Chapter 18

Tank
I was sitting at the bar in the clubhouse having a cup of coffee when Prez got the call from Lug Nut. All Viper said was that he sounded urgent and we had to go. So Brick, Ace Viper and I rode out to the hospital. We race to Lilly’s room and get there just as Goof, Lug Nut and the Ryans are walking out. Goof has a huge grin on his face so I assume it isn’t bad news. Ryans looks up at us and smiles as well. “ Lilly is waking up.” I feel like my legs are going to give way so I lean against the wall for support. “ She is able to weakly respond to commands. A little more time to get her strength back and I believe she will be able to do better.” There is something else. I can feel it, he is leaving something out. Prez says “ Spill it Ryans. What aren’t you saying?” Ryans takes a deep breath “ It’s her eyes. She has extreme light sensitivity and for now that is normal. But they didn’t respond when I examined her.Her pupils should have reacted to the light but didn’t. I'm going to call her neurologist and have him come do an in depth look. It could be she just needs more time to wake up or.” “ Or something permanent.” Ace says. “ I’m afraid so. After I talk to Dr. Mason. I want to bring in an ophthalmologist to look at her to know for sure.” “Whatever she needs doc. Get it for her.” Ryans shakes our hands then walks away to make his calls.

I had been sitting at the back of Lilly’s room for an hour before Dr. Ryans and Dr. Mason came in. Viper had been at her side since we got here. I know he doesn’t want to miss the chance of being here when she wakes up. I’ll get my time with her later when it is just the two of us. Dr. Ryans approaches Viper. “ Viper, Dr. Mason and I need to examine Lilly.” Viper takes a step back to let the doctors work. Dr. Mason steps up first. “ Lilly, my name is Dr. Mason. I’m one of the doctors treating you. I’m going to examine you first then Dr. Ryans is going to look you over.” I like how they talk to her like she is fully awake. Letting her know what is going on around her. Dr. Mason works Lilly over by first asking her to squeeze his hands. I hold my breath while we watch. I don’t release it until I see her do it. While he does his work I have my eyes glued to her watching for any movement she makes. She is able to follow all his commands. She may be weak but she does it. Then he asks Lilly to try to speak. She manages a croaky ‘Hi’ but she does it. I want to shout to the roof. I'm so excited. `` Dr. Ryans will you dim the lights?” he asks. Ryans dims them so much it is almost pitch dark in here.

“ Lilly, I know this may be hard but I need you to open your eyes as much as you can for as long as you can.” I watch her eyelids flutter and slowly open. When she gets them about half way she slams them shut. “ Ok. Lilly. That’s good. I have to shine a light in your eyes. I know it will be uncomfortable but just bear with me.” He opened her eyes and waved the light back and forth then up and down. I heard Lilly wince and want to tell the doctor to back off. But I knew it was necessary. He pulled a pair of sunglasses from his pocket. “ Lilly, I’m going to put some sunglasses on you. When I do, I want you to try to open your eyes again.” Once he slid them on we waited for a minute before he said “ That’s it Lilly. Keep them open as long as you can.”
Lilly started to shake her hand. “ Lilly, is something wrong?” he asked. “ Blurry. Can’t see right. Why?” she whispered. Dr. Mason grabbed her hand and said “ I’m not sure yet. I’m going to run some tests and call an ophthalmologist friend of mine to get you some answers. But for right now Dr. Ryans needs to examine your other injuries.” Ryans steps up to her side “ Lilly, I’m going to start with your face and work my way down.” He motions for Viper to come over. “ I don’t want to strain your voice. I’m going to have Viper hold your hand. When you feel any pain or discomfort I want you to squeeze his hand.” Lilly tilts her head “Viper? Why here?” I can hear the pain in her voice and it guts me. Viper grabs her hand and says “ Try not to talk for now. We have a lot to talk about. And we will. But let’s Ryans look you over first.” Lilly nods. She winced a few times when Ryans touched different places on her face.

“ Lilly, your face is healing real well. I don’t think you are going to have much scarring. The bruises are healing nicely and the swelling around your eye is almost completely gone.” He pulls his stethoscope from his neck “ I’m going to help you sit up. When I say I want you to take a deep breath. When they sat her up, Viper said “ Pain.” “ I’m sorry. I’ll be as quick as possible then we will lay you back down.” Ryans promises. He listens to her breathe a few times before telling her to take a deep breath. When she does she has a horrible coughing fit. Ryans helps her lay back then gives her a cup of water. “ Small slips.” When she finally stops her face is flushed and Viper has to wipe her eyes. Ryans resumes his work. “ I’m going to lift your gown a little to get a look at your stomach and sides.” Viper, Lug Nut and me turn our heads to give her some privacy. I hear her wince and moan. Viper says 'pain several times ’. I just want to run over to her and hold her. I want to take her pain away. When I get my hands on those fuckers who did this to her I’m going to make them pay in the most painful way possible.

“ We are almost done. I’m going to check your knee out now.” I figure it is safe to turn around. He takes off her brace and unwraps her bandage. Her poor knee is twice it’s normal size and purple. He presses different places then lifts her knee then bends it. When he does Viper calls out” Pain, pain, pain.” Ryans gently lowers Lilly’s leg then carefully wraps it back up before fastening her brace.