Broken Bear Read Online Free

moved close to her friend and rubbed her on the arm.
    Daniella looked straight ahead. She felt herself begin to choke up.
    “I’m sorry,” Daniella said. “I didn’t mean to be so bitchy.”
    “I know,” Tricia replied. “I realize how difficult being here in a situation just like… Well, I didn’t mean to upset you, sweetheart. You realize that, don’t you?”
    Daniella looked at Tricia. Her eyes pooled with tears. The women hugged one another and as they did, Daniella said, “I know that. I love you very much. And, you’re right, it’s not a great idea for me to be here but I can’t help it. Look, I promise I will go. I just want to see how he is. Would you please stay with me?”
    “Oh,” Tricia sighed. “I suppose so.”
    “Thank you,” Daniella replied. “You are the best.”
    “I know.” She said. “Look, I am hungry. I am going to get something to eat. Are you sure you don’t want me to get you anything?”
    “No.”
    “Okay,” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
    “Alright,” Daniella replied.
    ***
    A few minutes after Tricia left, a wave of exhaustion came over Daniella. As much as she wanted to keep her eyes open, she couldn’t, and before she realized it, she’d drifted off to sleep. Unlike Tricia, who had the ability to sleep through any amount of noise, Daniella was a light sleeper. However, the events of the evening exhausted her and she slept better than she would under such circumstances.
    Before long, she was in a deep slumber.
    She had no idea how long she’d been that way when she thought she heard a voice talk to her.
    “Miss Tanner,” it said.
    Daniella was in the strange place between being asleep and awake. She shuffled about and attempted to ignore the intrusion.
    “Miss Tanner.” The voice said once more but this time a touch of her shoulder accompanied it. As the hand grasped onto her and rocked her back and forth, her eyes flipped open.
    “Dr. Wilson,” she said in a semi-startled tone.
    “Sorry,” he replied. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    “No, I’m okay,” she replied as she straightened herself up from her slouched position in the chair. “What is it?”
    “A couple of things,” he said. “The first is the patient has been transferred to his own room. The other is the hospital administrator saw her way fit to allow you to visit with him.”
    “Oh,” Daniella replied. “Well, that is good news. I am assuming since he’s been transferred to his own room his condition has improved or at least, stabilized.”
    “Yes,” Dr. Wilson replied, “Correct on both counts. It’s quite remarkable.”
    “What is?”
    “Well, when I first examined him, his injuries were extensive and as I mentioned, they could e ven have been life threatening.” He said. “But, in the past couple of hours, I’ve seen a dramatic improvement. It is unlike anything I’ve ever seen in all my years of practicing medicine, to be frank.”
    “Wow,” Daniella replied. “Why do you think that’s the case?”
    “The human body is a strange thing, Miss Tanner.” He replied. “Anything is possible.”
    She nodded.
    “Your friend, Miss Collins,” he asked. “Has she left?”
    “No,” Daniella replied. “She’s in the cafeteria.”
    “Alright,” he said. “Well, if she wants to join you in his room, you may want to let her know.”
    “Oh, we’re going right now?”
    “Yes, Room 601, East Wing.” He replied. “If you want to wait for Miss Collins to get back, I’ll let the nurses on the floor know you are on the way.”
    “Thank you, Dr. Wilson.” She replied. “As soon as I can reach Tricia, we’ll be right there.”
    ***
    When the women arrived at the location Dr. Wilson specified, they found him at the nurse’s station in the midst of paperwork. He looked up as he saw them approach, picked up his clipboard and headed towards them.
    “Are you ready to go in and see him?” he asked.
    “Yes.” Daniella replied.
    Tricia nodded in