What Took You So Long?

She huffed angrily as she grabbed her cell from the cupholder.
    “What?” she spat.
    “Babe, what took you so long?”
    “I’m driving, Jason. Whaddya want?”
    “Oh, sorry babe. Just thought I’d call to--” He was cut off by the sound of squealing tires. “Oh my god, Natalie!”
    That was over a month ago. They told him she’d wake up today, but he was starting to lose faith fast; it had been hours without so much as a stir. Jason was starting to get worried.
    He had spent the last month drifting in and out of the hospital between classes and work. He’d stop in and just sit; he hardly ever spoke to her. When he did, he was begging her to wake up. Or apologizing. He found himself doing that more often now than he did at first. But no matter how many times he asked, she just lay there, vibrant red hair splayed out on the pillow the only lively thing about her.
    His thoughts were suddenly broken as he heard the rustling of sheets. He looked up from the ground and rose from his chair, eyes searching her face intently.
    She spoke, “Jason?” He grasped her hand, truly at a loss for words, letting her bright blue eyes bore into him as they searched for the remembrance which soon made itself known on her face. “Oh my god, Jason! I-I’m...oh god…” she trailed off.
    “Hey,” Jason whispered, “Natalie.” She simply nodded, not speaking. A single tear made its way down his cheek. “What took you so long, babe?”
    She smiled softly.
    “Just waiting for someone to pick me up, I guess.”