I knew that meant something very important was to be told or happening.
"Yes, I understand. You're absolutely correct. Please do make those arrangements," Grandmother Emma said. "Thank you.
She hung up and looked thoughtful for a moment. "It will be some time before we learn the full extent of your mother's brain injuries," she began. "When she emerges from her coma, we will see what we will see and know what has to be done.
"Until then, I'm having her moved to a hospital that specializes in this sort of thing and where there are well-known specialists in the field. A good friend of mine, Dr. Samuel Blakely, has made arrangements for your mother to be transferred to the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia,"
"When?" Ian asked quickly.
"As soon as it can be arranged. Your father will remain here until he is stabilized and then he, too, will be moved to a hospital that specializes in his condition. He will be involved in a long recuperation that will involve therapy. There is much to be done and little time to waste now," she added.
"When will we see Mama again?" I asked.
"There is little point to seeing her until she emerges from the coma."
She looked at her watch. "I'll let you go in again. Jordan, if you promise, swear, and cross your heart that you won't cry and act like a child when you're asked to leave. Well?"
"I promise," I said quickly. "Ian?"
He looked at me. "I'm not going in again," he said. "It doesn't make a difference right now. Grandmother Emma is right.'
"No, she's not," I said, firmly disagreeing with him for the first time in a long time. "She can hear us. The nurse told me she could."
He just shrugged.
I got up quickly.
"I'll speak with the nurse first," Grandmother Emma said.
I followed her down the corridor to the door of the ICU. She told me to wait outside and she went in. I looked back and saw Ian standing with his hands in his pockets and gazing out the window. He turned as if he felt my eyes on him and looked at me. Then he looked out the window again.
Grandmother Emma stepped out. "You have five minutes. Jordan, and then you must leave with me. Do you understand?'"
I nodded.
She opened the door and I walked in again. The nice nurse smiled at me and I smiled back. I looked in at Daddy. He was still moaning and moving his head softly, but his eyes were closed. I felt so sorry for him, especially since he didn't know how terrible things were for him. He looked like he had won a place forever in my worst nightmares.
I took Mama's hand in mine as soon as I stepped up to her bed. "Mama. I'm back, but I can't stay here long. They're taking you to another hospital where they'll make you better faster. Grandmother Emma says I won't see you until you wake up. Please, try to wake up soon. I need to talk to you, okay?
"I won't forget to take my medicine. I promise, but I need you to help me with other things as soon as you can. Okay?"
I waited, hoping and praying she would open her eyes and smile at me and all would be better. Daddy would get better quickly, too, and everyone would forgive everyone else. I stroked her arm softly and kissed her hand and pressed my head against her upper arm and shoulder, and then I stroked her hair and whispered in her ear.
"Please wake up, Mama. Please."
Out of the corner of my eye. I saw the nice nurse starting toward me so I kissed Mama on the cheek. I thought a moment and kissed her again. "That's for Ian," I said. and squeezed her hand softly before I let go.
I stood there staring at her face, but her lips didn't even tremble. Then, without being asked. I turned and started out and stopped when I
remembered something.
I hurried back, opened Mama's hand, and put the box of her favorite candy in it, closing her fingers around it.
When I stepped out of the ICU. Ian was there in the hallway waiting by himself. Grandmother Emma was on the phone again in the waiting room.
"Well?" he said. "I was right, right? She didn't wake up and she didn't know you were there.'
"Maybe not, but I left her a box of her favorite candy."