Chapter 4 Silver lining

Simone's silhouette clicked louder with each footstep on the hospital floor. She arrived at the main administration area.

"Come with me, Miss Simone," the female receptionist said. The receptionist had already seen the striking resemblance and had earlier been informed of Simone's coming. Simone followed the woman.

"Dad!" Simone ran into his arm. "I came as soon as I was told. What's happening?"

"On his way to the party, a truck collided with his car. Someone immediately recognized the Solomons plate number and called nine one one. The doctor said their ambulance arrived promptly, and he began the defibrillation process, but then Simon went into a coma.

"He assured me everything would be fine. For now, they've got Simon in the ICU and are trying to stabilize him. We can't see him right away, but tomorrow we can come." Mr. Solomon said very calmly. Simone momentarily lost her balance but steadied herself.

Mr. Solomon was a well-groomed man who looked like he was in his mid-fifties. He looked imposing, but he was actually very approachable once you got to know him.

"Jesus Christ! Coma?" she said wearily. As a medical practitioner herself, this was very frustrating news. Coma could mean a range of things. One might have permanent amnesia after recovery. Recovery could take anything from a few weeks to several years.

Her dad hugged her.

"What should we do about the party now?"

he said, releasing her but still holding her shoulder and looking into her eyes.

"Right! I'll make an announcement," Simone said.

Her father let go of her shoulders and took three steps back. She brought out her phone, punched in a few keys, and pressed the phone slightly on her ear.

"Put me on speaker," she said and waited for the order to be carried out. "This is Simone, it saddens me to say this, but the party has to end immediately. My brother has been involved in a car accident."

***

The guests started to leave, and the atmosphere in Solomon's mansion went from one of groovy to gloomy.

"I told y'all she'd left in such a big hurry," Kane said as he and his friends exited the mansion and made their way to the parking lot. "Mehn, what a sad night it turned out to be for them."

"Yeah," said Michael and Louise.

***

Two weeks had passed. Stephanie had gotten the building plan and contracted the art studio to the builders. She had moved into the house her dad willed to her. Tiffany was living with her in the meantime. Kane was still asking her out on dates which she agreed to go on. It was Friday, and she was getting prepared for yet another date with Kane.

"How do I look in this gown?" Stephanie asked Tiffany.

"Stunning! Now I see why the boys can't keep their eyes off you," said Tiffany, turning away from the pot.

"Oops, he's calling!" Stephanie took the call. "Hello. Okay, I'll be down in a minute."

"Go get him, girl. Have fun!" Tiffany said excitedly, but her heart ached with loneliness.

"See you tomorrow! Don't get too fat before I come back," Stephanie said, eying the pots on the electric cooker.

As Kane drove to the restaurant on Pearl Street, her old neighborhood, they passed the construction site for her art studio.

"Nice. The workers are fast, and the building is just like I designed it. You good, babe?" Kane said.

"Yes, it is," she replied. "I'm good; I just feel a bit exhausted."

She smiled.

"Sorry," Kane whispered, not entirely sure what was the cause of Stephanie's exhaustion.

Simone saw the couples enter the restaurant and was watching them with desires of her own. She had come to grab a quick bite before going back to the hospital to read and talk to Simon, who was still in a coma.

"I've been thinking, Steph. I think we should just get married as soon as possible!" Kane said, in between a mouthful. Stephanie almost choked on her beacon! Rather than choke, she chewed slower, swallowed, and cleared her throat.

"Really? Wow, it's not," she cleared her throat again. "Well, it's- You see, I'm not ready, okay. Let's take things slowly. Any reason why you are in a hurry?"

"Not really. Right, let's take it one step at a time. How's the taste?"

"Great! I love it. The chicken is nice too, just might add yours to mine." She laughed. Kane thought her laugh was the most beautiful thing ever.

As Simone got up to leave, she made sure Kane caught a glimpse of her.

"Excuse me!" Kane called out to her.

She paused, unbelievably!

"You look vaguely familiar. Are you Simone?"

He even knows my name! She thought.

"Yeah, have we met?" Simone followed with her question.

"Not really, just that I was at your party. How's your brother?"

Simone felt a rush of excitement. Oh, he is a caring man!

"Oh. He's still in a coma. I'm headed to the hospital now. What's your name?"

"Kane."

He's bold talking to me with her sitting next to him. She is so carefree.

"Alright, thanks for the concern; you two enjoy the rest of your meal." She walked away.

"Sorry 'bout that, babe," Kane said to Stephanie, who was eating like nothing happened.

"Huh? It's fine!"

***

Simone was in the intensive care unit, where her brother lay on a bed. She was talking to him.

"Simon, can you hear me at all? I love you so much. Please come alive and come back remembering your twin sister and dad. We have missed your presence so much. Things haven't been able to go on smoothly in our lives without you. I think I've seen a guy that I like, but he has a girl. Love-"

Simon's finger curled, and his eyes began to twitch.

"Doctor! Doctor!" Simone ran to fetch the man.