Keeping Faith Through It All: Through It All, #2

By Korena Garretson

  Kaylee was always told: God will never leave you nor forsake you. But as she threw the roses into the grave just before the dirt was pushed in, she wondered where God was when she needed him the most? She surely couldn't feel him right now. She felt alone and abandoned; like all her prayers went unheard. She didn't know how they'd ever get through losing someone so close to them and fill the void death left behind? Her heart was no longer broken, it was shattered beyond repair. It seemed every time she could get back on her feet, she'd fall into a crap-shoot and have to repeat the process of trying to claw herself out of the miry clay.

  She gave life her best, but all too often, her best fell short of being good enough. She wondered if she should just give up and walk away? But how does one walk away from the harsh reality called life? Things would never be the same but would there ever be any reprieve? Isn't there supposed to be a rainbow after every storm? Maybe if she looked hard enough she would be able to see it through the dark clouds that loomed above her head. The saying; you're either entering, in the middle of, or coming out of a storm sure rang true to her life and she sure hoped God would show up to be her Champion because she was tired of fighting. Even though her heart could never be fully mended, Kaylee was determined to find a silver lining through the gloom and doom; there had to be one somewhere. But where?

  Do Kaylee and Dillyn surpass all odds? Or do they throw in the towel and call it quits? Does she ever find the sunshine through the rain? Does she persevere and walk away with her faith in tact? Or does she give up and quit on herself, life and God?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Korena Garretson
• Release date: Sep 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393497233

Korena Garretson

Wife, Mother, Nana, Photographer, Cosmetologist and Author Korena is a small town gal whom loves her family and God more than anything in this world. She hated reading as a child but came to love it as an adult. After overcoming many adversities and reading hundreds of books, she was inspired to start writing her own novels. It has since became a new found love and passion for her, as well as, an outlet to some of her crazy ideas.   You can find her on: https://www.facebook.com/korenagarretson.author https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19252490.Korena_Garretson  or email her at : [e-mail].

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Disclaimer:

Although this book was inspired by true instances, this is a work of fiction. All names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales and prognosis’ are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner to provide anonymity. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Chapter 1

In Need of a Miracle

Never in a parent’s life do they want to hear that their child has been in an accident or that their life was in jeopardy. The house became in an uproar the moment Dillyn relayed the phone call to the family. Everyone became frenzied as they all gathered their belongings and rushed out of the house. They couldn’t believe Brittany was almost killed. It was a real nightmare come true. Kaylee’s heart was racing a mile a minute. She could only imagine the torment Dillyn was experiencing.

Arriving at the trauma unit, the family met with the doctor in charge of Brittany’s care along with the nursing staff. The doctor addressed them, Brittany has suffered severe trauma from the accident. She has three bruises on her brain, a broken knee, a dislocated hip, a torn ligament in her eye, a broken eye socket, a broken shoulder, and her brain is swelling, causing her not to wake up. Everything is touch and go at this moment; the next forty-eight hours are crucial. She’s in the ICU; she can have visitors but only two at a time. All the air was sucked out of the room at everyone’s gasp. They couldn’t believe what they had just heard.

Kaylee looked at Dillyn and could tell he was barely holding it together. Anger, fear, and concern arose in him and permeated throughout his body until it fell through the room, crashing all around them like an angry sea. He was about to blow his top. Dillyn stomped off to approach Brent, the cousin, who had caused the crash. Dillyn’s brother-n-law Joel and Cooper stepped between them, keeping him just out of reach of the guy. Surely if they weren't there, he'd have him in a condition similar to Brittany's, if not worse. Kaylee sent up a silent plea, "God, please help them and bring Brittany through this. Don’t take her."

It was so weird seeing her lay there like that. No spunk, no smart retort to their antics or response of them trying to rouse her...nothing. Kaylee’s stomach plummeted while her heart lay at her feet; she could only imagine where Dillyn's was, hers broke for him.

Not knowing if Brittany would survive, the family took turns visiting until the nurses informed them, she needs her rest. Go home. We will call with any updates.

We don’t want to leave, what if she wakes up. What if something happens, Brittany’s mom asked with much concern for her daughter. 

The best thing for her right now is to rest. You can come back first thing in the morning. I promise we will call if there’s any change.

We don’t want to leave. What if something happens and we aren’t here? Dillyn asked again.

Sir, if there’s any chance at all we will call, I promise. Staying won’t change anything. We will take good care of your daughter. The best thing for everyone is to go home and rest. You will need it for the days to come.

Dillyn’s anger radiated off of him. Kaylee noticed his knuckles were white as he squeezed the steering wheel on the ride home. If he clenched his jaw any tighter, his teeth would surely break. I can’t believe he would drive drunk with my daughter in the truck. Gahhhh! I could hurt him! He hit the steering wheel with his palm causing Kaylee to jump. He should be the one laying in there, not her, he said. His face was turning an unnatural shade of red.

I can’t believe they didn’t charge him, she replied.

They said they couldn’t prove he was behind the wheel. Apparently, he got out and was walking around before the cops got there.

The cops should’ve been able to tell that he was the driver. It’s always the innocent ones who get hurt. It isn’t right.

If she dies, I will make him pay, he ground out between clenched teeth. 

She’s not going to die; we have to believe that. We have to have hope. 

Hope? My hope is back there lying in a hospital bed hooked to wires and machines, his voice raised in anger, causing her to cringe. 

Kaylee dropped the conversation, knowing he was beyond his breaking point. She didn’t want to push him over the edge. So instead of replying, she switched the radio on to a gospel station, hoping to diffuse the anger and hurt they both held inside. He was too worried to have hope, so Kaylee would do her best to believe for him; that Brittany would make it. She had to. Please let her make it.

Early the next morning, they arrived at the hospital as soon as they allowed visitation. Kaylee grabbed Dillyn’s hand to lend strength and support, letting him know that she was there for him. We are here for Brittany Baker. They said into the intercom. The door buzzed, and they were permitted to enter the ICU Unit.

The doctor addressed them, She did good. She isn’t out of the woods yet, but her vitals are stable and have been steady all night. You can visit her but please, allow her to rest. You can talk to her. Let her know you’re here and that you love her, but don’t upset her. Although she is in a coma, she can still hear you. If she gets upset, it could cause her to go deeper into a coma.

They could not believe this hell was their new reality. Their heart sank, but they had to be strong for Brittany’s sake. They could fall apart later. They channeled their inner strength, took a deep breath, and put a brave face on.

Entering the room, the sight that lay before Dillyn and Kaylee took their breath away. Although they saw her yesterday, they had hoped that she’d be much better, but they’d take what they could get. She was alive and still holding on, and that’s what mattered. 

Two IV’s hung on a pole, one administering antibiotics to keep down infections and one giving her fluids to keep her hydrated. The beep, beep, beep, of the monitors echoed off the walls indicating her heart was beating, encouraged them that she was still alive. An O2 sensor fastened to her finger monitored her oxygen levels, which was holding at ninety-seven percent. Kaylee saw her friend lying there, yet it didn’t seem like her at all. Her hair was matted to the pillow as remnants of blood stained her swollen face. Her leg and arm was wrapped in bandages of protection while wires flowed from under the sheets. 

Kaylee swallowed down her emotions, trying her best to keep her unshed tears at bay. She looked at Dillyn as he stared at his daughter in disbelief. How could his baby be laying there fighting for her life? She’s only seventeen. No parent should have to go through this, nor lose a child. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be the case with Brittany, one could hope. Please don’t let that be the case, God. Let her make it. Please! I beg you, Kaylee pleaded.

Dillyn and Kaylee drove an hour and visited her every day, with the anticipation Brittany would wake up. Only to arrive, finding her in the same condition as when they left the day before. Brittany had been sponged off the best they could, trying to make it less frightening for visitors. Why won't she wake up? One could be discouraged by there not being any change, but Kaylee and Dillyn, clung to the fact that Brittany was alive and her heart was beating; she was holding on.

Every day for a week, they tried to rouse her by talking to her. They'd command her to open her eyes, but still no response.

The doctor entered the room, I had her moved into a step-down unit from ICU since she’s still in stable condition, he informed them. 

Brittany was thrashing around with her eyes closed. Why is she doing that? Dillyn asked the doctor. 

The doctor answered, I think she’s reliving the accident. It seems as if she’s trying to grab onto a steering wheel. They watched her moving her arms as if reaching for something and kicking her left leg, it’s almost like she’s trying to press on the brakes. If her cousin was driving, it’s possible she was trying to regain control of the vehicle, since it happened during a storm.

How traumatic! Kaylee’s heart broke. If mine is broken, Dillyn’s must be shattered.

They stayed as long as the hospital permitted, each taking breaks to allow the other family members to visit as well. Thankfully, Brent was nowhere to be found this time, for Kaylee wasn’t sure Dillyn wouldn’t hurt him at this point. She knew she couldn’t hold him back. That man was a Bulldozer when he got angry. Kaylee only ever saw Dillyn that mad once, and that’s when Cooper had hurt her for the last time. Dillyn was so angry, he had picked Cooper up with one hand by the throat and carried him across the room. If Barry hadn’t stopped him from pummeling him, Cooper would’ve needed plastic surgery to fix his face.

Many prayer chains went out around multiple states and throughout the country. It had been two weeks, and Brittany was still in a coma. They had repaired her eye, knee, and her shoulder. She had been moved to a rehabilitation hospital for children to continue her care. They still had no answers as to when she would wake up... if she’d wake up. "God, she has to! Please let her wake up!"

Brittany was lying in bed all bandaged up but still sleeping. Dillyn started talking to her, Hey, baby girl. You need to wake up. She began thrashing and shaking her head back and forth. 

That’s odd. She seems to only respond to you. We’ve all talked to her and get no response, but she moves around for you, her Mom, Susan stated. Why don’t you try saying something to her. Ask her a question or something.

Brittany, can you hear me? She began thrashing again. He grabbed her hand. Brittany, can you feel me holding your hand? Repeatedly, she shook her head side to side and moved around.

Brittany, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand. Her head moved from side to side; she stilled, then she squeezed his hand. Susan, Kaylee, and Dillyn gasped in utter shock. She did it! Did you see it? She squeezed my hand! Kaylee went out to get the doctor.

Brittany squeezed his hand when Dillyn asked her if she could hear him, Susan told him. Susan grabbed a hold of Brittany’s other hand, Britt, honey, we love you. Squeeze my hand if you hear us. They waited but nothing happened. Come on, Honey. Show the doctor how you squeezed your Daddy’s hand, they waited, but still nothing happened.

Dillyn tried, Brittany, if you can hear us squeeze my hand. She only thrashed her head back and forth, but couldn’t comply.

It’s common for muscle twitches in coma patients, the doctor informed the room.

But it was as if she could really hear us. She squeezed Dillyn's hand when he commanded her. Why won’t she wake up? Why won’t she do it again? Susan asked.

I’m hopeful that Brittany will when she is ready. Her brain is healing, it’s no longer swollen, but the bruises are still there. They’re blocking the receptors of being able to wake up and interact. The longer she’s under, the more healing time. However, the longer she’s in a coma, it’s more plausible she may not regain consciousness. The fact that she moves around is a good sign, though. You all need to prepare yourselves regardless. If she does wake up, I don’t know if there will be any impairments or what damage the bruises and trauma has caused. 

The doctor left them all astounded to what he had just said. How could he say such a thing? They knew Brittany would wake up; she had to. She was a fighter. He didn’t know that if someone told Brittany she wasn’t going to do something, she’d do it to prove them wrong.

Another week passed with no change to Brittany’s condition. The daily visits seemed uneventful of her responding to anyone, but they still did all they could to encourage her to wake up, by letting her know they were there. Dillyn and Kaylee walked over to the bed. Brittany, I’m here baby girl, Dillyn said as he squeezed her hand. Kaylee squeezed her other one. Hey, Britt. It’s Kaylee. Brittany didn’t react. She just lay there prostrate on the bed.

Britt, it’s Daddy. Can you hear me? Dillyn asked a little more forceful, causing Brittany to start thrashing. If you can hear me, squeeze my hand. She stilled. Then she squeezed his hand. She did it! She squeezed my hand!

Susan got up and crossed the room. 

Britt, can you hear me? If so, squeeze my hand and show your Mom. They held their breath and waited as she lay there, not moving. When suddenly, she squeezed his hand.

They let out an audible breath and laughed. She did it. We saw it, she did it, Susan said with excitement seeing her daughter interact.

I’ll go get the doctor, Kaylee exclaimed. 

Wait, Dillyn commanded. Let’s see if she’ll do it again before you go. You know what happened last time.

Okay.

Brittany, it’s Daddy. If you can hear me, squeeze my hand. Brittany thrashed, moved her head, then stilled; then squeezed his hand. 

Joyous laughter escaped all of them, and Dillyn told Kaylee, Okay, go get him, and she swiftly left the room.

The doctor followed behind Kaylee with a few nurses in tow. I understand she has squeezed your hand three times?

She did.

Okay, see if you can get her to do it again.

Okay. Brittany, if you can hear me, squeeze my hand. They held their breath and waited. Brittany, it’s Daddy. If you can hear me, squeeze my hand. She thrashed her head again from side to side, then stilled and squeezed his hand.

Everyone let out an audible breath as excitement filled the room. They couldn’t believe it! She was responding.

That’s good. That’s very good. Now, see if she can do it again.

Brittany, honey, if you can hear us squeeze my hand, Susan instructed. But nothing happened. She tried again, but still, nothing happened.

Brittany, it’s Daddy. If you can hear me, squeeze my hand, Dillyn demanded with a booming voice. They so wanted this to be real. Everyone held their breath. No sound was made as they watched and waited. She thrashed her head back and forth, then stilled. They waited, then everyone cheered as she complied and squeezed his hand. 

Try again, the doctor instructed with excitement.

Brittany, can you squeeze my hand? Susan asked, but nothing happened. You try, Dillyn, since she seems to respond to you.

Again, Dillyn commanded his daughter to squeeze his hand, and once again, she thrashed, stilled, then squeezed his hand. It was like she wanted to wake up but couldn’t figure out how to. They were appalled, yet excited that she responded.

Why does she respond to Dillyn and not Susan? Kaylee asked.

Perhaps it’s his demanding tone, Susan suggested. When she was little and wouldn’t listen, Dillyn would be the only one who could get her attention sometimes. Brittany knew when he meant business.

Sometimes, coma patients respond more to those in a firm tone versus a passive one, the doctor stated.

After a few small commands of moving her head as if Brittany could hear him, and other simple suggestions, Dillyn tried something a little more complicated. He took her hand and moved it up his arm. Britt, do you feel that? It’s my watch. Brittany moved her hand back and forth, getting familiar with the object on Dillyn’s arm. If you can hear me, I want you to take my watch off my arm. They all watched and waited. They were hopeful, Brittany understood and could do it. Silence filled the room. If a pin were to drop, it would probably sound like a bomb. It was so quiet. Everyone held their breath and waited. 

Brittany patted his hand and moved up to his wrist. Feeling all around the gold watch, she grabbed hold of it and slid it off Dillyn’s hand. Everyone gasped. Wide-eyed, they looked at one another in disbelief and smiled.

Brittany, put my watch back on my arm, Dillyn demanded in his baritone voice. Brittany moved her head side to side, stopped, and then stilled. She took her hand and slid it back over his hand and up to his wrist. The excitement was audible. They couldn’t believe Brittany was actually interacting. Britt, can you take my watch off and put it on your wrist?

The breath of everyone in the room was constricted as they waited to see if Brittany would be able to do it. Once again, she slid the watch off Dillyn's arm with one hand, then flipped it over onto hers. The applause and excitement flowed through the room while watching in utter bewilderment, as Brittany had followed his command.

Why won't she open her eyes if she can do all this? Dillyn asked the doctor.

We don't know. It seems her brain is healing even though the bruises are still there. This is a good sign, though, an excellent sign. Although she has responded to those simple instructions, we still don’t know what lies ahead.

We will hold onto hope and faith, that Brittany will be just fine, no matter what, Kaylee said matter-of-factly. She just knew that Brittany would overcome this obstacle, she had to. The scripture came to her: Mathew 17:20 Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "I believe, God. Thank you for the little things as well as the big ones."

Multiple family members were showing their support by visiting and lifting Brittany in prayer. It was vital for her to know she had an excellent support team. That everyone loved her and were praying for her recovery. She needed to hear how much they wanted her to keep fighting her way back to all of them and not give up.

Leaning down next to her ear, Kaylee sang a few songs that Brittany used to sing in Dillyn's gospel band. Brittany angled her head as if listening intently. As if remembering?

The family continued hoping anything they did, said or sang would trigger Brittany’s brain, to make her wake up; but still nothing happened. Brittany would only respond to Dillyn’s powerful, booming voice and his demands. But only at limited times and it was as if she fought hard to focus. Like it took all she had in her to find her way through her sleep state to get to her Dad’s voice. All they could do was hold out hope, visit, talk to her, and pray. They believed with all their might that she would wake up; She had to.

The Night Before Easter

DILLYN, SOME OF HIS family and Kaylee received a flyer about an Easter Cantata at a church thirty minutes away and decided to go. They had never attended that church before, but figured since it was at night and they had already visited Brittany; it would do them good to go. It was of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The play was amazingly spiritual, and they enjoyed it very much. With such a powerful message, undoubtedly, it must've impacted the hundreds of guests as much as it did Kaylee. The Dove that had flown across the Sanctuary, in representation of the Holy Spirit, stole her breath away. They had put a lot of time and effort into delivering a powerful message.

During the invitational of the altar call, the prophet asked, those who need or would like to be prayed for please come forward. Many went up while others sat and watched, waiting for the service to come to a close. The minister then started saying, God is dealing with a certain woman tonight, you have gone through a lot in the last several months. You are having health issues and are facing surgery. He continued revealing more in-depth things that only the individual he was talking about would know.

Kaylee’s mind was whirling a mile a minute. She wasn't paying attention to anything in particular. Suddenly, something was said that made everything fade away, triggering her senses... it was her. Kaylee was the person all those things described. She was the one who had went to the doctor and was facing surgery for endometriosis. She was the one who came out of many bad relationships. Not only did she need prayer for herself, she wanted to stand in the gap for Brittany. But how did he know this stuff?

Making the decision, Kaylee stepped forward; putting one foot in front of the other she made way to the speaker. Kaylee didn't care who was watching. She just focused her sights on her destination. Not looking around, afraid of losing her focus, she continued to the front. If you draw near to me, I’ll draw near to you, she heard in her spirit.

Once she reached the minister, she blurted, it's me. All that stuff you said, it's me. I’m facing surgery, but more importantly, my boyfriend's daughter was in a bad crash and has been in a coma, tomorrow will be the thirtieth day. I want prayer for her. She didn’t care about herself at all. Her needs were trivial, and she could care less about her past. She just wanted a miracle for her friend. 

Tears began streaming down Kaylee’s face as they prayed for her and Brittany. The anointing of the Holy Spirit fell heavy upon her. Not being able to withstand the heavy cloak of the spirit, she surrendered to its power as the floor embraced her. The weight of Kaylee's burdens, mixed with the love of the father, was too heavy to keep her upright any longer.

Laying under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the war raged between the darkness and the light. Kaylee felt the battle as the two spirits faced off. The enemy's hold was strong, but the power of God was stronger. God lifted the veil of darkness that had taken up residency in her spirit. From all the heartbreak and sorrow she’d suffered over many years of defeat and bearing the weight of Dillyn and Brittany’s anguish, it had molded itself to her like a second skin. Kaylee claimed the victory as the peace of God cleansed her. 

When Kaylee arose, she arose a lighter, new, and improved being. She hugged the minister and made her way back to her seat. She felt so light. It seemed like she floated more than walked. Kaylee embraced Dillyn, hoping to pour the sanctification of her spirit into his. Hoping he too would gain a sense of peace. She didn’t know if it worked