Early one morning, in the first week of March, Gabriel woke up startled. He was actually hearing his wife singing a lullaby song in her native language – a song he had heard many times over the years. The singing suddenly stopped. Gabriel was confused and unsure of what had just happened.
“Good morning, Gabriel. I hope you slept well,” said the doctor, as he hurried into the room and looked over Joyce’s file.
“Are you alright?” he added, as Gabriel’s dazed look caught his eye.
“I think I heard Joyce singing a few minutes ago.”
“Singing? I didn’t hear anything.”
“Before you entered the room… I mean, just when you entered it… I don’t know what happened.”
“You are very tired Gabriel; it has been a stressful period of time. You need to go home and rest.”
“No, I’m sure I heard her voice, surely I can still recognize my wife’s voice.”
“Look at her Gabriel, look. She hasn’t moved for almost two months. In her situation, I don’t think it’s likely she is capable of any movement, let alone singing. I am sorry, Gabriel. I know that you are a believing man, and you believe that God can do miracles. But that is exactly what it would take for Joyce to suddenly begin to sing.”
“I do believe it is possible. Further, I am sure that she did.”
The doctor wagged his head in disbelief and indifference at the same time. He sighed. “I was planning to meet with you this afternoon. Whenever you can drop at my office after three o’clock, I’ll be available.
***
A few moments earlier, when Gabriel had been sure he’d heard her singing, Joyce saw herself in the den, resting in front of a blazing fireplace. It had been snowing for many days now, and Gabriel and the children were outside playing in the snow in a sled that he made for them. She could hear their delighted screams and laughter. She stayed inside with the baby. As she rested on the couch, her baby was lying next to her. She sang a lullaby that she learned many years ago from her dad.
“I love you little one, as much as the sea and its waves, as much as the bird and its songs, as much as the sky and its clouds…” She stopped suddenly – she couldn’t remember any more of the words.
“Why have you asked all of us to come today,” demanded a young man’s voice. There was no answer.
“Please, tell us. Did anything new happen? You are worrying all of us.” Added a young girl. Then Joyce heard a man crying, sobbing.
“I need to talk with all of you.”
“Yesterday –” More sobbing…
That’s Gabriel’s voice, Joyce thought. Why is he so sad? What happened yesterday? Joyce was very curious. She desperately wanted to stay awake in this moment, to listen to what Gabriel had to say.
“The doctor does not see a point in keeping her…” Gabriel couldn’t finish his sentence.
He tried to use other words. “They are not hopeful like we are. Her doctor told me yesterday that, in his whole career, he never saw anyone who had the same problem, waking up and coming back.”
“Ah…Are you giving up hope?!” a voice interrupted.
“What about her trying to speak or open her eyes. She even smiled at me once,” asserted another.
“It has only been two months!” wailed another voice.
“I am not ready to give up… I am not ” added another
“Calm down, please. Are you all out of your mind?! We all have been under so much stress, but really, you can never think that I would lose hope. I am here all the time praying. Anyone who prays does not lose hope.
“Let me finish what I was trying to say… I want to take her to another hospital. Honestly, I do not trust them here anymore.”
What does Gabriel mean?! Does he think that my life is in jeopardy? Joyce was scared now, feeling more lost and alone than ever.
Gabriel, darling, I am here. I… I can hear you. Do you hear me? Dear God, please help me.
“Any suggestions?” Gabriel continues.
Gabriel! Why don’t you answer me?! I am fine. I want to come back to you. I must get back to my children. I need to come back to you all… Please help me come back to you. Give me your hand, your loving and strong hand.
Her desire consumed her, and for the first time in two months, she put her hand very slowly up in the air, waiting for her husband’s hand to grasp it.
She heard sounds of joy and gasps of disbelief. Gabriel’s hands held her fragile one. He squeezed it, as if trying to impart more life to it. Joyce very slowly opened her eyes. The light was too strong, though; she closed them again almost immediately.
“That’s my girl! Open your eyes again dear. Try Joyce—try hard!” Gabriel seemed to be laughing and crying at the same time.
She did not have to try hard – somehow, she was able to open her eyes again. She could barely see the figures around her. The light was still very strong, but she saw Gabriel’s face. He was standing next to her, still holding her hand and smiling.
“Gabriel,” she managed to stutter out.
“I am here, right here beside you. I have been with you all the time; you were never alone, Joyce. We are all here. Don’t be afraid. You look confused, but everything is alright.”
She looked around her, as if she were awaking from a sleep of a hundred years. Many faces surrounded her. She did not seem to know any of these people.
“Who are you?” she finally manages to ask.
“Mom! Don’t you recognize us?! I am Michael, your son!”
“No, no! My Michael is nine!” she nearly shouts. She begins to cry violently, closing her eyes and crossing her arms over them.
“I am Gabriel Jr.!”
“No, no! Gabriel is seven!” She is breathing heavily now.
“Mom – it’s Christelle. Surely you recognize me… Please, Mom.”
Geanna just stood there with her right hand on her mouth, tears falling fast on her beautiful young face, while Carmel let herself fall onto a chair with her hand on her forehead and an expression of confusion on her face. The room’s whole atmosphere changed from joy to chaos.
“Please, Gabriel, stop them! They lie. They want to steal my children away. They want to steal their childhood. They want to steal my life with my children. Stop them, please, I’m begging you!”
“Mom –” wailed a chorus of voices.
Gabriel interrupted them. “Please, wait outside.”
“But, Dad –”
“All of you, please. I will call you in later. I need a few moments with your – with my wife.”
They filed out, faces sad and frustrated. After they had left, Gabriel was alone with her. He held her hands tightly and asked very softly:
“Our Michael is nine?”
“Yes, of course, but you know that.”
“Gabriel is…”
“Seven,” she answered firmly.
“And Christelle?”
“Six, of course.”
“Who is left?” he asked softly.
“Geanna is three, and Carmel is seven months old. Wait a minute… I heard you all say that it has been two months. I think you mean my sickness or whatever was wrong with me, so Carmel must be nine months now.”
“Are you sure, Joyce?”
“Of course. I’m their mother. Do you think that a mother does not know the age of her baby? Ask any mother, and she will tell you how many months, weeks, days, and most probably hours her baby is.”
“Joyce, my love, look at me. Open your eyes. I have softened the light in the room, so please open your beautiful eyes and look at me.”
He then added: “No … no, open your eyes wide – you can do it. Good, now look at me – look at my face and tell me what you see.”
She smiled at him: “I see Gabriel my husband.” She was tired now, and as if she was ready to sleep, she turned her head to the other side.
“Stay with me, Joyce, and look into my eyes. Look closely… Will you do this for me?”
“Yes,” she answered, smiling dreamingly.
“Then please do it. Look at me closely.”
She turned toward him, eyes wide open, searching. Suddenly the expression on her face changed. The smile left, and fear, anxiety, and confusion took its place.
“What is going on?” she cried out. “What’s happening to me? I am not sure who you are anymore, or who I am… This is awful. Did you say two months?! I cannot believe it. What has happened to me? I am frightened… ah… can you help me? Oh, dear God!”
He hugged her tight and gently told her, “I can help. I have the answers to all your questions. Please try to stay calm. This has been a big day for you, and I am sure you are very tired.
“I want you to know this: you are Joyce, I am your Gabriel, and I love you so much. Everything else can be explained later; do not worry your beautiful head now. I will ring the doctor so that he can see your wonderful, amazing development. After that, we will get caught up on what’s been happening while you’ve been…sleeping.” Joyce didn’t respond. He asked her, “Joyce, did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“Listen to me very carefully.”
“OK.”
“I want you to keep your eyes open, keep looking at me. I know you are tired, but I do not want you to sleep. Stay with me, OK? Please!”
“Yes, do not worry. I am wide awake now.”
“Good.” He was relieved, joyful. She was tired, overwhelmed, but she knew she must stay awake – for his sake, for hers, for her family’s. Fear filled her. Anxiety, if nothing else, would keep her awake now.