Chapter
17
Brian and Nick
waited another half an hour while Morgan was moved into a room in the ICU.
Then, they went up to see her.
Brian entered
her room hesitantly. His breath caught in his throat when he saw her. She was
lying, small and frail looking, in the hospital bed, her skin white, her blue
eyes closed. She was surrounded by beeping machines and many tubes and wires.
Brian fought back tears as he pulled a chair up to her bed. He took one of her
pale little hands and squeezed it in his own gently. He studied her hand and
saw that her fingertips were bluish in color, showing a lack of oxygen. Her
lips had a bluish hue to them too.
"Please
get better, Morgan," Brian whispered, choking back tears. He couldn't lose
her now. He had grown to love her. She was like the little sister he had never
had. He couldn't stand to see her like this. Suddenly, it all was too much for
him, and he began to sob. Even though Morgan was unconscious, Brian knew she
might still be able to hear him, and he didn't want her to know how upset he
was. He stood up and lay her hand down on the bed gently. Then, he left the
room, his tears blinding him. Nick started after him, then realized he probably
wanted to be alone. So, Nick went over and sat with Morgan until he returned.
***
An hour later,
Dave and Lisa finally arrived. Brian was sitting in the waiting room when they
got there. He had finally stopped crying, but he hadn't gone back in to
Morgan's room yet. He stood up abruptly when he saw Morgan's parents walking
towards him. Lisa's eyes were puffy and red, and Brian knew she had probably
cried the whole way to the hospital. Dave looked ready to break down at any
minute.
"How is
she?" Dave asked Brian.
"She's in
ICU right now. The doctor said she had a heart attack. He said there's not much
he can do except give her pain medication. She needs a transplant real
bad."
"I
know," Dave said grimly. "Is she awake?"
"I don't
think so. At least she wasn't when I was in there. I think Nick's in with her
now. Come with me, I'll show you where her room is," Brian offered. Dave
and Lisa nodded and followed him down the hall to Morgan's room in ICU.
Nick stood up
when he saw Dave and Lisa. He briefly said hello to them and left the room with
Brian, giving them some time alone with their little girl.
"Are you
okay, Bri?" Nick asked Brian once they were in the hall alone. Brian
nodded.
"I'm
sorry I ran out of there like that," Brian said. "I just couldn't
stand seeing her like that."
Nick nodded.
"It's okay, Frick. I understand." He patted Brian on the back.
Brian smiled
slightly. "Thanks, Frack," he said. Then they walked down the hall
and sat in the waiting once again.
***
