10:45A.M.
“Holy shit!” I exclaimed, jumping up. The blanket fell on the floor and the chilliness of the room made me shiver. Why were hospitals always so stinking cold? I looked around the room, but it was empty. How could I have slept so late?? I was about to get worried until I saw a note on the table in front of me.
El,
You were sleeping so soundly, we didn’t want to wake you. AJ and Howie went to the hotel and I have some tour business to deal with. Nick’s running around somewhere, but I’m guessing he’s in with Bri. If you leave the room, don’t go anywhere other than the ICU. I mean it! I should be back around lunchtime.
Kevin
I had to smile at the stern tone of the letter. He didn’t have to worry though, I wasn’t planning on venturing anywhere that would get me into more trouble. Just to Brian’s room. I was anxious to see how his speech therapy went and if he’d been up walking yet. First things first.
I grabbed my backpack and headed to the small bathroom that we’d all been using. I was going to have to head back to my apartment soon, seeing as how I was running out of clean clothes. Not to mention I had some other issues that needed my attention. I pulled out a clean shirt, figuring I could get one more day out of these jeans. I cleaned up as quickly as I could so I could hurry up and get to the ICU. Even though it sort of bothered me that I’d slept for so long, I did feel a lot better. Today was definitely going to be a better day.
I stepped back out in the hallway and made a mad dash for the ICU. Even though it was just down the hall, I still wasn’t taking any chances. A passing visitor gave me a peculiar look as I flew by him. Not that I blamed him, but I was a little hesitant to be by myself with Leon out there. It did make me feel better that people were looking for him and that we all had constant security now. The ICU buzzed me in and I got a big surprise when I went through the doors.
“Brian!” I exclaimed, running up to him.
“Morning, Sunshine.” He greeted me, smiling. He was standing just outside his room, gripping a walker tightly. A tech was standing next to him, one hand outstretched behind Brian and the other guiding the IV pole.
“What are you doing up? I thought you were supposed to do this earlier?” I asked, falling into step next to him.
“I’m doing it again.” He looked quickly at me, before turning his attention back to the task at hand. His knuckles were white from holding the walker so tightly and I could tell this was taking every ounce of his energy. Even if he was playing it off well…
“He made a half lap around the hall this morning and now we’re aiming for two, right Brian?” The tech informed me, nodding to Brian for confirmation.
“Right, Darren,” Brian replied.
“Are you doing all right?” Darren asked.
“Yup.”
“Short of breath?”
“Nope.”
“All right then, would it be okay if I let your friend take over for me while I go check on a few patients?” Darren asked, nodding at me.
“Sure.” Brian flashed me a quick grin before turning his attention back to walking.
“Okay then, keep a careful eye on him.” Darren instructed me, with a smile. He was obviously pleased with Brian’s progress.
“Will do.” I grinned back, taking ahold of the IV pole. Darren disappeared into one of the patient’s rooms and Brian and I continued to inch forward, bit by bit.
“So, how did the speech therapy go?” I asked hesitantly.
Brian shrugged. “It’s gonna take some time.” He looked down, but I didn’t miss the discouraged look that passed through his eyes.
“Oh.” I said softly, biting my lip. “I’m sorry.”
He looked back up at me and immediately the smile was back in place. “It’ll come, El.”
A knot formed in my throat and my eyes felt hot. Quickly, I turned my head away so Brian couldn’t see. He was so determined to stay positive and to keep us from worrying too much about him. His strength seemed unwavering and words couldn’t say how much I admired him.
“So, uh, where’s Nick? I found a note from Kevin when I woke up and he said Nick was probably here with you.” I cleared my throat, attempting to get the quiver out of my voice.
“He went to call home. How’s your throat?” He looked over at me, his eyes expressing concern at the bruises.
“A little sore, but in light of everything you’re going through, I’m not complaining.” I smiled.
Brian shook his head. “We were really fortunate.”
“Yeah we were.” I said softly, shuddering at the thoughts of how that incident could have turned out. “Ya know, you’re doing really well. I can’t believe how well you’re moving, considering…”
Brian grinned and leaned toward me slightly. “Between you and me, this hurts like a bitch!”
I couldn’t help but crack up. On impulse I stepped up onto the base of the IV pole, riding it skateboard-style. “So, ya ready to race?” I grinned mischievously at him.
His eyes grew wide as saucers. “Ellie!”
I waved a hand nonchalantly at him. “Ah, no worries, I used to do this all the time! I’ve got tons of experience.”
Brian rolled his eyes. “I don’t doubt that. How many times did you dump over?”
I paused to think. “Um, once, I think. I got going a little too fast and went flying.”
“And did you stop after that?” Brian raised an eyebrow at me.
“Nope.”
He chuckled. “Why does that not surprise me?”
I laughed too, stepping off the IV pole. “Hey, we’ve almost made it all the way around,” I observed, pointing to his room ahead.
Suddenly Brian stopped, his face twisting into a grimace. “El, I don’t think…”
“Ah shit, I probably shouldn’t have gotten you laughing. Hold on okay?” I said quickly, glancing over my shoulder. Of course, no one was in sight. Perfect. “Will you be okay long enough for me to get a someone?”
Brian nodded, but he was gripping the walker so hard that his arms were shaking from the exertion. Tiny beads of sweat had formed on his brow and I could tell he was clenching his jaw.
“I don’t think so,” I said softly, shaking my head. I went around to the other side of him and put one arm carefully around his waist. The other I used to guide the IV pole. “One step at a time, okay? Go real slow.” I coached, softly. “I won’t let you fall.”
Brian nodded, his whole body beginning to tremble. I prayed someone come around the corner and help us. Part of me wanted to call for help, but I was afraid that would panic Brian.
“Hey, guys! Bri, I didn’t expect…whoa, hey are you okay?” Nick suddenly called from the end up of the hallway. His cheerful tone changed to alarm as he grew closer to us.
“It happened so fast, can you get a wheelchair or something?” I asked breathlessly.
Wordlessly, Nick whipped around and dashed into Brian’s room. Seconds later, he reappeared, pushing a wheelchair towards us. Brian’s legs started to give out and I gripped him tighter. “Hold on, hun.” I whispered.
Nick quickly pushed the wheelchair behind Brian and gently lowered him into it. “What happened? Should I get your nurse?” He asked anxiously, kneeling in front of Brian.
Brian pressed his hand up against his chest. “It’s hard to breathe.”
“Shit! Okay, hold on.” Nick jumped up. Before he could dash off, Brian grabbed his arm.
“Don’t panic. I just need oxygen.” Brian tried to reassure his younger friend.
“I’m not panicking! Where the hell is your nurse?!” Nick exclaimed, looking around the ICU hall.
Brian looked up at me, slightly rolling his eyes. “Ni-“
“Brian, you look like shit. You’re white as a sheet.”
“Come on, let’s just go back to his room and then we can get his nurse, okay?” I put my hand on Nick’s arm. Brian’s color was pretty bad, but having Nick panic all over the place wasn’t going to do anyone any good.
“Okay, fine.” Nick grunted. He pushed the wheelchair as fast as he dared with me guiding the IV pole behind him. Once in the room, I turned the O2 back on and handed the canula to Brian. He slipped it on, gratefully. Nick helped him into bed and pulled the covers up around him.
Brian couldn’t help but smile. “Nick! You don’t have to fuss over me!”
Nick stopped. “Brian, you scared the hell outta me. I didn’t expect to walk back into the ICU and see Ellie holding you up in the middle of the hallway.”
Brian looked down. “I don’t know what happened. I was fine, then bam, I felt like I was gonna collapse.”
“You were probably just pushing too hard. Bri, I know you want to get better, but you have to take it slow.” Nick said, pushing the nurse call button.
“Nick, I don’t think they would have let him up if they didn’t think he could do it.” I said softly, glancing at Brian.
“Well, he obviously-”
“Did good.” I interrupted, cutting Nick off before he could finish.
“Oh for…” Nick huffed, throwing his hands up. “I’m going to get a pop,” he announced before stomping out of the room.
I sighed. “Is he always this moody? I swear…”
“He’s just worried. And yes, he is.” Brian said softly, a ghost of a smile reappearing.
“Back in bed already?” Melinda let herself in the room. I smiled at her. After Shari, she was my favorite of Brian’s nurses.
“We didn’t quite make the whole lap. Nick pushed him back in the wheelchair.” I told her, Brian nodding in confirmation.
“Well it looks like you’re in good hands here, Brian. Although, your BP is a little high and your sats are a little low. You might want to take the afternoon easy, okay?” Melinda instructed, as she messed with one of the IV bags.
Brian nodded.
Melinda smiled back. “Your lunch try should be here soon, call me if you need anything before that okay?”
Brian made a face, but nodded again.
She laughed as she closed the door behind her.
“You want me to call Howie and AJ and see if they can bring you up some real food?” I offered.
Brian nodded gratefully. “A guy could lose some serious weight on this stuff.”
I laughed. “No kidding. Should I go try to find Nick?”
Brian shook his head. “He’ll be back.”
Sure enough, as soon as the words left his mouth, a soft knock was heard at the door and Nick sheepishly let himself in. “Um, I’m sorry.”
Brian and I looked at each other and started laughing.
Nick looked hurt. “What?”
“Nothing. We were just talking about you. Besides, you shouldn’t just go off like that. We’re not supposed to go anywhere alone, remember?” I scolded.
“I wasn’t alone. I can’t walk three feet without Mac following my every move.” Nick snorted.
“Mac?”
“Bodyguard.”
“Oh. Where is he now?” I asked, trying to look around the curtain.
“Out with Stevens.”
“Oh.” Stevens was the guard that sat outside Brian’s room now. Or just outside the ICU doors whenever they kicked everyone out of the ICU.
“You done pouting, I take it?” Brian teased, good-naturedly.
Nick smiled back while flipping him off at the same time.
“Guess not.” I observed.
He angled his out-stretched finger towards me, his smile growing wider.
“Nick! Not to a lady!” Brian chided.
“She ain’t no lady.” Nick scoffed.
Before I could stop myself, I stuck my middle finger back up at him.
“See!” Exclaimed Nick, laughing.
Brian just shook his head and settled back into his bed. “Y’all are too much.”
Nick was about to reply, but his ringing cell phone saved us. Brian and I watched his one-sided conversation and waited expectantly when he finally hung up. “That was Kevin. He just talked to AJ and Howie and they’re bringing up Taco Bell. He also said that he has some news about Leon.”
“Good or bad?” I asked quietly.
Nick shrugged. “Hopefully good.”
I didn’t really notice Brian gazing thoughtfully at me. “It was Leon that gave you that black eye, wasn’t it?”
I tried to look away, but Brian held my gaze. I’d almost forgotten about that. The bruise hadn’t faded completely, but it didn’t really hurt anymore. “It was Leon,” I admitted. “But I did fall down some stairs after that.”
“Good God, Ellie.” He whispered, softly. “Please be careful okay? I don’t want anything to happen to you, any of you. I don’t know what the whole story is, but I do know that that man’s crazy.”
“Don’t worry Bri. He isn’t coming near any of us, let alone you. Last night’s encounter was the last.” Nick assured him, nodding to me too.
A knock sounded at the door and it made me jump. Immediately I cursed myself. There was no need to be jumpy. Like Nick said, last night’s encounter was the last.
“Hey guys.” Kevin greeted, striding into the room. “How ya doin?” He squeezed Brian’s foot as he headed for one of the chairs.
“Okay.” Brian smiled up at his older cousin.
“So, what did you find out about Leon?” Nick asked, impatiently.
Kevin sighed. “Not much, unfortunately. I talked to his former boss. He was very apologetic of Leon’s behavior and assured me that he had been taken care of.”
“Yeah, when he cornered us a few days ago, he said they’d fired him.” Nick put in.
“He blamed us.” I added, glancing at Brian. I didn’t want any of this to worry him or stress him out.
“I know.” Kevin hesitated, also glancing at Brian.
“For heaven’s sake, don’t walk on eggshells around me. I need to know what’s going on too!” Brian exclaimed, frustrated.
“I’m sorry, Bri. I just don’t want anything to distract you from putting all your efforts towards getting better.” Kevin said carefully.
Brian sighed. “Please don’t keep this from me.”
“All right, all right.” Kevin gave in. “The guy said that Leon had gone back in and tried to get his job back. His boss refused, but now he’s worried that he might have made things worse. Evidently, Leon was pretty pissed and declared that he was going out for revenge. I got the impression that Leon said more, but the boss didn’t go into detail. I’ve talked to the police and they’ve got a search warrant out for him. They’ve had a couple patrol cars stake out his house, but no one has come or gone. They um…” Kevin hesitated again.
“What is it?” Nick asked softly, recognizing the look on Kevin’s face.
Kevin sighed. “The cops think he’s here, somewhere at the hospital.”
Brian immediately tensed up. I obviously wasn’t the only one that noticed because Kevin added quickly, “but they aren’t getting anywhere near you, or any of us for that matter. Not with the security we have around us. So don’t worry okay?”
Brian nodded uncertainly. I had to admit, despite Kevin’s reassuring words, I had to agree with Brian. I’d feel a whole lot better when they caught him.
