Terry and Gene 23

Terry saw the light filtering through her eyelids and smelled the antiseptic in her nose.

"Gene. Oh my god, Gene," she heard her voice in her ears and started crying.

"Terry?" Ann's voice and a cool hand holding hers.

"Gene's gone, too," Terry cried.

"Oh honey. Don't cry anymore."

Terry gasped. "Oh my god. What day is it?"

"Saturday."

"The service is tomorrow at ten."

"Yes. Once they get you hydrated, if you're OK, they'll let you go home. But you have to get control of yourself. OK?"

Terry breathed deeply and nodded. She tried to keep her mind blank so she wouldn't cry again.

The doctor came in to see her. "Well, Terry, it's good to see you awake. Do you know what day it is?"

"Saturday."

He asked to a few more questions. Then he nodded as if satisfied.

"Well, once this is all in, you can go home. I'm going to have them give you a sleeping pill to take home. A couple days of rest and good meals and you'll be back to normal."

"Thanks," Terry said.

***

An hour later, she was discharged and Ann drove her home.

When they got inside, Ann asked her if she wanted the sleeping pill. "No. Tomorrow after I get back from the service. Then I can rest." Terry said quietly. "You might want to get a hotel room. I don't have a bed."

Ann shook her head. "I've slept on the floor before."

Terry sighed. "I'm going to shower."

"OK. Want something to eat?"

"No. Tomorrow. I can't do anything until tomorrow."

Ann nodded and said nothing.