Chapter 591

• I push with everything within me, all I’ve got, but reality comes up too fast, and my senses go into overdrive with the sudden explosion of noises, smells, and sounds consuming my brain, and the pain and aches of my body overwhelm me all at once. The harsh lights from the room are blinding even with my eyes closed. From one side, the smell of coffee and flowers rushes up to nose into my brain, and I can feel the softness of a bed under me. My body is heavy, and my limbs are aching too much to move, but I know I can move them if I try. I suddenly feel connected to the heaviness I know is me and no longer floating in some weird tunnel. My face aches, and my eyes are glued shut. My mouth is dry and cracked, and suddenly nausea consumes me.
• Yet, somehow, through all of that, I know I’m here with him, in his reality and not in some dream-like state anymore on the other side. I can hear the hum of machines, the noise of something blowing air in and out, and the mumbling sounds of hushed voices passing by in the distance.
• “I just don’t know what else to do, baby.” Jake’s voice breaks and tears me in two. The sound of defeat and broken-hearted pain is so obvious, I can almost sense his body sagging close to me, and I can hear his breathing so very close, the smell of his aftershave and just him luring me out of my haze.