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"Hey, sis. Did you wake up feeling okay?" Madison asks from the other end.
When Zeus visited me two days ago, he brought me an iPad so I could access the internet, as well as a phone. So far, I’ve only used the phone to talk to my family. As for the iPad, Madison signed me up for an audiobook service because the medical team said I shouldn’t read for more than thirty minutes at a time for at least a month during my recovery. Since I hate leaving things unfinished, I’ve opted for audiobooks.
"I feel tired and restless at the same time. How is that possible?"
"Dr. Athanasios explained it to me. The tiredness comes from inactivity. Your muscles are weak, even though you’ve already managed to stand up. As for feeling restless, well, you were born that way, Brooklyn. We both were—ants in our pants,"she says, using a phrase our father often used to describe how fidgety we were.
There aren’t many fond memories of him, but a few remain.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Miss Inara leave the room.
"Good thing he explained it to you, because he barely talks to me."
Madison laughs at my annoyance. "I called to share some good news. After this, I doubt you’ll still be mad at your savior."
"What is it?"
"I’m bringing Silas and Soraya to see you."
Brooklyn
CHAPTER NINE
"Do I look okay?"
"Couldn’t be more beautiful," Miss Inara replies, perhaps for the fourth time, though I still feel incredibly anxious ever since Madison called to tell me she was bringing my children to visit.
"I’m nervous. The last time I was with them, they were so little, but my sister showed me videos. They’re walking now. They’re so clever!"
She comes closer and strokes my face. "I can’t even imagine the panic you must have felt that night your family was attacked, Brooklyn. I think it’s the worst nightmare anyone could face, especially knowing our children are vulnerable. But now you’ve been given a second chance. I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to stay stuck in the past. Cherish your family. Start fresh. Forget the harm that was done to you. People like those who hurt you will eventually have to answer to the Creator."
"I’m not that good a person, Miss Inara. There’s no room for forgiveness in my heart. They nearly left my children without a father and a mother. Prison is far too lenient for what they did."
She nods in agreement and opens her mouth to say something, but before she can, someone knocks on the door.
"Ready for the visit?" my sister asks.
I’m sitting on the bed with my legs hanging off the side, as I’ve begun taking small steps around the room. I had hoped I’d be able to stand and maybe even hold my children in my arms. But the moment I see each of them in Madison’s and Eleanor’s arms, it feels like all my limbs turn to jelly.
To my embarrassment, instead of walking toward them, I hide my face in my hands and start crying.
It’s not a quiet cry, one born purely of happiness. I cry out all the fear I felt at the thought I might never see them again.
I’ve been wondering why I didn’t wake up, even after Dr. Athanasios operated on the small tumor in my head. I’ve concluded that I didn’t because I was afraid—afraid that if I opened my eyes or fully understood what people were telling me, I might find out Soraya and Silas were gone.
It was only after the neurosurgeon provoked me for the first time that I began to truly notice the world around me. Hearing my sister talk about my babies and everyone’s lives helped me finally wake up.
I feel Eleanor’s and Madison’s arms around me, and the scent of my children reaches me.
I uncover my face, look at each of them, and can’t speak. I can only silently thank God for this miracle of being alive and with my family.
"Silas, Soraya, do you remember Mommy?"
My daughter has her chubby little hand in her mouth and says nothing. They both just watch me.
"Hey, you two," I say, stroking each of their little faces.
"Madison practiced with them all week, showing them your picture and telling them who you are. They both learned to say‘Mommy’ when they saw the image, but I think they’re feeling a little shy now."