"He's too out of it," Ian said, sounding grateful. "Let's look in on Mother."
We stepped over to her bed. She had monitors wired to her as well, but her face was remarkably clear, not a scratch on it. She looked like she was only taking a nap. Her good appearance encouraged me. I reached for her hand quickly.
"Mama, it's me. Mama, wake up. Please," I said, shaking her hand. It was so limp in mine. Her fingers didn't bend or move.
"What are they doing for her?" Ian asked Grandmother Emma.
"Evaluation. I told you. We might move her to a bigger, more complex hospital where there are specialists in this sort of thing. We'll know soon." she said.
"Mama," I cried, and drew closer. I put my hand on her arm and then her shoulder. "Mama, it's me. Can't you wake up? Please, Mama." I shook her a little.
"When people are in a coma," Ian said, "they don't respond to voices or light, smells, or touch. It's like their brains have shut down, Jordan."
"No," I said. I didn't care how smart he was or what he knew. I wouldn't hear it. "Mama, we're here. Please wake up."
"Don't raise your voice, Jordan," Grandmother Emma said. "There are other very sick people in here."
"Mama," I cried, and put my forehead against her arm. She felt as warm as ever, but she didn't move. I finally started to cry, sobbing loudly.
"We'll have to take her out," Grandmother Emma said. "Come
along, Jordan. You're not helping by doing that now. Come along," she insisted, and reached for me.
I pulled my arm out of her hand and clung to Mama's arm.
"NO!" I shouted at her.
One of the nurses came to Grandmother Emma's side. "What is it?"
"It's her daughter. I made a mistake bringing her in. I'm sorry."
"Oh, that's all right," the nurse said in a sweet, soft voice. "Let me take care of it."
"Ian," Grandmother Emma said, "we'll leave now."
He looked at me and then turned and walked away with Grandmother Emma.
The nurse stepped up beside me and put her hand on my head, softly petting me the way Mama often did.
"It's all right," she said. "You shouldn't feel bad about crying. And you know, sometimes, even though they don't seem to respond, people in comas hear you. She knows you're here, sweetie, and she's trying to get better for you. You want to help her do that, right?"
I nodded.
"Well, you let us do what we have to do and take care of her for you and she'll act better. You know, there's a candy machine out in the hallway. Why don't we get you something nice? Later, you can return. Okay?"
I looked at Mama. She hadn't moved. Her eves didn't open. Was the nurse right? Did she hear me? Did she know I was here?
"Come on," the nurse urged me. "Lean over and kiss her cheek. Go ahead."
I did and then I held my face close to Mama's and watched her eyes hopefully, but they didn't open.
"It's all right," the nurse said. "She knows. Come on, sweetie."
She took my hand and we walked out of the ICU. As she promised, she brought me right to the candy machine and asked me what I wanted. I chose a box of chocolate-covered peanuts because I knew they were Mama's favorite. I thought when I went back in to see her. I would tell her I had them and she would open her eyes and smile at me. The nurse bought it for me and then brought me down the hallway to the small waiting room where Grandmother Emma was on the phone and Ian was reading a magazine.
I thanked the nurse. Grandmother Emma nodded and smiled at her and I sat next to Ian.
"Mother's doctor just had Grandmother Emma paged,' he whispered. "She's on the phone with him now."