I know something is going on outside the room, but I don't care. I am looking into the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen in my life.
"Hey handsome."
"Hi yourself beautiful."
His voice was deeper and raspier than it should have been. It was painful for him to talk. It was the most beautiful sound I'd ever heard in my life.
"Ok, you're allowed to speak to your Mom and that's it. No more talking, ok? And by the way, that's not a request."
He smiled at me and shook his head.
The others came into the room with teary eyed smiles.
"Yo man, You don't take us to the airport anymore ok? Well take a cab or something next time, alright?" Nick laughingly told Kevin. Kevin smiled back in agreement and mouthed the word 'bus'.
"Oh D, man you see that, he's puttin us on the bus! Dang that is harsh!" AJ sat on the bed and grabbed Kevin's hand.
The guys hugged him gently.
Kevin pointed behind me with a question in his eyes.
"Oh! Veronica, Ann this is Kevin Richardson. Kevin, these are my girls, Ronnie and Annie."
"Hello." Ever the gentleman, he spoke to them.
"Hey, I said quiet."
"Why are they here?"
"Kevin I meant what I said, shut up. And what do you mean why are they here? They are my friends. I wanted them with me." Damn. I shouldn't have answered that.
He immediately looked at AJ.
"What did you do?" Kevin was far to smart and sensitive for his own damn good.
"Look Richardson, If you want this to be the last time you and I see each other, keep talking." I know this is the only way to shut him up. It's a low blow, but it'll work.
He frowned.
"No..I'll be..." He starts coughing. His throat is to dry.
"Nick water."
Nick handed Kevin the small cup of water and he drank thirstily.
"Now listen, Mister, I mean it. One more peep and I'm on the next thing smokin back home. I'm already gonna get crap from my...Oh My GOD!!!"
"What's wrong, Di?"
"I didn't tell my family I was leaving town. My Dad's probably called out the Army and the Merchant Marines!"
Howie and Nick laughed.
Ronnie and Annie didn't. They knew my dad. They knew he had called the cops at least once because I was late coming home. I was 25!
"Great..." Kevin mumbled
I shook my fist. "You tryin me, Richardson?!" I pulled out my cell phone as the nurse told me that I couldn't use it in ICU.
"Is there anyplace I can use it? Please I have to call home."
"Sorry ma'am, I'm afraid you'd have to go outside. We don't even allow the doctors to use them in here. You can always use the bedside phone."
I grabbed the phone and dialed my home number. I readied myself for the tongue-lashing I was bound to get from my dad. I forgot about Caller ID.
"Hello? Who is this? Why are you calling me from a hospital? Is Dianna alright? Answer me!"
"Dang Daddy I would if you'd shut up for a millisecond! It's me Dianna. I'm fine. I'm in Kentucky cause of a friend who is in the hospital Ronnie and Annie are with me. I'm fine, they are fine. Everything is fine, ok?"
"Your in Kentucky?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"Cause of a sick friend?"
"Yes."
I should have seen this coming, but I was tired. That's my excuse anyway.
"Dianna Stephanie Manning...when did you plan on telling me you were dating a Backstreet Boy?!!"
Back to Chapter 9
The Call Main
Chapter 11