Chapter 41

I peel my eyes open and look around the dull, white hospital room. The lights are harsh and I find myself squinting because of them. The sanitized smell of the atmosphere burns my nose. Elliot is asleep in a chair at the foot of the bed, his head rests on his arms which are folded on top of the mattress. The beeping of multiple machines reverberate in my ears. I examine the wires attached to my body. An IV in my hand, pulse oximeter clip on my index finger. EKG chords attached to my chest and a thin oxygen tube positioned beneath my nose. I brush the tips of my fingers against the oxygen tube and wiggle the finger with the pulse oximeter attached.

"Kristine? Honey?" Mom whispers as she leans forward in her chair.

I slowly turn my head to look at her and the corner of my mouth pulls into a pained smile. I try to speak but nothing comes out.

"Don't talk, you've had a tube in your throat. You're going to be sore for a little while."

I nod. I drop my hand from the oxygen tube and plac