I stare out my window as the welcome announcement is made and the plane finishes its landing. I wait until we are able to get up and shuffle through the rows of seats as everyone starts to do the same. I finally reach the inside of the airport and walk towards the luggage claim, feeling like a zombie as I move around the people walking in the opposite direction. I stand on the corner and stare at the carousel as all the bags start to make their way through. I see my bag appear on the corner and I walk up to it and retrieve it so I can finally leave the airport. I walk out the automatic doors and head straight to the first available taxi I find. The man notices me approach him and takes my luggage from my hands before placing it in the trunk and getting back in the driver’s seat. I slide into the back seat in silence and tell him where to take me in a low voice.
About twenty minutes later the driver stops in front of the hospital and I search my wallet for barely enough cash to cover the fee. I thank him and step out of the cab and grab my bag from the trunk before walking into the hospital. I walk straight to the front desk and wait for a nurse to look up from a file she was studying right in front of her.
“How can I help you?”
“Has a Tommy Smith been admitted?” I ask her and she goes straight to typing in her computer to check.
“Lauren?” I hear my name coming from the waiting room and I turn around to see my mom getting up from her seat and make her way to me. She was still in her pajama bottoms and a ratted tee and was looking tired, she must have stayed here all night.
“What are you doing here?”
“How’s Tommy?”
She lets out a sigh and looks past me to look at the nurse. “Can I take her back?” The nurse nods at us before my mom starts to lead me to the hall. We get on the elevator and walk through numerous hallways before finally stopping in front of a door. I go to open the door for us to walk in but my mom stops me and I notice the sign taped on the door.
“It really is happening again isn’t it?” Before my mom can get the chance to speak the door in front of us opens up making us step back. We both look up and see someone in a clean room suit along with a face mask. When the person notices us he takes off his mask and turns to look at us.
“Mrs. Smith?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Hi, I’m Dr.Thompson.”
“Any news on my son?”
“We just received the results from his spinal tap and he does in fact have Meningitis like we suspected. Meningitis is- if you don’t know- is the inflammation of the tissue covering the brain and that is what is causing these severe headaches he’s been having.”
“Yes we know, he had it almost a year and a half ago but it was viral meningitis.”
“Unfortunately Mrs. Smith, what your son has this time is bacterial meningitis which can be very severe compared to what he had.” I heard the words escape the doctor’s mouth and felt my mind shut down. We knew what this all meant, we knew how crucial this was going to be.
“But he will get better right? Just like he did the first time?”
“We will do the best that we can to fight this bacteria that is in him. We will be doing several tests in order to figure out what it is exactly and give him what is best to treat it.” I looked away from my mom as I heard her start to choke up besides me as the information the doctor just gave us starts to sink in.
“Is there anyway we can see him?” I looked up and finally asked the doctor.
“Uh-“ He started to shake his head but noticed the desperation in my eyes and let out a sigh. “You’re going to have to suit up like I am. It can be contagious and we cant risk getting any more bacteria around him.
“I understand, I just really need to see my brother.” The doctor nodded.
“Follow me.” He started to walk away with me right behind him but then I stopped when I noticed my mom by the door of Tommy’s room.
“Hold on.” I told him and jogged back to my mother’s side. As soon as I was close she looked up from the floor with tear filled eyes. Without hesitation I bring her close and give her a tight hug. I hear her choke up at the embrace as I start to rock her side by side. “It’s ok Mom, Tommy is strong. He will fight this.” I gave her one more squeeze before breaking away from the hug and looking at her. “Everything will be ok.” She nods and starts to wipe at her tears. I turn around slightly and notice the doctor standing in the corner of the hallway waiting for me. “I’ll be right back.” I tell my mom and quickly make my way back to the doctor. He turns on his heels when he sees me approach and leads me towards the restroom. He points to the door and hands over a plastic bag containing the suit.
“Thank you.” I say as I take it and walk into the restroom, closing the door behind me. I place the bag between my knees as I quickly tie my hair back and wash my hands. Once I’m done I rip the plastic bag open and put on the jumpsuit, bringing it over my shoulders and over my head as I tuck my ponytail inside. I then put on the blue booties over my shoes then slip on the gloves before finally putting the mask over my mouth. I step on the bottom of the trash can, bringing the lid up and throw away the trash and leaving the restroom. I walk the hallway back to where I left my mom and stop besides her. “I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time sweetie; I’ll be in the waiting room.” I nod just before she takes my luggage and makes her way back to the main waiting room. As soon as she’s out of sight I turn back to the door in front of me and peek through the small window. I let out a deep breath and finally turn the door handle slowly. I walk into the room and find Tommy lying down in the bed that was centered in the room with his back towards me.
“Tommy?” I say as I walk over to where he faced. At the sound of his name I see him look in my direction and sit up on his bed once he recognizes me.
“Lauren? What are you doing here?” He said groggy as he tries to get comfortable. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days with bags under his eyes and his brown long hair looking disheveled.
“I flew in last night when I heard- when I heard you on the phone.”
“Lauren you didn’t have to do that. I’m ok really.” He said but I could see the fear in his eyes that he tried to hide.
“Where is Emily?” I asked as I tried to change the subject to his wife instead.
“She’s in Arizona with her family. She’ll be back at the end of the week.”
“Does she know? That you’re here.”
“No.” He let out a sigh at the thought as I sit on the foot of his bed. “I don’t want to worry her; she has enough to worry about with the baby on the way.”
“Tommy you need to tell her soon enough. What are you going to do when she calls?”
“I know, I know.” He said drawing his attention to his lap
“How are you really doing?” I ask catching him off guard.
“I-I’m scared to be honest.” He said as he slowly shook his head and looked up at me. “What if I can’t beat this a second time around knowing it’s worse. What if-“ He stopped and I noticed his eyes clouding over with tears, making my eyes watery as well.
“I know you will get through this. You will fight off whatever bacteria you have and you will get better.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so Tommy and I’ll be here every step of the way.”
“But you have school, you don’t know how long I’ll be here and you can’t miss that much.”
“School is not important right now, you are. I can always catch what I missed next semester.”
“Dad won’t be happy about that.”
“I know but I’ll deal with that later.”
“Good luck with that.” He said in between a yawn.
“I’ll let you get your rest, you look like you need it.”
“Same goes to you.”
“I think I’ll crash at mom’s after I get out of this horrid suit.” I tell him as I get up from my seat.
“What are you talking about, you look in style.” He winked at me making us both laugh.
“Totally brings out my eyes right?” I batted my eyes making him laugh once more. “I’ll see you later Tommy.” I waved goodbye and made my way towards the door.
“Lauren?” I stopped as I had my hand on the handle and turned around to face him.
“What’s up?”
“Thank you for being here, it really means a lot.” I see a stray tear escape the corner of his eye and roll down his cheek. I let go of the door handle and make my way back to him. I crouch down to his level and give him a good bear like hug.
“I’ll always be here for you no matter what.”