Why do only you understand...
WHO: Annie and Hal WHAT: Quality visiting time, with some lecturing WHERE: Ann Arbor hospital WHEN: Saturday morning
When Annie finally awoke, it was to a charge nurse taking her vitals for what surely was the thousandth time that night. Thankfully, she'd slept through all the other ones, and she could have done the same here, had her mind not immediately awoken with the idea that Michael was still in the room. She halfway sat up and looked around, her eyes finding only weak dawn light coming in through the shades and an indulgent expression from her caretaker.
"You had an exciting night last night, but you're fine now," the nurse said, in the same tone Annie's father would have said, Sure it's a castle, but I bet the floors are hard. "The doctor will be in to check on you in a little bit, and will give you more information."
Annie winced a little at the pressure cuff, since it made the stitches in her shoulder pulse a little painfully, but she said, insistently, "Was Hal...Henry Killbourne called? He's listed as my emergency contact."
The nurse smiled down at her watch, pausing to finish her count before she said, "I believe so, but you aren't supposed to have visitors until ten."
"He's not just a visitor," Annie protested, realizing Hal must have spent the night out in the waiting room making himself insane. He probably also called her mother. Instantly, she winced again, although this was out of sympathy for what he had to do. "I need him, he's my family...don't you let family members in all the time?" The strong words left her out of breath a moment, and she tried to slow her breathing. But she was seized with wanting to see a friendly face now. The idea of what could have happened to her, what still might happen, was looming and she didn't want to think about it.
The nurse smiled again, like she might have for a mental patient. "I'll see if he can come in. You'll be out of here in no time, I suspect anyway. You look good." With that, she smoothed Annie's sheets, ignoring any further murmurs she made, and disappeared into the hall.
Annie laid back on the stiff pillows. She needed Hal. Before her mother descended on her and made her crazy with smothering pity. He would make it better. He always did. But hopelessness crept in on her; that nurse hadn't seemed very cooperative. Blinking away tears forming in the corners of her eyes, Annie looked to the door again, trying to find patience.