“Okay thank you.” I shook Dr. Weston’s hand and my mom and I strolled back to my room.
The fan was always blasting in Dr. Greb’s office. It was November and he still had air circulating in the room. I assumed it had something to do with his desire for everything to be sterile.
“Alright. All the important people are here so let’s discuss!” Dr. Grebs smiled. His teeth were so shiny white they almost blinded me. I looked over at Gia. She was trying to count all the plaques he had displayed on the wall. That would take her all day.
“So the good news is Dr. Weston and I ordered some Chinese last night and spent a lot of time reviewing everything we possibly could about you Ms. Sutton.”
“We’re basically experts now.” Dr. Weston added as he raised his eyebrows up and down.
“The good news is we can assure you that you received the best care we could have given you while you were in this hospital. We ran all the tests necessary, we monitored you closely and it can be confirmed that you have, for sure, been in a coma for the past few months.” Dr. Grebs said. “So we can all breathe a sigh of relief about that.”
“We’re going to be honest with you all. We are unsure how it’s possible that some of the events Sutton remembered, lined up with actual events that occurred.” Dr. Weston said. “And as I said before, it's more than likely Sutton was basically dreaming about these experiences she had with Luke. In some instances, she may have subconsciously heard people discussing things around her. I know it can complicate things, raise questions, and possibly make things confusing but we should think of it in the most positive way possible.”
“Sutton is okay. She’s here with us. Her brain was showing obvious signs of strength even while she was in the comma.” Dr. Grebs added. “And she is about ready to go back to living a normal life.”
“A normal life?” My dad said. “Like outside of the hospital?” Both of the doctors nodded.
“We would like Sutton to finish off the week here so we can run a few last tests, evaluate her both physically and mentally and then she can go home.”
“Oh my gosh that’s great news!” my mom threw her arm around me and rubbed my back. Her smile was giant and genuine.
“Will she be okay to travel with us to Coopersville for Thanksgiving?” As soon as I heard the word Coopersville my heart skipped a beat.
“Once she is released from our care, all we need is for you to set up consultations with a physical therapist and psychologist. Otherwise, she can resume her normal activities. Sutton, I wouldn’t go home and go skydiving but you got a second chance at life and I would take advantage of it.” Both of the Doctors stood up and shook all of our hands walking us to the door.
..
“I’m getting out of here!” I screamed into my cell phone.
“You are?” I could hear the hope in Reagan’s voice. “Sutton! I need to see you like yesterday.”
“We’re going to Coopersville for Thanksgiving with Aunt Helen before we head home.” Reagan paused for a minute. I looked around my room. My mom, dad, and Gia were nowhere to be found.
“Okay, Reagan I know this is going to sound crazy but-”
“You want to find Luke right?” she cut me off.
“Yes,” I said. A few seconds of silence consumed the line. “I know it sounds crazy Reagan but I know him. I know him better than I know a lot of people and I need to figure out if he’s really who I think he is.”
“I don’t think it’s a bad idea.” She replied. “I just don’t want you to get hurt. You have to remember that you could be let down. You probably will be. Even if he’s willing to get to know you, you don’t know him as well as you think you do.”
I felt someone’s gaze fixed on me. I looked over to the doorway where my mom had apparently been standing for at least the end of my conversation with Reagan.
“Fuck,” I mumbled into the phone monitor. “I got to go Reagan. I love you. I’ll see you soon.”
My mom didn’t say anything she just came over and sat at the edge of my bed looking at me.
“Mom I just... I know him. I need to see him in person. I need to talk to him. If I get out of here on Sunday we have three days before it’s even Thanksgiving. Just give me those few days to try my best to see him then I promise if it doesn’t work out I’ll let it go. Dr.Weston even told me to take advantage of my second chance at life.”
My mom lifted her hand and put it on mine. She gave it a little squeeze. “I love you more than words can describe Sutton and I am so glad you are here and you are okay. I want you to run it by Dr. Weston, but if it’s okay with him, it’s okay with me.” I grabbed her and pulled her into an embrace.
..
Dr. Weston sat in front of me for our last meeting before I got discharged. He had a perfectly outlined side part and his hair was slicked to one side. He wore a light blue button-up under his white coat and a red polka dot bow tie.
“Okay, so. Normally I’m asking you the questions but I’m wondering if you have any questions for me before you go out into the real
