The Undertaking of Adam Novak

by Sofie Hern

  “I'll miss you… but I know it's worth it,” she says and Aaron smiles.

  He starts to doze off and moments later falls into a deep sleep.

  67

  ADAM

  Aaron woke up from the coma two weeks ago. Two hectic weeks in which many things happened. I talked to Howard for the first time since the encounter over a year ago and he said it was time to move on. I told him that Irene and I are separated and that I’m filing for divorce once I return from California. He offered Jaycob and me his home for as long as we need it. In addition, he is looking into a job for Jaycob at the radio station.

  I apologized to Dr. Jian for the way I acted after he told me that he could no longer help Aaron. He worked hard on getting Aaron transferred right away and although it took longer than I would have liked, he made it happen.

  I avoided Irene as much as I could, but she called and left messages begging me not to go to California because, according to her, Jordyn needs me, which I find odd because Jordyn is happy and looking forward to Aaron getting well.

  Jordyn and I had lunch a few times over the last couple of weeks and I see how happy she is that we’re spending time together. I promised her that I will talk to her every day and not once did she make me feel guilty for leaving. I promised her that she will spend Christmas with us.

  Jaycob has grown so much in a short time. He made sure the house is left in good shape and I asked Rita and Charles to please help keep an eye on it once in a while.

  A few of Aaron’s classmates came to visit and wish him well on his journey. The principal brought a check for six hundred dollars and told me it was from a bake sale she organized at school to help with Aaron’s expenses.

  The owner of the pickup came to visit, along with his wife and they gave me another check for a thousand dollars saying they wanted to contribute to Aaron’s get well fund.

  Rita came to see Aaron every day and always made him feel hopeful, lifted his spirits and I must admit… mine too. I enjoy talking with her as her positivity and great attitude are contagious, it’s hard not to feel optimistic around her. She helped me deal with Aaron’s insurance when they refused to cover any medication.

  The last couple of days have been busy in preparation for the trip. I packed up Aaron’s gift baskets, flowers, and balloons and took them home and Jaycob did all the packing for the trip.

  They told me that I can fly with Aaron in the medical aircraft, but Jaycob isn’t allowed so we decided he should drive my Jeep to California and wait for us there.

  The conference call with the neurosurgeon was helpful and informative. She told me that she studied Aaron’s scans and x-rays and determined what type of surgery she will perform. That she’s ready to receive Aaron and to begin his recovery. It’s good to hear that someone will be able to make Aaron better.

  They performed one final, and successful, shoulder surgery and he was moved from ICU into a regular room on his last day at the hospital. While in surgery Charles came to say goodbye and to leave Aaron a present. He gave me a check as well and told me to use it for whatever Jaycob and might need. We said goodbye and he wished us the best. When Aaron opened the gift he was elated to find a tablet.

  Rita came to say goodbye and for reasons, I can't find I feel nervous around her. I know she should have a few moments alone with Aaron to say goodbye so I go down to get some coffee.

  –

  I go down to the busy first floor and walk to Starbucks. As I approach the bar I hear someone call me.

  “Adam!” says the voice and when I turn around I see Nurse Beth running to me.

  “Hi, Beth.”

  She’s standing in front of me, out of breath. “Thank God I found you, wanted to say goodbye,” she says and gives me a hug. When she lets go she takes a sticky note from her purse and hands it to me.

  “I want to give you my number so you can keep me informed of Aaron’s progress if that’s okay?”

  “Absolutely, and thanks for all your help, by the way.”

  “He's an amazing kid.” She has tears in her eyes.

  “Thanks, Beth.”

  “Well, I have to go, my shift starts in five.”

  “Take care,” I tell her

  She smiles, then turns to leave and I watch her disappear into the hallway and hope there’s a Nurse Beth in LA. I put the note in my pocket and order my coffee.

  I order a hot chocolate for Rita and feel like a teenage boy back in school trying to impress the popular girl. From the day she took care of me when I was sick, I started to think and feel differently about her. She’s so sweet to Aaron which means the world to me. Once again, I smile at the thought of her.

  –

  I hand her the chocolate and we sit on the sleeper chair in Aaron’s room to give her all the information about the trip and soon it’s time to say goodbye to Aaron and then I walk with her to the elevator.

  –

  I can tell she’s crying and I drape an arm around her shoulders and I feel the wonderful butterflies in my stomach and take my arm back. A sense of confusion hits me. What the hell is going on? I still love Tianna, and what I feel for Rita is wrong. It has to be… right?

  “Aaron asked me a question that threw me off guard,” she says as we walk.

  “What was it?”

  “He asked if I ever met his dad, if… if I remember him.”

  “What? Why?”

  “He says it’s only curiosity, but please don’t mention this to him. I don’t want to lose his trust in case he wants to open up about it.”

  When we approach the elevators, one of them opens and Jaycob emerges along with Jordyn.

  “Hi, dad,” she gives me a hug, then turns to Rita who smiles.

  “Hi, I’m Rita.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Jordyn.”

  They smile at each other then Jordyn heads to the room.

  “521!” I call after her. She turns around and walks backward, smiling. “I know.” Then continues on.

  “Well, I need to go. Please, please take care, you two,” she says and gives Jaycob a hug then one for me.

  The butterflies return and I immediately let go of her. “You, too.”

  She smiles and walks into the elevator. When the doors close Jaycob and I walk back to the room.

  “My Spidey senses are tingling.”

  Jaycob looks at me with a blank expression.

  “You know… Spider-Man when—”

  “I know that,” he rolls his eyes. “But why? What’s going on?”

  “Aaron mentioned Levy to Rita.”

  “He remembered?”

  I shake my head. “But I have a feeling we were right all along about the accident.”

  “Well, can’t we just ask him? I mean, shouldn’t we? The cops won’t, so maybe we should, no?”

  “I think it’s too soon. Plus, what will it do except give the poor kid anxiety?”

  “If you say so.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Jaycob rolls his eyes. “You’ve been making all the decisions, Adam. You never tell me what’s going on until after you decide what to do, on your own.”

  “That’s not true. Rita helped with the hospital and all that…”

  He smirks and walks on.

  “Jake, I’m sorry.”

  He stops and turns to me with fury in his eyes. “I’m not just a fucking babysitter, alright? You do everything, and it all has to be done when you feel is right. What the fuck do you want me in LA for anyway?”

  “I’m sorry, Jake. I…” Words fail me.

  “Tianna would have never brushed me off like you. She always asked for my opinion before making a decision on things that mattered. I’m not useless, okay? I can contribute. I’m not just some… some fucking anxious body.”

  “I know that. I never said you were useless.”

  “Not with words,” he says and walks away.

  How did I miss this step? Why didn’t I consult with Jaycob? With a sigh, I follow him
into the room.

  –

  Jordyn and Aaron are playing on the tablet and when Jaycob and I finish discussing the plan for the next day Jaycob has to take Jordyn home.

  I walk them to the elevator and wait for one to come up. I give Jordyn a big hug. “I love you, sweetheart.” I feel a lump in my throat and swallow hard. She and I have become closer than ever in the last few weeks.

  “I love you, dad.”

  “Please promise me you’ll stay strong, kid. Kick ass in school and call me every day?”

  She smiles. “I promise.”

  “And tell me if your mom becomes impossible.”

  She rolls her eyes. “She’s always impossible… you know that.”

  The elevator opens and they walk inside.

  “See you at Christmas!” she says and down they go.

  TIANNA

  After dropping Aaron off at school Tianna returns home to finish packing for their trip. They’ve been looking forward to this for weeks, if not months. Aaron has never traveled longer than a few miles so this trip is extra special. They’ll drive to Reno early the next morning. They have every detail planned: where to stop to for food, what sights to see along the way, where to stop for gas and even what snack’s they’ll buy at rest stops and gas stations.

  The good thing is that she doesn’t have to be at work yet. Because she stays late every Friday afternoon, she has a late start, allowing her to tie up the trip details. Her new pink suitcase and Aaron’s Transformers bag are by the front door, ready to go. She does a quick mental inventory, as they did the night before; to make sure they are not forgetting anything.

  She’s standing by the door looking down at their luggage with one hand on her hip and the other rubbing her chin, thinking what else they may need. Her eyes brighten and she snaps her fingers. “Yes!” she exclaims when she remembers to pack her Backstreet Boys and Boyz II Men CDs. As she turns to go to her bedroom the doorbell rings. She glances at her watch and wonders who it could be. “Coming,” she calls and opens the door.

  –

  In front of her stands a man she’s never seen before. He’s tall, muscular with pale skin and bushy eyebrows. He’s wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses and she guesses him to be in his mid-forties.

  “Can I help you?” she says.

  The man removes his sunglasses and clears his throat. “Yes, ma’am. My name is… Sam.” He stretches out a hand which Tianna shakes. His hand is calloused and dry.

  “How can I help you, Sam?”

  The man glances over his shoulder toward the street and once again clears his throat. “I have news. It’s about Levy.”

  Her heart sinks and her stomach flutters. She’s not heard that name in years. “What about him?”

  Once again, Sam glances over his shoulder and says, “May I come in?”

  Tianna hesitates for a moment, then steps aside and gestures him in with a sweeping motion.

  –

  The man is standing in the living room, eyeing the luggage and Tianna walks to the kitchen.

  “Want something to drink?” she says over her shoulder. “I was about to have my coffee.”

  “Coffee is fine. Thank you.” Sam follows Tianna into the kitchen where she pours coffee into two mugs.

  “Please. Sit,” she says to Sam as she sits the mugs down.

  He obliges and sits across from her.

  Tianna regards him over the rim of her mug. “So,” she begins. “What is it that you have to tell me about Levy?”

  Sam hesitates. “First, let me say thank you for seeing me.”

  Tianna doesn’t respond so he goes on. “Levy, he… he wasn’t sure you would. See me, that is.”

  Once again her stomach flutters. Last she heard, Levy was in California running some sort of business. Aaron was days old when the news came that he didn’t want to be a father and left her. She sighs now and releases a shaky breath. “Whatever he wants, I don’t care. I’m sorry.”

  Sam nods, picks up the mug and it slips from his hand. It flips over on the table, sending coffee everywhere.

  “I am so sorry,” Sam jumps to his feet.

  “It’s all right.” Tianna goes to the sink to grab a towel.

  She doesn’t see when the man calling himself Sam poisons her coffee.

  Sam takes the towel from her and begins wiping down the table.

  “So clumsy,” he murmurs.

  Tianna pats his arm and takes the towel back. “Don’t worry,” she says. “I’ll get it.” She wipes down the table, then serves Sam, who continues to apologize, a fresh mug, then sits down.

  “That’s what I told him,” Sam goes on. “I mean, you haven’t seen him in years and now he appears?” He shakes his head.

  “How do you know Levy?” Tianna sips her coffee.

  “We worked together for a while and became friends.” He gives her a sly smile. “He told me all about you and his boy.”

  Tianna’s anger surfaces at the mention of her boy, which surprises her. She can’t believe that coward. Sending his friend to vouch for him? Is he for real? She should send Sam back to that prick. Why is she even giving this… man her time? She has things to do, damn it! She gets to her feet and places both hands on the table, leaning forward. “You tell him to grow a pair and come see me instead of sending his… friends.” Her voice is a whisper.

  Sam spreads his hands. “I’m sorry,” he says and unfolds himself out of the chair. “I told him it was a bad idea. I’ll… I’ll go, okay?”

  “You do that.” Tianna walks to the front door, opens it and dismisses Sam who only manages a nod.

  –

  She slams the door closed and leans back against it. “What do you want, Levy?” she whispers and scrubs her face with both hands. She closes her eyes and breathes in deeply. She can’t deal with this now. She shakes her head and becomes lightheaded. She waits for the feeling to pass, then glances at her watch. “Shoot.” She’s already late for work. She goes to the kitchen, downs the rest of her coffee, which has turned so bitter that it makes her shudder. She washes her Aaron Mug—her favorite—then the other one and puts them on the drying rack. Her chest flutters as her heart skips a beat. She presses a hand over her breasts and orders her heart to calm down. Nerves, she tells herself. She goes back into the living room, grabs her bag and heads for the door.

  –

  She takes her keys, locks the door and turns to go but can’t take a step. Panic overtakes her and she can’t draw in air. Her lungs are burning and her vision blurs. Her limbs feel like lead as she reaches in her bag for the phone, but before she can dial 911, pain explodes in her chest. Her ears start ringing and her body convulses.

  PART TWO

  The Move

  December 15, 2014

  1

  ADAM

  We land at the Burbank Airport just a little before 8:00 a.m. There is an ambulance waiting for us and when we touch down, Aaron wakes up, looking disoriented.

  “We're here, buddy.”

  He manages a smile.

  “How do you feel? Any pain?”

  “A little bit.”

  The nurse and EMTs get to their feet and I follow suit. The door of the airplane opens and I’m asked to deplane so I grab my bags and step out.

  –

  The morning is much warmer than back home with a clear sky and bright sun. I remove my coat and hold it in my hand, then take my phone to call Jaycob who answers right away.

  “We just landed, are you at the hospital?”

  “Yeah, I’ve been here for a bit.”

  “Thanks, Jake, we'll be there soon.”

  “How is he?”

  “He says he’s in a bit of pain, but other than that, everything went okay.”

  “Okay,” he says and ends the call.

  Moments later Aaron is transferred from the airplane to the ambulance. I call Rita next.

  “Hello?” Her voice sounds so sweet to me and the butterflies start again. This is definitely not good. />
  “Hey, Rita, we just landed,” I say as I walk to the ambulance.

  “Thank God. How is he?”

  “He was asleep most of the way and woke up just minutes ago. He’s being loaded into the ambulance right now.”

  I was asked to get in the ambulance with Aaron. “Well, I have go,” I tell her.

  “Keep me posted!”

  “You got it.” I approach the ambulance where Aaron is being strapped in. “Careful, please,” I tell the EMTs and I’m glad they’re being gentle and respectful. I sit in the ambulance across from Aaron and next to an EMT.

  “How do you feel, champ?” asks the young paramedic.

  Aaron gives him a warm smile and says, “Good.”

  The nurse from airplane approaches and hands the EMT her notes. “Well, this is where I stop,” she says.

  “Thanks for your help,” I offer and we shake hands.

  She looks at Aaron and says, “Best of luck, Aaron.” And smiles.

  “Thank you,” Aaron and I say at the same time.

  “Gonna be a bit bumpy,” the EMT warns, making me nervous as I worry about Aaron’s fragile body. Thankfully, he says he isn’t feeling any pain. I take his hand, letting him know I’m right here. He closes his eyes and a moment later, he’s asleep. I take this opportunity to send Jordyn a quick text.

  –Made it to California!

  I know she’s probably in class, but I want to let her know we arrived and to keep my promise to talk to her every day. Soon we are on the freeway and the ambulance maneuvers through the heavy LA traffic.

  I’ve only been to Los Angeles once before, a few months ago. I like the busy streets and the weather is amazing. I look out the back windows to endless rows of cars. Some drivers are patient, while others swerve in and out of lanes, trying to make it to the office on time. Some drivers sip their coffee, others attempt to apply makeup or use their phones and some do both. I shake my head and turn my attention back to Aaron and nearly one hour later we arrive at the hospital.