“We’re going to the hospital.” If the albuterol hadn’t helped in thirty minutes, he needed more than what was available at the house.
He shook his head at her.
“There’s no use in arguing with me. I’m the responsible one, and I say we’re going to the hospital. Get some shoes on and gather your meds.”
Elissa hurried to the kitchen to grab a gallon-sized zipper bag to hold his medications and was back before Leo had both shoes on. While he tossed his meds in the bag, she walked to her room, rummaged in her suitcase for the power of attorney she had for his medical treatment, and in five minutes, they were out the door.
She opened Bertha’s rear door. Leo glanced from Ryan in the driver’s seat to her.
“Leo, Ryan. Ryan has graciously offered to drive us to the hospital.”
“I thought…you said…he was…a jerk?” Leo slid into the seat and buckled in, but the faintest smile curved his lips.
“I may have been wrong.”
Ryan chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Leo. Wish it was under better circumstances.”
Leo waved briefly, then put his hands on his head to open his lungs as much as possible. He breathed in through his nose and out through his mouth. Elissa got into the passenger seat and told Ryan which emergency room to go to. From long experience, she knew which one took her parents’ insurance.
As Ryan pulled into the parking lot, she turned to her brother.
“Do you need a wheelchair?”
He shook his head. Leo sounded a little better, but he was still wheezing. Ryan parked and helped Leo out, walking behind her brother without making it look like he was there to catch him. He sat next to Leo as Elissa explained what was going on to the intake clerk. She took the forms she needed to fill out and sat next to her brother. He leaned into her, resting his head on her shoulder. It couldn’t have been comfortable as she was so much shorter. A wave of nostalgia washed over her. It had been years since he’d leaned on her like this. Nostalgia was quickly replaced by worry. Leo must be feeling terrible if he was resorting to the tricks of his childhood for comfort.
“I think we’re good for now, Ryan. I, um?—”
“I’ll call Iz or use a rideshare. Don’t worry about me, I can take care of myself.” He held out her keys but closed his fingers around hers as she tried to take them. “Are you sure you’ll be okay to drive home?”
Irritation flashed through her, but his expression was merely concerned. Concern for her well-being, concern for her brother. It had been a long, long time since someone cared. Everyone in her life assumed she had everything handled.
“I’ll use an Uber if I’m not.”
“Or you can call me. I don’t live far.”
Teo’s words came back to her. It’s okay to accept help.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He stood. “Text me when you get home, okay? Feel better soon, Leo.”
“Thank you. Really. And…you’re not a jerk.” Not at all.
Ryan smiled and left, and Elissa returned her attention to the paperwork.
“I saw…you,” Leo said.
“Saw me what?” She was distracted as she tried to fill out all this nonsense.
“Looking at his butt.”
Elissa snorted. She had been for a second. She completed the paperwork in record time, and a nurse called them about fifteen minutes later. After taking his vitals and asking a few questions, the nurse left.
With every pained breath Leo took, she kicked herself. Elissa had been out enjoying life while her brother got sick. He’d only called after trying everything else. Leo hated being the sick kid, always had. He fought it with every fiber of his being now that he was a teenager. And tonight, she hadn’t been there when he needed her.
“Why haven’t you called Mom and Dad?” He paused every couple words to catch his breath.
This was bad, real bad. Elissa hadn’t seen him this bad since she’d started college. She should call her parents, but the guilt over leaving him to his own devices for an extra hour stayed her hand. There wasn’t anything they could do right now, anyway. By the time they made the drive home from the conference, this would be resolved.
