Sheet Music - A Rock 'n' Roll Love Story

“Is she all right?” he asked the doctor taking her vital signs.

“Yeah, she seems perfect.  The noise must have done the trick,” the doctor smiled.

“What do you mean?”

“She’s out of the coma.  Sometimes large volumes of sudden stimuli jolt the brain back into a fully functioning organ.”

Michael gazed back at Annie and rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs.  “Can she hear me?”

“Absolutely.”

“She doesn’t seem to recognize me,” he said, his voice echoing with disappointment.

“It will take her a while to fully awaken.  Don’t be upset if she doesn’t know you at all for a few days.  Just keep her stimulated with the sound of your voice.”

“Can you clear the room?” Michael asked, never removing his eyes from her.

Left alone, he moved the chair in toward her bed.  Tenderly, he stroked the thin red line above Annie’s eyebrow that once held stitches.  Annie blinked, as if struggling to focus.  Michael’s eyes filled with tears.

“Hey babe, you’re awake,” he whispered, swallowing hard, and forcing a nervous smile onto his face.  “Do you remember me?”

Annie gave no response.

“God, I’ve missed seeing your beautiful eyes.”

Annie still didn’t reply.

Michael raised her hand to his mouth and kissed the fingers.

“I love you,” he sighed, brushing the hair off her forehead.  “I know I should have told you that before.  You were right, you know.  I was afraid.  I don't know why and I'm so sorry I didn't.  I struggled with it and even though I didn't say it, I certainly felt it.  I only hope you never get tired of hearing me say it now.”

Annie blinked again and squeezed out a watery tear that rolled off her cheek.

Michael glanced down and saw the tear.

“You can hear me, can’t you?”

Annie softly squeezed his hand but her face remained emotionless.

“That’s okay, babe.  I’ll do all the talking.”

Dinner was served and Michael was still holding a one-sided conversation.  Then finally Annie mumbled something so softly Michael could hardly hear it.

“Music.”

“What?” he asked, leaning in closer.

“Go.”

“You want me to leave?”

“Music…Awards.”

Michael smiled.  “You want me to go do the show?”

Annie nodded.

“You really think I should?  Even after what Brian said?  I’m not sure I want to be in the same room with him now, never mind on stage.”

“Job.”

“But I’d rather be here with you.”

“Go.”

For several hours, Michael updated Annie on the things she had missed while in the coma until the night nurse finally made them stop to rest.  Annie had vague memories of the accident and cried when she learned of Sammy’s death.  He tried, as best he could, to explain the extent of her injuries and where the scars were on her body and face.  “What happened with the contest?” she asked.

He hung his head.  “The promoters found out about the pictures and us.  I’m sorry, babe, but they had to disqualify your band.  They’re using your accident as an excuse for the elimination.  That way our relationship stayed out of the press and the integrity of the contest remained intact.”

“Gary and the guys must hate me,” she sighed.

“They don’t hate you, Annie.  They’re just happy you survived the accident.”

“Have any of them been here?”

“Yes.  All of them.  Gary came the most,” Michael replied.

“Really?”

“Yeah.  They were all very concerned about you pulling through this.”

Annie rubbed at her eyes.  “I feel so bad because it was me that entered us into that contest and me that ruined our chances at the final competition.”

He moved in closer to her face.  “I understand why you feel that way but I believe it was fate.  The contest brought you and I together.  I think that’s the way it was meant to be.”

He kissed her softly.

“Are they getting someone to replace me in the band?” she asked.

“No.  They decided it wasn’t the same band without you so they’re taking a break.  Gary is managing another band right now and Buzz and Ivory have their own projects in the works.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.  It will all work out for everyone, Annie.  You can’t worry about that right now.  It’s more important you concentrate on your recovery.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

Early the next day, Michael ran over specific instructions with the nurses he had hired concerning any change in Annie’s condition while he was out of town.  He left three different phone numbers in case they needed to contact him directly in Los Angeles.  Otherwise, as soon as their performance was completed, he’d be on the first ‘red-eye’ flight back to Boston.

He hated leaving Annie at all, even more so, since she was now out of her coma.  She was right though, it was his job.  With or without Brian’s approval, he had an obligation with the band.  At nine o’clock in the morning, Bull arrived to drive him into Boston to meet the jet.