Alex's worst fear

Alex lay in bed trying to go to sleep. He was worried about Jesse. Alex didn't remember much about their mom but he did remember that a few weeks before she died she had a bad cold. He rolled over and heard Nat snoring.

He climbed out of bed and shook his brother awake. Nat mumbled sleepily and said "Alex what's wrong? Dad just called my cell phone. Jesse is going to be fine she just needs to have her appendix removed. Alex, Alex earth to Alex is anybody home?"

Alex started to cry and Nat sat up and gave him a hug. He had no clue why Alex was crying he just wanted it to stop. Alex suddenly started screaming "get your hands off me! Nat help me please get them off me!"

Nat spoke calmly and said "Alex what are you talking about?"

Alex hysterically screamed "snakes hundreds and hundreds of snakes and spiders! A man came in here and covered me in them! Please Nat don't just stand there get them off me!"

Nat picked Alex up and hugged him close. Nat didn't let go until Alex stopped screaming. When Alex did stop he was drenched in sweat and was shaking uncontrollably. Nat softly said "Alex its ok. I've got you you're safe now. Just take a deep breath and try to go to sleep ok."

Alex said "Nat what happened?"

Nat said "you spaced out and started screaming about spiders and snakes. You ok Bro? That must have been a pretty scary nightmare. You don't normally sleepwalk or talk in your sleep Alex."

Alex spaced out again and screamed "Nat wake up! Please don't die Nat I need you! No Nat stay with me! Stay away from the light!"

Nat spoke gently and said "Alex I'm not going anywhere. Have you been watching horror movies again?"

Alex started crying and held on to Nat tightly. Nat was concerned Alex hadn't had nightmares like this since he was four years old. Nat rubbed Alex's back and said "hush Alex its ok now. It was only a nightmare I'm not going anywhere."

Alex said "Nat it wasn't a nightmare. I was awake when I saw those things. I couldn't sleep because I'm worried about Jesse."

Nat said "Alex I didn't see any snakes or spiders. Did Miss Ann Marie tell you that you might lose touch with reality for a short time when the withdrawal symptoms got worse?"

Alex said "Nat I'm really scared. I don't want Jesse to die. I hope dad calls soon and lets us know that she's alright."

Nat hugged Alex and said "go to sleep ok. Jesse is going to be fine. She just needs to have her appendix removed. It's a very simple surgery and there's nothing to worry about afterwards because she doesn't even need it."

Alex stared into space again and said "tell me you see those pink elephants dancing in pink ballet outfits."

Nat said "Alex I'm going to go get you some warm milk. It should help you sleep and quiet these breaks in reality at least until morning."

Nat left the room and Alex started seeing some pretty crazy things. He saw tigers dancing in suits and ties. Then he saw monkeys and pandas throwing cotton candy. His head was spinning and he couldn't see straight.

Alex closed his eyes he feared that he was losing his mind. That was Alex feared the most. He feared that more then he was afraid of that then he was afraid of snakes or spiders and even any horror movie.

Nat came back into the room and handed Alex the warm milk. Then he said "Alex Jesse will be alright. She's a tough girl and people don't even need their appendix anymore."

Alex sighed and said "Nat am I going crazy?"

Nat said "what kind of question is that Alex. Why would you think you're crazy? This is just part of the withdrawal. Plus you're scared and tired that makes it worse."

Alex said "Nat if we don't need appendixes we do we have them in the first place?"

Nat said "I really don't know how to explain Alex. Our bodies are kind of like pack rats. They store things that aren't needed and soon those things wear out or broken. When that happens those things need to be removed."

Alex said "thanks Nat I needed that."

Nat said "anytime bro now go to sleep. I'll be right back I just need to call the band and let them know that Jesse is in the hospital."

Alex lied down and tried to go to sleep. He felt much better now that he knew that Nat didn't think he wasn't crazy. He eventually fell asleep and he had a weird dream. In the dream Alex was swimming in the ocean when he suddenly became a fish. Then he jumped out of the water and was instantly transformed into a bird nesting in a tree. Alex looked around and then he changed into a bee and stung Nat because he was trying to protect his honey.

When Alex woke up in the morning he heard Rosalina and Nat arguing. Alex got out of bed and went into the music room. He got there just in time to see Rosalina run out of the house in tears.

Nat walked towards Alex and said "how much of that did you here? I probably should just be upfront with you. Rosalina called you crazy because I told her about your breaks in reality. I told her to get out because I wasn't going to stand there and let her insult you like that."

Alex started to cry and Nat put his arm around him. Then Nat said "I have something that might cheer you up though. Jesse made it through surgery just fine and she has a room where you and I and the rest of the band can see her."

Mean while Jesse was lying in her room at the hospital trying to relax. Mr. Wolf had just left and he said he would bring Alex and Nat to see her. She closed her eyes and thought about it tried to go back to sleep.

Then a nurse came in to look at Jesse. She took Jesse's blood pressure and temperature then she said "how much pain are you in on a scale of one to five?"

Jesse winced and said "I'd have to call it four and a half."

The nurse sighed and said "where is the pain located dear?"

Jesse said "the pain is in the lower part of my back near my stomach."

The nurse said "you might have had a bad reaction to the medication that they gave you to put you to sleep. Other then the pain your blood pressure and temperature are right around where they should be. Once we remove the stitches in four weeks you'll be able to be released."

Jesse lied down and when she woke up Alex was standing beside her bed. Alex said "you scared the crap out of me woman. I was afraid it would be just like the night mom died. Thank god you're ok Jesse. When are you coming home?"

Jesse said "Alex I'm sorry I scared you. I'll be able to come home in four weeks after they remove my stitches."

Alex hugged Jesse and said "Nat and the rest of the band are here to. Nat just wanted me to see you first."

Jesse smiled and said "is Rosalina here to or just Nat, Tomas, David, Cooper, and Qaasim?"

Alex said "Rosalina called me crazy and Nat defended me."

Jesse said "Alex you're not crazy. You're just a little sick that's all. If you keep working hard like you are you'll get better quickly."

Alex said "I'll go let the guys know that you want to see them."

When Alex came back everyone including Mr. Wolf gave Jesse a big hug. Jesse leaned back on her pillow and said "thanks guys I've missed all of you so much. I can't wait to come home in four weeks."

Mr. Wolf said "Nat I when we get home I want you to call Rosalina

She needs to know that Jesse is ok."

Nat said "dad I'm not talking to Rosalina. She called Alex crazy and that's not something that I take lightly."

Mr. Wolf spoke in a voice that was soft but firm he said "Nat Rosalina was wrong to call Alex crazy you're right. However it's also wrong for you not to tell her that Jesse's safe. Two wrongs don't make a right Nat."

Nat said "I'll call Rosalina dad but I'm still angry at her for insulting Alex. This isn't his fault that he's seeing things."

Jesse smiled and said "I've known you and Alex your whole lives. If there's one thing you guys have taught me is that family means everything. I didn't get along with my sisters and I wish that I did. Family is the only love that lasts forever."

Mr. Wolf said "ok Jesse I think we should head home and let you rest."

Alex said "group hug"

Everyone hugged Jesse and said they hoped she'd get better soon. When Nat and Alex got home Nat called Rosalina and said "Jesse will be coming home in four weeks."

Rosalina said "Nat I'm glad you called. I wanted to apologize for what I said today."

Nat said "I can't believe you! Rosalina Alex fears losing his mind more than anything else! How can you frighten him like that? When I told him what you said he started to cry."

Rosalina sighed and said "Nat I wanted to say I was sorry. I shouldn't have said those things I know that. Do you have to get so mad at me?"

Nat said "Alex is my brother I have to protect him. I don't think I can see you anymore Rosalina."

Rosalina burst into tears in between sobs she said "fine Nat if this is what you want. I want you to know that I will always love you forever."

Nat hung up the phone and sat down on the couch. Alex came into the living room and said "you and Rosalina ok? I hate it when you guys fight."

Nat started to cry and said "we aren't ok Alex. I broke up with her."

Alex stood up and ran from the room. Nat put his head in his hand and sighed. He had broken up with Rosalina in order to prevent Alex from being hurt but he'd just made things worse. Nat was just about to go talk to Alex when the doorbell rang.

Nat answered the door and said "hey Juanita. Alex is upstairs he's mad at me right now."

Juanita asked "why is Alex mad at you? I thought you guys were friends not just brothers."

Nat sadly said "I broke up with Rosalina today. She called Alex crazy and I blew up."

Juanita said "she called him what? She had the nerve to yell at me when I hurt him but what she did is so much worse."

Nat said "when I told Alex I broke up with her he ran upstairs and I haven't seen him since. I think Alex is afraid of something happening to his family. When he was seeing things last night he started telling me not to die. Juanita could you please talk to him someone needs to explain that band won't be affected."

Juanita sighed and said "Nat he won't listen to me. You should talk to him your girlfriend pissed him off."

Nat said "that's the problem Juanita. Rosalina hurt his feelings but I scared him. I should have thought before I opened my mouth. I promised that I wouldn't fight with her anymore."

Juanita said "dude just talk to your brother. The best way to calm someone when they're afraid is to talk to them about their fears. When I was afraid of the dark my mom used to talk to me before she turned out a light. Her voice made me feel safer than any nightlight."

Nat said "that might work thanks Juanita. I'll go talk to him but he might still need you to give him a hug."