In Search of Lucy (22 page)

After hours of pacing, small talk, drinking coffee, and just staring out into the hallway from the waiting room, family and friends were finally updated on Katie and Lucy. Both surgeries had gone according to plan, and the doctor informed them that at the current moment Rick could go in to see Katie, but only for a brief visit. She was in ICU and coming out of anesthesia. Rick’s hasty departure left the others speculating and concerned, even though the doctor assured them that Lucy would soon be waking up herself.

Earlier in the afternoon, George had stopped by with Carly for her own reassurance. She wanted to see everyone and wanted to be with her mommy. Unfortunately, it would be at least a couple hours more before they’d hear the good news. So George decided it was better to take Carly to get some food.

Rick stood in the doorway of the ICU watching his precious Katie before making his presence known. Like a parent at bedtime, he took joy in watching the rise and fall of her chest beneath the white folded-down sheet. They were slow, deep breaths, and he matched his own breathing with hers. Sitting next to her bed, he gently rubbed her arm, then stroked her cheek. He did not want to rouse her before she was ready. Rick watched and waited patiently as her head finally began to stir and move slightly back and forth.

A whisper seemed to escape her without her lips even moving. “Rick.”

“I’m here, babe.” He took a firm hold of her hand. “You did great. You’re going to be okay.”

“Lu…Lucy?” Her eyes were fighting to stay open. “Is she okay?”

“The doctor said everything went great. She’s in SAICU and hasn’t woken up yet, but it should be anytime now.”

“Will you check on her for me?”

Rick leaned on the bed with his elbows and lowered his head near hers. “Listen, they said I can’t stay long. You need to rest. But don’t worry, I’ll check on Lucy.” He kissed her fingers and rested his cheek on her hand. This hospital scene had been acted out many times before by the two of them, but this time was different. Rick could feel it in his bones. A rush of relief and promise swept over him. There was no denying Katie’s future would still hold visits to the hospital, recovery, and rehabilitation. But that was nothing compared to no future at all. He knew this was the beginning of a new life for Katie.

Back in the waiting room, Rick asked the others if there were any further updates on Lucy. They all stared blankly at him like he was the one who was supposed to bring back some sort of news.

“I’m sure everything’s fine. Some people just take longer to come out of it,” Kyle said encouragingly.

Anne smiled and tried to keep everyone positive. Her instincts in the hospital setting had kicked into gear. “Hey, everyone, Kyle’s right. Besides, the doctor said everything went fine. I’m going to go rummage us all up some snacks, and I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.”

Kyle was seated in a chair off to one corner, and she patted him on the shoulder before leaving. Then, without a word, he was up and out the door. He was never the “sit around and wait” kind of guy, so he needed to see what was going on. At first, he casually walked around hoping to run into someone who looked familiar—anyone who had been involved in the procedures. He received a few smiles and head nods from various staffers, but none of them questioned or seemed to care where he was going. When he noticed signs leading to the SAICU, he was determined to make his way there, and he hoped that he wouldn’t be stopped. At one point, three staffers bolted down a hallway towards a loud beeping sound, causing Kyle’s heart rate to shoot through the roof. Then, rounding the next corner, Kyle ran right smack into a nurse.

“Oh, excuse me sir,” came her raspy voice.

Kyle looked up and instantly recognized her. “Rita.” He smiled and paused, being careful not to say the wrong thing.

“Is there something I can do for you?”

“Is Lucy down there?” He gestured down the hallway behind her. “Yes…Kyle, right?” She spoke again before he even started to nod. “Lucy isn’t awake yet, and then only immediate family goes in to see her.”

“Shouldn’t she be awake by now? We’re all just a little concerned here, and if I could just see her, just for a few minutes…”

“I’m sorry, but you should really go back to the waiting area.” Her sympathetic look contradicted what she was saying. “I’m sure the doctor will let you know when she wakes up.”

Knowing he had a chance to convince her, Kyle carried on. “Rita, as you know, her immediate family is in recovery as well. And I’m about the closest thing she’s got to family right now.” His eyes pleaded with her. “Don’t you think hearing a familiar voice will help her wake up? Honestly, I’m a little worried that she just might need a reason to wake up.”

Rita looked beyond Kyle down the opposite hallway. He couldn’t tell if she was looking for someone or making sure no one was there. “Like I said, the doctor will speak with you soon. Now I’ve got to tend to another patient.” Then with a slight tilt of her head she gave him a half grin and a raised eyebrow. “You can find your way back alright?” She walked past him and didn’t look back.

Not needing any more of a hint than that, Kyle glided down the hallway until he found Lucy’s room. After a quick peek showed him the coast was clear, he entered the room. Strangely he had never visited anyone in the hospital before, and that hadn’t crossed his mind when he saw her earlier. Maybe it was all the wires and machinery that seemed to be hovering around her, and the beeps and humming that penetrated the silence. He pulled a chair over to the bed and sat next to her, keeping his distance at first.

“Lucy…it’s me, Kyle.” Although his intent was to try and waken her, he couldn’t seem to bring his voice to a level higher than you’d use in the library. “Lucy, can you hear me?” He leaned forward now and rested one hand on top of hers. “You know, Lucy, I bet you’re just really tired. This has probably been a nice long rest for you. But I know you’re gonna wake up soon…you have to.” He ran his fingers through his hair and hung his head down. “I mean, you and I, we’re just starting to—”

The sound of outside creeping in from the opening of the door startled Kyle, and he turned to see one of the surgeons standing in the doorway with a look that told Kyle his time was up.

“What’s
he
doing with the doctor?” Linda asked as Kyle approached the waiting room, walking and talking with the doctor. Linda felt somewhat like an outsider and hadn’t really spoken until then. She was happy to be there, but she didn’t want to be too intrusive, until that moment.

All eyes turned to the pair, waiting for some sort of big announcement. The doctor walked over to Rick and addressed him first. “Mr. Moore? I’m Dr. Thomas. I assisted in your wife’s operation.” He had an extra-large head with thinning hair across the top.

“Hey, thanks for taking care of Katie.” Rick waited eagerly.

The two stepped to the side to speak privately, although most of what they were saying was completely audible to the others. In fact, Linda made a point of getting within closer earshot. Dr. Thomas wanted to give Rick a heads-up about the briefing he would need to have with the transplant coordinators. They would be providing detailed instructions regarding antirejection medicine, rejection signs to look for, measuring vitals, and answering any other questions that he and Katie may have. Rick definitely felt a pang of anxiety hearing that, but he was already aware of the fact that they wouldn’t walk out of there home free. But he wasn’t going to let that dampen his optimism.

“The other thing I wanted to talk with you about is your sister-in-law.”

“Why hasn’t she woken up yet? Is it some sort of…coma?”

“Technically, we can’t say that yet. It hasn’t been long enough.”

“Then why isn’t she awake yet?” Linda interrupted.

“Unfortunately, I can’t give you any answers at this time.” Dr. Thomas gave a sweeping look around to address everyone. “But what I can tell you is that both sisters are getting the absolute best care, and we’ll continue to monitor this…situation.” He turned back to Rick once again. “One thing that is very important is that you try to keep Katie calm.” Rick nodded, expecting the doctor had more to say. “She’s very concerned about Lucy, so if possible, try to keep her mind on other things. In the meantime, someone will be back later to give you another update.”

Leaving mixed reactions in the room, the doctor quietly exited, and after a brief moment of silence, Linda responded with, “Update us on what? Whether or not my daughter will ever wake up?” She walked across the room and looked out toward the nearby nurses’ station. “Why are they not doing something about this?”

Rick walked over and stood next to her. “They know what they’re doing, Linda. It hasn’t been that long. Let’s just wait a little longer.”

“I should go in and see her. What if she doesn’t wake up?” The question sounded like it was more to herself than to anyone in particular.

“She
will
wake up.” Kyle’s voice sounded annoyed and frustrated. “I know she will. She just needs a little more time.”

“How do you know?” Linda turned and looked directly at Kyle. Defensively she said, “From what I hear, you barely know each other.”

“And from what I hear, you don’t know Lucy at all.”

Knowing that Kyle was absolutely right, Linda didn’t respond. She couldn’t. It was her own fault that she was alienated from her daughters. She tried to think back to a time when she was a good mother. There was a time, so long ago. She hoped, no prayed, that both her daughters could somehow remember that part of their life. It seemed that Katie would give her another chance, although Linda wasn’t all that sure she deserved it. What if she couldn’t handle it and ruined things once again?

But Lucy, she’d gotten the worst of it. The thought of never getting to make amends with Lucy was killing her. Of course she had felt guilty in the past, but Linda always convinced herself that things would someday work themselves out. She would be kidding herself now if she made a promise to God.
Please let my daughters be okay and I’ll lead a perfect life.
She didn’t have that much faith in herself. She would, however, pray for them. And she would take full advantage of any second chances either of them would be willing to grant to her.

The setting sun signaled an unspoken fear they all shared. With Lucy still not awake, everyone prayed that the new day would bring new hope.

Before Katie went to sleep for the night, Rick paid her one more visit, followed by Linda, and then at last Carly joined them. Holding her daughter and seeing her bright smile was like no medicine they could give her in that hospital. If only for a few moments, it took her mind off of Lucy.

Linda watched them and envied their closeness, hoping someday she might have her daughters back in her life. Thanks to her, Lucy had made so many sacrifices over the years. Linda looked at Katie and gave one last silent prayer before leaving.
Please don’t let this be Lucy’s ultimate sacrifice.

They couldn’t be swayed to go home, get some sleep, and return first thing in the morning. “You’re a stubborn bunch,” the nurse had said to them last night, while providing blankets, pillows, and anything else they needed to be more comfortable. There was a bit of nodding off here and there, along with some resting with eyes closed. But the disturbing sounds of the hospital weren’t exactly like crickets and waterfalls. As soon as they started to drift off, or even when they were asleep, they were yanked back to reality by the bells and beeps that signaled some sort of awful crisis.

At about six thirty in the morning, Kyle jumped up and said, “Okay, I’m going to see what they can tell us.” Before he reached the doorway, a nurse entered the room.

“Mr. Moore?”

Rick walked over and joined Kyle. “I’m Mr. Moore.”

The nurse, who was all of about five feet tall, seemed nervous and unsure of what she was doing. She glanced down at the clipboard she was holding. “Uh, Mr. Moore…your wife…Mrs. Moore…is awake.” She smiled as if she’d made a huge accomplishment. “She’s asking for you.” She turned to walk away.

“Excuse me?” Kyle said. “What about her sister? Lucy Lang?”

Stopping just short of the doorway, the nurse turned back. Her eyes searched the ceiling for the answer until it somehow popped right into her brain. “Oh yes of course, Ms. Lang!”

“Is she awake?”

“I’m sorry, no. But the nurse on duty wanted me to tell you that the doctor will be in to see her in about half an hour. I’m sure he’ll speak with you after that.”

Wasting no time, Rick followed her out and went to Katie’s room. He was expecting her to be awake, but he was surprised to find her sitting up, looking as though she was waiting for something. Rick assumed she was about to eat breakfast, which reminded him of his own hunger and caused his stomach to growl.

“There’s my girl.” Rick smiled sweetly as he entered the room and took his seat wedged on the side of her bed.

Katie returned the smile, but it faded fast.

“What’s wrong?”

“They won’t tell me what’s going on with Lucy. Do you know if she’s awake yet?”

“I don’t know anything new yet…except that some nurse said the doctor would be checking her this morning.”

“I’m starting to get worried, Rick. This is all my fault. I don’t—”

“Stop.” Knowing how important it was to keep her calm, Rick tried to change the subject. “Listen, babe. First we need to talk about you.” The stalling was interrupted by the appearance of someone in the doorway.

“Rita, thank goodness you’re here.” Katie reached her hand into the air, waiting for Rita to walk over and take hold of it.

“How are you feeling this morning, dear?” Rita asked, squeezing Katie’s hand tightly.

Completely ignoring the question, Katie continued. “Rita, we need your help. I was just about to tell Rick that you’re going to get me over to see Lucy this morning.”