The Coma (Part 33)

Sam arrived home promptly at five fifteen, sweating and looking tired. He smiled a hello to the two girls before plopping down on the couch exhausted.

“Wow, have a hard day?” Lydia asked, she hadn’t thought working at Wal-Mart would be that hard of a job.

“Well, no. All I do is checkout. But I missed the bus, so I had to walk home. It’s horribly hot out there right now.” He sighed and stared at Lydia who was holding tightly to Emily. “Did you two get along okay?” He smiled at her.

“Well, I was supposed to go talk to Doctor Michelson remember? He told me. So I did. But he was already dead by eleven when I got there.” She sighed and stared down at Emily, so full of life. Suddenly she felt horribly for yelling at him and ignoring him. She wished she could go back in time and take it back.

“Lydia, it’s okay. Things happen. It’ll be fine.” Sam said, trying to reassure her. “You’re fine and that’s what matters.” Emily let out a long cry and Sam reached over to take her from Lydia, who handed her over easily.

Like this morning, a loud musical tone rang through the room, and Lydia reached quickly for her cell phone. Good timing. She thought to herself and stood up, leaving the room, to answer.

“Hello?” She said, trying to keep her voice light.

“What you been up to Lydia?” Kayla’s voice rang through the receiver.

“Haven’t been up to too much, just sort of being here, it’s hard you know. I’m so sorry I forgot to call you. Is there any way I can repay you for taking care of Lady for so long?” Lydia said; she had missed talking to Kayla more than she missed Caitlyn.

“Lydia, don’t mention it. It’s really fine. She’s such a cute little girl anyways, I’d never mind!” Her voice was high pitched and Lydia pictured her jumping around, hyper as always.

“So how are you?” She asked after a moment’s silence.

“I’m great! How are you?” Her voice calmed at the question, afraid of what Lydia would answer.

“I’m doing better.” Lydia smiled to herself thinking of Sam awaiting her in the living room.

“Great! I know I’m going to regret asking this but…” She stopped for a moment and Lydia’s heart rose into her throat. She was terrified of what Kayla would ask. “Is what Caitlyn said true?” Lydia knew no secrets would be kept between the three of them. They had been best friends since high school, Caitlyn and Lydia even longer.

“Yes.” Lydia sighed as the word rolled off her tongue, wondering whether Kayla would say the same thing as Caitlyn had.

“That’s good! You need someone. I couldn’t imagine going through what you have been. I would have killed myself. And that you got over it enough that you could date again… That just proves how strong I always knew you were!” She shouted through the phone, obviously meaning it. Lydia smiled; at least one of her friends was a true one.

“Thanks.” She said, her voice sounding more relieved. Lydia slumped against the wall, relaxing more now that she knew Kayla wouldn’t go against her.

“I better get going; it’s actually time to feed your dog. So you’ll take her tomorrow or you want to keep me doing it? I don’t mind!” Lydia could hear the smile in her voice, she liked this job.

“Yeah, if you want to, I wouldn’t mind. Well, I’ll be there for a while tomorrow, but the day after would be nice. If you’re sure you don’t mind doing it anyways.” Lydia tapped her fingers against the wall, the stillness of the hallway obviously bothering her.

“Okay!” She paused for a moment and an awkward silence set it. They both waited a minute before Kayla finally began talking again. “Well, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Alright, that sounds fine, bye!” Lydia replied, hanging up the phone and walking back towards the living room where Sam was waiting. Emily was no longer in his arms and Lydia figured she must be asleep by now. It was getting late, though she hadn’t realized the time, and when she finally looked out the window the sun had set and darkness blanketed the ground.

“How’d it get so late?” Sam said suddenly as they were watching each other on the living room couch. Lydia shrugged.

“Don’t know. Don’t think it really matters.” She smiled and waited for him to reply, but all that came back was a smile. And suddenly she had the urge to kiss him, but she didn’t resist. Slowly, she inched up to him, placing her lips gently on his, and kissing him deeply. He kissed back with all the passion that she had.

“I’m going to bed.” She whispered into his ear when they had finally stopped.

“Goodnight.” He smiled as he said the words and placed a kiss on top of her head.

“Goodnight?” She giggled and grabbed his hand, pulling him along with her as if he were on a leash.

“Huh. So I’m going along then?” She could hear the smile in his voice as they entered the bedroom and she shut the tight door.

“Yes.” She whispered back and laid on the bed, waiting for him.

“Are you sure you want me in the bed with you?” He asked nervously.

“Yes.” She whispered again. Sam got into the bed and covered them both up. Lydia turned and kissed him lightly first and then more deeply until the passion was back and they’re breathing was harder. Sam’s hand trailed up Lydia’s waist until he was touching her chest lightly, but just as he did, she pulled away.

“Sam… Not all at… Once… Wait…For a bit…” She said between kisses and deep breaths. Slowly she pulled away and lay down next to him, cuddling into his chest and closing her eyes. Sam smiled and wrapped his arms around her, perfectly comfortable and content.

Lydia awoke alone in the queen bed and wondered if she had just dreamed Sam sleeping with her. She stood up, stretched, and looked back at the bed where she spotted a small sheet of paper. She picked it up and read, in Sam’s handwriting:

Hey honey,

I had to get to work,

I didn’t want to wake you.

I made you breakfast, it’s in the fridge.

Emily’s asleep a few feet away from you.

Have a good day Lydia.

Love,

Sam