Chapter 6
“…so as soon as we finish up the paperwork, you’ll be
discharged, Mr. Dorough,” said the young nurse as she finished recording vital
signs.
“What about going to sleep?” came a raspy voice from the
other side of the room.
“The doctor will be in to explain it all, but I think the
danger’s passed.” She smiled at AJ, then back at Howie. “Breakfast will be up
in a bit, is there anything else I can get you? Either of you?”
“No,” Howie replied in an exhausted tone. “I’ll just be
glad to get out of here.” He paused for a second, then hastily added, “Not that
there’s anything wrong with the care or anything…”
She laughed. “Oh, we get a lot of that here,” she said as
she placed the chart in its holder. “No offense taken.”
AJ stood and stretched, wincing as cramped muscles
protested. The hospital bed he’d spent the night in wasn’t exactly the highest
quality. “I am in major need of coffee,” he said.
“I’ll
see what I can do,” she said. “But, none for you, Mr. Dorough,” she added
apologetically. “With your condition and the meds they’ll probably
prescribe...”
“The
only thing I want to do is to go home, collapse into a real bed, and sleep.
There’s no chance I’d drink something that might keep me awake!”
“Good,”
she said. “I’ll be right back.”
When she had left, Howie sank back into his pillow and
rubbed his face. “Damn, Bone, I am so tired.”
“I don’t doubt it,” came the reply. “At least I was able to
catch a few minutes here and there.”
Howie sighed, then looked at his best friend. “I wonder if
Brian and Nick were able to sleep at all.”
“Nick looked ready to drop,” he said, remembering. “Of
course, Bri didn’t look too hot either. Hopefully they got some kind of rest.”
“Yeah.”
“Hello,” called a bright voice from the doorway. “Food
services, breakfast delivery!”
Howie sat up as the older woman brought in a tray and set
it on the wheeled table by his bed. “There you go, honey.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” he said politely, tentatively lifting
off the plastic cover and sniffing. Surprisingly, it smelled good, and he
immediately picked up a napkin.
“And here you are, sweetheart,” she said as she set another
tray before AJ. “You boys enjoy your breakfast.”
“Thanks,” AJ said, hiding a grin at the woman’s motherly,
efficient tone. He hadn’t been called ‘sweetheart’ by anyone in a long, long
time.
Howie caught the gleam in his brother’s eyes and smiled as
the woman left the room. “Sweetheart?”
“Honey?” AJ replied, glad to see the amusement on
Howie’s face. “Maybe she’s a fan.”
Howie laughed, the first time since the accident. “She has
no clue who we are,” he said. “Actually it’s kind of nice. I don’t think I
could handle fans on any level right now.”
“I hear that,” AJ agreed, uncovering his plate. “Hey, this
doesn’t look half bad,” he said.
They were eating in silence when the nurse returned.
“Here you go, Mr. McLean,” she said, handing him a large
cup of coffee.
“Hey, thanks,” he said sincerely, taking the steaming brew.
“The doctor was talking to your two friends by the Nurse’s
station, I imagine they’ll be here in a minute. I’ll be right outside until the
doctor needs me back in here.”
He watched her leave and focused back on his meal,
wondering how Nick and Brian had fared. He didn’t have to wait long for an
answer.
“Hey guys,” came Brian’s voice half a minute later. Nick
came in behind him, holding a large bundle.
“Hey,” Howie said with a tired smile. “What’s the package?”
“Management sent some stuff over,” Nick replied in a
not-quite-awake voice. “Clothes, mostly. Bri told them your clothes were dirty
from…” he stopped and swallowed. “From last night.”
Howie nodded, remembering the unpleasant mix of mud, blood,
and rain.
“How many clothes does Howie need?” AJ asked, frowning.
“There’s a change of clothes for all of us,” Nick said.
“Since we don’t know how long… um.” He blinked. “Well, you know.”
“Have you seen Kevin?” AJ asked uncomfortably, his meal
forgotten.
“I did,” offered Brian. “He hasn’t woken up yet. They said
his temperature is a bit high, but they expected that.” He drew in a deep
breath. “It’s all about waiting, now.”
Silence descended on the four. It was the arrival of the
doctor that broke the solemn spell.
He nodded at the gathering and went to Howie’s side right
away.
“So, the nurse tells me you’re eager to go home, Mr.
Dorough?” he said while scanning the chart.
“Yeah,” Howie answered. “All I want to do is sleep.”
“Understandable,” the man said. “How is the pain?”
Howie shot a slightly guilty look AJ’s way and said, “Well,
it’s been kinda getting worse since around six.”
“I’m going to prescribe some pain medication to help you
rest. Your body is already exhausted, and fighting pain will add to the problem.
You need sleep, and plenty of it.”
“D, why didn’t you say anything?” AJ said, unhappy his
friend hadn’t told him about the pain.
“I could handle it,” Howie said defensively.
“Hmm,” the doctor cut in. “Well, the second day after an
accident brings a lot of pain, more than what a person experienced to begin
with. The automatic release of endorphins that block the pain at the onset of
trauma doesn’t continue on an infinite basis; the initial input of blockers
have worn off by the twelve hour mark, and the body is unable to produce a
sufficient supply to keep ahead of the pain caused by tissue damage.”
His explanation was met by silence, and he looked up. With
a shake of his head, he said, “Sorry. What I mean is, a person hurts worse the
second day, and even moreso the third. That’s when medication does the most
good. You’ll have to give your body the rest it requires to heal.
Unfortunately, what I need to prescribe will be quite strong and will make you
very drowsy. We’ll give you the first dose in injection form, but the rest will
be pills. I can’t let you drive, you’ll have to get a ride back home. Now, who
will be staying with you while you recover?”
“Uh, no one,” Howie said. “I live alone.”
The doctor shook his head. “You won’t be able to drive,
cook, or do much of anything for at least 24 hours. You need to take your
medicine at regular intervals, and someone must watch you for any adverse
effects of the drugs. If there’s no one, we’ll keep you here for another day-”
“I’ll stay with him,” AJ declared flatly.
“No, Aje,” Howie began to protest.
“You don’t get a vote,” came the instant retort. “I’ll make
sure he does what he’s supposed to, doc.”
“Very good,” the doctor said. “The nurse will write up
clear instructions, and you’ll be able to call us here if you have any concerns
or questions. I have no doubt that Mr. Dorough will rest much better at home,
under your care, than he would here.”
Howie was secretly relieved and put up no futher argument.
For the next few minutes, the doctor went over the basics and, once assured
they had been understood, bid farewell to the group. The nurse came in, gave
Howie an injection of pain medicine, left papers for him to read and sign, and
gave them all a bit of privacy.
While the older Boy changed, Brian slipped out to make
arrangements for a car to pick up AJ and Howie. Nick, silent during most of the
visit, finally spoke.
“Bri will… Brian and I will handle the press conference
later this afternoon,” he said. “It’s supposed to be at 4, if things don’t blow
up before then.”
“What do they know so far?” AJ asked.
“Not much,” Nick said. “Management told Brian that because
the accident happened in such an isloated spot, and was so late at night, there
weren’t many onlookers. They’re making sure the hospital, as well as rescue
services and police, are keeping it under wraps.” He looked at the floor.
“Questions are already being asked, though… so someone has said something.
Could have been practically anyone.” He shrugged, knowing that an incident of
that magnitude would never be kept secret for long. “Bri’s been doing a great
job,” he added quietly.
Howie’s dark eyes looked on his youngest brother with
empathy, but he was unsure what to say.
“We’re going to stay here,” Nick continued after a bit,
although he still kept his gaze on the tiles at his feet. “They’ll let us crash
in the Resident’s lounge, there’s a shower and everything there. Bri won’t go
home, at least until Leigh comes back, and I…” He sniffed and shuffled his
foot. “Someone’s got to keep Brian company.”
AJ caught the pain in his brother’s voice. “You haven’t
seen Kev yet, have you?”
Nick shook his head, his jaw clenching against the
statement.
“Look,” Howie offered as he slowly buttoned up his shirt.
“I’m going to stop by before we leave, you can come with us.”
“It’ll do you good,” promised AJ.
“I’ll go see him,” Nick said evasively, not wanting to
promise specifics. Brian’s return spared him from saying more.
“There’s a car being sent, should be here in about 20
minutes. D, you ready to go?”
“After I see Kevin,” he stated. He stood up far too
quickly, swayed dangerously, and nearly fell flat on his face. AJ caught his
arm and steadied him for a moment.
“Sit down for a second, you don’t want to hurt yourself
more,” he said urgently.
“Kinda dizzy,” Howie muttered, not understanding.
“All ready to go?” the nurse said as she bustled into the
room. “Hmm, you’re looking a little pale.”
“Got up too fast,” he explained with a blush.
“That’s why when we say to take it easy, we mean
it,” she said, taking his blood pressure one final time. “And also why it’s
hospital policy that all patients be escorted in a wheelchair on their way
out.” She took the reading from the cuff and said, “It’s the pain meds working
already, I think. Do you usually have strong reactions to medication?”
“Yes, he does,” AJ answered for him. Howie didn’t bother to
protest.
“All right, then, I’ll get you a wheelchair and you’ll be
home that much faster.”
A few minutes later, AJ propelled Howie down the hall,
Brian and Nick close behind. It didn’t take long to reach Kevin’s floor and
they found his room quickly. Without hesitation, the leading pair went inside.
Although he tried to follow, Nick stopped cold in mid-step,
feeling a surge of panic swell up in his chest. Images of blood and darkness
flashed before his eyes and he emitted a small, choking sound as he backed up,
right into Brian.
The surprised man steadied the shaking blond, moving to
face him at once. “Frack?”
Blood…
dark blood against too-white skin, the rattle of tortured breathing…
“I… I c-can’t, Bri,” he said, terrified. “Please…”
“You can see him later,” Brian assured him. “We’ll be here
all day, we can visit once Howie and AJ leave, okay?”
Nick felt his chest tighten and suddenly found it hard to
breathe. Brian realized what was happening and pulled him from the doorway.
“Deep breaths, Nick,” he commanded. “You don’t need to
hyperventilate. Deep, calming breaths… c’mon Bro, don’t do this.”
Somehow the instructions made their way through the panic
and fear, and Nick did as he was told. Slowly, he felt the constriction in his
chest ease and he was finally able to focus on worried blue eyes.
“I’m okay,” he whispered, ashamed of his weakeness. “I’m
s-sorry.”
Brian embraced him in a strong, tight hug. “Nothing to
apologize for. You can do this when you’re ready.”
“Thanks,” came the barely audible response. He stepped back
and shrugged off the hand on his shoulder. “I… I think I’ll catch a shower, and
get changed,” he said, retrieving the bundle he’d dropped moments before.
“Tell… can you tell Howie and AJ that I’ll talk to them later?”
“Sure,” Brian said softly. “I’ll join you as soon as they
leave.”
As Nick hurried down the hall, Brian leaned against the
wall and shut his eyes, trying to keep his emotions under control. He took a
few steadying breaths, gathered up his resolve, and went through the door to
deliver the message.
*******
AJ studied the look of guilt mixed with concern on Howie’s
face and wondered what he could say to make things better. He knew Howie felt
things very deeply; getting over this would take a while, for sure. He had no
magic words, no glib advice to offer, only his support and friendship. He hoped
that it would be enough.
After a moment Brian entered the room, alone, and joined
the two at Kevin’s side. At AJ’s questioning gaze, Brian merely shook his head.
He understood: Nick would have to come on his own terms. He couldn’t fault the
kid; everyone was having trouble dealing with the situation, himself included.
At least watching over Howie would be a distraction, something productive he
could focus on.
“He looks pale,” Howie stated, gazing at the motionless
body on the bed.
“Yeah,” Brian agreed. “The bruises don’t help.”
“Kris’ll freak,” AJ said. “You know how those two are.”
“She was really upset on the phone,” Brian said,
remembering. “But she’s tough, too. I think she’ll be okay, once she gets
here.”
“Maybe... by then… Kev will be… awake,” Howie said,
blinking heavily.
AJ’s eyebrows raised at the slow pace of Howie’s words.
“Hey, D, you falling asleep on me here?”
“I’m tired,” came the thin reply. “It’s getting hard
to, to keep my eyes open.”
“Yep,”
AJ said. “It’s the drugs. And that’s our cue to get going.”
“Wait,” Howie said, frowning as he concentrated. “Where’s
Nick?”
“He wanted to go get a shower and change,” Brian explained.
“He said that he’ll talk to you guys later.”
“Oh, okay,” came the distant reply. He yawned as his
eyelids grew heavy. “Mmm.”
AJ gave Brian a wry grin. “I better get sleeping beauty
downstairs. You coming?”
“Nah, I told Nick I’d join him. I’ll call in a couple of
hours and see how things are going.”
“Okay, I’ll catch you later.” He wheeled the chair around,
then added, “Let me know if anything… happens… before then, right?”
“Right,” came the solemn promise.
Brian watched the two leave and stood by his cousin’s side
for a while longer. He smoothed out Kevin’s top blanket and fought against the
despair he felt at the sight of the normally vital man lying helpless in the
bed. Bending close, fighting to keep the tremble out of his voice, he said,
“Come on, Kev, we need you to wake up now. You’ve slept long enough.”
There was, of course, no response.
“All right, then, you rest some more,” Brian said, his
throat tight with emotion. “I’ll come back in a while. Just get better, cuz.”
He paused for another few heartbeats, vainly hoping for a
sign of wakefulness. Disappointed, he gave Kevin’s hand a squeeze and left the
room, wondering how on Earth he was going to get through the day.
***