Chapter 2 What About Andress? Ii

• — Ok... — I felt my heart accelerate, scared that something had happened to Andress.
• — You arrived here at the hospital after drowning.
• - Drowning? — I took a deep breath, feeling my body tremble slightly. - I can not swim.
• The doctor went to a two-door cabinet in the corner and took out a small piece of plastic with something inside. He handed it to me and I observed the ring, removing it while touching the wide, golden metal. My name was written inside: “Maria Eduarda Montez Deocca”. I put it on my finger and it was too wide to wear. It was certainly Andress's.
• — When he arrived at the hospital, he was in a state of hypoxia, with a severe reduction in oxygen in the brain. We found this ring inside yours, which was closed.
• — Why... Didn't they give it to Andress?
• — Because Andress only came that day. — Her voice became tender. — He never came back.
• — Never came back? Like this?
• — The hospital continued to be paid by Mr. Montez Deocca for six months. After this time, he claimed a lack of financial resources... Even asking that... — The doctor went to the door and made a call, interrupting what she was about to say.
• — Please continue... — I asked.
• —Wait a few minutes, Mrs. Montez Deocca.
• “Stop calling me ma'am,” I snapped. — You stayed by my side for a year... You brought me back to life... Can't you call me Maria Eduarda?
• - Yes I Can. — He smiled and came back to my side.
• - Continues...
• We heard a light knock on the door and two women entered. One wore a white coat and glasses. She was blonde and young. The other had blue clothes, like Dr. Verbena's, and was older and dark-skinned.
• — These are the Psychologist and Psychiatrist who are following your case — Verbena explained.
• I looked at them, not really understanding what they were doing there.
• The Psychologist took my hand, lovingly, while the other doctor said to Verbena:
• — Keep the conversation going, please.
• Verbena took my other hand:
• — Your husband suggested that we turn off the devices because of your lack of money.
• I looked into space, confused. What would have happened for Andress to take that attitude? After all, we were rich.
• — Did... Andress go bankrupt? But... The company was always so solid... And... How do I remember that we had money and that the company was doing well? — I looked at the psychiatrist.
• — Your mental confusion is normal, Mrs. Montez Deocca. You will remember everything little by little, when you least expect it. And there may be parts you can't remember. But we're here to tell you about what happened while you were in a coma. Other than that, we have no way of helping her.
• — And you didn't turn off the devices. That means he went back and paid, right? I asked.
• — No... He didn't pay. Dr. Adams paid for all of his Intensive Care treatment during his coma. — The psychologist looked at Verbena.
• - Why? — I felt a tear run down my face as I looked at the doctor.
• — You were under my responsibility. And although there was no improvement, there was no worsening either. I always believed that I would wake up, Maria Eduarda. — He shook my hand.
• I took a deep breath:
• — Something certainly happened. Andress wouldn't do that.
• The Psychologist looked at me:
• — Mr. Montez Deocca came to bring you to the hospital the day you drowned. He was with him at the time of the incident, although he suffered no harm. He saved her. When he found out about the coma, he no longer came to visit her. He didn't even call to find out his health status.
• — That doesn't make sense... — I shook my head, stunned.
• — You will soon be discharged, Maria Eduarda — said Verbena. — Then you will be able to know everything that really happened during the time you were in a coma in the hospital after drowning.
• — And my grandfather? — I immediately remembered Alexis Hauser, out of nowhere, as if he had been on my mind the whole time without me even realizing it.
• The image of Alexis Hauser, my father's father, my grandfather, came to mind. A not very tall man, with dark hair combed back, some strands of light gray. His eyes were green and he had a whitish beard, always very well groomed. It was chunky and smelled refreshing, just like the place where we lived. The mint and eucalyptus seemed to fight each other to stand out in its aroma, always bringing a feeling of cleanliness and vitality.
• I loved my grandfather. And the memories with him were good.
• — We don't know about your grandfather — the psychologist clarified.
• —Alexis Hauser. You may have heard of him by now — I tried.
• - We do not know. — It was emphatic.
• — Anything else I should know? — I asked.
• — That's it — the psychiatrist concluded.
• — Why did you three come and tell me this? - I was confused.
• — Because we care about your emotional state — The psychologist explained.
• — I'm fine... Confused, but fine. I will try to understand what is happening to my husband and grandfather.
• — We will call your husband, Mr. Montez Deocca, and let him know that he has woken up from the coma — the Psychiatrist warned.
• - No, please! — I asked. — Don't pay attention to Andress. I want... to surprise you.
• — We can't do this. Mr. Montez Deocca is responsible for the lady and we need to inform him that he has come out of the coma and will need to look for her.
• — No... I would really like to surprise you. Andress certainly thought I wouldn't wake up... And to avoid suffering, he didn't even come to see me.
• — It could be... But still, we need to communicate it. — She sighed. — We will continue to monitor her while she is hospitalized. When you are discharged, you will need to continue monitoring for a while.
• I nodded.
• The two left and I was alone with Verbena again:
• — You didn't need to call them both to tell me the news — I said.
• — I followed the protocols.
• — And taking care of myself for a year as well as not going home when I woke up from the coma are also protocols? Not to mention the fact that you paid for me to stay in this hospital.
• - No.
• — Why did you do all this, doctor?
• — Because... I somehow became fond of you, Maria Eduarda.
• — Was I your first coma patient or something?
• - No, it was not.
• I shook my head, confused:
• — So help me and don't let them communicate Andress. I really want to surprise you. My husband loves surprises... — I smiled when I remembered him.
• — About your grandfather... — She lowered her head.
• — What about my grandfather? — My heart immediately accelerated.