Upside Down

102

The emergency room doctor gave Faith Ann two shots of antibiotics and a bottle of more antibiotics he wanted her to take for a few days. Winter received the same treatment. It was going on midnight, and even though she was yawning and fighting to keep her eyes open, she told Winter that she wanted to see Uncle Hank. She really needed to see for herself that he was alive.

When Winter and Faith Ann walked into the reception area on the ICU floor, a man Winter said was Hank's doctor was writing on a chart. When he saw Winter he smiled. “You got my message.”

“No, I didn't,” Winter said. “What was it?”

“Hank Trammel's conscious. He's been in and out since we reversed the coma drugs. A nurse was at the bedside and he asked her for a scotch on the rocks, that he was thirsty. She said she'd get him water and he told her, not that kind of thirsty.”

They followed the doctor to a cubicle where he drew back a curtain before hurrying off.

Faith Ann clenched Winter's hand and took a deep breath as they drew closer to Hank's bed. She stood there for long seconds, silent and white-faced. Her uncle's face was horribly swollen, the trademark handlebar mustache gone, and bandages covered the familiar gray hair. Both of his arms and his legs were encased in plaster.

“Uncle Hank?” she said softly. “You awake?”

There was no response from the man on the bed.

“The doctor said he was awake,” she told Winter. “How can he still be asleep?”

“Beats me.”

“Why can't he hear me?”

Winter shrugged.

“I'd give anything to hear him ask for a drink of whiskey,” Faith Ann said. She saw a slight shiver run through her uncle. She leaned in closer.

“Uncle Hank?” she repeated, praying. “It's me, Faith Ann.”

Her uncle's eyelids fluttered.

“Faith Anna-banana pants,” he murmured. “Did I hear you talking about whiskey?” he asked her.

“They said you can't drink whiskey in the rooms,” she said. She had never felt so absolutely thrilled.

“Faith Ann, you know what?”

“No, what?” she said.

“Of all the Porter women I've ever seen, you are the most beautiful. Nice haircut.”