Decisions, Decisions.

As Beth woke up, the familiar woody scent of her husband beside her made her envision the morning sun gleaming from their bay windows and the cream-colored curtains moving slightly due to the breeze. She knew he loved to sleep with the window open. Even with closed eyes, she could picture his nightstand, occupied with a few of his belongings. There was his watch which he only removed before bed, his phone which was charging as usual, an autobiography about an actor she only briefly knew about, and an analog clock which was about to ring any moment.

But it never went off, and it wouldn't for a long time.

The more awake Beth became, the beeps from his monitor became clearer and maybe a little louder. There was no bay window, just two big ones with dull-looking curtains, and these windows you couldn't open. His nightstand wasn't the same, it wasn't even his and it only held a lamp. No phone, watch, clock, or book in sight. And as for him? Beth wanted to cry. But she quite literally had no tears left, her eyes were somehow still puffy and red.

He had tubes going in and out of him connecting to machines (beeping and non-beeping) and things she'd only seen on TV. There was a knock at the door but before Beth could welcome them in, a bubbly nurse entered wearing the brightest pink scrubs on the planet.

"Oh! Mrs.Hansen . . .?" The nurse said. "I'm glad to see you're awake, although I thought you'd be more comfortable in the recliner."
Beth sat up, careful not to get in the way of the tubes or wake her husband, though seeing him awake would be a blessing. She read the nurse's name tag, "Holly." had she met her before? Was it yesterday, or the day before? The last three days have merged into a long draining one.

"No. I slept fine, thank you." In truth, the recliner would've been much more comfortable but Beth hadn't slept in days. She spent restless nights and mornings in the waiting room and at the foot of her husband's bed, sitting in a brick-hard chair. The only reason she fell asleep was because of him. She needed to be near him.

Just in case it was the last time.

Holly moved from the subject and hit some buttons on a white and blue monitor, Beth moved to the ugly floral chair next to him still holding his hand." Zach is making a speedy recovery Mrs.Hansen. The brain damage wasn't too severe, he is still eligible for the procedure. Whatever worries you may have had, please throw them out the window! He will recover, he will come home back to you."

But would he be the same man?
Beth wanted to believe so. Truly more than anything, but doctors and nurses said he would be fine three days ago. How much longer would she need to wait? How much longer would he stay unconscious? Could Zach hear or feel her at all? She could only hope.

Beth knew he would be back to ask her again. It was only a matter of time. And this time he needs an answer. "Dr. Kingston should be here momentarily Ma'am," Holly spoke fast as she shut the door.

Beth held Zach's hand while she waited. Nearly thirty minutes went by before Dr. Kingston walked in. His coat was pressed and a soft glow of white. Above his nametag was the badge from the government.

He is certified to perform the procedure.

Beth had limited knowledge about the procedure, as she was only told what was necessary. Depending on the extent of the damage, the procedure had the power to reverse the damage like magic. However, it involved a complex brain surgery that required the removal or alteration of certain parts of the brain, followed by the insertion of a chip. Beth wasn't sure what kind of chip it was. According to families of patients who underwent the procedure, their loved ones were "back to normal," "overly happy," and "acting fake-like." But most importantly, they were healthy, and all their injuries were gone.

"Mrs. Hansen!" Kingston's overly cheerful tone was the last thing Beth wanted to hear at the moment. She gave him a curt nod, signaling him to continue. "I assume you know why I'm here," he said, pausing briefly. "Your husband's condition is not ideal, as you're aware. However, the surgery is minimally invasive and can greatly improve his health. If we proceed with it today, he could be discharged tomorrow, feeling like a completely new man!"

"A new man..." Beth didn't want a new man; she wanted her old one, the man she had married a decade ago, with all his flaws, fears, hopes, and dreams. She wasn't desperate for "the perfect man" like some other people who paid to have their spouses changed. She couldn't be that desperate.
Could she?

Zach coming back a little different was better than no Zach at all.

She thought for a second, just a second. "Explain it to me again, sir," she said. "What will you be doing exactly?"
Dr. Kingston nodded in delight.

No need to explain again. You've read the result files. Be honest with yourself, Mrs. Hansen.

Beth gazed once more at Zach. She tried to imagine him without the tubes, the beeping machines, and the air-pumping device. How many more nights could she endure sleeping next to his body in the cold, gloomy hospital? This doctor is providing them both with a second chance. It's not what she hoped or planned for, but it's still better than nothing.

Besides, Zach wouldn't be the first person to undergo surgery. In fact, the medical records proved that the success rate was high, and only a few cases had resulted in complications. And those cases were far more serious and complicated than Zach's. As Beth continued to contemplate, she became increasingly confident that Zach would recover successfully, and they could return to their dream life they never believed they could have. They would live together in their beautiful craftsman-style house with their two golden retrievers and white picket fence. Zach would undoubtedly come out of the surgery without any issues, making him even more perfect in Beth's eyes.

She couldn't wait to get home and wake up to the sound of his alarm, lying in their room with the bay windows, instead of the beeping machines.

There was no harm in this right? Everything will go smoothly. . .

Beth glanced at Zach and took a slow breath. Then at Dr. Kingston.

"Where do I sign?"

Hope you enjoyed it.

T.B