Being a Star (Isn't Easy)
Chapter Twenty-One
It had been three days and Ezra still hadn't woken up. Nathan and Buck had been
released from the hospital. Josiah, JD, Rain, Inez, Casey, Chris, Nathan, Buck
and Vin were at the hospital every day for as long as they were allowed to stay.
They were still trying to find out who had shot out the tires and trying to keep
the reporters from barging into Ezra's room. There had been two policemen
stationed at Ezra's door, just in case.
Vin was sitting by Ezra's bed, holding his right hand. Everyone else was down in
the cafeteria getting something to eat, but he had opted to stay with Ezra so he
could have some time alone with him.
As Vin looked at Ezra lying in the bed, unconscious and pale, he felt the tears
filling his eyes. Since forty-eight hours had passed, Doctor Craig had said that
his chances of waking up were starting to decrease. But, Vin wasn't giving up
hope.
As he held Ezra's hand and looked at his face, he started talking. "C'mon, baby,
wake up. Let me see those beautiful green eyes." After a pause, he continued, "Ya
know, there are a lot of people that want you to wake up. You wouldn't believe
how crowded this room is with cards and balloons. Your celebrity friends and
fans have sent you so many cards and balloons, that some of them had to be taken
to your house.
"I love you, Ezra. Just come back to me. To all of us. We're going to find out
who caused this. I swear, baby."
THREE DAYS LATER
It had been six days. Six days that Ezra had been in a coma. They were all in
the room, talking. Talking to Ezra, talking to each other.
Vin was holding one of Ezra's hands while the other hand was laying flat on the
bed. Vin was running his thumb over Ezra's knuckles when he felt a light
squeeze. Vin's eyes jerked from his and Ezra's hands to Ezra's face.
"Ez?" he asked.
That single word broke through the noise, causing the others to quit talking and
to look at him and Ezra.
"I felt him squeeze my hand. I'm sure of it," said Vin. "Ez, can you squeeze my
hand again?"
For a couple of seconds, nothing happened. Then, Vin felt another squeeze, a
little stronger than before. "He did it again! Someone get the Doctor."
JD ran out of the room, returning a few minutes later with Doctor Craig and a
nurse.
The doctor hurried to Ezra's bed and opened one of Ezra's eyelids, shining a pen
light into the eye, before doing the same to the other eye.
"Ezra, can you open your eyes? Can you wake up?" the doctor asked in a soothing
voice.
"C'mon, son, you can do it," encouraged Josiah.
After about five minutes, Ezra's eyes started to slowly flutter open. When they
were completely open, they could all see the fear and confusion.
"It's okay, Ez," said Vin.
"Yes, Ezra, stay calm. You're in the hospital. I'm going to remove the
respirator, alright?"
Ezra gave a slight nod.
"Alright, I need you to cough as I start to pull the hose, alright? It will help
the hose leave your throat a little better. Can you do that?"
Ezra gave a tiny nod and the doctor started to pull the hose. Ezra did as he had
been told and coughed. A few seconds later the hose was removed.
"Wh-what ha-happened?" Ezra asked, his voice hoarse from disuse.
"You were in an accident, along with Buck and Nathan, six days ago," answered
Chris.
They could all see when recognition dawned in Ezra's eyes. He nodded, "There was
sh-shooting."
Before anything else could be said, Ezra's eyes had closed.
"Don't be alarmed. His body's still weak. He's just asleep," Doctor Craig
assured them. "I have other patients to check on. If you need anything, page the
nurses. When he wakes again, don't hesitate to get me.
"Now, that he's awake, gentlemen, I can safely say that he's out of the woods,"
the doctor said to all of the smiling faces.
"Thanks, Doctor," said a relieved Vin.