Chapter
3
When Brian arrived at the hospital, he checked in at the main desk. The
receptionist had a nurse come down and take him up to his room on the fifth
floor, which was the Oncology floor. There, he changed into an ugly hospital
gown and climbed into the bed. It was small and hard compared to his big
waterbed, but he was exhausted so it didn't matter right then.
Brian knew he should call everyone first. He decided to start with his
parents. His fingers shook as he dialed the number.
His father answered on the third ring.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hi, Dad?" Brian said, his voice shaking.
"Yes? Brian?"
"Yeah, it's me. Listen, could you put Mom on? I have to tell you
guys something."
"Sure, son," Harold said, confused and rather nervous. He
didn't like the tone of his son's voice.
"Jackie! Come here!" he called to his wife. Jackie hurried
into the kitchen.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Bri's on the phone, and he wants to talk to both of us."
"Okay," she said. She got the cordless phone and came back
into the kitchen. She sat down at the kitchen table next to Harold.
"Hi, honey," she said into the phone.
"Hi, Mom," Brian said.
"What's wrong, Babyduck?" she asked. "I can tell
something's wrong. What is it?"
"Listen, I haven't been feeling too good lately. I went to my
doctor a few days ago, and I found out today that I-I-" He couldn't
finish. The words were too awful to say. Instead, he broke down into tears.
"Brian!? Are you alright? Say something!" his mother cried.
Brian took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.
"I have cancer," he blurted, the tears flowing down his face.
"Oh my God," Harold cried. Brian could hear Jackie begin to
sob.
"Listen, Brian, we'll catch the first flight we can down there.
We'll be there as soon as we can," Harold said, trying to remain calm, so
Brian wouldn't be afraid. Inside, he felt like he was breaking in half from
grief. He had his arm around his wife, who was still sobbing into his shoulder.
"Okay," Brian said, his voice small and scared sounding.
"Where are you right now?" Harold asked.
"Orlando General Hospital," Brian answered.
"Okay. We'd better start packing. We'll see you in a few
hours."
"Okay," Brian replied, wiping his eyes.
"Goodbye, son. I love you."
"I love you too, Dad," Brian said, the tears welling up in
his eyes again. They hung up, and he collapsed against his pillow, emotionally
drained. He knew he had to call Nick and the rest of the guys, as well as
Leighanne, but he couldn't right then.
***
