Monday, January 8th, 2018

Alyshea's POV

I have been staring and crying at these giant cards from the students at Copper Grove since Friday. It's amazing. I brought them to the hospital for everyone to see.

The search for Wendy continues, and now it has been expanded to a nationwide search. The reward increased to $100,000. Cam and I are in Cocoa's room.

"Cam, the vigil was amazing."

"My friends sent me a video of it on Saturday. I haven't stopped watching it."

"Me neither. You and Cocoa have some amazing friends."

"We sure do."

While Cam and I continued talking, I glanced at Cocoa, and my mouth was wide open.

"Cam, Cocoa's trying to open her eyes!" We both darted over to her bed in tears. Well, I had tears.

After a few minutes, she was able to open her eyes. I hope she doesn't have Amnesia. "Cam, go to the nurse's station and ask to page the doctor."

"I'll be right back." Cam darted out of the room.

I noticed Cocoa glancing around the room. She is probably wondering what happened. "Don't try to talk. Honey, rest your voice. You still have breathing tubes. I'll explain everything. The doctor is on the way."

Within 10 minutes, the doctor and nurses entered the room.

"I'll be back once the doctor gives the okay." I walked out of the room with a smile on my face. I made my way towards the waiting room.

"Cam and I got the best surprise. Cocoa opened her eyes. The doctor is in her room now."

"That's great news, Alyshea."

"Thanks, Mo. It sure is. She has a long recovery road ahead of her, but I will be there every step of the way."

"Elias and I will come on the weekends to help."

"I love you both for your support. Thank you."

"Dominic and I will help too, Alyshea. We'll all pitch in and help."

"Thanks, Eli." I blew a kiss to everyone in the room.

"Mom, I'll call Michail and tell him the good news."

"Thank you, Lei. I'm going to the cafeteria for something to eat."

************************

After eating lunch, I took a walk around the hospital. It's a beautiful day, so why not? Cocoa's friends at Copper Grove gave me their numbers, so I sent a text to update them on what happened this morning. They all texted back with happy emojis and said they will visit Cocoa during the week.

While on my way back to the waiting room, I saw a nurse and the doctor wheeling Cocoa into her room. Naturally, I went to her room.

"Mrs. Baker, we ran some tests. Cocoa's injuries are showing signs of improvement. She still has a ways to go, but today was a step in the right direction. And, she doesn't have Amnesia."

"Thank you, Doctor Jones." Once Doctor Jones left, I prepared myself to tell Cocoa what happened.

"Honey, I'm sure you are wondering why you're in the hospital. Cam says while you were on your way to his truck, some speeding vehicle came out of nowhere and slammed into you. You didn't hear it because you had on your earphones."

Cocoa began to talk slowly. "I was what?"

"You were hit so hard that you flew a few feet in the air, then hit your head. Cam says you landed in a patch of grass. And, we found out that Wendy is responsible for this."

"Why am I not surprised?" Cocoa said in between slow breaths.

"And, Channing is the one who told me Wendy is responsible. And, I have more news for you. We, meaning the family, are moving to Florida as well. We are moving to Key West. Maryland has been nothing but heartache."

"I agree."

"How about you and Lalita go to University in Florida? We'll stay until Cam graduates, then move to Florida."

Cocoa shook her head this time. "Get some rest, honey." I stepped out of Cocoa's room and went to the waiting room.

"Thankfully, Cocoa doesn't have Amnesia. The doctor said her injuries are showing signs of improvement, but she still has a long recovery road. Cocoa's getting some rest right now."

"Thank goodness Cocoa doesn't have Amnesia. Now, all we need to do is find that Wendy girl," Eliana says.

"I agree."

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Narrator's POV

Over the next few weeks, Cocoa improved so much that Doctor Andrews gave the okay for her to move around with assistance in a wheelchair. Cam wheeled her to the waiting room so she could spend time with everyone.

Still, no sign of Wendy.

In the middle of February, Doctor Andrews removed Cocoa's hard cast on her arm and replaced it with a lightweight cast. As for her leg injury, Cocoa was able to transition to a leg brace.

Still, no sign of Wendy.

By the middle of March, Doctor Andrews saw vast improvements in Cocoa's injuries to have her released from the hospital. Everyone was ecstatic about the news.

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Wednesday, March 21st, 2018

Cocoa's POV

I am finally out of the hospital. Thank goodness.

"Mom, it feels great to finally leave the hospital."

"It sure is. But, remember what Doctor Andrews said - get plenty of rest and take it easy."

"Well, since I'm not graduating, what else can I do but rest?"

"Honey, right now, the best thing for you is to continue getting better. I know it hurts now, but in the end, things will turn out fine. You'll see. Just think - you'll be moving to Florida, and you and Cam are getting married in August."

"That's true. But, graduating would have been sweet. As for Florida, I checked out the University of Miami, and I want to enroll there for next year, beginning with the Fall semester. I can't wait to leave Maryland."

Doctor Andrews entered my room. "Cocoa, here are your prescription pain meds. And, Mrs. Baker, here is Cocoa's release papers."

Doctor Andrews handed me the prescription, and mom signed the release papers. Yes! I'm free of this place.

"Thank you, Doctor Andrews, for everything."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Baker. And, Cocoa, take care."

Doctor Andrews left the room. "I'm so ready to sleep on my own bed."

"Aunt Cocoa, can I sit with you in the wheelchair?"

"Of course, Shea. Just be careful."

Michail sighed while sitting Myshea in my lap. Then, he wheeled me out of the room and out of the hospital.

********************

My mom made me close my eyes before Val drove up to the house.

"Seriously, mom?"

"Yes, seriously. Now, you can open your eyes."

My family and friends were all outside, holding a 'Welcome Home Cocoa' sign.

"Surprise!"

I cried in the back seat.

"Don't cry, Aunt Cocoa," I heard Shea say.

After grabbing my crutches, Val helped me out of his SUV. The tears were streaming down my eyes as I made my way to Cam. We hugged each other, but not too tight.

"I love this. Thank you." Cam massaged my back while I rested my head on this chest.

"You're welcome. I had to. I couldn't wait for this day. There's plenty of food inside the house, and I'm sure you don't want to stand for a long time."

"You're right because my right leg is starting to bother me."

I took my time going into the house and went straight to the recliner in the living room. My friends were right behind me.

"Thank you guys so much for your support."

"Cocoa, since we've known each other, I feel like we are sisters. When Cam told us his idea, of course, we were going to participate. We miss you at University. Heck, we are going to miss you so much when you move. I even heard Bryce say something nice about you being out of the hospital."

"Now that I am surprised to hear. Thanks, Heather. I'm going to miss you guys too. But, we are going to get a house large enough for you all to visit. That's a promise. The good times will never end. And, I want you to be a part of my wedding. Don't worry about transportation."

"Absolutely! I would love to be a part of your wedding."

My mom came into the living room with a plate of food for me.

"Ahh, there's nothing better than a home-cooked meal. Thanks, mom."

"You're welcome, honey. Everybody make sure you get something to eat."

"Thanks, Mrs. Alyshea," Heather says to mom.

"I still believe Wendy hasn't been found. I can't stand her."

While we were eating, Cam turned on the television.

********

"Ladies and gentlemen, we just received a breaking news report into the studio. Wendy Adams, the young lady who purposely ran down Ms. Cocoa Baker, has been captured in Virginia. I repeat, Wendy Adams has been captured. More on this story on the 6 o'clock news."

********

I almost choked on my food. Cam ran somewhere.

"It's about time they captured her. I hope she rots under the jail!" Heather says in the most vile tone I have heard. Cam came back with Val and mom.

"Mom, we just saw that Wendy was captured in Virginia. They are going to show more on the 6 o'clock news."

"It's about time. We'll have to find out who came forward so they can receive the reward money," Val then says.

"I want to go see Wendy once she is in jail." Everybody looked at me crazy.

"You want to do what?!!"

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