“Howie! What is going on here? What is wrong with AJ??!!” Brian questioned as Leighanne held his hand.
“It’s AJ...I think he is dead...” Howie said solemnly.
“WHAT?!” Brian screamed. “What the hell happened?!” Brian yelled as he tried to keep his wits about him.
“Oh God...it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have let him leave last night...I killed him!!” Dee cried as she collapsed on the floor.
Leighanne and Howie were trying to console their friends as the doctor came up to them.
“Are you all here for Mr. McLean?” he asked gently.
Howie immediately stepped up and said, “Yes, please tell us he didn’t die. Oh God, please don’t let him die.” Howie said as his face turned pale.
“First of all, is his family around? They need to come soon. We need to talk to them.” The doctor finished.
“His mom is here in town, but she and us are his only family. We will call her right away.” Howie said.
Howie immediately dialed Denise and had her come straight to the hospital. As they awaited her arrival, the doctor explained AJ’s condition.
“Mr. McLean is in stable condition. He has alcohol poisoning. What we need to know, was he at a party or anything last night? Could he have been given anything else but the alcohol?”
“No, he was with me until late, and then he left to go home.” Dee spoke up.
Everyone turned to look at her. She was nervous and upset, yet she decided to tell everyone what had happened.
“Sir, please tell me that he is going to live. If he doesn’t, then I take the full blame for his death.” Dee said solemnly.
“Ms...”
“Ms. Winchell.” Dee replied.
“Ms. Winchell, what Mr. McLean did last night was not your fault. He is an adult and knew full well what he was doing. He is under suicide watch for the next 72 hours while he recovers. We don’t know what long term damage will be done to his liver or kidneys, or any other vital organ for that matter. However, he is under observation for at least the next three days and we will continue to administer all the medication we can to help fight any after effects of the alcohol. If you would like to see him, we will allow only two at a time. Just remember how lucky your friend is to be alive.” The doctor told them.
“Thank you doc for helping our friend.” Howie said and then escorted them all to the waiting room.
Once Denise arrived, Howie and Brian told her what happened. The doctor came to bring her and Howie to see AJ first. The doctor reminded them each that AJ was not to be left alone. A nurse would be in the room at all times, and everything AJ said and did was under observation.
“AJ, honey, thank God you are still with us.” His mom said as she broke into tears.
“Oh mom, I’m fine...these docs are just making a big fuss over me.” AJ said, very weakly.
“You are NOT okay, AJ. What in the world was going through your mind?” Howie blurted out. “You almost killed yourself.” He finished and turned away, very hurt that his friend would do something so rash.
“Look Howie, you have no idea what I was going through. So I drank a little too much. But look, I am alive...and right now, I really wish I wasn’t. I have betrayed my friends and hurt a relationship between two of them, and right now, I don’t feel like a friend to anyone.” AJ said as he turned away.
“AJ, I am sorry man. You just scared the shit out of us all. Look, this thing with Dee...it will be okay. It is really between her and Kevin. She could have said no, but she didn’t.” Howie said.
“But Howie, she did...and I didn’t listen. She didn’t want to until I pushed it too far.” AJ answered.
“I am going to leave you two to talk for a while. I will be back in a while son.” Denise said to AJ as she kissed him on the forehead and then left.
AJ and Howie just looked at each other for a few moments. Howie finally broke the silence as he sat down on a stool next to AJ.
“Look man, it will be okay. We are just glad that you are okay. But, I think you should talk to Dee. She feels completely responsible for what happened. She thinks that it was her fault that you almost died.”
“I don’t think I should see her. At least not alone. If you want me to talk to her, she better be here with someone else.” AJ said, feeling tired.
“I will go and get her right away. Just talk to her real quick. That’s all I ask, then you can get some sleep.” Howie said.
*** *** ***
“Brian, we need to call Kevin, Nick and Heather. They need to be here. You are all family. AJ needs them here too.” Leighanne begged.
“Fine, I will call them, but no one is to say anything to Kevin until AJ and Dee are ready to.” Brian insisted.
Brian immediately dialed Kevin’s number. He explained that AJ was sick and in the hospital and Kevin arranged to be on the next flight back. After speaking to Kevin, Brian dialed Nick’s cell phone number. After a few seconds, the phone connected and he heard a series of rings.
*** *** ***
Nick and I were walking along when we heard his cell phone. I was really hoping that we wouldn’t be disturbed. We only had a few more days left on our trip, and I was enjoying it too much.
“Damn, I hope it isn’t one of those silly fans again.” Nick said.
“Honey, I told you we should have left it behind.” I insisted.
“Maybe I should answer it. It may be important.” He replied.
Nick finally answered his phone and stood shocked as he listened to Brian talk. I watched his face turn pale and then he sighed.
“Nickolas hon, who is it?” I whispered as he continued to listen through the phone.
He waved his hand and motioned me towards him. I could tell whatever it was, it was bad. I immediately started to feel guilty for wanting to be alone. Nick finally hung up and blurted out.
“We need to get back to Orlando as soon as possible. It’s AJ. He is in the hospital and he is under suicide watch. Apparently something happened last night that upset him so much that he drank himself into unconsciousness. Howie and Dee found him this morning, and he wasn’t breathing. The doctors say he has alcohol poisoning.” Nick said in shock.
“Oh God...is he okay?” I questioned, suddenly breaking into tears.
“He is alive, but no one is sure if he will suffer from it.” Nick said.
We immediately got back to the boat and asked the captain to get us to port as quickly at possible. As soon as we arrived back in Key Largo, we jumped in Nick’s Durango and made our way back to Orlando. After about a 4 hour drive, we arrived at the hospital where AJ was being kept.
*** *** ***
Dee had finally gotten the nerve up to go in with Howie to talk to AJ. They had to wake him up, but it was all right with the nurse. It was time for him to be administered his medication, and to have his vital signs taken. Once the nurse was done, she allowed Dee to try and talk to AJ.
“AJ, look at me, Please.” Dee begged.
AJ kept his head turned the opposite direction as she pleaded with him. He wanted so badly to talk to her, but was ashamed at what he had done...all of it.
“AJ, damnit, look at me.” Dee said, suddenly angered.
AJ slowly turned his head, and looked into her eyes. “Dee, I am so sorry. This is all my fault. You didn’t do anything wrong, honest. Once Kevin gets here, I will explain what I did to you. I will tell him that I will leave the group and leave you two alone forever. I never meant to hurt you or hurt Kevin. It was all just a stupid and childish act.” AJ finished and then asked her to leave.
Dee just looked at AJ and cried. She wanted AJ to know that everything would be okay, but she knew in her heart, it was not that simple.
After she kissed his forehead gently, she left the room for AJ to be
alone.