Can You Hear Me, Baby? (standard:Psychological fiction, 1417 words)
Author: TJC	Added: May 14 2007	Views/Reads: 4212/2658	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
A man in a coma can hear what his wife and those around him are saying, but helpless and can't respond.

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story

For fourteen years I'd been married to a beautiful woman.  Shannon had
strawberry blonde hair which fell to just above her shoulders, framing 
an angelic face.  She was the type of woman everyone noticed; 
curvaceous but delicately so.  It was easy to picture her above my 
hospital bed in her staple attire of a soft, white cashmere sweater and 
her black designer jeans.   If only I'd told her how much I loved her a 
little more often.  Instead,  I let my jealousy cloud my judgement and 
we spent so much time fighting and arguing in the ugliest of ways.  
Deep down I knew she was faithful to me but yet I was so insecure I'd 
lash out at her in an effort to make myself feel better and to control 
her every move. It had to be hard on the boys seeing our fights and 
living in a house dominated by rage. 

God?  Can you hear me?  I know I've never been one to believe in you but
if you can help me recover I promise to do better on so many fronts, 
especially my family.  Please hear me. 

“Ms. Rosenfeld,  I'll be back in a while to check on things.”  It was
the doctor's voice. 

“We'll need you to come give us a statement when you're up to it, okay
Ms. Rosenfeld?” I heard a snapping sound, perhaps the cop's notebook. 

Shannon didn't reply, she probably nodded with tears in her eyes.  Were
they gone?  Was it just my wife and I now?  I so badly wanted to tell 
her that if I somehow get out of this I'm going to be a better husband. 
No more fights.  No more anger. 

I'll never hurt you again, Shannon.  Never.  Ever.  We'll live happily
and cherish the good things we have.  Oh Shannon, do you hear me?  Can 
you hear me, Baby? 

Then I felt her hand on my face.  Oh it felt wonderful to feel her
touching me. I've never been affectionate enough with her. Things are 
going to be different when I recover.  I'll treat her so good.  We'll 
make things better together- kind words instead of insults, honesty 
instead of lies, appreciation instead of accusations and soft caresses 
instead of- 

“Can you hear me, Baby?”  It was Shannon.  She was kissing my cheek. 
Her lips felt comforting. Was I crying?  No, I don't cry. 

Yes.  Yes I hear you.  Oh I want you so badly right now.  Shannon, I
want to make tender love to you.  It will be sweet romance for us when 
I recover,  I swear to you. 

“Oh, John, I hope you can hear me.”  She kissed my ear softly, letting
her tongue slip just inside then suckled the lobe softly before gently 
biting it.  “Do you know what, John, my love?” 

What Baby?  Talk to me.  Please keep talking to me.  I'm scared here in
the dark.  I need you.  I've always needed you.  I'm so sorry I didn't 
tell you more often.  I'm sorry I didn't treat you better. 

“I screwed up again,” she whispered.  “You always said I was a screw up,
huh?” 

I never meant it, Shannon.  Please know that.  I love you. 

“I should have hired someone more efficient.  You were supposed to be
killed, not beaten into a house plant.” 

What?  What the fuck?  Was I hearing this right? 

“But this worked out.  I've put some money aside and so I don't need you
dead yet.  Then later when all hope is gone, we'll mercifully turn you 
off and let you rest.  Oh yes, that will be a sad day, but we'll be 
strong.”  Shannon was laughing quietly.  “The insurance money will help 
us get past our grief.” 

You fucking bitch!  I went to hit her but my arm didn't move.  I
couldn't teach her a fucking lesson this time.  Oh you just wait, you 
whore.  I will beat the shit out of you. 

“Can you hear me Baby?  I hope so.  I bet you're so pissed off, huh? 
You'll never beat me again, John.  Never.  I hope you lay there in 
torment for years.” 

I could feel her move away and leave the room.  I was alone.  So alone. 
God I wanted to beat her damn face in and bash her head into a wall.  
Inside my body I could feel myself beating her, punishing her, bruising 
her skin as I so loved to do, but it was just in my mind.  I was 
trapped.  It wasn't her head I was bashing into a wall- it was mine! 

TC


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