Chapter 18
(Brian's Point Of View)
Tick, tick, tick... I stared at the clock on the wall waiting for Kevin to come back to tell me I could go see Nick. I clutched his bear. I don't know why he had given it back, he needed it more than I did. He must have been worried about me because of what happened in the ambulance. I felt bad about that, I didn't want him to see me break down like that, but I couldn't help it. I looked up at the walls. What ugly pictures they had here. Not to mention they were so crooked you had to turn sideways to see them right. AJ was pacing and Howie was reading a magazine from like 1982. "When can we go back? I wanna see Nick! This isn't fair, he needs us, we should all be allowed back!" Howie looked up.
"AJ, sit still, you're giving me a headache with all that pacing and complaining."
"Damn, hospital policy. I'm AJ McLean, I should be allowed back there!"
"Yes, you are AJ McLean, not the pope, now shut up!" AJ was so annoying sometimes he even got on Howie's nerves. AJ sat down and picked up a magazine.
"Cool! They have Highlights! Bri, wanna help me find the hidden pictures?" Oh God, call upstairs to the Psych ward, we have a patient for them. Maybe AJ should look at Goofus and Gallant, he could take a few hints from Gallant. Oh well, if it kept him quiet... I jumped as Kevin walked in looking exhausted. I ran to him.
"Is he okay? Is he feeling better?" Kev sat down next to AJ, giving him a strange look, he shook his head.
"No, he says he's worse. They just gave the poor kid an ultrasound, took blood and prodded him all over, they don't know anything yet." Howie looked up.
"Is he scared?"
"Yeah, very, they gave him something to help him sleep." He shook his head. "The kid's a mess." I stood up.
"I'm going back there to see him." Kevin looked me over.
"You sure you're okay? Did that nurse see you?"
"Yes, she listened to my chest just to make sure. I'm fine, really, I was just a little upset."
"I knew you shouldn't have gone in the ambulance." Kev said.
"No, Nick needed me, he was scared, I'm fine now." I said stubbornly. Kevin sighed.
"Fine Brian, go ahead." I walked down the hallway looking in the rooms for Nick. I shuddered as I remembered this same atmosphere not long ago. I entered Nick's room quietly. he was sound asleep on the bed and two IVs stuck out of his left arm. I walked up to the chair next to the bed and sat down peering at him. His hair was pushed back from his face with sweat that formed little beads on his forehead. Dark circles still rimmed under his eyes and there was no color in his lips. I took his hand in mine and leaned back in my chair. I was exhausted, having been up all night last night and now this night too. The only sleep I had was when I took that fast nap on the bus. I shut my eyes for just a second....
*I remembered laying on the cold table while they prepped me for surgery. I was so scared! The next thing I knew I was waking up and looking into my mother's face. I was hooked up to so many machines and my chest hurt real bad. I didn't wish that experience on anyone...* I jumped awake as Nick stirred. Whoa. I hadn't had a nightmare like that since right after the surgery. I shook myself as I tried to wake up. Poor Nick, he didn't deserve this, I knew how scared he must be right now. His eyelids fluttered open.
"Br-Brian?" He croaked. I put my hand on his shoulder.
"Hey Frack." I said softly. "Look who I got." I placed his Care Bear into his arms and watched as he hugged it to him.
"Bri, I'm sorry, I really am, please forgive me, I'm sorry!" Nick rambled. I looked down at him.
"What are you talking about? Why are you sorry?"
"You-you shouldn't have gotten sick and, and..all my fault.." I frowned. He wasn't making any sense. I put my hand on his chest.
"Shh..Nick, just relax, I'm here with you know, how are you feeling?" He looked at me with pain filled eyes.
"It hurts more Brian, it hurts."
"What hurts?"
"My throat is killing me and my ears too, and my head." He moaned. I felt his forehead, it was still burning hot. I picked up his cup of ice chips.
"You want one of these buddy?" I asked.
"No, it hurts Brian, my throat is so sore." He told me. I looked at his neck and saw that his glands were swelling. Uh oh. Maybe he had some strange virus, these new symptoms were coming out of nowhere. I pushed my fingers through his blonde hair and stood up.
"I'm going to go find your doctor and tell her you need her okay? I'll be right back, you want me to get Kevin or someone?" He nodded his head yes.
"Okay, don't worry Nicky, the doctor will make it better." Hopefully, I thought. As I searched for Nick's doctor, I said a silent prayer to God asking him to make my best friend and little brother better soon.