Chapter
21
Over the next
few days, everyone's spirits seemed to rise. Brian was slowly getting better,
as was Angel. And AJ had begun to have some movement in his fingers. He could
just barely move them, but it was a start.
However,
everyone's happiness wouldn't last long. One day, when Howie and Kevin arrived
at the hospital, they found Jane Carter in the waiting room, crying. Bob Carter
had his arms around her, comforting her.
Kevin and
Howie took seats in the waiting room, but didn't say anything, not wanting to
interrupt. Once Jane had composed herself, she shakily told them what was
wrong.
"Dr.
Mitchell said Nicky's not getting any better. He wants us to consider taking
him off the life-support machines and letting him die a natural death."
Howie and
Kevin were shocked. "You mean he's going to die anyway?" Howie
managed to ask. Jane nodded, her eyes filling with tears again.
"Probably
so," she said.
"What did
you tell the doctor?" Kevin asked.
"I told
him to give us some time. This is a big decision and not one I want to have to
make." She started to sob again, Bob pulled her into his arms.
Kevin stood up
slowly and wandered off down the hall. Howie followed him. When he looked over
at Kevin, he saw tears streaming down his cheeks. Howie's own eyes were
overflowing with tears as well.
"Do you
think Bri knows yet?" Kevin asked. More tears came to Howie's eyes as he
realized how hard Brian was going to take this. It was going to be hard on all
of them, but mostly him. Nick was his best friend.
Kevin and
Howie went to the restroom to compose themselves before they went to see the
others. They decided they weren't ready to see Brian or Angel first, so they
decided to go see AJ.
***
