The nurse who had talked to me the last time before I blacked out (or was it from the medications that were being pumped into my body?) was there when I had opened my eyes.  She grinned at me.

"Ah! Mr. Monroe!  So glad to see y'all decided to join us!" she said. 

"Wh-where am I?  What h-happened?" I managed to croak out.

I was surprised to find how hoarse and ragged my voice sounded.

"Y'all were in a bad car accident last week", the nurse replied surely but calmly.  "Y'all were hurt but we have been taking very good care of y'all.  I do think y'all are gonna make it; it appears that y'all have turned the corner."

"My wife Annie .... our kids ... Sarabeth and Chase ... are they okay?  Are they even alive?" I managed to gasp out as a wave of pain slammed into my brain.

"They're alive, but like y'all, they're gonna be just fine.  The doctor will be in to talk to y'all shortly", the nurse said.  "By the way, my name is Louisiana Sandusky.  I've been your nurse for the psat few days.  Y'all are currently in the Intensive Care ward."

"Intensive Care?" I said, surprised.  "Whoa, I must really be bad off."

"Y'all were hurt pretty seriously, but as I just said, you're steadily improving every day.  If y'all continue to do this well this afternoon, Dr. Arjuwahl might have y'all moved to a regular room on the medical floor, which is directly above us, on the next floor."  The nurse checked my vital signs, her eyes showing great concern and compassion as she tended to me.  She was quite gentle.

Louisiana ... or whatever her name was .... was very kind.  She clearly loved her job.  I wasn't happy to discover I had been injured, but I was glad to know that I was receiving care from a very capable nurse who seemed to know what she was doing as she went about her business.

Meanwhile, all I caould think of was how much pain I was in and worry about my family who had been in the car with me when the accident occurred.  She had said that Annie, Chase, and Sarabeth were going to be fine; I had to believe that what she was telling me was true .

~To be continued!~