Cali sat in the recliner with her laptop on her lap. She had been so behind on work that she opted to do some of it while posted up at the hospital. Day by day, Rio had been weaning off the life support machine. While the doctors had been hopeful, he had yet to awaken. Ruthia was still camped out in the room, praying relentlessly for a full recovery. Her dedication had been so inspiring to Cali.
When the door opened, Cee walked inside carrying keys in his hand.
“Hey, Ms. Campbell,” he greeted Ruthia. “What’s up, Cali?” He gave her a friendly hug.
“Hey, Cee. You been okay?”
“Yeah.” He handed her the key. “I got your oil changed earlier.”
While Cali had been supporting Rio at the hospital, Cee and Slime took care of anything she may have needed. Cee ensured that her car was filled with gas and taken care of while Slime took care of the landscaping and house needs. She had been so thankful for their loyalty and couldn’t wait for Rio to wake up so she could tell him all about it.
“Thank you so much.”
“You know I got you.” He turned and looked at Rio. “Still no change?”
“Not yet,” Ruthia answered. “But my boy will be back before you know it.”
Cali was thankful for her faith because hers was undoubtedly wavering again.
Cee took a seat, pulling his phone out. Cali resumed doing her work in her laptop while Ruthia changed the water in the vase for the flowers. Muffled noises diverted her attention to the bed where Rio was. His chest heaved as a stifled cough stalled in his mouth.
“Oh, my God.” Cali jumped up, making her laptop crash to the ground.
She hurried over to Rio and Cee followed suit. Without warning, he pulled at the ET tube that was inserted into his mouth.
“Go get the doctor,” Cali ordered urgently to Cee.
He ran out the room as Ruthia came out of the bathroom with the vase. As soon as she saw Cali struggling to keep Rio from pulling at the tube, her eyes expanded as she dropped the vase from her hands. Shards of glass scattered across the shiny tile while she hurried over to the bed.
“My God is faithful!” she shouted. “Rio, I knew you would come back to us.”
“Help me restrain him. I think he’s choking,” Cali fretted.
Seconds later, Cee entered the room with the doctor and nurse right behind him.
“Excuse us,” the doctor said, gently moving Ruthia and Cali out of the way.
“Is he okay?” Cali questioned, eyes filled with concern.
“He’s coming out of the coma.” The doctor pulled out his flashlight, opening Rio’s eyes to take a look. “DuRio, I am Dr. Benjamin at the hospital. You’ve been in a coma and had to be on a ventilator. You're okay but I need you to calm down so we can get this thing out of you.”
Rio had a panicked look in his eyes as the nurse and doctor grabbed his arms.
“My God, my God, my God,” Ruthia praised, lifting her hands in the air. “Nobody can tell me my God ain't good.”
“Damn.” Cee shook his head. “I can’t believe he’s waking up.”
Cali would’ve been bothered by his statement if she wasn’t amazed her damn-self. She had hopes that this would happen but seeing Rio try to take a breath on his own left her speechless. While the doctor and nurse worked on Rio, Cali stood by, pressing her hands together while holding in tears. She didn’t want to celebrate too early. She was traumatized from watching Rio struggle to hold on to life. Was this his last breath before he was taken from her? Did he make one last appearance before God sent him on his way? Cali wasn’t sure, which was why she held her praises until she knew for sure that Rio would be here to stay.
The doctor turned to them as they waited in silence. “We’re going to ask you all to step out for a second while we assess him.”
“Is he alive?” Cali asked, needing confirmation. “I mean is he going to be okay?”
“Right now, we’re trying to get him stable.” The doctor looked at the nurse. “Call the respiratory therapist.”
“I know he’s going to be okay,” Ruthia stated with such confidence. “We’ll step out while you do your check up.”
They all filed out of the room and stood outside the door.
