Chapter 6 - Eli Wakes Up To A Brand New Reality
Inside a private recovery suite at Baltimore County Medical Center, sunlight streamed through the tall window overlooking a quiet courtyard.
Five-year-old Eli stirred beneath his crisp white hospital sheets, blinking his heavy eyes against the bright morning light.
Mara was sitting right beside the bed, holding his small, uninjured hand and brushing soft dark curls away from his forehead.
“Hey, buddy,” Mara whispered gently, smiling through the quiet tears that pooled in the corners of her eyes.
Eli looked around the quiet room, his small fingers tightening around his mother’s thumb with unexpected strength.
“Mom? Are we still in the hospital?” Eli asked, his voice raspy from the intubation tube he had worn during surgery.
“Yes, sweetheart, but you’re doing so much better, and the doctors say your leg is healing nicely,” Mara reassured him.
Eli glanced toward the empty doorway, a look of quiet resignation passing over his young face before he looked back at his mother.
“Did Dad call?” Eli asked softly, his lower lip trembling just a fraction.
Mara took a deep breath, keeping her promise from the night before as she leaned down to kiss his cheek.
“No, he didn’t call, Eli, and you never have to wait for him again,” Mara said with absolute, unwavering conviction.
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Eli let out a soft sigh, as if a heavy invisible backpack had finally been lifted from his small shoulders.
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