Another hour passed and Nick sat alone in silence. Brian gently shook him. "Frack, it's gonna' be okay, bud."
Still silence.
Brian sighed. "Nick, please, come on. Say something."
"It's no use," Howie stated.
Pollyanna gently stroked the blonde's cheek. "Nicky, you've got to snap out of this. If you get yourself sick you'll be of no good to Karen. Say something, sweetie."
Nick took a deep breath. "I think I want a drink."
Pollyanna placed her hands on her hips. "That's not what I had in mind, Nick." She turned to AJ. "And don't you even think of getting him a drink. He's under-age."
AJ slid off his sunglasses. "I'm offended. I'm a little angel."
"AJ, if you're an angel," Pollyanna laughed, "I'm the Pope."
"Hi, 'ya Popa' how 'ya doin'?" Howie asked in an Italian accent.
Patty entered smiling. "Good news. Her temp's decreased to 100.8 and she's breathing somewhat comfortably now."
"Do they know what she has?" Kevin asked.
"Yes, she has double pnemonia."
"Double pnemonia?" AJ asked confused.
"Both of her lungs are greatly infected," Brian explained.
"Exactly." Patty faced Nick. "She's asleep, but you can go sit with her if you like."
Nick spent the next two hours sitting by Karen's bedside. After what seemed to be an etnernity Karen opened her eyes. Nick kissed her gently. "How 'ya feelin, Kare?"
She sighed. "Sick. Just sick."
Patty joined them smiling. "Hi, Karen, I need to know if you've eaten anything today."
"I haven't."
Patty wrinkled her nose. "Then I better get you a hospital tray. Although, Im sure you can convince your hair-dyed friend to get you something from McDonalds. Considering he's been going there every hour on the hour."
"Typical AJ," Nick laughed.
"Obviously," Patty giggled. "I'll send in the rest of your friends."
Within minutes everyone had crowded themselves into Karen's room. Pollyanna kissed her forehead. "Hello, sweetie."
Howie gave her hand a little squeeze. "Nice to see you awake."
Brian and Kevin both kissed her cheek, and AJ gave her a massive bear hug. Patty returned with the patient's "food." As she set down the tray Karen glanced up at AJ in pity. He smiled. "Don't worry. I know the location of the nearest McDonalds. I will be back a #2 plain with a diet soda ASAP."
.