Finding Jaime

Chapter 120

"Jaime, say that again," she said.

"Muhhhhhm," he said. "Muhhhhhm."

"Guys? Is everything okay? Is Jaime okay?" Brendon and Sarah came out with Bronx and Saint, all four looking concerned.

"I think Jaime's trying to talk to us," I said, my voice wavering.

"Jay?" Bronx said, taking his brother's hand. "Jaime?"

"Buuuuuuuh," Jaime said.

"He's trying to say my name!" Bronx said, cheerfully. "He said the B!"

"Jaime, baby," Meagan said. "Jaime, are you okay? Are you trying to speak?"

"Muhhh," Jaime said. "Muuuuuuhm."

"Is everything alright?" The theatre manager came over, concerned.

"Yes," I said. "Thank you. My son, he's trying to speak. He was assaulted a few months ago and left like this but he's trying to speak now!"

The manager smiled.

"That's good news. Everyone's okay otherwise?"

"Yes. Thank you. Sorry if we worried you," Meagan said.

"It's alright," the manager said, smiling. "I hope this means your son is on his way to recovery."

"Thanks, me too," I said, tears falling from my eyes.

It was then I noticed something else.

"Jaime's not drooling," I said.

He'd been drooling just a little every day because he wasn't able to swallow well. There was usually a small amount that would make its way out of the corner of his mouth all day. Now his collar was dry, and the towel we kept on his shoulder was dry, too.

"Jaime, can you look at me?" I asked as I looked at his eyes. I watched as he rolled them towards me, just slightly off to his left side. I stepped to his right side and watched as he followed me.

I grabbed his shoulders, gently, and stared in his eyes. Jaime was back. He was coming back!

"Jaime! You're gonna be okay!" I said, crying.

"Daaaaahhh," he moaned.

"Yeah. Yeah. It's me. It's Dad," I cried.

"Daaaahhh," Jaime said again. 

"Hey there, Jaime," Sarah said, kneeling in front of him. "Welcome back. Your parents are so happy. You've made everyone so, so happy today."  She hugged him and I saw the corner of his mouth turn ever so slightly into a hint of a smile. His eyes sparkled. I sobbed.

"I've got to call the doctor. He's going to want to know about this!"

I pulled out my phone and called Jaime's neurologist's office. I related what was happening and they asked for us to come in as soon as possible. We packed up the kids and Jaime and left the theatre immediately.

The whole way to the hospital where the doctor's office was, the kids were trying to get Jaime to say their names or something.

"Saaaaaiiiii," Jaime managed when Saint asked him to try his name.

"Muuuuuuuh," he said for Marvel.

We rushed up to the doctor's offices as soon as we got to the hospital and they took us in right away.

"So, what's this I heard about you trying to speak, Jaime?"

"He's vocalizing," Meagan said. "I mean, they're not full words but there's intent behind them. And it's clear he's trying to say names. He's said 'mom'."

"Has he. Jaime, who is this?" The doctor pointed at Meagan. We watched as his eyes moved to look at her.

"Muuuuuhhhhhhm," he said. "Muhhhm."

The doctor nodded.

"And who is this?" He pointed at me.

"Daaaahhhhh," Jaime said, looking at me.

"Okay. And this?" He pointed at Saint.

"Saaaaiii," Jaime said.

"Who is he to you?" The doctor asked. Jaime didn't answer.

"Well," the doctor said.

"Buuuuuddder," Jaime said, interrupting the doctor.

We looked at him.

"What was that?" The doctor asked.

"Saaaaiiiii," Jaime said. "Buuuuuddder. Bruuuuu. Buuuuuder. Maaaah.  Siiiiiiiider."

I couldn't stop crying. We all were. Even the kids. Jaime was really back. It was going to be a long, long road and we didn't know where we'd end up, but we were getting Jaime back.