Chapter 42: Wedding Number Two

Carson

When Tony joins us in the emergency department, Montana’s still unconscious. I share the information Fran told me. In her motherly tone, she tries to calm my nerves.

I watch as the nurse replaces the empty IV bag with another. She promises Montana’s improving with the fluids in her system.

Later, a rustling sound near my head wakes me. I lift it from the bed, finding Montana looking down at me.

“Kiss… Beth…”

I barely make out her raspy whispers.

“What?” I ask.

Tony appears on the opposite bedside.

“Kiss…” Montana’s eyes flutter closed. “B-e-t-h…”

And she’s out again. Neither Tony nor I understand what the two words mean. We attempt to work through it out loud, but we’re too tired. The wall clock reads six a.m. We need Montana to wake up. Then, we need to go home and sleep.

****

Hours later, the nurse returns, taking Montana’s vitals. At her movement and tou