Silent Echoes

The very loud music blasts through the speakers spread throughout the room. I have a red solo cup in my hand filled with the pungent smell of alcohol. I have to push my way past groups of people dancing, kissing and some even collapsed on the ground surrounded with their drink that they spilled. The heat of their bodies radiate onto me. I lift myself onto my toes to try and see over the crowd of people where my friend went. When my heels reconnect with the floor, I take a sip of my drink and keep walking. 

Eventually I make it to the front door and I come up with the idea to take a step outside for some fresh air. I follow through with my thoughts and open the door to see the dark moon staring right at me. The forest trees at the other end of the street cover some of it but I can still see that it is completely full. Its glow is so strong, the night seems like a sunny day.  My feet go off on their own and start to drag me far away from the house with the cup still in my hand. The air is crisp and clean which is just what I needed. I reached my car after tripping over myself a few times. I get inside and start to drive away.

As I am driving down the street, I notice a note taped to my windshield that I didn’t notice before. As I am looking at it confused, a bright light shines directly in my face and before I can understand what happened, everything goes black. 

I wake up laying down with sounds beeping all around me. I can’t see anything, I can’t move my body, I can only hear the doctor's words saying, “She might not wake up”. This confused me as I had already woken up. Why couldn’t they see that?

“We can’t give up hope, let's just wait a little longer.” I hear my mom’s trembling voice. It sounds so close but her warmth is so far away. 

“Anne, she has been like this for almost 2 months now. The bill is adding up, life is going on. Maybe we should reconsider what the doctor is trying to say-”

“How could you say that about your own daughter!” My mom replies in a dramatic yell. “How could you put money over your own daughter.” She continues.

I just started to process what is happening and realize that I have missed 2 months of my life. I have missed so much that I have been looking forward to my whole life. I have missed prom which I was so excited for. I have also missed graduation. Something I have been working towards so long. I was supposed to give the valedictorian speech. I want to cry. I need to cry but I can’t get anything out of my eyes.

“I am just saying that maybe we shouldn’t be getting our hopes up anymore. We have been told so many times that she will be waking up soon, she will wake up eventually but look at her. Does she look awake to you?” My dad’s talking went from calm to extremely loud. I just want to hug my parents and tell them that everything will be okay, that I will wake up. But I can’t.

“I will give you two a few minutes to discuss.” The doctor walks out of the room and closes the door behind him. 

I was expecting both parents to erupt in anger but instead there is silence. All of a sudden, I feel a hand grab mine. It is soft but the wrinkles are very noticeable. I feel my other hand being placed into a different feeling hand. This hand is rough but larger than the other one. I come to the conclusion that my mom and dad are holding my hands. 

“Baby, can you give me any sign that you're in there. I know you are but please give me any sign.” I can hear the uneasiness in her voice and there are small, hot tears falling onto my hand. 

I wish I could just stand up and prove to my family that I am awake. I want to show my parents affection and I want life to continue like before. My mom and dad let go of my hand at the same time and I can hear them stand up from their chairs. “Visiting hours are coming to an end Val. I promise, we will come see you tomorrow.” My mom kisses the top of my head and they walk towards the door. I realize that I am alone for the whole night now but I am extremely worried that if I try and fall asleep, I won’t wake up again tomorrow. After sitting there for what feels like forever, I fall back asleep.

I wake up to a hand holding mine and realize that my mom is back sitting next to me. She is rubbing the back on my hand with one of her fingers while the rest are clamped together with mine. I hear the door slam and that causes a reflex. I flinch really quickly. This is the only movement I have felt in so long. Did my mom see that?

 “Valerie, you just moved.” My mom points out which answers my question. She drops my hand and she runs away to get a doctor. When she returns, she says, “Can you do it again?” 

I try my hardest to open my eyes but it’s no use. But as soon as the doctors come running in, they ask my mom what happened and then they lift my eyelids and shine a flashlight into my eyes. I can see the room I had spent the last 2 months in. 

“Her eyes are responding to the light. I think she may be waking up. For real this time.” My mom lets out a cry of happiness as soon as these words slip out of her mouth.

“What happened?” My dad comes running in. “Is she awake?” He asks. 

“Not yet, but she should be awake within the next few days.” The doctor replies. My mom is still crying and I can hear my dad run to hug her.

“Everything will be alright.” My mom tells my dad.

“I know. Our baby is coming home.” My dad cries.