As my alarm went off at 5AM, I woke in a comfortable bed with birds serenading me outside my bedroom window. 'My bedroom'? Wow, one night and I was already feeling comfortable. It suddenly occurred to me what a hypocrite I was being.
As far as I know, Wam offered all of this of his own free will. I should be grateful and look for ways to make it up to him. The last thing I should do is act like a bitch and hang up on him. I threw my forearm over my eyes and groaned, "ugh." I began to feel guilty as I thought it over. I so owed Wam an apology. Before I could overthink it, I sent off an apology text to Wam.
Kynlee: Wam, please accept my apology for being such a bitch last night. I appreciate everything you've done for me. Above all else, your friendship and support means the most, and I'm so sorry the stress is getting to me. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I hope you are well and your sister and nephew are improving.
It didn't take more than a few minutes for dots to appear on the screen to signify Wam was typing. My phone beeped to signify I had a new text.
Dr. Wam Teton: There is nothing to forgive. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. No more secrets. I'm on my way to the hospital shortly to check on Wanda and Halian. Thank you for your kind words.
Kynlee: Kind words are the least I can do for everything you're doing to help me. If you're still able to come Friday evening, let me know approximately what time you'll arrive and I'll try to have a meal ready and meet you at the house.
Dr. Wam Teton: That's a nice offer, but you don't have to do that. I'm sure you're busy with Kedron. I should be there by 7PM, but again not necessary.
Kynlee: Barring any emergencies, I will have supper ready at 7PM. Have a great day Wam. Take care of yourself. (Hugs)
Wam: I'm going to visit Wanda, then Hal, do rounds quickly, then I'll be in surgery the rest of the day. If there's an emergency, call the hospital operator. Otherwise I'll text you tonight. Hope you have a blessed day Kynlee!
'A blessed day', what a sweet guy. Again I couldn't help but wonder why he was alone and not married with a family. Dr. Wam Teton is handsome, smart, successful, and had been so caring toward me and Kedron. He was certainly a mystery I needed to find out more about.
Deciding to try to put Wam out of my head, I rolled back the covers, swung my feet over the side of the bed, and stretched my arms in the air. As I padded into the bathroom to shower, I realized I felt more refreshed than I had since before Kedron's accident. As the shower heated up, I couldn't help but notice in the mirror that the dark bags under my eyes were less. Maybe there was some truth to the term, 'beauty sleep', after all?
I enjoyed the warm water that sluiced over my skin as I stood under the spray. It felt so good. I washed up with the products that were in the shower stall, but it reminded me I needed to pack and move my and Kedron's things from our apartment before the end of the month. I began to think of all the things I needed to do before the end of the month. I needed to give our landlord notice, call the utilities, cancel internet and cable, forward our mail, and a whole bunch of other things I hadn't even thought of yet. The rejuvenated feeling I felt after my text conversation with Wam was slowly disappearing. In its place my chest and shoulders was feeling tight and I no longer felt like smiling when I thought of 'beauty sleep'.
After drying off and wrapping a towel around my hair and body, I moved into my bedroom and put on another new outfit. Tonight I should probably wash a load of clothes. Looking at the time on my cell phone, I ran a brush through my hair, threw it back in a ponytail, and headed down to the kitchen. As I walked into the kitchen I was startled by a gray haired lady standing at the sink, filling the coffee pot and looking out the window. I could just barely hear her humming over the running water. So as not to startle her as well, I announced myself before entering from the doorway, "hello?"
The short, plump little lady turned around with a smile and coffee carafe in hand. She looked me over from head to toe as said cheerily, "good morning. I was just making coffee if you're interested?" She moved over to the Keurig, added water and a coffee pod and started it heating.
"Hi, I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. Coffee would be lovely though, thank you!" I sauntered over to the entryway and slipped my tennis shoes on while the coffee brewed. I grabbed my coat off the coat rack and turned to go back to the kitchen. There was a travel mug of fresh coffee on the counter next to the coffee machine and it was already brewing another cup.
Without turning around from wiping the counters, the smiling lady said, "I took the liberty of putting it in a travel mug so you can take it with you. You'll have to add whatever you want to it."
I walked over to the cup, like the fresh brewed smell was pulling me along. When I was standing next to her busy body, I replied, "thank you. You didn't have to do that."
She looked at me with a smile, "you are most welcome. I'm Agatha Wallace." She wiped her right hand on her apron and held it out to me. "I'm Dr. Teton's housekeeper. It's nice to meet you."
I wiped my hand on my jeans before shaking her hand, "I'm Kynlee Knutson. Thank you for the coffee.... and the introduction. I didn't know Wam had a housekeeper Mrs. Wallace."
A light laugh escaped her mouth as she finished wiping the counter and she turned toward me, "Ms. Knutson, please call me Aggie. Pretty much everyone does. I've worked for Dr. Teton for more than two years now. He is a wonderful man. I feel blessed to know him."
Unsure how to respond, I put the cover on the travel cup. I looked back over and saw her studying me. "Please, call me Kynlee. I'm sorry but I must be off to the hospital so I can be there for rounds. It was great to meet you Aggie. Thank you again for the coffee." I lifted my cup slightly in a 'cheers' gesture.
Aggie smiled in return and nodded. As I turned to leave, she called my name, "Kynlee?" causing me to turn back. "It got cool enough to cause dew last night. The front porch steps get slippery when wet, so please use caution."
I smiled, nodded, and went out the door. Just as Aggie had said, the steps were slightly slick, so I took care as I descended them. I was glad I put on a jacket, because it was a rather cool late summer, early fall morning. I started the car, cleared the dew from the windshield, and made my way through the morning traffic to the hospital. It was a few minutes after 6AM as I parked once more in the VIP parking as Wam had told me was acceptable. I received a few intrigued looks from other VIP parkers, a few smiles and a wave, but no one questioned my parking there like Dr. Adams had the day before. I meandered through the garage to the hospital, and finally to my brother's room in the ICU.
Kedron was of course still in the hospital bed with tubes and wires going in all directions, but his color looked more normal than yesterday. I was hoping that meant he was improving. I noted his vital signs on the monitor were within normal range. I've learned so much the last few days. Before Friday I would have had no clue what normal or abnormal was. Now I know enough to understand what is preferable and what is worrisome. I approached Kedron's bed, took his hand, and kissed his left cheek. "Good morning Kedron. I got up and showered already and your butt is still asleep in bed."
Of course there was no response, but I couldn't help but wish he had greeted me or teased me in return. I glanced over in the corner and saw Nurse Nancy was here again today. She saw my gaze shift to her and smiled, "good morning Kynlee. You look more rested this morning."
I smiled weakly in return, "I slept a little better. Thank you. How was Kedron's night?"
Nurse Nacy stayed at the computer but answered my question, "he seemed to have an okay night. No more surprises and his temperature is down to 99.5, so that's a great sign. No culture results yet, but the broad spectrum antibiotics seem to be doing something. We continued the respiratory treatments, medications via nebulizer, repositioning, and suctioning during the night. So far so good, but of course his condition remains critical. Kedron is a fighter though, for sure."
At that moment I remembered something our mom always used to say and couldn't help but remind him. "Kedron, remember what Mom used to say? She used to tell us that she hoped someday we would use our stubbornness for something positive. You remember that? Well K, this is your time to put that stubbornness to good use. You have to fight to pull through this. You are one of the strongest willed people I've ever met, so I know you can do this too." I stroked the back of his hand with my thumb as I held it.
Dr. Adams apparently was off today, but the hospitalist led the rounding residents. The decision was made to cut Kedron's sedating medicine in half again like they had done once when the pneumonia first developed. If all went well, they would run tests tonight and possibly shut it off completely tomorrow, so Kedron could wake up when he was ready. I became excited, but was set straight that even though the sedating medications are turned off, his body won't wake until it's ready. It could be minutes, days, years, or in extreme cases, never. I was trying to stay positive like Wam had told me, to encourage Kedron. Before I knew it, it was nearing supper time and my stomach was growling for food. Knowing I had clothes to wash tonight, I decided to head for home and get a few things accomplished before bed.
I kissed Kedron's cheek and whispered, "I love you big brother. I'll see you tomorrow morning." Turned toward Nurse Nancy who was perched on a stool by the computer, I exited with, "have a good night Nurse Nancy. Thanks again for your care and patience."
At my thanks, Nurse Nancy smiled and replied, "you are most welcome Kynlee. Sleep well."
I thanked her and left for home... err Wam's cabin for the night. I made myself a sandwich and lettuce salad and sat momentarily on the couch to watch the local news. I'd relax a few minutes and then wash a load of clothes and head to bed. I leaned back on the overstuffed couch after finding a local channel, and fell asleep.