Home Field

by Laurie Winter

  While they were stopped at a red light, Reagan glanced over.

  She was trying so hard to hold it together. An uncontrollable trembling had taken over her body.

  “What happened?” He reached to steady her hand.

  “Mom and Aiden were driving to the grocery store. They were hit going through an intersection. The other car slid and crashed into where Aiden sat.” Pain laced through each word. “He was unconscious when the paramedics arrived. They stabilized him and then took him to the hospital. The doctor told Mom that Aiden was bleeding internally and would need immediate surgery.” She started sobbing, her breath releasing in short gasps. “I can’t lose him, too,” she repeated over like a mantra.

  Finally, they arrived at the hospital, and Reagan parked the car by the Emergency Room entrance.

  The second the car stopped, Julie jumped out and raced to the hospital doors. Inside, she found her mom sitting alone, sorrow weighing on her features. Julie went to sit beside her, and they held each other close. “Oh, Mom, I’m so scared. I don’t know what I’d do if—” Julie faltered, her throat tight.

  “He’s a strong boy.” Mary placed an arm around Julie’s shoulders and squeezed. “And the doctors are taking good care of him.”

  “Is he still in surgery? Have they given you any updates?” Please let him be all right.

  “The nurse at the desk will take us to the surgical waiting room. The surgeon will give us an update soon.”

  Reagan appeared behind her, and they were all escorted upstairs to the waiting room.

  Even though the space had been designed to make anxious family members feel more comfortable, Julie couldn’t relax. She paced back and forth, around the rows of chairs. Finally stopping in front of a long window, she folded her arms protectively around her body and stared absently outside.

  A bird, which didn’t seem bothered by the snow and cold, perched in a bare tree a few feet from the window.

  Julie watched the tiny sparrow prune its wings, and then it flew away. “Mom, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.” She turned to face her mom. “The accident wasn’t your fault. I know you couldn’t have avoided it. I’m relieved you were there for Aiden.”

  “I should have done more to protect him.” Mary gasped and let loose a stream of tears.

  Julie walked over and cupped a hand over her mother’s hand.

  Reagan, sitting next to Mary, put his arm around her shoulder and took hold of Julie’s free hand. The three formed a triangle, and Julie drew strength from their bond.

  A short time later, a tall doctor entered the room, dressed in blue scrubs with a surgical mask resting around his neck. “Aiden’s parents?” he asked, looking from Reagan to Julie.

  “I’m Aiden’s mother. Tell me, how’s my son?” Her stomach churned with nausea in anticipation of the doctor’s news. Pressing her lips together, she tried to control the urge to throw up.

  “I’m your son’s surgeon, Dr. Roberts.” His voice was gentle but confident. “Has your mother updated you on Aiden’s earlier condition?”

  She swayed and felt Reagan’s arm slip around her waist, essentially keeping her standing. “Yes, she said Aiden was bleeding internally.”

  “That’s correct. When he was brought in, he was unconscious, and his heartbeat was very weak. The impact pushed the car door into his body. His child booster seat saved him from being totally crushed. Aiden has a broken leg and bruising, and that’s the extent of his visible injuries. Most of the damage was done inside his abdomen. Aiden’s in the middle of surgery now. We’re controlling the internal bleeding. Then, we’ll start mending his affected organs, mainly his kidney and liver.”

  As Julie tried to digest the information the surgeon relayed, her brain froze with shock. “How much longer will his surgery last?” Her voice sounded forced and raspy.

  “Hard to say, Mrs. Ellis. I have an excellent team working on your son.” Dr. Roberts gave Julie’s hand a quick squeeze. “Aiden’s strong, and I believe he will pull through this. Your mother did an excellent job at the accident scene. She treated Aiden until the first responders arrived. Her nursing skills and quick thinking make me very optimistic about Aiden’s recovery. One of the nurses from the OR will update you again soon.” Dr. Roberts gave a reassuring smile and exited the room.

  With him went Julie’s faith and prayers.

  Reagan guided Julie’s shaking body to a chair. “You need to sit and rest now. Try to relax, he’s in good hands.”

  “He has to get better.” Julie looked through tear-filled eyes at Reagan. “I couldn’t survive if he was taken from me.”

  Minutes passed slowly into hours, and their vigil continued. Every half an hour, a nurse arrived to update them on Aiden’s condition. Julie couldn’t focus her vision, and her head pounded with nervous tension. She was caught in a horrible nightmare.

  Finally, after the longest four hours of her life, the surgeon walked back into the room, looking drained but in good spirits. “We stopped the bleeding,” he said. “Aiden’s stable but the next twenty-four hours will be critical. He’s being taken to the ICU for observation. A nurse will be coming shortly to escort you.”

  “Thank you,” Julie gasped, relief flooding through her body.

  Dr. Roberts nodded and left the waiting room.

  Reagan stood at her side, stroking her arm. “Aiden will pull through this. He’ll be okay.”

  Their escort arrived a short time later, a middle-aged nurse, who took them up one flight of stairs to the ICU wing. “Sorry,” she said, “but I can only allow in parents at this time. Mrs. Ellis, you may follow me to Aiden’s room.” The nurse looked at Mary and Reagan. “We have a small lounge for ICU visitors. You can wait in there if you like.”

  Reagan gave Julie a reassuring kiss on the forehead before she walked away.

  She was desperate to see Aiden with her own eyes—to touch him and to let him know she was there. As she walked through the double glass doors, which sectioned off his room, her stomach lurched at the sight of Aiden’s small body hooked up to tubes and machines. His face and arms were bruised, and she noticed a bump under the blanket from the temporary cast affixed to his leg. Aside from the occasional beep or hum of the monitors, the room was quiet and still. Aiden, in a medically induced sleep, looked peaceful.

  She sat on the small, upholstered chair next to his bed. Leaning forward to brush his small face with her cheek, she breathed in his sweet, little boy scent. “Oh, my baby. You don’t know how much I need you. After your dad died, I would have given up if not for you. You have to fight. Come back to me.”

  She stroked his brown wavy hair. He needs a haircut. She smiled, in spite of her worry. His hair grew so fast, just like his father’s.

  “Your dad always told me how proud he was of you. He said you were so fearless, ready to try anything. He couldn’t wait to see you grown up. He’ll never get that chance, but I still want to, Aiden. I love you so much.” Tears burned in her eyes. The hole in her heart from John’s death, which had been in the process of healing, once again tore wide open. One tear escaped and rolled over her cheek, the droplet falling onto Aiden’s hair.

  ****

  After Julie went to Aiden, Reagan and Mary found the visitor’s lounge. The small alcove was placed away from the main patient area, with a TV set high on the wall and a kitchenette situated in the corner.

  Mary walked over to pour herself a cup of coffee. “Do you want anything?” she asked Reagan.

  He tried to get comfortable in the undersized plastic chair. “A bottle of water would be great.” Folding his hands, he prayed that Aiden would pull through. He loved the kid, and the fact that he was stuck in the waiting room, instead of with Julie and Aiden, made him sick with worry. He was tempted to use his fame to push past the rules and go to them, right now. But Mary needed support, too. So, he’d wait.

  Mary reached in the mini fridge and took out a bottle, and then passed it to Reagan. She sat and rested the cup on the small table by her cha
ir. “I feel so guilty about what happened. We never should have been out in that weather. Aiden wanted to make pizza, so we headed to the grocery store to buy the ingredients. He was so excited.”

  “It was an accident, Mary, and not your fault. You may have saved Aiden’s life.” He took a long drink. The cool water refreshed his parched throat.

  Tears welled in her eyes, which she wiped away with the crumpled tissue in her hand. “Julie can’t lose Aiden after everything else she’s lost. For the first time in a year, she’s actually happy, and you’re the reason. Hold on to her tight. She’ll need you to get through this.”

  He glanced over to see cuts and bruises on Mary’s wrists and folded hands. She needed medical attention. “You’re hurt. Have you been seen by a doctor yet?”

  “No, no.” She shook her head. “I’m fine, just a few bumps. I honestly didn’t even notice.” But as she raised her hand, she winced.

  “You need to get that checked out. I don’t think your hands are fine. Let me go find someone to take a look.” He walked around the corner to the nurse’s station. A minute later, he returned. “A nurse will take you to the ER. They’ll take good care of you.” He noticed the swelling that emerged under the bruises on her wrists.

  With Mary gone to the ER, Reagan was left alone with his own worries and thoughts. After thirty minutes, a nurse came to take him to Aiden’s room. He walked with long strides into the ICU room. As soon as he came to Julie, he pulled her into a comforting embrace. Seeing Aiden’s little body, damaged and still, stunned Reagan. If he was feeling this amount of panic, what must she feel right now?

  They held each other close for a long while, her body tense against his. He kissed the top of her head and stroked her back. “What did they tell you about his condition?”

  “We have him fully sedated right now. Tomorrow, he’ll hopefully wake up.” She stepped back to look at him, her eyes shone with tears. “I’m so scared.”

  “This kid’s a fighter,” he said, his voice a bit raspy. “He’ll get through this, just have faith.”

  She reached over to clutch his hand, and they huddled together by Aiden’s bed, to keep watch over the boy they both dearly loved.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The next day, Reagan again gained permission to enter the ICU and made his way to Aiden’s room.

  In the corner, Julie slept in a recliner, looking like a curled-up kitten. A soft blanket covered her body, all the way to her chin. When she opened her eyes, she stretched and let out a long yawn.

  “Good morning, love,” he said in a hushed voice, so not to wake the sleeping kid. “How’s Aiden today? Any better?”

  “No change, which is good, I guess. His doctor was just here earlier and said they’ll be taking Aiden off the sedative soon. He should wake up later this morning.” She caught sight of the bag and drink tray on the counter. “You brought food,” she sighed.

  “Yeah, I figured you would appreciate some real food and coffee.” He handed her a cardboard coffee cup. “Cream, right?”

  “You’re a lifesaver.” She took a lengthy drink. “Maybe after a few more of these, I’ll feel human again.”

  “Bagels and cream cheese are in the bag.” He took a seat next to Aiden’s bed. “Good news that he’ll be waking soon. Your mom will be coming by later. She was pretty tired last night when I took her home. I can’t believe she fractured both wrists and never told anyone she was in pain.”

  “That’s my mom for you.” Julie spread cream cheese on a bagel. “Always taking care of others first. Thanks for watching out for her…making sure she was cared for yesterday.”

  “Whatever I can do to help.” He rested a hand on the counter and leaned toward Julie, brushing his fingertips across the top of her hand. “I need to leave after lunch to go home and pack. The team plane takes off at three. I’m sorry. I hate having to go.” This was the worst time to leave town. But the team had a game tomorrow, and he had to be there.

  “I forgot you have a Monday night game.” Her gaze fell, returning to her bagel. “You’ll be gone for just two days, right?”

  He pulled her close and placed a kiss on her downturned mouth. She recoiled ever so slightly. He suspected that Julie, since Aiden’s accident, had become withdrawn. Like part of her wanted him by her side, and another part—the part of her heart closed off to him—didn’t want anyone but John. “Yes.” He forced his voice to stay calm and reassuring, like he wasn’t afraid his whole world was in danger of falling apart. “I’ll be back by your side very soon.”

  ****

  As the day progressed, Julie saw small responses from Aiden. Every so often, he would open his eyes and call her over. With that reassurance, his body would relax and allow sleep to reclaim him.

  During one of his wakeful moments, he mumbled, “I miss Daddy.”

  Hearing his plea left her struggling to breathe. Aiden needed his father. At these moments, she missed her husband with an ache that threatened to tear her apart. John should be here with his son. They both needed him so much.

  The next morning, Aiden stayed awake for longer periods of time.

  His doctor told Julie that he was hopeful Aiden would be well enough to go home by the end of the week. Julie and Mary spent the day by Aiden’s side, making sure someone was always there when he awoke.

  That night, for the most part, Aiden stayed alert and focused. He even asked to watch the Warriors game on TV.

  Julie didn’t pay attention to the game, instead her sole focus stayed on her son. The color had returned to his cheeks and his eyes sparkled. Seeing him brighten before her eyes, she knew Aiden would be okay. He looked once again like her high-spirited boy.

  After the game was done, Julie hit the remote and turned off the TV. “Lights out, peanut. Time for bed.”

  “Wasn’t that cool?” Aiden yawned. “I can’t wait ʼtil Reagan comes to see me tomorrow.”

  “Me, too.” She noticed his eyelids were growing heavy. He was drained from all the excitement of the past few hours. As he fought sleep, she lay next to him and cuddled close, feeling the warmth of his fragile, doll-like body. Stroking his back and humming a soothing melody, she helped him drift off to sleep in less than a minute.

  Walking close, Mary leaned over to give Aiden a kiss on the forehead. “Goodnight, sweet love.” She patted Julie’s hand. “You sleep well, too. See you tomorrow.”

  ****

  Reagan stepped into Aiden’s hospital room to see Julie standing in front of a small mirror, wrangling her auburn mane into a ponytail holder. She was a sight for sore eyes. He’d never known he had a thing for gingers, seemingly this one in particular, until he’d met Julie.

  Aiden remained asleep, even with the morning sun shining through the east-facing window.

  “Good morning,” he whispered.

  Julie turned as he stepped toward her. She wrapped herself in his arms, with her ear pressed against his chest.

  “I’m so glad to be here.” He bent over to kiss her soft lips. He sensed her lack of desire at their kiss, but he chalked up her reaction to stress and being overtired.

  “Ewwww, gross,” a scratchy voice sounded from the bed.

  Their kiss ended in laughter as they turned to see Aiden peeking through half shut eyes.

  “I’m happy you’re feeling better.” Reagan moved toward Aiden. Good to see the kid hadn’t lost his sense of humor.

  “I still hurt,” Aiden explained. “My tummy has stitches. You wanna see?” He didn’t wait for an answer, quickly tossing aside his blanket and lifting his shirt.

  The sight of his little body so bandaged and bruised hurt Reagan’s heart. He set a smile on his face in order to lift Aiden’s spirits. “Whoa, look at that. You must be pretty tough to have all those stitches. How’s your leg feel?”

  “It hurts a lot, but look at the cast I got. I got a red one for the Warriors!” Aiden tapped on his leg, which was now encased in a hard shell.

  “That’s awesome, kid. You’re rocking it.�
�

  Julie stood back and watched the entertaining exchange. “I don’t understand. What’s with guys and your fascination with bodily injury?”

  “You wouldn’t understand, woman,” Reagan grunted in a caveman impersonation. “It’s all part of being a man.”

  Aiden let loose a deep belly laugh, which soon turned to tears of pain. “Oooh, Mom. That hurts.” He moaned and grabbed his stomach.

  She moved to his side and ran her fingers through his mop of hair. “Laughing will hurt for a while. Your tummy’s very sore. You’ll have to be careful and sit still while your stitches heal.”

  Reagan grabbed the bag he’d brought and handed it to Aiden. “This might help with that.”

  Aiden peeked inside, and his tears suddenly stopped, replaced with a face-splitting smile. “The new Gamer Remote system,” he shrieked. “And look, there’s a bunch of games, too. Thanks, Reagan. I love it.” Aiden began tearing into the box.

  Julie walked behind Reagan and wrapped her arms around his waist. “We watched you play last night. Aiden stayed awake for the entire game.”

  He turned in her hold, now standing face to face. “I wish you could have been with me…seventy-five degrees and sunny.” Reaching behind her, he lightly pulled on her ponytail. As he looked at her, he noticed her green eyes seemed guarded. Like she was hiding something in the very depths of her soul, something she didn’t want him to see.

  Later that afternoon, Reagan and Julie went for a walk to get fresh air, leaving Mary to sit with Aiden while they were gone. She walked at his side—their hands physically connected. But he felt certain she was mentally somewhere else. He wasn’t angered by her quiet mood, understanding the emotional toll of the past few days. But he still needed to see her smile. Maybe a little comedy would lighten the mood. “What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire?” He was on his fifth joke and yet to earn a grin. Only groans and looks of pity.