A Lifetime

"I think so?" she questioned. She wasn't exactly sure herself.

She lifted one arm off the bed, at an angle where she could see it. She studied the tube in her arm and began curiously looking around the room.

"Do you hurt? I heard the nurse tell your mom that she could bring you something if you need it," he offered reassuringly.

"I feel okay. Just sore. I just...I don't understand..." She stopped, still looking at the IV in her arm.

"There was an accident on the lake. A girl fell out of a boat and you were hurt saving her," he said with pride in his eyes while going into the full story for her. "The boat came back and ran over you and it cut your leg," he had barely finished the words as she began throwing back blankets frantically to see her leg.

"Was it bad?" she asked with concern while examining her leg covered in bandages. The white gauze didn't allow her to see the injury in the least.

"I heard the doctor tell your mom that the stitching went perfectly. You lost a lot of blood, so you lost consciousness after the medics arrived. You were given blood and treated for hypothermia. But you'll make a full recovery. You may not have to stay too much longer from what I've overheard," he said reassuringly.

"Is Mom okay?"

She asked, then wondered, "How would he know and why was this memory of her past sitting here explaining anything to her? Let alone her family's mental wellbeing."

"Yes. She is now" he smiled again.

"Oh no! My children!" she yelled. She knew that they would be terrified after just having lost their dad. She frantically looked for a phone.

"They've been here with you."

"They have?" Some calmness returning to her face.

"They were pretty upset but were doing much better after the doctors assured them that you were going to be alright. They haven't been gone long at all. They left with Brett." he paused, "He hasn't changed much."

They had all gone to school together. Brett had once been a friend of Chance. Somewhere around the time they both met Kat. Brett's friendship with him grew distant when Chance got serious with Kat. Chance never was sure why. It seems to always be the case. Friendships often don't get the same amount of time once you meet "the one." Chance and Kat were always together. I guess that would've made anyone feel like a third wheel.

"They said something about taking care of...Bear?"

She smiled, "Grizzly."

He laughed, "Yes, Grizzly."

He watched her face for signs that the information was being accepted so that he could continue. "Your children told your mom that they were going home and will be back in the morning," he finished.

Again he waited, then continued, "Those two are amazing! I mean I can't believe how grown up they are. So mature."

She nodded, still looking at her leg. But a subtle smile formed on her mouth.

"Your boy, how he treats your mom. Good grief, he has a heart like his mom's."

The words caused her to look back up at him. He was watching her. Almost studying her. The smile that was easy, thinking of her children, now felt forced to her. Her lips had a quiver to them. She had no idea if it were because of his presence or her lowered body temperature. It was anyone's guess.

She had to break the stare. She began looking around for a calendar or clock. She saw a whiteboard where someone wrote, "Monday, Mar 30. Nurse: Carol."

She quickly looked puzzled as she studied the board. He immediately knew why she was confused.