Brian groaned and started to come to. Nick quickly called the others in and we all sat by his bed.
"Brian, you with us? Ya' feeling okay?" AJ asked. Brian's eyes opened slowly and he looked around the room, grinning at everyone.
"Never better." He managed to answer. Everyone smiled and Kevin started to cry softly. "Kevin, I'm okay." Brian told him, "You don't need to cry."
Kevin smiled, "I'm just glad you're all right," He wiped his eyes.
"Whose heart was it anyway?" Brian asked, "We should thank their family."
"The family would rather remain unknown," I replied.
"Can't you tell us? Please Jackie? I want to thank them." Brian repeated. I shook my head.
"All I can say is that he was a gun shot victim."
"Can you tell me how old he was?" Brian inquired. I knew he was hoping it would be someone who had lived a long full life.
"He was 17." I told them.
Tears sprang to Brian's eyes, "He was just a kid, not even of legal age." He commented softly.
"His family wanted you to know that it was what he would have wanted, and not to feel bad because he lived a very full life," I knew it was something Jason would have said.
Brian nodded his head but I could tell he still felt bad.
"You need your rest, Brian, get some sleep," I told him. Everyone left the room. I peeked back in and saw Brian's eyes were closed.
"Jackie, I know you don't want to tell Brian but can you tell us?" Howie asked.
"Sorry, but the family doesn't want any information released." I answered.
"Was it the emergency downstairs?" Kevin asked.
"Yeah," my heart was breaking as I thought of Nat, and then of Jason.
"We should all probably go home and get some sleep." Howie suggested.
"You're coming with us. Whether you like it or not Jackie, I'm not going to let you stay here until Brian's released." Nick told me. They all knew I could be a bit of a workaholic.
"But . . . "
"No buts, his parents are going to be here in about ten minutes and Dr. Smith is here. You need some sleep too, even if you think you don't." Nick tried to convince me to leave.
"I'll give you a ride home, if you want." Kevin offered.
"Could you drop me off at Judy's? I need to talk with Jason first."
"All right." Kevin sighed. He had never liked Jason and didn't know about what had happened. He told me once he thought Jason was hiding something. He is, I thought, but it's not what anyone would think.
I knocked on Judy's parents' door. Their place was my home away from home. Her father, Joseph, opened it and immediately gave me a big hug. I'd known him for what seemed like forever and he was like a second father to me. He called me his "adopted" daughter. He was the same way around Jason and Nat. Especially Jason.
"How are you? Judy told us everything?!" Joe asked, trying not to seem upset about it. Jason was like the son he never had and so was Nat. It must have hurt him to see Jason in the state he was.
"I've been better," I swallowed hard, "How's Jason?" I asked.
"He's asleep now. But he didn't say anything when he got here with Judy. He must be pretty upset. He talked to Judy a little about making funeral arrangements but I told him we would take care of it." Joe told me as he took me inside, "You're staying here tonight. I know it's got to be hard for you too. You guys were so close . . . " He glanced at a picture of me, Judy, Jason, Nat.
"Jackie! You must be tired. Come here, dear, you should go to bed. It must have been a hard day for you." Judy's mom, Emily, said as soon as she saw me. She gave me a hug and took me to a spare bedroom.
I awoke the next morning to the smell of toast and coffee being made. I was in a spare bedroom that was basically for me. I even left clothes and other personal stuff there! I slept over at Judy's place about as much as she or Jason or someone stayed over at mine. It seems like someone is always staying over at my place. Nat or Diana are over there more than I am . . . I caught the thought of Nat before I was done thinking it. Not anymore, not ever again! I suddenly wanted to punch through the wall. I quickly pushed all thoughts out of my head and went to breakfast. Judy was already up and it looked like she had been crying.
"Hi," I greeted softly, "I'm sorry to go so soon but I have ta' get back to the hospital."
"Brian's okay, right?" Judy asked.
"Yeah, he came through with flying colours." I was reassuring her and myself.
"Good, Jason will be happy to hear that," Judy paused for a second, "We're going to have the funeral tomorrow. I think it will be better for Jason if we get it over with fast." Tears sprang into her eyes.
"Are you going to need a ride to the hospital, Jackie?" Joe asked.
"No, I left my bike here so I'll take that." I replied and saw Emily frown slightly. She hated it when I rode my motorcycle.
"Don't worry. I'll be very careful, Em. You know I won't pull any stupid stunts or anything." I said, as I headed out the door.