One Month Later
‘Can you come down to the hospital right now? It’s important.’ I looked down at my phone as it lit up with Tommy’s message. I swiped my finger across the screen to unlock it and went to the message to answer him.
‘Give me ten minutes and I’ll be there.’
‘Ok. See you in a little.’ I wonder what it could be that Tommy has to say. Since we received the news of him getting sicker about a month ago the doctors have made us cut back on the visits so he could get his proper rest. Since then Tommy has made some slight improvements but nothing quite yet that said he was better again.
I put my phone in my pocket and got up from where I sat on my bed. I turned the TV off and slipped into my vans before grabbing my bag from the chair and walking over to the door. I swung it open and stepped out into the hall, noticing the house to be fairly quiet.
“Mom?” I walked down the hall and towards her room. I poked my head through the doorway and found the bed neatly made and the room to be empty. I turned on my heels and walked back to walk towards the living room instead and again found it to be empty. I walked towards the hooks where the car keys were hung and found the keys to my mom’s car.
“Mom?” I shouted again as I looked at the keys in confusion but again got no response. I shrugged my shoulders and took the keys in my hand before walking towards the front door and stepping out. I locked the door behind me then walked over to the driveway where my mom’s car was parked. I step into the car and turn it on. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I take it out as I turn the car on. ’Can I see you today? (:’
I smile as I see Jaime’s message and go to answer him. ’You sure can’
‘Ok, I get off in about an hour. See you then (: ‘
I placed my phone inside the cup holder and backed up the car before driving away from the house and making the familiar drive to the hospital.
About twenty minutes later I arrived at the hospital and parked at the first available spot I found. I made my way inside and walked up the front desk where I found Christiana as usual.
“Hey Lauren, I didn’t know you were coming today.”
“Hi Christina. It was a bit unexpected; Tommy wanted me to come over.” She handed over my visitor sticker and I took it before placing it on my shirt. “Is Jaime still working?”
“Workin-“She started to say confused but shook her head. “Yes.” She looked down at her watch before facing me. “Should be out in a little.”
“Do you know where he’s at right now? I kind of want to surprise him when I’m done.”
“Uh-“she made a pained look before letting out a sigh. She looked down at one of her clipboards then looked at me again. “Instead of making a right when you see Tommy take a left and it’s the wing on the far end. Go through the first door you see, he is usually there around this time.”
“Thanks Christina, I’ll see you later.”
“Bye Lauren.” I left the desk and made my usual route to Tommy’s room. As soon as I reached the hall that led me to his department I spot a familiar man standing a couple feet away from me, pacing in front of Tommy’s room. I stop walking as I stand besides him and my eyes go wide as the man turns around to face me.
“Dad?!”
“Lauren, geez you scared me.”
“Sorry, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“Your mother and I have been here for about five minutes now.”
“Where is she?”
“She left to find the restroom.”
I nodded at my dad before speaking again. “You’re not going in?” I asked pointing at the door. He looked at the door nervously then shook his head.
“In a little, a nurse is in there right now checking on him.” On queue a nurse walks out of the room and looks at both my dad and I.
“Are you Lauren?” She asked, pointing at me.
“Yes.”
“Tommy asked for you.” I looked at my dad who stood behind me and he nodded at me to go in. She was about to open the door when I stopped her.
“Don’t I need to suit up?” She smiled at me and shook her head before opening the door for me. I hesitated then walked right into the room. The door closed behind me as I watched Tommy sit up in bed. “Did you know that dad is here?” I asked as I went over to the foot of his bed and sat down. Tommy looked at the door and let out a laugh.
“Yes, I called him. He’s actually been visiting me a couple of times since I’ve been here.”
“What? He actually left work.”
“That he did. Said you talked some sense into him.”
“Wow, didn’t think he was actually paying attention.” He let out a laugh again and shook his head. “So what’s the emergency?”
A grin appeared on his face before he started to talk. “I’m being released tomorrow.” My eyes went wide as I clapped my hand to my mouth in shock. I noticed my eyes cloud up with tears of happiness.
“Really?”
“Yes, doctor said I made a complete turn around and am good as new.” Tears slowly escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheeks before I reached out for Tommy and gave him a tight hug.
“I’m so glad to hear that.” I told him before breaking away from the hug. I wiped away at my tears, letting out a chuckle before looking at him. “You couldn’t have said that with mom and dad in here? You freaked me out!” I smacked his arm playfully making him laugh once more.
“There’s more I wanted to say.”
“What’s up?”
“I wanted to thank you.”
“Thank me?”
“Yeah. Lauren I really appreciate what you have done this whole time. You left school and argued with dad just to be here for me. You told me from the beginning that I was going to get better and you were right. I know it wasn’t easy seeing me like this but it never stopped you. I have the best little sister.”
“Aw Tommy.” I went to hug him once more. “I’m just glad to see you better. You know I can’t be without my big bro.”
“Yeah what would you do without me?” He teased making us both chuckle. “Hey so I heard about this Jaime guy you have been seeing.” He said, suddenly turning serious.
“Mom?”
“Yeah she told me the other day when I asked about you.”
“What did she say?” I played with my hands as I waited for the big brother role to kick in and not hear the end of it.
“Just that she sees how much you like him and that he seems like a nice guy.”
“I think you’d like him.”
“I’ve actually met him a couple of times.” I cocked my head back in confusion.
“Really? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah, when I was getting tests done.” I nodded but I noticed Tommy holding something back.
“What?” He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated.
“How bad do you like this guy?” The question took me off guard. I shrugged my shoulders as I felt myself start to smile.
“A lot. I didn’t expect to like him this much but I do. Not to sound cheesy but when I’m with him I get this feeling I can’t really explain but I know I’ve never felt before.”
“Oh no, my little sister is in love.”
I started to laugh and rolled my eyes playfully. “And what’s so wrong about that.”
“Nothing, just-“ he stopped, making the room quiet again.
“What?” I said after a minute passed.
“Be careful, don’t get too attached, you never know what can happen.” I shook my head as I heard what I expected to come from my big brother.
“There is nothing to worry about Tommy and besides I’m a big girl now.”
“I know, I can’t believe you’re 22! It seemed like just yesterday you were a small little thing following me around everywhere.”
“You never complained did you?” He smiled and shook his head just as we heard a knock at the door. We both turned around and saw our mom poke her head through the door.
“Can we come in?” Tommy nodded. I stood up from my seat as our parents shuffled into the hospital room. My mom quickly went over to the chair by his bed while my dad stood uncomfortably as he looked at the hospital walls. I walked over to Tommy and patted his hand.
“I’ll leave you guys alone.”
“Thank you again.” He said bringing me in for another hug.
“No problem.” I walked away from the bed and walked out of the room with a smile on my face. I left the department and walked with excitement to where Christina directed me to. I hope Jaime was still here, I wanted to share the good news with him already. I turned left and found the door she was talking about. I stopped at the door and held the handle as I felt the excitement bubble inside me. I turned the handle and took a couple steps inside. I found a couple patients scattered around the room sitting on what looked like La-Z boy recliners. I looked around the room in search for Jaime but couldn’t find him.
“Ok Jaime, you’re good to go.”
“That went faster then I expected.” I heard his voice and I walked in farther into the room where the voice was coming from. I see a nurse help a patient in front of her as she removes an IV from the patient’s arm. I stop in my tracks as I recognize the arm. The nurse steps away and I see Jaime getting up from his seat as he stares down at where the cannula just was, not noticing me there. I look around the room, seeing the patients again in their seats and finally take in what was right in front of me. I feel my heartbeat speed up and notice my eyes tearing up as I didn’t want to believe it. I shake my head and hear a small cry escape from my lips. Jaime’s head snaps up and he stares at me, shocked that I was in the same room as him.
“Lauren. I-“
I bring a hand over my mouth and shake my head as my tears come crashing down. I turn on my heels and get out of the room as quick as I can. I hear Jaime call my name again but I don’t slow down my pace. I start to feel dizzy and my vision starts to falter. I continue walking but feel myself start to slow down without me wanting to and before I know it I’m staring at the hospital wall up close then the ceiling. I feel the room start to spin as I make contact with the cold hospital floor.
“Lauren!” I barley hear Jaime’s voice besides me as my eyes start to feel heavy. “Nurse! I need a nurse!”