Chapter two hundred and twenty-three:

Luke was seated in the hospital waiting room all night long. He hadn’t slept a wink.

He closed his textbook and dropped it on top of the pile in the chair next to his. He rubbed his tired eyes.

“Luke? Hi, how is she?” Becky came into the waiting room with a tray of coffee cups from the Starbucks down the street.

“I think she’s doing better. I haven’t been in yet.”

“Okay. I thought you might be here, so I brought you a cup of coffee.” She handed him the cup.

“Thanks,” He took a long sip and placed the cup on top of his books.

“Have you been here all night?”

“No, I went home around two am to shower and pick up some books. I figured if I was going to be here, I might as well study.”

Becky nodded.

“Where’s Zac?” Luke asked suddenly.

“He’s still asleep. I took a cab.”

“Becky, that’s dangerous! He’ll freak out!”

“I left him a note… And if it bothers him that much, he can yell at me later.”

“I could have picked you up.” Luke offered.

“That’s okay. I’m here now… I think I’ll go in and see her.”
”Alright.”

Becky carried the two remaining coffee cups down the hall and let herself into Jen’s room.

Jenna was sitting up in bed, looking out the window.

“Hey, Jen.” Becky smiled. “How are you feeling?”

“Okay.” She forced a smile. “I’m bored out of my mind.”

Becky sat down on the edge of the bed. “Maybe later we can go for a walk or something.”

“Okay.” Jen nodded.

“I brought you a cup of tea.” Becky offered, wheeling the little table over and placing Jen’s cup within her reach.

“Thanks.” Jen picked up the cup and cradled it in both hands to take a sip.

“Are you okay?” Becky asked cautiously.

Jen cleared her throat. “Luke’s mad at me, isn’t he?”

Becky didn’t know what to say. “No, no… he’s just… not used to seeing you like this. He’s worried, and… he just can’t handle this situation.” 

Jen returned her cup of tea to the table, without taking a sip. Becky found this odd.

“Are you really okay?”

Without warning, Jen fell back against the pillows, her entire body falling limp. The machinery around them beeped in alarm, and Becky quickly covered her mouth and nose with her hands in shock.

Within a second, a nurse and doctor were in the room. The doctor felt for a pulse while the nurse moved Becky from the bed.

“What’s going on?” She demanded.

“She’s gone into a coma, get her out of here!” The doctor ordered, and Becky was promptly escorted from the room.

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