
"I'm so sorry I yelled at you. I know it's how we seem to communicate most days, but I still shouldn't have yelled. Please Mother, don't let that be our last conversation. I… I don't know what I'd do without you…" she said as she wiped away tears from her eyes.
Just then, an orderly came to wheel Mona up for her MRI. Tony came back in the room and helped Angela move out of the way as they took Mona for her testing.
"Oh Tony… I'm so scared. How much more can she go through?" she said as she put her hands up to her face and started to cry. Tony came around to her and wrapped his arms around her, gently rubbing her back in the process.
"Oh sweetheart she's such a fighter! Regardless of everything else, she's still here with us. We just have to focus on that…" he said as he slowly pulled back from her, grabbing a hold of her hand.
"Tony… I know this is probably not the time or the place, but it seems like there's always a distraction. While we maybe have a few minutes to ourselves, I think we should talk" she said, still holding onto his hand.
"Are you sure Angela? If you want to wait…" he started to say, but she cut him off.
"I'm sure Tony. If these last twenty four hours have taught me anything, it's that important things shouldn't wait until later. They need to be spoken now. Tony… the conversation I had with Mother on the train was about you… and how I feel about you. My heart was broken last spring when what happened… happened. I thought… I thought you and I had something special, something forever. I was so angry at what happened… at you… but I was also just as angry at myself for not only not telling you how I really felt then, but for all these years we've known each other. She helped me realize I was on the verge of losing you, of losing our friendship. I started telling Mother all this and she just said why was I telling her this and not you. Tony… I…" she started to say before she was interrupted by Tony.
"Angela, I love you!" he practically shouted at her, surprising not just Angela, but Tony too. He got a deer in the headlights look in his eyes as he realized the significance of his words.
"What did you say?" she asked as a smile started to spread across her face.
"I said… I said I love you Angela. I've loved you for a long time. I just… I just allowed my insecurities to get in the way of my heart. Like you said, this whole ordeal has helped me see what's really important. It doesn't matter that we come from different backgrounds, that we are employee/employer. What matters is that you are the most beautiful, amazing, smartest, kindest, most beautiful woman I have ever met and I love you…" he said as he started to wipe away the tears that had started to fall down her face.
"I love you too Tony and it's time I finally said it to you. I love you Tony- I always have and I always will…" she said as she leaned into him, their foreheads touching as their eyes closed. Slowly, they pulled back, Tony leaning in and capturing her lips in a soft, gentle kiss. The kiss soon intensified into a passionate kiss, stronger and more intense than any of their previous kisses. They both finally pulled back, taking a moment to catch their breath. Neither of them moved far away from one another, instead just holding on to each other, looking into each other's eyes.
"There's one small thing I need to do though and I want to do it as soon as possible but I also don't want to leave you right now with everything going on…" he said, hoping he didn't have to voice his need to break up with Kathleen out loud. Thankfully, Angela understood what he was trying to say and gave a slight head nod and squeeze of his hand.
"I know Tony. Just us knowing how we feel about each other and hearing those words from you are enough for now… the rest will come later" she said. Just then, the orderly came back in with Mona.
"Hey Mona! You've gotta wake up soon! As you put it so many times, I got off the dime and I told her how I feel! It felt so good Mona!! Now I need you to tell us… well me… to not screw this up!" he said with a chuckle. Angela reached over and held onto her hand, while Tony put his hands on Angela's shoulders. They sat there for the next half an hour or so until the doctors came back into the room.
"So the MRI results didn't show any additional internal bleeding. We still aren't sure why her heart keeps stopping but we are going to continue to run more tests. Once she is stable, we hope to reverse the medications and try and get her out of the coma. It's still a long road for her but like I said earlier, she's a fighter. We will be back in later this morning to check in on her- if you have any questions, feel free to have us paged" said the doctor as they walked out of the room.
"That's good news Angela! She really is tough as nails! Let me go check on the kids and then I'll send one or both of them in with you" he said as he kissed her and headed out of the room. He found the kids sitting in the same spot they were when Tony left. He updated them about Mona. He told them to head into Mona's room to keep Angela company. He left them and went to find a payphone. He took a deep breath as he dialed a newly familiar number.
"Hi Kathleen it's Tony. No everything is about the same, more or less. Listen… I really wanted to do this in person but I just can't leave here right now with everything as it is. It's just with everything going on, I'm going to have to dedicate all my time to the family, which is not going to give me much time for a relationship I'm afraid. I think you are really a special person and I hope you find someone that can give you all the things I can't…" he said before he was abruptly cutoff.
"No, no! It's just well things have come up and… yes I know that… no it's not that… Angela needs me right now, so does my family, all my family… I know that but if you'd just listen… hello? Hello? Kathleen hello?" he kept asking as he looked at the receiver and heard the beeping of the dial tone. He hung up the phone and shook his head.
"That went as well as I expected…" he said out loud to no one as he walked back down the hallway to Mona's room.
"Everything alright Tony?" asked Angela as he walked back in the room.
"Yes everything is fine… I just had to make a quick phone call" he said as he gave her a knowing look. She understood and couldn't hold back a smile.
"Mrs. Bower? You have some visitors waiting in your room" said a nurse.
"Visitors? I can't imagine who that could be" she said as she was wheeled by Tony out of the room. Jonathan and Samantha stayed behind to spend time with Mona.
As they approached the elevator, Angela took hold of Tony's hand and gently rubbed his knuckles. He in turn rubbed her back and leaned down to kiss her lips. The elevator door soon opened and they headed inside. Once on her floor, they were greeted by Wendy and Isabelle holding a large bouquet of pink roses and a box of gourmet chocolate chip cookies from a local bakery.
"Angela! Are you alright? We were so worried about you! We tried calling you last night but no one would answer our calls!" shouted Wendy.
"How are you feeling Angela? That leg looks like it took quite the nasty hit. Did you break your wrist as well or is it a bad sprain? Any signs of contusions or a concussion?" asked Isabelle in her worried, medical tone of voice.
"I'm fine everyone! I had surgery yesterday and it seems to be healing just fine. It's a bad sprain but nothing is broken thankfully. No signs of any head injuries or anything else serious. My mother's condition is what is concerning. She has had internal bleeding and a broken pelvis. Her… her heart has stopped a few times… but they manage to get her back…" she said as the tears started to fall again. Wendy and Isabelle came over to Angela to console her, taking turns giving her a hug.
"Oh Angela that must have been so horrific! They are saying the conductor fell asleep as he was pulling into the station. How irresponsible!" shouted Wendy.
"Now Wendy before you go crucifying the man, wait and see if he has any underlying medical conditions. So often so many of these accidents on the roads and other places are a result of an underlying condition that is either unknown to the person or not yet diagnosed through no fault of their own" said Isabelle.
"Sorry to interrupt ladies, but I'm going to head back up to Mona. If anything changes Angela, I'll let you" he said as he helped her back into the bed. He leaned down and gave her a quick kiss before heading out of the room. Both Isabelle and Wendy's mouths hung open as they watched the interaction between Tony and Angela.
"Okay now that we know you are alright… you need to spill it! I want all the details! What was that?" said Wendy in a not so quiet voice. Although he was already outside the door, Tony chuckled to himself as he heard Wendy's comment, hoping she wouldn't face too much interrogation.
"Angela aren't you dating Andy? Isn't Tony with that twit from his art class?" asked Isabelle as they both got as close to Angela as possible without Wendy actually being in Angela's lap.
Angela had to laugh at Isabelle's comment about Kathleen. It felt good to laugh, something she didn't know just how much she missed.
"Actually we broke up this morning when he came in to visit. Wow… it seems like more than just a few hours ago! I told him I just didn't have enough time to devote to a relationship right now with everything going on, but I think he knew the real reason…" she said as she smiled.
"And what reason would that be?" asked Wendy sarcastically.
"Tony… the reason is Tony. I'm in love with him and he's in love with me!" she gushed as both Wendy and Isabelle let out shrieks of joy. They jumped up and went over to give her a hug.
"Oh Angela that's wonderful! We've been waiting for you two to get together since that first year on your birthday! It took you both long enough!" laughed Wendy.
"I know… it's been long enough, especially after the past few months nearly tore us apart. Getting together during a crisis may not always be the smartest idea but we are both going to take it slow. He still has to break up with her if he hasn't already done so by now. Our focus is on our family and making sure Mother gets all the help and support she needs to get better. Oh how I wish I could hear her tell me some sarcastic comment right now! In fact, before the crash, the last conversation or I should say argument we had was about Tony. She knew how hurt I was and that I was in love with him but I kept that stupid wall up I've gotten so accustomed to having up since Michael left to try and protect myself. We argued and I knew she was right but I just… anyway… I just hope it's not the last conversation I get to have with her…" she said as tears once again fell down her face.
"Oh Angela… she knows you better than any of us and is all too familiar with that wall you created. And besides… your relationship is built on arguments, witty one liners and down right insults, mostly at your expense!" laughed Isabelle.
"And now that you and Tony are together, she's going to be over the moon excited! I mean she will still make fun of you, that's a given, but think of all the fun you two will have planning the wedding! You know you owe me a matron of honor duty since someone else rejected me…" she said as she glared at Isabelle.
"Slow down there Wendy! They just got together! You're marrying them off already? You have names picked out for their kids too?" joked Isabelle.
Angela couldn't help but laugh along with her two best friends. Her mind was never far from worrying about her mother, but she allowed herself to enjoy the lightheartedness of the conversation and even got excited about the idea of marrying Tony and even having children with him one day.
Just then, Angela's doctor came in to check on how she was doing. Wendy and Isabelle hugged her goodbye and made their way out of the room, promising to check up on her over the next few days.
"How are you feeling Angela? Any pain, headaches, chills or fever?" her doctor asked as she took Angela's vitals and jotted down some notes.
"The pain in my leg is still there but the medication is helping. It mostly hurts when I have to get up and down. Any ideas when I can be discharged?" asked Angela.
"Your leg is healing quite nicely. If everything stays as is, I could see you being discharged the day after tomorrow. You are going to need a lot of help when you get home. I am going to make a referral for an in home nurse to come visit you daily to make sure you are healing properly followed by physical therapy once you are cleared to do so. You will need to get plenty of rest. Are you able to take some time off of work or work from home?" she asked.
"Yes I can work from home. I'm not sure I'll ever feel comfortable commuting on a train again so if I have to drive in it will be a while I suppose. I'll have plenty of help from my… husband so that won't be a problem" she said, almost forgetting Tony's unofficial title since this whole thing started. She smiled as she wondered if and when that title might become official.
"Okay I will be back in later today to check on you again" said the doctor as she walked out of the room. Tony, Samantha and Jonathan walked back into the room, passing the doctor on her way out.
"Everything go okay Angela?" asked Tony as he sat on the edge of her bed. Samantha and Jonathan pulled up two chairs and sat down.
"Yes! I should be discharged the day after tomorrow. The doctor is putting in a referral for an in home nurse as well as physical therapy once I'm healed. She wants me to take it easy and work from home for a while once I feel up to it. She didn't mention stairs but I'm hoping I can navigate up them to at least sleep in my bed- despite what you two said earlier that sofa is not the most comfortable to sleep in!" she laughed as she looked over at Samantha and Jonathan.
"Eh oh, oh eh! We will make it work! I'll carry you upstairs if I have to! Or we turn your office into a makeshift bedroom. Either way we will figure out something! I'm glad she told you to take it easy and work from home. I had this vision of having to barricade the front door to stop you from leaving!" chuckled Tony.
"No Tony that won't be an issue I promise! Figuring out how I'm getting back and forth to the hospital with this leg is going to be the real challenge" she said.
"We will help you Angela. The days that Dad has class or can't do it I will drive you" said Samantha.
"Yeah and I'll help you too. I'll help around the house and anything else that you need" said Jonathan.
"See that Angela! Families stick together!" said Tony as he leaned over and kissed her gently on the lips. Jonathan and Samantha smiled at one another with a look of happiness, relief and some hope for the first time since yesterday morning.