Chapter 15 - EMILY OPENED HER EYES
It happened without dramatic music.
Six weeks after Benjamin’s birth.
Daniel was asleep in the recliner.
Lily’s drawing still taped to the wall.
Emily made a sound.
Small.
Air.
Daniel woke instantly.
“Em?”
Her eyelids trembled.
He stood.
“Emily?”
They opened.
Not fully.
A narrow space.
Brown eyes.
Unfocused.
Daniel stopped breathing.
He pressed the call button.
“Emily, I’m here.”
Her eyes moved.
Slowly.
Toward him.
Daniel began crying.
Doctors came.
Nurses.
Dr. Shah.
Nobody shouted miracles.
They assessed.
Pupils.
Commands.
Tracking.
Emily fatigued quickly.
But she was awake.
Partially.
Then she looked toward the bassinet.
Benjamin slept nearby.
Daniel lifted him.
“This is Ben.”
Emily’s lips moved.
No sound.
Again.
Daniel leaned closer.
A whisper.
Rough.
Almost nothing.
“Baby.”
Daniel broke.
He placed Benjamin beside her carefully.
Emily cried.
Real tears this time.
No debate.
Then she looked at Daniel.
Her voice came like sandpaper.
“Lily?”
He laughed through tears.
Of all the questions.
“She’s okay.”
Emily closed her eyes again.
Before sleeping, she whispered:
“Dirt?”
Daniel smiled.
“Evidence.”
A faint expression appeared.
May you like
Almost a smile.
“Good.”
