Insecurity and a Bottle of Merlot (17 page)

“Will someone take down my name as a contact?” Vic asked. “I’d like to come back every evening, especially once he wakes up.”

The nurses wrote down Vic and Mia’s phone numbers, and listed them as people allowed to visit.

The ride back to Tarrytown held disbelief and sadness for both women. Mia watched the dark road closely as she drove. Vic looked out the window staring into the blackness.

“Mia?”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think Max had the accident because of me? Was he upset about the way I acted toward him Saturday night, and not paying attention to the road?”

“Honey, don’t put that burden on yourself. You’ll never know what Max was thinking unless he tells you. It’s not like he carelessly veered off the road. He hit a deer, Vic. It was standing in the road. There wasn’t enough time to react, that’s all.” Mia reached over and patted Vic’s shoulder.

“I’ve learned a hard lesson.”

“What’s that?”

“Not to believe everything I see. There could be a totally innocent explanation for a lot of things people misinterpret. I should have spoken up. If I would have walked over to you guys on the driveway, I would have realized neither of you were doing anything wrong. I’ll never, and I mean never, prejudge people again. I’m so sorry, Mia.”

“It’s okay. Now, all we have to do is pray for Max. Why don’t you make a few phone calls while I drive? We need to tell everyone what’s going on.”

Back in the comfort of her house, Mia and Vic slumped down on the couch, letting out spontaneous sighs. Aaron handed each of them a glass of chilled Chardonnay and sat next to Mia, comforting them both, as they took turns explaining what they learned in the last few hours.

“I don’t really know Max, but I’m so sorry he’s going through this. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the words. Mia and I are there for you, Vic. The same goes for all our friends.”

“Thanks, that means a lot. I’ll probably be going to the hospital after work each night. I’d like it if everyone took turns going along. I think leaning on each other as he recovers will lessen the stress.”

“I agree, hon. I’ll do my photography around your work schedule. We’ll go with you whenever you want. Max might recover quicker if he has stimulation from people he knows.”

“Okay, guys, I’m beat. I need to go home. Stop in at lunchtime tomorrow, Mia. You can decide where to eat. Aaron, join us, please. It would be nice.”

“Will do, Vic. Good night.”

Chapter Twenty Three

The next week went by slowly. Ninety percent of Vic’s mind was on Max and ten percent on her job. Anything that was critical like hair coloring and cuts, was left in the capable and safer hands of Tina. Vic settled for taking care of the mani-pedis and rolling the little old ladies’ hair in curlers. She didn’t get much sleep and found her head bobbing plenty of times throughout the day.

Max was taken out of his induced coma five days ago. He slept a lot on his own just because of the pain medication, and didn’t seem to recognize anyone that stopped in, especially Vic. Her face was the constant in that hospital room every night, but he still couldn’t get a grasp on names or faces. Max worked with a speech and occupational therapist several times a day. His motor skills were improving, but he had a long, hard road ahead of him. Vic was diligent and loyal. She felt a true sense of love toward Max. She also felt an equal sense of guilt that she couldn’t shake off.

The chimes on the grandfather’s clock in the living room sounded three times. Vic tossed and turned in bed, irritated by her inability to sleep. Her eyes burned like hot pokers. She needed sleep, but she wouldn’t get any without help. Vic stumbled out of bed and zombie walked to the kitchen. Sleepytime tea always made her dozy. With her eyes only open enough to see through the slits, she poured water into a cup, placed it in the microwave and set the timer for two minutes.
That should help me fall asleep.
She sat with her tea on the recliner and thought about Max. The TV was turned on as background noise with a middle of the night ‘firm up your butt’ infomercial playing. Vic stared at it, but didn’t see a thing. Her fingers grasped the tea bag string and mindlessly bobbed it up and down in the cup.
Will he ever remember me? Is his mind going to come back and function fully in time? I want to start over with him, and show him I can be a sweet person. I don’t have to be the hard ass, insecure bitch. It isn’t at all funny, or attractive, now that I think about it. Why don’t I ever let the real me show? Why am I always hiding behind the tough girl facade?

Vic thought back to her childhood. It was hard being the only girl in a family of four kids. They definitely weren’t privileged either. The family worked hard for everything they had. “The tough ones win, Vic,” her dad always said.
Is that where it came from?
Vic took one last sip of tea as she watched the butt firming exercises on TV.
This is such crap. I’ve got a firm butt anyway. Time for bed.
She clicked off the remote and vowed to get some sleep.

Saturday, Mario offered to go with Vic to the hospital. Everyone else had prior commitments that day. Mario also volunteered to stay another week just to make life a little easier on Vic. She appreciated her baby brother so much. Vic was optimistic. The doctor told her Max would be moved to the neighboring rehabilitation center in two days. His condition was good, but he needed extensive mental and physical therapy while his brain and broken legs healed. They entered the room as Max was being helped with his lunch. His weak grasp caused him to drop the fork. The therapist handed it back to him. He dropped it again.

“I can do that,” Vic volunteered happily. She sat on the edge of the bed and handed Max the fork each and every time he dropped it. Max stared at her, then looked at Mario.

“How’s it going, Mario?” he asked, with a thick slur.

Vic dropped the fork. “Max, you recognized Mario. You remembered his name,” she said, excitedly.

He looked at her again, and with the heavy slur said, “Vic, you’re here.”

She sobbed openly as she pushed the food tray to the side and carefully hugged Max. “I’m here, Max. I’ll always be here for you. You can depend on me. I promise you that. Mario, get the doctor. They have to see his memory is coming around. This is such good news!”

They were asked to leave the room while the doctor checked Max over.

“Mario, text me as soon as the doctor comes out. I’m going outside to call the girls. They’ll be so excited to hear the news.”

The doctor and therapists worked with Max for nearly an hour before they came out of the room. Mario and Vic waited on the edge of their seats.

“Max’s brain function needs to be tested,” the doctor said. “I would suggest going home and coming back in the morning. We’ll be running him through quite a few tests throughout the day. Tomorrow we’ll have more information after we read the results. Go home and relax. It looks like it’s going to be a long day, but I think the prognosis will please you.”

“Thank you, doctor. We’ll be back in the morning.” Vic was on cloud nine as she and Mario drove home.

That night everyone gathered for dinner at Vic’s house. The girls brought all the food so Vic could sit back and enjoy the evening with her dearest friends. They toasted Max’s imminent recovery.

“I don’t want to make this night anything to do with me. We’re celebrating Max, but I’m so happy I can’t contain it anymore,” Sasha said, out of pure excitement. “I’ll pee my pants if I don’t just tell you.”

“Hell no, we’re not going to mop up your mess,” Mia joked. “Just spill already.”

“Okay… ready? The owners accepted my offer on the Victorian. Yay! Josh actually came through for me.”

“Oh my God, Sasha, that’s wonderful news. And Josh, um… the jury is still out on him, but tonight is a great night to celebrate. Does anyone else have something exciting to say?” Karen asked, grinning at everyone.

“I do,” Aaron said. “I’m going to take Mia home and make passionate love to her.”

Everyone burst out laughing as Mia punched Aaron in the arm. She turned ten shades of red and choked on her wine. “Aaron, my God I’m going to kill you right now.”

Saturday night was good. Wine, beer and food filled their bellies as the celebration continued. Everyone hugged, laughed and stated their appreciation for good food, good fortune and good friends.

“Vic, this is what life is all about. Pretty soon Max will join us again. We’re friends for life… all of us. We’re family, don’t ever forget that.” Mia hugged Vic. Everyone embraced each other, expressed their love and went home to get some sleep.

Chapter Twenty Four

Only three visitors were allowed at a time in Max’s room. The friends went to Peekskill together though, as a group. They took two cars and decided to make a day of it. Max was allowed visitors for two hours a day, nothing more, per doctor’s orders. He didn’t want Max to get overstimulated. Lunch was planned afterward, then shopping the stores in Beacon, Mia’s favorite small town. Antique stores and galleries lined the streets. It was a beautiful, sun filled Saturday, perfect for strolling the quaint village.

The doctor gathered them together in the fourth floor family center. “Max is doing exceptionally well. His brain function tests show remarkable improvement. He’s on the mend, and will be released in a few days. He’ll need to come here for therapy three times a week, or the therapist can go to his home. Max can’t be alone though. Someone has to be with him until his broken legs heal, and he can walk. Where does his family live, and why hasn’t a relative come to visit him?”

Everyone stared blankly at the doctor. There were no words. They never met Max’s family, or even heard stories about them. Being the only person in the room with information about anything, and that was the motorcycle club story, Mia wasn’t about to open her mouth. No way on God’s earth would she spill that to anyone. Aaron would wonder why she had knowledge about Max when Vic didn’t. It wouldn’t add up. The truth would remain hidden. Mia wasn’t talking, but somebody had to say something.

“Max can come home with me. My brother is staying at my house temporarily, and I can take time off work. It will be fine. We’ll make him comfortable,” Vic said.

“Very well then. You’ll have to sign the medical power of attorney papers when he’s released. That’s only if Max is coherent enough to understand what’s going on. He has to agree to stay at your home, Ms. Alonso. We’ll locate some therapists that do home care visits and get it set up. You can visit for a while now, but only a few of you at a time.” The doctor shook everyone’s hands and left to do his Sunday morning rounds.

Max recognized everyone, and appeared happy to see them. He was confused on a few names, but the doctor said that may happen.

“Don’t worry, Max, it will all come back soon,” Vic said.

They stayed for two hours taking turns at his bedside and talking to him. Max dozed off occasionally during the visit. They didn’t want to exhaust him, so they said good bye and left for the day. Mario and Vic would return on Tuesday to check Max out of the hospital. His recovery would take place in Tarrytown.

***

Mia, Tina and Sasha helped at Vic’s house Sunday night. Furniture had to be repositioned to accommodate a wheelchair passing through. Vic set up the third bedroom, currently used as her office, into Max’s new quarters. The desk was put in the garage for now, and Vic moved her laptop to the dining room table. She hoped Max would be okay with the arrangement.

“How am I going to help him with his personal stuff?” Vic asked, as they sat down to take a break. She was concerned after she gave it some thought.

“The therapists will be here part of the time,” Sasha said.

“Yeah, but they aren’t nurses, and that isn’t their job. They’re physical and occupational therapists. He can’t take a bath or shower, and he’s way too heavy for me to move around. Do I give him sponge baths? Will he be able to go to the bathroom alone?”

“Vic, you need to ask the doctor those questions. I’m sure Max wouldn’t mind sponge baths from you though. Maybe a little stimulation will help him recover faster,” Tina said, giving her a wink.

“Tina, I swear you’re going to hell. You’re an evil woman. I’ll worry about Max becoming stimulated when he’s in better shape. I’m not going to take advantage of him,” Vic smirked.

“Yeah right! Since when haven’t you took advantage of a good opportunity when you had the chance? Banged up or not, Max Cole is one hunk of a guy. He’s drop dead gorgeous and sexier than shit. I’m just saying… ”

Vic and Mario made last minute adjustments in the house Tuesday morning before they left to pick up Max. Vic felt excited, but anxious.

“Mario, am I’m doing the right thing bringing Max back home with me?”

“Well, Sis, I don’t know him yet, but from the looks of things, you have serious feelings for Max. Do what’s in your heart. Sure, in time when he’s better, we can discuss the business stuff, but in a few days you’ll be on your own with him. It’s a big responsibility taking care of someone, and working too. The last thing you want to do is become stressed and delay his recovery. You both have to be comfortable with each other in this situation. It isn’t the easiest way to start a relationship.”

“You’re such a smart and insightful brother, Mario. I love you, and I’m so happy you’re back in New York. Max should be walking in ten days. The doctor is going to fit him with leg braces, and that alone will take pressure off me. Otherwise, it’s really just the therapies he has to work on. He’ll be as good as new in a few months. I want to pick up where we were before this happened. Max is a wonderful person, Mario. I don’t know the whole story behind the man. We haven’t gotten that far yet, but I believe in him. I believe in us.”

“Then that’s what you need to focus on, Sis. I want you to be happy. If Max is what does it for you, then go for it. You have to give it your very best effort. Let’s see how it goes for the next few days. I’ll feel a lot better leaving you alone to take care of him if it looks doable.”

“Yeah, don’t forget, I have friends that are concerned about Max too. All it takes is a phone call.”