“Oh, you can stay longer if you want to.” The nurse says.

“I know, but I think Bette’s brother wants to visit with her also. Will her room be opened up later? Or do I have to ask the nurses every time I want to visit with her?” Tina asks.

“For the next two days there will be limited visitation. But after that, hopefully Bette will be awake and stronger so she can have more visitors. But for now, there are limitations to the visits. The visitation times in ICU are 10-12 in the mornings and 17-19 in the evenings.” The nurse informs.

“Okay, thank you. But it’s okay that Michael visits his sister now?” Tina asks.

“Off course, the first few hours after surgery and such a serious injury, we allow the family to visit briefly with the patients.” The nurse replies.

“Oh, okay, good. Thank you. I’ll go and get him.” Tina says and walks down the hall and into the waiting room. Evan is sitting in Michael’s lap. They look up when they hear the door opens.

“How is she, how does she look?” Maryann asks.

“Like she’s sleeping peacefully.” Tina says with a small smile. “At least it seems like she’s not in any pain.” She adds.

“That’s good.” Both Maryann and Michael say.

“Michael, you can go in and see her for a few minutes if you want to.” Tina says, looking at him.

“I can? What about… I though the nurse only said one?” Michael says.

“I asked them. They say you could go in a few minutes.” Tina replies with a smile.

“Okay, thank you.” He says. Tina takes Evan from him as he stands up and walks through the doors, and disappears down the hallway. Tina takes a seat, hugging Evan close. Maryann moves next to Tina and put her arm around her shoulder.

“She’s going to be okay. Bette is one of the strongest persons I know.” Maryann says.

“Yeah.” Tina whispers back. She leans her head down on Maryann’s shoulder.

“How are you holding up?” Maryann asks after a few minutes in silence.

“I’m a wreck… I… I never knew that I could love someone so much, that it physically hurts to think about maybe losing them. I’ve never felt pain like what I felt when Brad came to my door and told me what happened. I felt my heart breaking. I can’t lose her. I know I can’t live without her.” Tina says as the tears once again find their way down her cheeks.

“I know what you mean and I know what you feel. I felt like that too once.” Maryann starts.

“You did? What happened?” Tina asks softly.

“I was about 17 years when two police officers came to our door. My mom and dad opened up. I was just coming down the stairs as they opened up the door. I thought it was my boyfriend that had rang the bell. But then I see the two officers and mom falling to the floor along with my dad. “My big sister was killed in a car accident by a drunken driver. She was 5 years older than me and my hero. She was my best friend.” Maryann says as a tear slips out. “It’s still hard to talk about 27 years later.” Maryann says with a slight smile.

“Oh my I’m so sorry. It makes this situation with Bette seems like a walk in the park compared to that. I’m so sorry for you loss.” Tina says as she sits up straight.

“The feelings are real Tina, you can’t stop the emotion. What you felt when Brad told you is just as real as the feelings I had when I lost my sister. You thought he worse had happened. You suddenly pictured a life without the person you love. Hopefully you won’t have to for many years.” Maryann says and pulls Tina towards her and gives her a hug.

“Thank you.” Tina says, hugging her back.