Chapter
9
The next day, Alexa went to see Brian during visiting hours again.
"Hey, Brian. What's up?" she said, once she was in his room.
"I'm going home tomorrow," he said.
"Really? That's great," she said, smiling. "What'd your
doctor tell you?"
Brian grimaced. "He wants me to stay in bed."
Alexa made a face. "That's sucks."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Brian sighed. "I just want my
life back." He sounded so sad that it made Alexa want to cry. She knew
there was nothing she could do for him. She was silent.
"Will you come visit me?" Brian asked suddenly.
"You mean at your house?"
"Yeah," he said. "I mean, I know you have a job and
school and everything, so if you can't, that's okay. But I just thought I'd ask
and..."
"Sure I will," she replied quickly, interrupting him.
His face lit up. "You will?"
"Sure. I won't be able to come everyday, but on weekends I can,
and maybe some nights after I get off work."
"That's fine," he said. "I'd love it if you would come.
It just gets real boring just lying around."
"I know," she said, sympathetically.
They talked for awhile. Then the rest of the Backstreet Boys showed up.
Alexa didn't want to leave, but she decided she should let them talk amongst
themselves. She gave Brian her phone number and told him to call her if he
wanted to talk to her later. Then she left.
***
Over the next few weeks, Alexa visited Brian at his parents' house in
Lexington every weekend and whenever she could after work. They grew very
close. Alexa began to feel like she could tell Brian anything and he would
understand. Brian felt the same for her. And more. He knew Alexa was only
eighteen, which was seven years younger than he was, but he didn't care. He
thought she was beautiful, not only on the outside, but on the inside too. She
was so caring and understanding. He felt connected with her.
Meanwhile, Alexa noticed that Brian's condition was getting worse. He
was so weak that he could barely sit up by himself without getting out of
breath. Eventually, his doctor had him put on an oxygen tank to help him
breathe easier. As the days passed, Alexa grew more and more anxious and
depressed. She had grown to care about him deeply and she knew that his time
was quickly running out. He needed a new heart as soon as possible.
***
