Page 14 of Words Unspoken

“Okay,” Kelly gave a supportive smile. “Remember, we would like to limit them to visiting one at a time and only for fifteen minutes each. It would be best not to tax Mr. Ramesly too much right now.”

Ann nodded. She got a coffee and something from the vending machine before heading back to Michael’s room. It was a good thing everyone thought she was his significant other. She would never have such access to him otherwise.

Michael was peacefully sleeping, and she was thankful. When he had started crying… it had frightened her badly. This was her Michael. Unflappable, patient, strong. She had never seen him shaken by anything.

He could not read. He could not speak. She sat down and looked at the pamphlets. She would be depressed too if she could not talk to people. Ann put the pamphlets away and looked at her phone. Geanie had called. Ann called her back.

“Ann, could you hold on a moment?”

“Sure.” Ann sipped her coffee and looked at Michael. He looked exhausted even as he slept. The white bandage around his head was not doing him any favors either.

“I am in the bathroom. I am just checking the stalls… no one is here,” explained Geanie. Ann could picture Geanie leaning with a hip against the counter in the ladies’ room of the company. “It is a crazy mess here. Everyone has heard about Mr. Ramesly transferring his shares to you and resigning. Ozzit is threatening to sue but I talked to Deegal, and he says there is no case. Mr. Ramesly and he made sure of that when they did up all the contracts of transferal. Mr. Noah Ramesly looks like he wants to pull out his own hair and those of everyone around him. I don’t blame the poor man. They are like to make him head of the board just because of his last name and we all know that is not what he wants. Mr. Maxwell was trying to calm everyone down, but it is hard with Ozzit whipping them into a frenzy. Finally, both the Ramesly brothers left, and Gains is trying to get everyone to get back to work. He is not having much luck. Where did you and Michael go? Has he finally swept you off your feet?”

Ann gave a watery sigh. “Oh Geanie.”

“Oh dear,” Geanie knew that tone. “What is it?”

“You cannot tell anyone,” Ann trusted Geanie. They had been work friends for ages but Geanie did like to gossip. “I mean it. If I tell you this, it goes absolutely no further. I would consider it a betrayal of our friendship.”

“Hey, did I say a word about how you have got the hots for the boss?” Geanie was a little offended. “I can keep a secret.”

Ann took a deep breath and plunged in, “He cannot speak properly. He cannot read. Geanie, I don’t know what he is going to do.”

Geanie absorbed this for a moment. “Ann, are you okay? We are talking about the same Michael Ramesly, right?”

“He had surgery this morning to remove a couple of tumors in his brain,” Ann explained. “His brain has been damaged during the surgery.”

“Oh my,” Geanie breathed. “He is going to be okay though?”

“Other than the language thing, he seems alright,” Ann replied. Now she was worried that there were other side effects that they didn’t know about yet. It was scary enough, all the other things that could yet go wrong. She was petrified that she was going to lose him. Two days ago she had finally been ready to walk out of his life and now she could not imagine leaving.

“The language. Not being able to read. Is that temporary?” Suddenly Geanie said. “Excuse me, this bathroom is out of order. Use the one on the next floor.”

Ann waited until Geanie said that the bathroom was empty again. “It is permanent.”

“Is that why he resigned?” Geanie was quick on the uptake. “He knew this could happen, didn’t he?”

“I think so,” Ann could hear voices in the hall. “Geanie, I have got to go.”

“Okay. You need anything you call me, okay?”

“Thanks,” Ann ended the call and went into the hall to find Noah and Max talking to the nurse at the nurse’s station.

Max saw her first. He came over and gave her a hug which, she reflected, must be a statement as to her level of exhaustion. She must look a complete wreck. Max had always been the more affectionate of all the brothers, but she had not seen him in six years. It was unlikely he was giving out free hugs to her unless she looked like she really needed one.

“Where is he?” Noah asked.

“You can see him, one at a time, for fifteen minutes. He is sleeping right now,” Ann pushed back the hair that had come out of her braid.

“How did this happen? Why didn’t he tell us?” Noah ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

“He only found out a few days ago,” Ann said softly.

“Don’t defend him, Ann. He should have told us.”

“Yes, Noah, he should have,” Ann said sharply. He should have told her too. Instead, he had tried to be strong and independent as always, not wanting to bother anyone probably. It would be hard to understand his motives since he could not articulate them anymore, yet it was something he would do, keeping his pain and uncertainty to himself. Michael simply did not share his own vulnerabilities, not because he thought it made him weak but because he didn’t want to impose on others. “I know you are hurt by his actions, but he has just been through surgery and I will thank you to calm down or not see him at all.”

Noah looked at her in surprise. Ann had never been short with him before. Max put a hand on Noah is shoulder and said, “I will go first so Noah can reorganize his thoughts. Where will you be in the meanwhile?”