Chapter 4
Shayna sat by Clark's bedside holding his hand while Dr. Melendez and Shaun filled her in.
"Internal bleeding?" Shayna asked.
"He'll need surgery," Dr. Melendez said.
"I'll do it," Clark said. "Operate as you will."
"It's not that simple," Dr. Melendez said. "Max has suffered significant blood loss. He'll need a blood donation."
"I'm O Negative," Shayna said.
"Pregnant women can't donate," Dr. Melendez said.
"Max and I have the same blood type," Shaun said. "I'll donate."
"Are you sure?" Dr. Melendez asked.
"My best friend needs me," Shaun said.
Shaun sat in a chair in the blood donation center of the hospital. A nurse handed him a stress ball while Lea stood and watched.
"Okay," the nurse said. "I'm about to inject the needle."
"Do you want me to hold your hand, Shaun?" Lea asked.
"Yes, please," Shaun replied.
Lea held Shaun's hand while the nurse injected the needle into his arm. Shaun took a deep breath as the needle entered his arm.
"It's okay," Lea said calmly. "I'm right here."
"Would you like to donate blood too, Miss Dilallo?" the nurse asked.
"Oh," Lea said. "I guess. Sure."
After signing the paperwork, Lea sat in the chair next to Shaun after the needle was injected into her arm.
"It's nice what you're doing," Shaun said.
"Yeah," Lea said. "I'm terrified of needles, but this blood could save someone's life."
After giving blood, Shaun and Lea sat in the hospital waiting room.
"Why won't Dr. Melendez let me help operate?" Shaun asked.
"You just gave blood and you're friends with the patient," Lea replied.
Shaun held his hands together.
"I know you're scared," Lea said.
"Max is going to be fine," Shaun said. "I'm fine. I want a hamburger."
Shaun stood up and walked off. Lea followed after him.
"It's okay to be scared," Lea said.
"Maybe a double cheeseburger," Shaun said.
"Shaun," Lea said.
"He's going to be fine," Shaun said.
Later, Dr. Glassman sat on his couch and heard a knock on the door. He got up and opened the door to see Lea.
"Lea," Dr. Glassman said.
"I need your help, Glassy," Lea said as she entered the house.
"Come in," Dr. Glassman said in an irritated tone.
"Shaun's friend Max was hit by a bus," Lea said. "He's in surgery right now because he's bleeding internally. There's a huge chance he could die and Shaun is literally showing no emotion. When I asked him if he wanted to talk, his reply was that he wanted a hamburger."
"Shaun avoids the subject when something is too hard," Dr. Glassman said.
"Can you talk to him?" Lea asked.
"I've taken my medicine for the night," Dr. Glassman replied. "In about half an hour, I'll be out cold."
"I'm really worried about him," Lea said.
"Be patient with him," Dr. Glassman said.
"Okay," Lea said.
"Now get out of my house," Dr. Glassman said.