Billy sat in his cell on the metal toilet bouncing his rubber sandaled foot off the concrete floor. He had read all the scrapings on the walls three times today already. Wondering how they accomplished the writing. He looked at his nails, they were bitten to the quick, as they have been all his life. He was an only child to the almighty John LeMoine. He is an Attorney for several big oil companies that did business in the area. Billy was, to his disappointment, not smart enough to go to law school, not as tall, not as handsome, not someone to be proud of his entire life. He should have picked a better mother for his offspring. She was short, kind of dumb and not very good looking, what did he expect?
Setting his sights on Tomorrow in college Billy worked his ass off to win her affection. And slowly tore her down to his level. Using all the put downs his father used on him seemed to have worked slowly. How dare she leave him; how dare she have the willpower to walk away? Something he could never do to his father. She was way better than he was, and she was not good enough for his father. He was always on his butt to get rid of her. Now that he has, he is screwed again. The mighty LeMoine's son is going to prison; he knows he has screwed up big time.
He hopes it may only be a few years. She hasn't died yet. Last he heard she was holding her own still in a coma. A tear slid down his cheek he had loved her. She was good to him, fantastic in bed, always a willing participant. But his father's constant harping wore him down and he ended up treating Tomorrow like crap. He knows he had pushed her away, and when she left, he couldn't stand the idea of her going on without him. That some other man could have what was his. He was her first lover, he taught her everything she knows, and she knows a lot. He hasn't taken advantage of that knowledge lately, but she was good.
He started thinking about fucking her and his friend began to rise right there on the toilet. Tears rolled faster he was a fool. He should have taken her and moved far away from everyone. He knows Tomorrow would have gone with him. Her family drove her crazy as much as his family did him.
The weeks went by, and Tomorrow slept on. They took the coma inducing medication away a week after the operation. The pressure on her brain was good; they felt it was safe, but she slept on. Her hair was sprouting back with a quarter inch of soft blond fuzz that covered the side of her head where they shaved her. She looked like a rock star. Short on one side and long on the other except the angry looking scar that accompanied it. It was curved around her scalp as if to follow the contour of her skull.
Plans to move her to an extended care facility has everyone upset. Doctor Kennard was one of the bitterest complainers. He never verbalized his concerns to the family he had no right to. He threw things in the doctor's lounge expressing his frustration to the walls.
Her family would do what they thought was best for her. He spent every spare moment with Tomorrow as long as no one else was there. Early morning was best for him. He would sit and talk to her. He would tell her his dreams about how he could be the love of her life. If she would wake up and give him a chance.
Unbeknownst to him, Officer Gentry Strickland came and spent thirty minutes to an hour telling her his dreams professing his love during his lunch. Neither knew the other's desire, but they poured out their hearts to their sleeping beauty almost daily. Willing her to come back to them with each visit.
The men from the ambulance service came to move Tomorrow. The halls were lined with friends and family. They all wanted to see her one last time knowing the place they were sending her to would likely lead to her death. Lack of care usually killed them off quickly.
Doctor Kennard stood vigil over the process. They collected up the sheets from each side of the bed, pulling the bedding tight as they lifted her, shifting Tomorrow to the gurney. Kennard's heart broke knowing that they were taking her away. All his hopes and dreams are dying. She was not waking up. He couldn't have a life with someone asleep and unresponsive.
Tucking her in and strapping her down Peggy clutched a tissue to her chest and whimpered softly as Yesterday and Today clung to her side. Brice stood behind them praying as usual, Kennard could see his lips moving; hoping whatever he was saying would work.
They pushed her toward the door and heard, "Where am I going," came softly garbled from the gurney, a voice they all knew.
Doctor Kennard grabbed the Medics arm. "Wait," he excitedly announced. Pulling them back so he could see her. She lifted her hand as far as the straps would allow. Reaching for her he grasped her hand. "Am I going home?" She asked just above a whisper.
"Well, that was not the plan. How are you feeling?" Doctor Kennard asked.
"Weak but otherwise good," Tomorrow said with surprisingly good diction. Her family crowded around to hear her talking. Kennard backed away and saw Officer Strickland standing smiling in the hallway.
"Doctor Kennard she can't go now, can she?" Peggy asked everyone looking at him.
"NO; other plans have to be made. She will need therapy not HOSPICE care," Doctor Kennard said, so relieved she has come back. Instead of shipping her off to vegetate with a bunch of old people for the rest of her life. That thought had his stomach in a knot. Well, they can't anymore. He wondered where they were going to ship her off to now.
"Oh, sweetheart, you woke up just in time. They were about to stick you in a nursing home," Today told her.
Tomorrow looked at her mother for an explanation.
"Honey, you couldn't stay here forever."
"How long have I been here," she asked, barely audible.
Everyone turned to look at the doctor even though everyone knew. They all have been counting the days. The longer she is in a coma the worse the outcome could be.
"About eight weeks."
"Why am I here?" Tomorrow asked clearer now she seems to be coming back to reality. A little confused, but back.
Peggy looked at Doctor Kennard for him to explain.
"You were in a car accident. You had a head injury, and you have been in a coma for about seven weeks," he told her, standing over the gurney looking down in those beautiful eyes.
"Am I better," she asked, sounding so sweetly.
"Well sweetie, we have to figure that out, we'll do some more tests, ask some questions and see. But for right now you need to be put back in your bed and you need to rest." He turned and looked at all the people gathered around her. "She needs quiet, nothing stressful. I want all of you to view this as a miracle. We don't need her stressed," he didn't want a repeat of last time. "Thank you, Brice, for your prayers," Doctor Kennard told him. Brice smiled and he knew it was a heartfelt sentiment.
Officer Strickland worked his way into the room and stood back in a corner so he could watch her be put back in that bed. He wanted to call out hallelujah, pick her up and walk out with her. That would be stressful for everyone, so he only thought about it. He was so happy she was awake. He hated the idea of her being in a nursing home. His Nana was in one for a while and he hated the smell and the vacant looks on the people's faces. He didn't want to think of Tomorrow that way. She was lively and feisty and now she was back. He knows it was a fight, but she did it. They just needed to do some tests and see if she has any deficits in her movements or coordination. Her speech is good so that is a point for her.
The nurse scurried around and remade the bed. She was acting like she was ready to get up and walk away. Doctor Kennard didn't want her to sit up at this point. He didn't know if this was her feeling well or a manifestation of brain damage. "Tomorrow don't try to move yourself, let them do the work," he told her forcefully.
"Am I broken?" She asked, sounding concerned.
"No, you have been lying in this bed for eight weeks. You're weak and I don't want you to hurt yourself," he told her as the final tuck went in the sheets. "Tomorrow, we will get you up and moving to build up your strength soon. We need you strong enough to go home," he said, wishing he was taking her home with him. He turned and said,
"I'm not playing here, one visitor, nothing upsetting, the circus is over, clear out." Doctor Kennard demanded flaying his hands out in a get out manner that said go. Slowly the concept sunk in, and people waved goodbye. Today, Chance, and Yesterday stood in the doorway saying good-bye to a few people. Doctor Kennard looked at Peggy with frustration. She should run these people off.
"Officer Strickland, can you leave now," Kennard asked, frustrated that he was even there. If anyone was going to claim Tomorrow, it was him.
"I just want to make sure she is OK," he also wanted to see if she heard anything he said.
Tomorrow was propped up only slightly in her bed and smiled at the handsome man who stood in the back of her room. "Officer Strickland," she asked, unsure she had it right.
"Yes," he said, stepping forward, this is the first time she had said his name. "I'm so happy to see you awake," he said walking towards her.
"I remember you," she said, reaching out her hand. Gentry's heart began to pound. "You came and talked to me," she said and touched her lips with her finger.
"Yes, I did almost every day."
Peggy and Doctor Kinard looked at each other. They had no idea.
"I kind of feel responsible for you. I was the first one on the scene of your accident."
"Do I owe you, my life?" Tomorrow asked a little teary eyed.
"No, all the wonderful people from the hospital took care of you. I'm just proud that I was there to help you."
"Will you still come in the morning to talk to me?"
"I would love to; I have set up my life around talking to you."
She reached up and pulled on his shirt and he leaned down to her level.
"Thank you for caring," she puckered her lips he bent over and gave her a light kiss. "I'll see you in the afternoon," she reached for his arm and let her fingers slide down as he stepped away.
Strickland glared at Kennard as he walked out. He had staked his claim and won the first kiss. Top that ass hole.
The nurses hooked the heart monitor up and a liquid diet was ordered. Peggy stood in the back taking over that spot officer Strickland occupied moments before.
Doctor Kennard waited patiently for all the preparation to be over. Lifting his stethoscope over his head, "Tomorrow how are you feeling," he asked, waiting to place the earpieces in his ears.
"Honestly, I'm tired."
"As you should be," the doctor said, looking over at Peggy and her crew. "Peggy, I realize you're excited she is awake, come see her in a few hours. I need to schedule a number of tests, and I also need to contact Doctor Stromberg, so he can come and check on her too."
"I understand, come on kids, let's say goodbye and let them do their thing," Peggy said. Quick kisses and they are gone. No fawning over her again he hopes Today learned her lesson.
He watched them walk out the door, turned back and her eyes were closed. His spirit dropped and he wanted to talk to her. His pager went off, he had an emergency and had to go. He reluctantly left her side.
"I'm going to write a book, confessions to a coma patient. I heard all kinds of interesting things while I was sleeping. Then again, maybe they were dreams. One young man professed his love for me every time he came here. The problem I have is I don't know his name. He called me sweetheart and honey, beautiful, and once, baby doll, but he never told me his name. I would really like to know who it was; he had some interesting ideas of what he would do to me," Tomorrow teased Doctor Kennard, this was the first time in three days they have been alone together, and she was feeling spunky.
"I think it was a dream," he told her, realizing she heard it all, and what in the hell had he said to her, in the wee hours of the morning.
"Oh, that is too bad I was looking forward to a night of good loving," Tomorrow looked up and smiled. "Yeah, he told me if I sat in his lap, he would have made love to me all night long. The best Billy ever did was twice. Now I figure, a man that could offer that was someone I wanted to know," she took a deep breath and sighed. "I guess it was a dream."
"You know, sweetheart, if you would get healthy, I wouldn't be your doctor."
"Then you can play Doctor with me?"
"Tomorrow, I have been playing doctor with you for weeks. I want you well," he told her, looking a little embarrassed with the conversation. "How has your therapy been going?"
"Good they have been moving my legs, having me squeeze a ball." She showed him her injured arm. "I hear I'm going to a physical therapy place once I'm approved. I think they are afraid to take me on if my brain is going to pop again," Tomorrow told him with a smile.
"Does Doctor Stromberg approve this," he asks, he hadn't heard from him in days.
"I think my mother is having a meeting with him today. It may be why they aren't here now. Doctor Kennard will I still see you once I leave."
"I was hoping to come and see you once you move on. I know you have been semi asleep," he said smiling. "But as you know my heart has kind of gone out to you, I will find it difficult to not see you daily."
"Good I do want to see you wherever this place is I may go. But remember you only know the quiet me," she teased.
"I'm willing to take my chances. Tomorrow, please call me David. I think you know me well enough."
"Ok David. How long do you think it will be before we try that all night thing," she asked, trying to keep him looking in her eyes. He may see her exhaustion. She had become very good at all talk and no doing.
"I think that should wait until after you're out of rehab," he told her with a blushing smile.
"Ok, that will give me something to work hard for," she told him, shifting to her side and pressing her head into her pillow.
"You rest and I will come back later," he reached over, took her hand and kissed her palm. "This is all I ever did to you."
"I know I would have never spoken to you again if you had done more," she said and closed her eyes.
David stood by her bed and watched her fall asleep. Everything she told him was rolling and planted in his brain. He hoped she was better soon.
"I only have a few minutes today, I just wanted to come by and make sure you're doing better today," Gentry said, a little embarrassed her mother was there.
"Oh sweetie, let me go, you two talk," Peggy slipped out of her chair and out the door she would get a cup of coffee and relax.
"I didn't mean to run her off," he said, but took her seat quickly, smiling happily.
Tomorrow smiled back, he was so cute if she told him she remembered everything he said, she assumed he would freak. Then maybe not with this person he is confident. Besides, he wasn't perverted like someone else was.
"I'm doing well, plans are to move me to a rehabilitation place soon. Doctor Stromberg staff is making calls to find one."
"Do you think it will be soon?" Gentry asked.
Tomorrow sat back and looked at him. He is so cute, how has she missed him in this small town? "Should be. I know they want me out of here," she teased.
"No, I'm sure, Doctor Kennard will be sad to see you go."
"You think so? I haven't noticed him much," she lied.
"I'm glad to hear that. Do you think I can come by and see you when you move."
"Please do, I enjoy talking to you. You know you're the only person who did something for me while I was out. I appreciate you putting that moisture on my lips."
"I wouldn't have known about that if the nurse hadn't offered it to me. It did seem to help."
"It did and you kept doing it, that was nice," she told him and reached out for his hand. He had put that on her lips each time he came in, the nurse gave him one and he would dab her lips and talk to her so sweetly.
Tomorrow thought he looked so handsome in his uniform, all starched and crisp. He slipped his hand into hers and smiled.
"First, you don't have to be more than you are to impress me. I think you're quite impressive. I waited every day for your visit. You didn't know, but I could hear everything you said, I just couldn't react. Doctor Stromberg thinks my brain was redirecting lines. He thinks the movement of the Medics brought me out, or maybe it was the fear of going where you didn't want me to go. I appreciate you voicing your opinion." She said and squeezed his hand, "my mother says she was just going along with the social worker. She didn't know how bad the place was," Tomorrow assured him.
"I understand I didn't want you there, but I had no say."
"Don't think that, if something looks wrong, please speak up. We have never had to deal with anything like nursing homes or rehabs. I'm looking forward to getting in and getting out as fast as I can. I'm convinced all I need is some good food and exercise, and I will be fine."
"I think you're right. No one talking with you would think you just woke from a coma nor how badly injured you were."
"I looked terrible, and I know I smelled bad."
"Honestly, I thought I was too late. Then you opened one eye, and we got really busy," he told her with an embarrassed smile.
"No one has explained why my legs hurt so badly, could you tell me."
"The engine was pressing against them and had you trapped between the seat and the engine. We used the Jaws of Life to separate the seat from your legs. Thankfully, you were unconscious for all that. It had to have been very painful, but they weren't broken, nor damaged badly. We all thought that was a miracle. You hadn't driven longer, so the engine was not too hot and then the water in the creek cooled it quickly. That kept you from being burnt. Your arm was bad and of course, your head had been bleeding, but you were alive. That is all that mattered," he told her and kissed her fingers.
She pulled him to her and said, "you can do better than that." Gentry stood and leaned in; their lips touched. The moans that came from him told her he enjoyed it too. As he respectfully pulled back, she lifted her head as she didn't want this kiss to stop. His lips were soft and wanting. More than that, she knew he cared.
"Umum," the sound came from the door. Gentry stood to attention.
"I don't mean to interrupt," Doctor Kennard said.
"Right, then you should have kept moving," he said, shooting daggers at the Doctor. "I'll see you later," Gentry said, touching her cheek gently and smiling at her. "Nice to see you again," he sneered as he walked by Doctor Dreadful.
"Hi Doc," Tomorrow said, embarrassed he saw that.
"I see you're doing well," he said and walked towards her.
"Gentry was making his move," she said with a dismissive hand wave.
"So how was his kiss," he asked, but really didn't want to know.
"Nice. I was trying to remember the last time I was kissed."
"Can't be that long ago," hell she was living with Billy two months ago David thought.
"Well, he gave me a peck a few days ago, but I don't count that as a kiss," she said, wrinkling her eyebrows.
"So, what is the news about you being discharged," David asked rather pissed seeing her kiss the cop.
She took some papers off her table and handed them to him. "I believe they are giving me three weeks to get better and then I go home."
"Are you planning to continue to see Officer Strickland?"
"I don't know he is the one coming around," she told him shrugging her shoulders. "I have to keep my options open,"
She said then she smiled.
"I see you're going to make me work for this."
"I just broke up with a boyfriend of three years who tried to kill me. I think I have the right to leave my options open."
"You're right, I just am a little jealous he seems to be making all the right moves."
"He is a handsome man, and he came and talked to me every day. Actually, a sweetheart, he never offered anything like you have,"
She told him with a devious smile.
"Do you think I should cut all my hair off and just start over. I kind of look like a freak like this. Maybe I can go through a dyke stage or at least look like one for a while. They took me for a shower yesterday. Apparently, it takes two women to bathe me," she said, making a quick subject change.
"I'm sure they want to make sure they keep you safe," David explained.
"Hum, I guess so. It doesn't matter; I'm out of here. Anyways, my hair is dumb," she complained. Her thought process was all over the place he noticed.
"Well, maybe you can do a comb over," he told her using his hands to demonstrate in the air.
Tomorrow laughed and her mother walked back into the room.
"Oh, I'm sorry I saw Officer Strickland leave, so I thought you were alone."
"No, I have a lot of suitors," Tomorrow said smiling brightly.
"Aren't you lucky such handsome men too. I received the call. In the morning you will be moving to Danbury rehab just down the block. We could push you in a wheelchair there," she teased.
"Oh, if it only worked that way, but it has to be a production, ambulance, and all just for a block. Can't have the liability of something happening to you on the way," Doctor Kennard said.
"True, I might hit a crack and break my mother's back," Tomorrow quipped back and smiled at her mother.
"Well, we wouldn't want that. Doctor Kennard let's step out and discuss the transfer," her mother said and opened the door.
"Sure, no problem," David said, smiling down at Tomorrow and followed her mother out.
"She has changed," her mother said as they reached the halfway point to the nurse's station.
"How do you mean," Doctor Kennard asked he saw nothing to be concerned about, but then again, he didn't know her before the accident. She does seem a little scattered in her thoughts, but she is good.
"Tomorrow was never crude or flirty. She was the peacekeeper, the one who never spoke out. I don't know, she talks about things she never used to, sexual things, making remarks about men and women crude things. Nothing like my Tomorrow ever did before. Do you think it's a slight brain damage and she will get better."
"Mrs. Jones, Tomorrow has brain damage not bad, but yes, she has sustained some brain damage. If being outspoken is all she has because of what happened to her, be glad. She could be virtually comatose only able to lie in the bed," Doctor Kennard assured her. "Maybe she just needs to be taught again, what is appropriate and what is not. I'm not an expert on head injuries, but memory loss and personality change are to be expected. Some have to be taught to walk, to talk, and eat. They sometimes forget everything. You're just going to have to teach her socially acceptable behavior. I find her blunt behavior refreshing."
"It's just not her, but if this is her new personality, maybe I should just embrace it," Peggy suggested.
"It might be a good idea to let her be who she is now," Kennard told her.
"Ok Doctor, but I may have to call her on some behaviors she can't be telling everyone you have a cute butt."
"Now don't change her mind on that, I have been waiting for a long time to not be her doctor."
"I had a feeling you were," Peggy smiled. She figured he was biding his time until she was better. He would be better than that Billy or that cop for her baby.
He knew he wanted her the first time he saw her face. Her sad story of looking for affection from that jerk broke his heart. He wanted to be that person to fill that void. He had the same void and wanted her to fill it.
"Don't worry Peggy, she will be fine."