Page 51 of In Their Hearts
That does it. I bend forward, pressing my forehead to the mattress near his shoulder, crying openly now.
“I kept thinking,” he says quietly, “I can’t die back here.”
“You scared me,” I whisper. “So bad.”
“I’m sorry,” he says immediately, like it’s his fault. “I didn’t mean to?—”
“I know,” I cut in gently. “I know.”
We fall into silence, broken only by the steady beeping of the monitor. He squeezes my hand again, stronger this time.
I lift my head and meet his eyes. “I thought I lost my husband.”
His throat works. He looks at our joined hands, then back at me. “Hey,” he says, voice steadier now. “I’m still here.”
I nod, even though my heart hasn’t quite caught up yet.
“I think I’m going to need you to remind me of that for a while.” I lean down and press a careful kiss to his temple.
“I can do that. I’m going to be okay, Grant.” He says, drifting back to sleep.
I exhale, closing my eyes and absorbing his words.
This day has changed us both forever.
I watch as he sleeps. Thanking the person who answered my prayer. The doctors want to keep him overnight to monitor his burns and make sure he’s breathing well without needing any support.
His body is scattered in purple bruises mixed with cuts that have scabbed over.
It's a miracle that the building didn't collapse on him. When the blast went off, he had been in the corner, and it pushed him away.
I can get through him having a concussion and being a little beat up. What I can't? Is him dead.
My eyes haven't left his body since I saw him lying on the ground. The doctors and nurses have been in and out all night checking on him. I couldn't tell you if I've slept anymore.
I just want to take him home.
His body starts to move as he wakes up. "Hey." It comes out raspy and dry. He coughs and reaches for the water.
“Here. Take small sips, but it'll help."
“Thank you." Clay looks around. “Do you know what happened or who did it?"
“Someone put a homemade bomb in my store. I don't know anything more than that. The police still want to talk to me, but I refused to leave your side."
“Well, shit. Ouch." Clay tries to sit up, but he's clearly in pain.
“Here. Let me help you. You're probably due for some pain meds. They've had you on a lot when cleaning you up and wrapping a couple of the more severe burns.”
“When can we get out of here? I want to go home.”
“Nurse said that Dr. would be in soon, and as long as your lungs sounded good, you'd be discharged.”
“Okay.” Clay drinks more water.
I press the nurse's button. I'm not sure when I'll let him out of my sight.
The nurse enters.
