Bobby Akart - Desolation

Jessica whispered to the guys, “Let’s step outside and give them some time with Jimmy. We don’t want the nurses to run us off.”

The Albright men exited the room and moseyed over by the window. It was getting dark, and the minimal visibility was getting closer to zero with no ambient light coming from the surrounding buildings.

“How is he?” asked Hank once Jessica arrived by their side.

She went through the list of considerations Dr. Golic had been most concerned with as it pertained to any drowning victim, including one in Jimmy’s condition. She avoided any discussion related to neurological matters since it would only lead to speculation and undue worry. She even debated within herself whether she’d tell Mike. She rarely withheld anything from him for his protection. She simply thought there was plenty to worry about regarding Jimmy’s recovery without adding possibilities of a less-than-full neurological recovery.

After providing them the update, she explained her concern for the boat. Mike agreed to give Jessica and Peter a ride to the marina while Hank took a few minutes to visit with Jimmy.

He entered trauma eight with trepidation. Hank still felt guilty for offering Jimmy to Lindsey to perform the role of border guard at the two bridges leading onto the Keys. He never suspected that his second son might get caught up in her dubious plan to destroy the bridges.

The three of them stood over Jimmy’s bed, watching every part of the young man’s body for signs of movement. Sonny told them the doctor deemed Jimmy to be unconscious rather than in a coma. In a comatose person, the brain was so heavily damaged that neither the sensory nor internal networks were functioning correctly. The body rarely moved or reacted to any external stimuli in that state.

Dr. Golic had described Jimmy’s condition as unconscious with a hint of exhaustion. His body and mind had been through a traumatic experience. Quite simply, it needed to rest. The doctor doubted it was prepared to expend one iota of energy more than it needed to.

Mike returned from dropping off Jessica and Peter at the boat. They thanked the deputy for taking the time to watch over the vessel and promised her a favor of some kind if she needed one.

“Any change?” Mike asked as he entered the room.

“No, not really,” replied Hank. “I’ve been trying to understand the monitors. They’re like the ones you were hooked up to, but I have to admit I was too messed up to learn what they were for.”

Mike glanced at the devices and jutted out his chin. “They’re slightly better than twenty minutes ago. It might take a while before he wakes up.”

“Not really.”

The four of them looked at each other. Hank thought he was hearing voices, but when he saw everyone else’s reaction, it became clear. Jimmy had awakened.

“Hey, over here,” he said in a barely audible whisper. “I’m awake.”

Phoebe and Sonny leaned over the railings and gently held their son’s hands as they took turns kissing his cheeks. Their tears streamed off their cheeks and noses onto their son. Rather than cry with them, he smiled. He was alive.

“I’ll get the nurse,” said Mike, who was through the door before anyone could acknowledge him.

Hank was also emotional. “Save your strength, Jimmy. I’m sure the nurses will need to talk to you.”

Loud footsteps could be heard in the hallway, coming toward the door. The soles of their sneakers squeaked on the floor as the two nurses pivoted to come inside. All of Jimmy’s loved ones immediately stepped back to allow them to check on their patient.

Hank made eye contact with Sonny and motioned for him to come around the bed to join Phoebe. For his part, he stepped out of the way to allow plenty of room for the medical team to work.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Golic arrived with her stethoscope slung over her neck and shoulders. She nodded to Hank but focused her attention on Jimmy. She pulled out her penlight and studied Jimmy’s eyes, speaking to him in soft tones as she explained the purpose of each examination technique she employed.

Afterwards, she issued orders to the two trauma nurses regarding Jimmy’s medications and intravenous feeding. She also set new goals for cardiac and respiratory functions. Now that he was awake, it was hoped his recovery would hasten.

“Jimmy, welcome back. You are a remarkable young man. Part fish is the way your family has described you.”

Jimmy smiled and rolled his eyes. “I’ll never go in the water again.”

Dr. Golic laughed as she picked up his wrist and felt his pulse while studying the rate shown on the cardiac monitor.

“Somehow, I doubt that. You are a survivor. Survivors are known to take calculated risks when necessary. You shouldn’t fear the water, especially since you’ve lived through this.”

Jimmy smiled and nodded. He turned his gaze upon his parents, who looked like they were staring at a newborn baby, their son. He’d been given a second chance in life and planned on making the most of it.

“When can I go home?” asked Jimmy.

Mike laughed. “Sounds like something I’d say.”

Dr. Golic wasn’t sure what he meant by that, so she responded to Jimmy. “You’ve still got some work to do, young man. We need to assess your lungs for the next twenty-four hours or more. Also, there are other specialists on staff who will look in on you as part of our normal protocols.”

She avoided getting into the discussion of the neurological consequences of his near-drowning experience. Not to mention the hospital’s psychologist would poke her head into Jimmy’s room at some point to assess him for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Jimmy frowned at her response.

“Jimmy, you stay right here,” said Sonny. “Your mom and I will stay close. That’s okay, right?”

“Absolutely,” Dr. Golic replied. She turned to address Hank and Mike. “No more than two. I’m sorry.”

Hank nodded. He reached out and squeezed Jimmy’s foot. “You rest up, buddy. Lacey and Tucker are home, as is Peter. We’ll fix you up a double helping of conch stew. Right, Mom?”

Hank reached out to squeeze Phoebe’s hand. The group laughed. Phoebe’s home remedy for pretty much anything was a hefty portion of conch in some recipe or another.

The group said their goodbyes as Hank and Mike eased out of the room. A joyous, emotional reunion took place in Jimmy’s room moments later.

Sunday, November 10

Overseas Highway

Florida Keys

The Keys were engulfed in darkness as Mike drove across the Snake Creek drawbridge connecting Islamorada with Windley Key. Finished in 1981, it had been the third bridge to span the two islands since the Overseas Railroad was built in the early twentieth century. It was the only remaining operating drawbridge in the Keys. Or, at least, it was.

After the two brothers commiserated over Jimmy and his recovery prospects, they rode along for several miles in silence. Then, as the minds of brothers often do, they brought up a subject in near unison.

“We need to talk about Lindsey,” said Mike as Hank asked, “Can we talk about Lindsey?”

After laughing and exchanging high fives, the men became more serious.

Mike continued. “She’s on your mind, too.”

Hank rested his chin in his hand and stared out the passenger’s side window. Normally at night, the small shops and restaurants that lined U.S. 1 in Islamorada would be bustling with tourist activity. Now the spaces were darkened, and the streets were abandoned except for the occasional wayward soul searching through trash or a looted business.

“Don’t get me wrong, Mike. I bear the responsibility of Jimmy being on that bridge in the first place. I allowed Lindsey to strong-arm me, but I felt it was my only choice since she seemed to say I’d be protected from her plans to put people in our bungalows and seize the food grown in our greenhouses.”