by Bradon Nave
“He is family.” Constance had a sharp tone to her voice; it instantly caught the elder nurse off guard.
“My apologies.”
“That is all, leave us be.”
The nurse left as Constance tried to comfort Tyson.
“Constance…I can’t…I can’t lose, Alex! She’s everything to me. I can’t lose her.”
“I know. I know, Tyson.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do!”
“Sweet Tyson, she’s in the right place and getting all the right intervention.”
Another nurse entered the room. “We can only have one guest back here. I’m sorry but those are the rules.”
Tyson wiped his eyes and looked to her. “Can I go to my sister’s room? Alex Ayers. Can I go in her room?”
“Sorry, kid, they’re about to transport her to the critical care unit and visiting hours are over up there. We don’t have any other rooms. Mr. Holloway you’re gonna have to stay down here in the E.R. tonight. But only one guest.”
Tyson frantically looked to Constance as the nurse left. “Becca had to leave. Her mom already came. I don’t want to go home by myself—”
“It’s okay, Tyson. You will come home with me. I can’t sleep here, and Bishop needs his rest. We’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
“You’re sure?”
“Yes, Tyson, you and Mom go home and get some rest, bud. Come here.” Bishop hugged Tyson as he continued to cry. Bishop realized he had to stay strong and remain positive for Tyson.
“I’m so scared, B.”
“Me too. But we have got to think good thoughts, okay?”
“Okay.”
The night was filled with sounding alarms and nurses and other medical staff calling down the hall. There was little rest and no sleep.
***
“You’re all set, Mr. Holloway. Do you have a ride?”
“What time are visiting hours in the I.C.U.?”
“Right now.” The morning nurse was much kinder than the nurse from the previous evening.
“Thank you again for sending my clothes to be washed. I appreciate it.”
“Yes. Please remember to fill those prescriptions and check in with your primary care provider in three days, okay?”
“Okay.”
Bishop made his way to the elevator and then to the intensive care unit. He introduced himself as family and was taken to Alex’s room.
Seeing her with the endotracheal tube in her mouth and the countless lines running to her was nearly overwhelming. He couldn’t help but think of Nathan.
Pulling a chair near the bed, he took her hand, still soiled from soot. “Alex…you are the strongest woman…person I’ve ever met. I know you can beat this. I know you can.”
As he kissed her hand, another nurse entered the room. “Are you Tyson?”
“Um, no, I’m her boyfriend.”
“Oh.”
“Can you tell me how she’s doing?”
“Actually, no, I can’t. Sorry. You are not immediate family.”
“Okeydoke.” His tone was low and defeated.
“When her brother arrives we can discuss Alex’s condition.”
“’K”
As the nurse left, a familiar voice was heard from the other side of the door.
Bishop stood and looked to see Pam talking and reading a chart. He instantly walked to her.
“Pam?”
“Bishop! Hello there.” She greeted him with a hug.
“Thank you for coming, Tyson needs all the support he can get.”
“What?” Pam cocked her head, clearly stunned by the statement.
“Aren’t you here to see Ty?”
“Is Tyson sick, Bishop?”
“No…have you not heard about Alex?”
The color in Pam’s face seemed to empty, she looked toward her notebook. “Alexandra Ayers. Oh…my…gosh.”
“What?”
As if the wind was knocked from his lungs—Bishop was breathless, his lip quivered as he turned from Pam and walked toward the waiting room. She’s here for Alex.
Pam’s soft footsteps were heard behind him.
“Bishop, sit and relax…breathe.”
“No…I can’t believe this.” He hit his knees as he began crying. “They know for sure? They know she’s gone?”
“Bishop, I can’t talk with you about this case—”
“Pam, please!”
“Bishop.” Tilting her head as she gazed on him sympathetically, she took in a deep breath and exhaled forcefully. “I’m here on an early referral. Alexandra Ayers is a registered donor. They turned off her sedation and she’s not responding as quickly as they anticipated she would. I’m only following her case.”
“I don’t understand. Is her brain dead?”
“No, her brain is not dead. But she may have suffered an anoxic injury. Do you know what that is?”
“Um…a brain injury from a lack of oxygen?”
“Yes. Sometimes in situations like these, when a family hears their loved one has no chance of a meaningful recovery, they elect to withdraw support and allow their loved one to pass with dignity because they feel they would not want to live like that. And sometimes, we are able to fulfill that person’s wish to be an organ donor after they have naturally passed away.”
“So you’re just here to…”
“I’m only here to follow up on the referral and obtain basic information. As I said, this is an early referral, and I really shouldn’t even be discussing this with you, regardless of your relationship with her.”
“Shit. I can’t believe this. How the hell could this have happened?”
“Bishop, it is highly important that you don’t mention to Tyson that you saw me here. I don’t want to upset him. Let the physician speak to him.”
“I won’t mention it. But I seriously can’t believe this is my life right now.”
Bishop stood from the floor, leaving Pam in the waiting room as he made his way back to Alex—tears streaming as he closed the curtain behind him. He felt it difficult to concentrate and focus his gaze.
“I’m so sorry, Alex.” He sat next to her again, taking her hand. “This entire time you’ve wanted my forgiveness…you can have it, take it. Please, forgive me. I’m so sorry! We could have been past this and had so many memories made. I’m so stupid. I’m seriously so dumb. You and I could have been something and now I’ll never know because of my stupid pride. And you…you had so much to give this world. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to you sooner. I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
His lips pressed firmly to her forehead as tears fell to her face. “You are such an amazing person. It’s been an honor to even know you…and the fact that you gave me a chance still blows my mind, Alex Ayers.”
Bishop was left without words as he felt his fingers being slightly squeezed within her grasp.
He sat back, staring at their coupled hands in complete awe.
“Holy…holy shit. Alex, are you there? Squeeze my hand again.” Almost instantly he felt her gentle squeeze. Nearly hyperventilating, he almost fell from his seat. “Oh my god, thank you, thank you for not leaving us. Stay with us.” He kissed her face multiple times. “I don’t care about anything else. We can get through anything if you can get through this.”
He turned to the door. “Nurse! I need a nurse in here!”
Within seconds there were three bedside nurses entering the room, Pam entering behind them.
“She’s squeezing my hand. She’s actually squeezing it.”
“Are you sure?” The nurse walked to Alex, taking her other hand. “Alex…sweetie, can you squeeze my—oh my. Yep she’s in there.” She produced a pin light to examine her eyes but before she could look into them, Alex was looking back at her. “Well hello there, young lady.”
“Hey, beautiful.” Bishop kissed her forehead once more.
“Oh, this makes my heart happy.” Pam walked to the bedside next to Bishop.
It
was perfect timing in every sense as Tyson and Constance entered the room.
“Pam? Why are you here?” The intense worry laced Tyson’s face—straining his voice.
“I’m only here for you, Tyson. I think someone wants to see you.”
Tyson’s eyes widened as he pushed past the medical staff and to his sister. “Alex! You’re awake.” Tyson took his sister’s hand as Bishop’s mother hugged him from behind. “Oh, I was so worried.”
“It’s okay now, Mom. We’re all going to be okay.”
“Alex…I love you so much. I’ll be here until you get better and I promise I won’t give up until you do.” Tyson continued kissing his sister’s hand, crouched over the bed as he gently wiped away a few of her escaping tears.
“Excuse me.” A short, portly physician entered the room and made his way to the head of the bed. “Hey there, Ms. Ayers. You had me worried, young lady. Can you follow my finger?”
Bishop watched with delight as a squinting Alex followed the doctor’s index finger.
“Excellent. Alex, I’m sure you’re confused right now, but I’m Dr. Reynolds. You and one other person were rescued from a fire last night. You sustained some pretty significant airway trauma so we had to get down there really clean that gunk out and see what we were up against. There’s a lot of inflammation so we need to leave this tube in a little longer. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Alex lightly nodded.
“Excellent. Alex, are you in pain?”
She nodded once more.
“Okay, we can take care of that and make you comfortable. Alex, I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are awake and responding.” He turned to the group. “Tyson? Tyson Ayers?”
“That’s me.”
“Excellent. I’m Jason Reynolds, intensivist.” He offered Tyson a handshake. “Like I said, we’ll keep her on this breathing machine for the rest of today, possibly part of tomorrow and just evaluate. I don’t want to do anything too hasty. Now that I know where she stands neurologically we can assess and move forward. You’ve got a strong sister, kiddo.”
“I know I do, sir.”
As Constance and Dr. Reynolds left to the hall to speak further, Bishop and Tyson stood on either side of the bed. Bishop held her right hand as Tyson held her left.
“Bishop…dude, I love you man and I seriously mean that. Thank you so much for saving her. You have no idea…I couldn’t live without my sister. If you hadn’t gone in after her, she wouldn’t be here.”
Alex instantly looked to Bishop, their gaze strong and steady as her grip on his hand became even firmer.
“I was only doing what you told me to do, Ty…chasing what makes me smile.”
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
“How are you feeling, Alexandra? You don’t need to talk; Only nod if you feel okay.”
The kind nurse held a glass of ice chips for Alex to pick from.
“Listen to me, Ms. Ayers. I need you to give your vocal cords a break for a few days okay? Those breathing tubes are rough on the throat and your airway has some additional healing to do.”
Alex nodded, mildly irritated with the elementary medical terminology. Surely she doesn’t know I’m a registered respiratory therapist.
“And if you feel like you are having any difficulty at all breathing, please let me know right away.”
She nodded once more.
“The plan is to get you to a room on the floor in the next day or so, and then get you out of here.”
Hearing this had Alex smiling.
“Any pain?”
Alex shook her head no.
“Okay. You rest today. I’m sure your visitors are going to love seeing you with that tube out of your mouth but remember…you need to take it easy. Only talk if it’s absolutely necessary.”
The nurse left as Alex sank into her pillow. Her throat ached as if she scoured it with something porous. Her body, especially her shoulders, ached as well—yet she couldn’t help but smile.
Nearly nine in the morning, her breathing tube had been removed only an hour prior.
Just as she was getting comfortable, the curtains parted and Bishop cautiously entered.
“It’s out…and you’re doing awesome!”
Pulling the chair to the side of her bed, he took her hand. “I’m so thankful you’re okay, Alex. You’re such a blessing to us all.”
Although she’d been told not to speak, she couldn’t remain quiet any longer, she had to tell him while she had the opportunity. “B…Bishop.” Her words were a faint whisper.
“Alex, you’re not supposed to talk.”
“Listen to me, please.” She strained, nearly inaudible. “I’m so sorry, for everything.”
“Alex, I know, I don’t care—”
“If you can forgive me, I promise you’ll never have to worry about my honesty again.”
“Alex…I already know this. Don’t let your first words be an unnecessary apology. We’re past this…I’m over it. I’m ready for what comes next. I’m ready for us.”
The ambition in his eyes nearly brought tears to hers. The idea of a second chance, of seeing where their relationship might go with complete transparency, was mesmerizing.
“So, plan one…we have to get you out of here as soon as possible. Mom, Tyson, and I have decided that Thanksgiving is at our place this year. We have a lot to be thankful for…I know I have so much to be thankful for. And then you and I are going to heal…we’re all going to heal. I’m ready for this if you are.”
She couldn’t contain her emotion; tears escaped her eyes as she brought his hand to her lips, kissing it.
“Tyson and Mom are in the Gift Shop downstairs, they should be up any second. I can’t wait for Ty to see how gorgeous you look.”
Alex shook her head in disagreement. Bishop leaned across her and kissed her forehead.
“Just so you know you are a hero, Alex. They’re saying all the animals from the shelter are accounted for…and breathing. Edna is recovering too.”
The memory of the night returned in fragments of panic and terror laden calls for assistance from both Edna and several four-legged refugees.
“They’re assuming it was an electrical fire from the center of the building.”
As if she were downwind to a burning building, the stench of thick smoke loomed heavily on her senses; Alex couldn’t shake it.
“Holy shit…Alex, you look…beautiful.” Tyson appeared, toting a large stuffed frog and gummy bears with Constance right behind him.
Accepting the gifts from her brother, Alex hugged him around the waist for a solid seven seconds.
Releasing him, she took a moment to absorb the reality of the situation. She was recovering from something that could have been remarkably more disastrous than it was…but everyone in the room was too. Looking at the three faces looking back to her she inhaled deeply; using her hands she motioned them in for a group embrace. Constance was correct; that was not her incident, she had recovered.
Chapter
Thirty-Eight
The apartment kitchen was in disarray. The counters were dusted with fine flour, eggshells mounted within the sink, and small Brutis had finally given up his quest for fallen scraps as Alex bounced about, attempting to produce the items she’d elected to bring to the holiday dinner. The apple pie looked presentable and was cooling. The pumpkin pie looked less than edible. Alex awaited Tyson’s return from the store with a store-bought pie.
Smashing the yolks of boiled eggs, Alex followed the recipe for deviled eggs from her phone. The moistened mixture was then dolloped into each halved egg. Alex was pleased with her efforts.
The front door opened, bringing with it the sounds of paper bags and a much welcome cool breeze from outside.
“Oh my god it smells like total butt in here. Alex…what the hell is that?”
“Hush, Ty. Come help me.”
“Help you with what? That smells so bad. I’m not putting that in my mouth.” Tyson s
ported a look of intense disgust as he rounded the corner. “That’s what that smell is? Why do they stink so bad?”
“I don’t know, dork. It’s not like we’ve ever cooked this stuff before.”
“Yeah…I guess. But that is seriously gross; don’t be mad if I don’t try it.”
“You’re silly, Tyson. Do you think it’s odd that we’re going to the Holloway’s house to celebrate an American holiday that we’ve never really celebrated…and they are South African?”
Tyson grabbed the can opener and reached for the cranberry sauce in the bag. “Yeah…I guess that is pretty weird. It’s not like we didn’t celebrate it, we just, like, went to restaurants that were open. Mom just wasn’t in to all the preparation and stuff.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“Oh…my…god…this is freaking disgusting, Alex. I’m not eating this either.” Tyson stuck his index finger in the center of the opened cranberry sauce can. “It’s all gelatinous…nope. Just nope.”
“Well you cut it in slices and—”
“I’ll eat the turkey and ham and hot rolls.”
“You are impossible, Ty. You look really nice though.”
“You look really nice too, Alex.”
As the car rolled into Holloway drive, Alex and Tyson were almost instantly met by Bishop jogging happily to the vehicle.
Opening the door for Alex, she was instantly greeted by a kiss as she stood to meet him.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Well hello.”
“I’m still catching my breath…last night…amazing.”
Alex smirked. “Agreed.”
Pies and butt-smelling eggs in hand, the three entered the home, which boasted rich smells of baked goods and cooked meats.
The dining room table boasted a plethora of food—enough food to feed a family of ten or more. There were several dishes Alex did not recognize; she assumed they were traditional South African sides.
“Kids!” Constance was beautifully dressed, her high heels clicked as she approached across the hardwood to offer hugs. “Tyson, would you by chance like to accompany me to the supermarket? I just need a few last minute items.”
