Chapter
37
Two days later, Brian regained consciousness. His mother was in the
room.
"Brian!" she cried. "Baby, you're awake."
"Mom," Brian murmured. "How are you doing? Are you
sore?" Jackie was confused for a moment, then realized he was talking
about her operation the week before to remove her bone marrow.
"I'm okay now, Babyduck," she said. She realized that he had
no idea what had happened, that the first transplant had failed so they had
used Nick's bone marrow, but that Nick had died in surgery. She knew she had to
tell him, but she couldn't break it to him now. She wanted to wait until he got
a little bit better.
***
The next day, Brian was more alert. Dr. Benson ran some tests on him
and determined that Nick's bone marrow was working. But Brian still didn't
know.
His family decided not to tell him until he was much better. They knew
he would be crushed, and they just wanted him to focus on getting better.
By the end of the week, he was much better. The guys were allowed to
visit.
Brian was very happy when they came in.
"Hey guys," he said, smiling at them.
"Hey, Bri," they said.
"Where's Frack at?" Brian asked, realizing Nick wasn't with
them. The three guys looked at each other. Finally, AJ stepped forward. He
perched on the side of Brian's bed and put his hand on Brian's shoulder.
"We've got some stuff to tell you, man," AJ said. Brian
looked at him, confused. "A lot happened while you were out of it. Your
first transplant rejected."
Brian was shocked. "You mean Mom's bone marrow?" he asked. AJ
nodded.
"Dr. Benson decided to use Nick and try another one. So that'
whose bone marrow you have now. Nick's."
"Really?" Brian asked, his eyes wide. "I had no idea. I
must have been really out of it."
"Yeah," AJ said, with a slight laugh. "You were."
"So Nick's bone marrow is working?" Brian asked.
"Yep," AJ said. Brian could see that there was something AJ
still wasn't telling him.
"So where is Nick?" Brian asked. AJ took a deep breath. This
was going to be hard.
"Brian, Nick died during surgery. He had an allergic reaction to
the anesthesia," AJ said. Brian's mouth dropped open, and tears began to
fill his eyes. AJ wrapped his arms around Brian as he cried. Kevin and Howie
went and tried to comfort Brian as well.
"This is all my fault!" Brian said, through his tears.
"He died for me."
"Brian, don't say that!" Kevin said. "This is nobody's
fault. No one knew he was going to be allergic to that anesthesia."
"But if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have been given anesthesia
in the first place," Brian said, sobbing.
"Sshhh, Bri, it's okay. It isn't your fault at all," Howie
said, hugging him tighter. They all tried to comfort Brian for another hour.
Finally, the tears slowed, and he fell asleep.
***
