Midnight/Christmas Eve
My father, Samson and I have been sitting in the waiting room for hours. We’ve been informed that Nick’s having his ruptured spleen removed and that the operation will take anywhere from two to three hours and maybe longer because of complications.
We’ve sat, paced, and drank bad coffee out of the vending machine. I’ve also devoured a bag of M&Ms, but I can’t slow my mind down with all the many things that can go wrong.
I jump to my feet when the doctor finally appears in the waiting room. I try to read his expression, but he’s a true professional used to delivering news—good and bad.
“How is he?” I venture. My father flanks me on one side with Samson on the other side.
“He’s lost a lot of blood and we did have to transfuse him. Although a ruptured spleen can be life-threatening, he’s young and in good health. Right now, his condition is guarded, and the next twelve hours are crucial.”
“Crucial?” I whisper. “What are you saying?”
“His overall health is in his favor, but there’s no denying the severity of the condition. Hopefully, after the anesthesia wears off he’ll regain consciousness and we will know more then.”
“Can I see him?” I ask.
“He’s still in recovery, but he should be moved within the hour. I’ll check back when we have an CCU room assigned to him.”
I’m frozen in place even after the doctor leaves. My father nudges me in the direction of the chairs, and I sit.
“Shit,” Samson mumbles next to me.
“I’m not leaving him,” I say to no one in particular, then try to reassure myself that he’ll be in CCU instead of ICU. I try to hold onto every little bit of hope for him, for me, and for Portia.
Over an hour later, and the doctor hasn’t reappeared.
Samson and my father have offered words of encouragement, but even they’ve run out of moral support. Their faces are lined and weary and a quick trip to the ladies’ room shows deep, dark circles under my own eyes.
I check in with Izzy who’s keeping watch over Portia. Right now, she just knows that her Daddy had an accident. Hopefully, the next news will be good news, but right now I just want to see Nick for myself.
A nurse finally gives us the news that Nick’s been moved to CCU, and that I can see him for fifteen minutes.
I bolt out of the waiting room and follow her through some automatic doors then to a line of rooms with a nurse stationed at every other room.
“He’s breathing on his own, which is a good sign, but you only get fifteen minutes.” The nurse pushes open the door to his room and I draw in a deep breath not knowing what awaits me.
I slowly approach the bed, my eyes glued to Nick’s prone body. The only sound in the room is the ticking of the machines behind his bed with wires and tubes connected to his body.
His usual tan skin is sallow and pale, but seeing him so still is unnerving. Nick’s natural energy usually fills a room, so unlike this frail, fragile person laying in front of me.
I stand next to the bed, and gently take his hand in mine praying to whatever higher power who still listens to bring him back to me whole and healthy.
“Please come back to me. We’ve waited so long to be together, you can’t leave me now. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
I lean in and kiss his cheek. His skin is cool without it’s natural warmth, and I press my lips together to hold back my emotions threatening to spill over.
“We’ve come so far and done so much, and there’s still so much more we have to do.” I squeeze his hand regretting all the time lost.
“I won’t guilt you about your job anymore, and I’ll support you however and whenever you need it.” I brush away my tears of regret.
“Portia needs you in her life, she?—”
Nick’s fingers tighten around mine. His eyes flicker and his lips move, but I can’t hear him.
I lean closer. “What, babe?”
“Disneyland.”
