Where is My Wife? (The Story of John Winston: part 4)

The door suddenly flung open. In walked a nurse. She just stared at me for a moment. Then she turned and ran out into the hall calling for a doctor. I just kept looking around the room until the woman came back. She came with another person. I assumed it was the doctor she was calling for.

“How interesting”, he said as soon as he saw me. “Welcome back Mr. Winston.”

“Who are you? How did I get here?” I just kept throwing questions like this at the doctor. Then the most important question came out of my mouth. “Where is my wife?” the doctor turned to the nurse.

“Go and get Mrs. Winston.” With that the nurse was gone. The doctor turned back to me. “Hello, I’m Dr. Song.” he had olive skin, and wild curly hair pulled into a pony tail. “You’re here because you’ve been in a coma for six months. This morning you declared brain dead.” I quickly looked away from Dr. Song.

“If I was considered brain dead, than how am I still here? How can I be talking, and seeing, and alive?”

“Well, that has me amazed as well. I guess it was just a true miracle.” She gave me a smile. A smile that was warmer than any smile I have ever seen. It felt more real.

“How did I end up in a… um.” I couldn’t bring myself to say that word.

“A coma?” I nodded. “Six months ago, you were in a tragic accident. You were leaving a grocery store when a car hit you.”

“I remember that”, I said as I nodded.

“Well, that’s good.” He walked over to me and checked my vitals. Footsteps started to near the door. They were rushed footsteps. The nurse appeared, and behind her was a woman. My face lit up. Here comes my Mary. Then the woman stepped into the room, and my smile faded. The woman who stepped in had dark brown, stick straight hair. Mary had wavy locks of blonde. Mary had this cute dimple in her left cheek. This strange woman didn’t. The woman had stormy blue eyes, whereas Mary had vibrant green eyes.

“Oh my goodness”, said the woman. She rushed over to me, and threw her arms around me. “You’re alive. Oh my goodness, you’re alive.”

“Yes, I am.” I cleared “Um, who are you?” the woman instantly pulled away and stared at me.

“Johnny boy, it’s me Tasha.” I just looked at her confused. “I’m your wife.”

“No you’re not”, I said. The words came out a little harsher than I intended. Tasha walked over to me. Her hand went to touch my shoulder as she said, “John don’t you remember me?” I shook my head, and pushed her hand away. “I’m your wife Tasha, and we have a daughter named Clara. That’s her right there.” Tasha pointed to the picture at my bed side table.

“No, no I have only met that little girl once. She was standing on the hill saying the strangest things.” Concern was on Tasha’s face. “Nurse, get this woman out of my room, and bring me my wife like I requested.” Tension was present in my voice, yet no one moved. I snapped, “Now!”

“Mr. Winston, this is your wife”, countered Dr. Song.

“No she isn’t!” I was yelling now. I could see hurt well up in Tasha's eyes. “My wife’s name is Mary Oswin Winston. She has blonde hair, green eyes, and is waiting for me somewhere out there.” Tears spilled over onto Tasha's cheeks. The nurse took her out into the hall. I just looked straight at the doctor and said, “That is not my wife.”

“Yes, she is.”

To Be Continued