|
THE HOSPITAL
It had been five days since Antonio’s heart had stopped. Gabi spent all day and night sitting by his bed, talking to him and holding his hand. She kept her clothes at Surf Central, returning there in the afternoons to shower and change. She didn’t sleep much at night for fear he would awaken and be afraid to find himself lying in a hospital attached to all these machines. His vitals remained strong and they finally pronounced him free of infection, but he had yet to regain consciousness. Gabi worried relentlessly about him. Maria and Carmen spent much time there, too. When they were there, especially Carmen, Gabi would take a break to go for a walk or get something to eat. Sometimes she would find herself having fallen asleep in one of the many lounges after sitting for just a minute to catch her breath. Gabi continued to be sick, especially in the mornings. Fortunately, no one was ever there when she was running for the bathroom, her hand flung over her mouth. She would have a hard time convincing Maria that it was still just lack of sleep and food causing her to be ill. Gabi had called Dave and told him that the family situation was still shaky. Finding him in a good mood, she assumed that things were working out with him and Julie. She was happy for Julie, but couldn’t for her life understand the attraction! He told her he would see her whenever, that her job would be waiting. Ricardo visited Antonio at least once a day, usually in the evenings after work. He was always thrilled to see Gabi, but didn’t discuss the subject of their relationship. They would share conversation and maybe head to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee. For a fleeting moment, he wondered why Gabi never left the hospital for more than a few hours at a time. He knew that Gabi and Antonio were close, but he was beginning to think it a little strange. Ricardo reminded himself that she had come back as Antonio’s friend and put any absurd thoughts quickly out of his mind. Foremost on Gabi’s mind was Antonio’s waking up. She was growing concerned that he was never going to wake up again. The doctor’s kept reassuring them all that Antonio’s body was in control and the only thing they could do was wait. This was nature’s way of allowing him to regain his strength and he would awaken when he was ready. They kept running blood tests and CAT scans to make sure everything was functioning properly. The results were always the same…the best they could hope for. THE APPOINTMENT Gabi had called Dr. Sanders to explain the circumstances of her departure. They talked about Gabi’s decision and Sydney was glad to hear she was keeping the baby. Sydney gave her the name of an obstetrician in Sunset Beach and asked Gabi to see her soon. She was another month along and Sydney wanted to make sure things were progressing as they should. Gabi happily agreed, anxious to focus her attention on the life growing inside her. Gabi made an appointment with Dr. Green for that afternoon. Her office was in the hospital so she wouldn’t be far away. Maria was coming to sit with Antonio, so Gabi felt comfortable leaving him for a while. "Hi Gabi," Maria called cheerfully as she arrived at Antonio’s room. "Hi, Maria. How’s Benjy?" Gabi’s interest in children was building each day. She often found herself at the hospital nursery smiling at the new babies during her walks. Maria rolled her eyes playfully. "Ugh, he’s driving me crazy! I’ll tell you, five year olds are certainly a handful ... especially little boys..." "Little boys" Gabi thought to herself. She pictured a little boy with dark, wavy hair and deep brown eyes just like Antonio’s. She could see Antonio with their son on the swings at the playground. The little boy was yelling, "Higher, daddy, higher," as Antonio pushed him. The smile on Antonio’s face was the happiest she had ever seen… "Gabi?" Maria’s voice startled her from her daydream. "Oh, sorry, Maria." Gabi checked her watch quickly. "I have to run. I’ll be back soon." Gabi rushed from the room. Maria walked to the window and watched Gabi hurry down the corridor. "Something is definitely up with her," Maria thought to herself. DR. GREEN’S OFFICE Gabi waited rather impatiently for the doctor to come in. She had been waiting for half an hour in the small room. This was her second visit, so she didn’t have to undress, but the wait was uncomfortable anyway. The doctor came rushing in, apologizing profusely to Gabi. "I’m so sorry I’m late...I was delivering a baby and they have their own agenda!" Gabi laughed as the doctor pulled out her chart to read her history. Dr. Sanders had faxed it over for reference. "So, how have you been feeling, Gabi?" "Pretty tired, really nauseous. I thought I would only feel sick in the morning," Gabi said, hopeful the doctor could explain. "Well, it’s pretty common for some women to feel sick round the clock. Don’t worry about it at all. Have you been getting enough rest, drinking enough water?" "Well, I’ve been trying," Gabi said softly. "Things have been a little rough lately. We’ve had a family emergency and I’ve been spending a lot of time here at the hospital." "I’m sorry to hear that. But you know, Gabi, you have to think about this little baby now. He or she is relying on you to take proper care of it while it grows. You have to make sure you take care of yourself, no one else will do it for you." The doctor wasn’t being condescending, just trying to make Gabi realize how important proper care is. "Yes, doctor. I know," Gabi relented. "Have you been having any other symptoms you are concerned about?" Gabi thought back to the pain she had experienced almost a week ago. It hadn’t happened again, so she figured she didn’t need to bring it up. "No, everything’s been fine." "Good. Now just lay back and we’re going to see if we can hear that heartbeat." The doctor grabbed the small contraption that looked like a walkman with a microphone. She put jelly on the end, pulled up Gabi’s shirt and placed the microphone on Gabi’s flat stomach. Gabi heard the strangest swooshing noise coming from the machine. It sounded almost like the ocean. "There we go, Gabi. That’s your baby." Gabi closed her eyes and the tears leaked slowly out of the corners. For the first time, she was hearing her baby’s heartbeat, her and Antonio’s baby. It was the sweetest, most precious sound she had ever heard. Dr. Green let her hear the heartbeat a few minutes longer and then switched off the machine. She handed Gabi a tissue. "It’s a wonderous thing, isn’t it Gabi?" "Yes, it’s a miracle," Gabi replied through her tears. "A miracle." Dr. Green told Gabi to try some vitamin B-6 for the nausea, be sure to eat and drink enough during the day and to make sure she got adequate rest. She told Gabi to come back in a month and they would do an ultrasound to check on the baby, standard procedure for a fourth month checkup, she assured her. Gabi left the doctor’s office and headed back to Antonio’s room. She couldn’t wait for Antonio to wake up…she wanted so much to begin sharing the details of her pregnancy with him. She knew he would be as excited as she was about every detail, hearing the heartbeat, seeing the ultrasound. Her smile grew wider as she waited for the elevator to arrive. She placed her hand on her stomach. "Your daddy will know about you real soon, little one. Real soon." The elevator came and she pushed the button for Antonio’s floor. ANTONIO’S ROOM ... TWO DAYS LATER Gabi finished her dinner, making sure to eat all her vegetables and drink the last of the milk. The hospital staff has been so great bringing her trays of food every day. She pushed the tray away and headed for the bathroom. She visits the bathroom 6 or 7 seven times a day now – just one of the many joys of pregnancy. Gabi stood before the mirror rubbing her belly. She prayed for Antonio to wake since she is starting her second trimester and will begin to show soon. People will begin to wonder when she stops wearing her tight skirts and shorts all of a sudden. She doesn’t want to handle telling everyone alone. Antonio would want to make the announcement with me, she thinks to herself. I couldn’t do it without him. Gabi returned to his bed. "Okay, Antonio. Let’s see, last night we read that stimulating article from Newsweek on George W. Bush’s run for the presidency…how about tonight we read a few chapters from A Love for the Ages? It was a silly romance novel she picked up in the gift shop, but the hunky coverboy looked like Antonio and she couldn’t resist. "When we last left our lovers, they were recovering from their night of passion. Let’s see..." Gabi searched the book for the right passage and began reading to Antonio. She read to him three times a day hoping that hearing her voice would somehow help him come back to her. She read for two hours, frequently stopping to touch his cheek or push his hair off his forehead. Sometimes she would end up staring at him for 10 minutes before returning to the book. She felt so much love for this man, it was undescribable. Her heart ached for him to open his eyes and reach out to her. She read a few more lines before stifling the yawn that was overcoming her. She closed the book and placed it on the nightstand. "Hi, Gabi." The soft voice startled her even though she had expected it. "Hi Vicki." It was the nurse coming in to check Antonio’s vitals. Gabi had come to like Vicki. They sometimes chatted long into the night when Vicki wasn’t swamped with other patients. "So, how’s our patient?" Vicki said sweetly, checking Antonio’s pulse. "He’s good. We were just reading Chapter 15 of A Love for the Ages," Gabi laughed at the title. "So, did they finally get back home?" Vicki wondered. Gabi had been keeping her up to date on the story, too. "I don’t know. I just couldn’t read anymore tonight. I’m so tired." Gabi yawned again. "Get some rest Gabi. He’s doing just fine." Vicki patted Gabi’s shoulder and headed out of the room. Gabi sat on the bed and leaned over Antonio. "Okay, now listen." She straightened up his blanket. "I’ve got to get some sleep now. I’ll be right over there." The nurses had brought in a cot for Gabi to sleep on. "If you need me, come get me." She laughed in spite of herself. She leaned in and kissed Antonio lightly on the lips. "I love you, Antonio," she said with a smile. Gabi lay down on the cot and watched Antonio sleep until she fell asleep herself.
|