Chapter 92

                                    

                                          
Thanksgiving was slowly approaching the small town of Crestmont as it was roughly a week and a half away now. But, unlike a lot of residents, Lainie and Matt weren't starting to stock up on a few foods or ingredients they would need to craft a mouth-watering Thanksgiving feast when the time comes. The older couple spent most if not all of their time at the hospital with their son, just hoping and praying that he'd wake up from his coma soon. During the rare nights they spent at home, Matt and Lainie lied awake at night, their son never leaving their thoughts at all. It seemed that Clay Jensen was on everyone's mind 24/7 nowadays. He was definitely on Hannah's mind day in and day out - so much so that she acted more like a zombie than herself these days. The Baker teen would sometimes help out with the store as well as things around the house, but it was always clear that her mind was somewhere else - or, more specifically, on someone else. The girl's grandparents were set to join the Bakers for Thanksgiving once again this year. When the elderly couple learned about Clay's current state, as well as what happened to him for the most part, since the only person who knew what really happened that Halloween night was Clay Jensen, himself, they felt sympathy for the boy, as well as his parents. The elderly couple even took the liberty in asking how Matt and Lainie were doing during this tragic, hard time.
                          
Tyler and his parents would be spending Thanksgiving out of town with some family, like they did every year. But, this time around, Tyler was extremely hesitant to leave, because he really didn't want to leave his best and closest friend. The Down boy really wanted to be there for the 19-year-old when he woke up from his coma, but it's very possible that that might not happen before he leaves town for the November holiday. The Down teen's friends did promise to keep him updated on anything that changed, good or bad, while he would be out of town, though, so that reassured him a little bit as he finally began to get a head start on packing the things he wanted or needed to take with him for the time he'd be away.
                          
Back at the hospital, Matt returned with two cups of steaming hot coffee from the Starbucks that was located in the hospital's cafeteria area. Lainie thanked her husband as she took one of the two warm, plastic, red holiday-themed cups from him. "When will he wake up, Matt?" The woman couldn't help but ask brokenly after taking a small sip of her coffee. Mr. Jensen sighed to himself as he took a seat in a vacant chair next to his wife. "Soon. I have a feeling our son will wake up soon." He said confidently with a small, flat smile on his face as he took his wife's hand in his own, creating a sense of comfort between the two of them. "I hope you're right. I can't stand to see him like this." The worried mother said as she moved her gaze back to her hospitalized son again. 
                          
"Why don't you take a break? You've been here for the last three days straight. Maybe go home and get some rest or something." Matt suggested after a minute, even though he had a feeling that he knew what the answer would be. "I don't want to leave him, though. What if something happens while I'm gone?" Lainie replied, giving the answer that her husband had expected. The man lightly tightened his hold on her hand. "I'll stay here with him, and I can keep you updated if anything happens." Matt said reassuringly. "Are you sure?" The mother asked as she gave the man beside her a hesitant look. "Positive." He replied with a nod of his head. "Besides, you deserve a break. And, like I said. If anything happens, I'll let you know." Mr. Jensen reminded. Lainie gave her husband's words some thought. "Alright." She replied with a quiet sigh and a small nod of her head. The Jensen mother turned back to her son for a few seconds before moving to stand up and retrieve her purse. The two adults then shared a small peck before Lainie left the room to give herself a short break. 
                          
After watching his wife leave the small hospital room, Matt let out a sigh before moving his gaze back to his son. "Please wake up soon, Pal." He pleaded, taking Clay's limp hand in his own as he moved to sit in the chair that was previously occupied by Lainie before she left. The man watched his son, hoping that he would simply wake up right then and there, but Matt knew that he probably wouldn't get a response from the boy like he was hoping that he would. After a few moments, the door to the small room opened, and Andy slowly entered, closing the door behind him. "Hey, Matt." Mr. Baker greeted, offering a small, friendly smile. "Hey, Andy." Matt replied as he still held onto his son's hand. "Anything new to report?" Hannah's father asked as he came to take a seat in the vacant chair. "Nothing new." The older Jensen male replied sadly, never taking his eyes off of his comatose son.