Previously –

Shane finished reading the letter, wiped away the tear rolling down her cheek, and closed the folder.  Shane walked over to Dana and gave her a kiss on the cheek.  “I love you too” she whispered.  “I am gonna do what’s in my heart and what I think is best for you.  Don’t worry about Alice.  She’s in good hands…your hands.”  Shane looked down at Alice and Dana holding hands and smiled.  Shane gave Dana another kiss and left the room in search of Dana’s doctor.

Chapter 6 –

(Monday morning…Dana’s been in a coma for 10 days)

“Shane I hope you are right about this” Alice said nervously as she and Shane watched the nurse start Dana’s chemo treatment.

“It’s what she would want” Shane replied hoping she was right.  “There is one good thing about starting the treatments now.  She won’t bitch us out when things get rough and she doesn’t feel good like before.” 

Alice smiled but it faded before she spoke.  “I think I rather have her bitch at me.  At least then I knew she was alive and fighting the cancer.”

“I don’t like this anymore than you do.  But I talked to the doctors and this is her best chance.  Awake or not, she’s still fighting.  She wouldn’t be here right now if she wasn’t fighting and you know it.”  Shane sat back in her chair and closed her eyes hoping to take a nap during the treatment.

“Shane. Shane, wake up.”

“Emm.  Five more minutes Carmen.”

“Carmen?  Shane wake your ass up.  Are you having another wet dream?”  Alice laughed as she playfully hit Shane in the arm. 

Shane sat up in her chair and stretched.  “Fuck you Alice!  How’s she doing?”

“The nurse said she’s doing okay.  They’re monitoring her closely because she always gets so weak after the treatments.  But since she’s being fed through the tube she won’t get sick like before which is good.  I think getting sick and not being able to keep food down is why she would get so weak.  So maybe being in the coma will help her.  I just miss her and wish I could talk to her.”  Alice squeezed Dana’s hand and stared at her, silently wishing she would open her eyes, smile, or just do something to let Alice know she was still around.

“They say that people in comas can still hear everything going on around them.  I’m not much of a talker but you’ve always been able to talk, even if it’s to a wall.  Hell, that’s why you’re so good on the radio.  During your days of pill popping drunkenness, you told me more than once that you wished you could talk to her, but you were afraid she wouldn’t listen.  Now is your chance, talk to her.  Worst case scenario she wakes up and doesn’t know a word you said.  But I know your ass well enough to know that if you don’t talk to her and something happens, you will hate yourself for not talking to her.  I’m no shrink, but I think you will feel better if you do.  Who knows, once you start talking she may wake up just to tell you to shut up.”

Alice turned to Shane and gave her a hug.  “Thanks Yoda.  You’re not a woman of many words but when you do speak it’s meaningful.  Maybe one of these days you will listen to some of this great advice you give everyone else.  It’s getting late.  Go home and spend some time with that great girlfriend of yours who you’ve been neglecting for the past few days to be with us.” 

“Yeah she is great.  She doesn’t mind that I haven’t spent time with her because she knows how much you two mean to me.  I guess I’m out of here.  Try to get some sleep and I will see you in the morning.”  Shane gave Alice another hug and gave Dana a kiss before leaving for the night.

Alice held Dana’s hand and snuggled into her chair.  Thinking about what Shane said, Alice closed her eyes and fell asleep.

“Alice.  Alice.”  Alice slowly opened her eyes and shut them quickly as the sun shined brightly on her face.  Alice shifted away from the sun and slowly began to open her eyes again.  When Alice focused on who woke her she couldn’t believe it.  “Hi…”