Chapter 6
Freddie, it's Jan from the hospital. Your mom came into the ER today 45 min b4 her shift, in a room now, not good. Get here ASAP.
I immediately stood up and walked out of class. Mrs. Briggs was screaming about blatant disrespect. I headed straight for Principal Franklin's office.
The moment I entered his office his head shot up. He saw the look on my face. He stood up. "No…." They had known each other since they attended high school together themselves.
"She's not gone yet, but I have to leave now." I explained.
He practically shoved me out the door. "Go, we'll figure out absences and stuff later."
I got in my car and drove like a maniac to Seattle Grace. The staff recognized me and told me where to go, skipping all the security and hassles. Since the text got to me it's been 10 minutes, and in these situations mom has always said time is of the essence.
I sprint to her room, pausing to calmly open the door. My mom was propped up in bed, reading a book by Stephen King. She looked up to see me walking briskly towards her.
"Freddie…I felt terrible for too long so I came here." She explained.
"Mom, maybe it isn't such a good idea for you to be reading Stephen King then." I chuckled, grabbing a bedside chair.
She grabbed her phone, which was on a swivel next to her bed. She glanced at the time, 11:27.
"Briggs must have been furious." She smiled.
"She screamed something about blatant disrespect." I said, trying to remember more, to no avail. We talked for about an hour about what she knew and our options.
Soon, a army of doctors seemed to come by. I went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat. After finishing I see a redhead familiar to me.
I tapped her on the shoulder. "Thanks Jan." I said, moving to hug her.
"Oh sweetie!" She said, grabbing me into that hug. "It's just so terrible."
"Yeah…well we've got to keep pushing." I said. My phone vibrated. I'm ignoring it for now.
"You been back home?" She asked.
"No, but—" I started.
"They are going to be busy with her for about 45 minutes, and with your knack for getting somewhere fast you can probably get home and be waiting for awhile." She said, smiling at the very end.
"Yes ma'am." I bowed, then walked away.
"Be safe!" I heard her say. I raised my hand to acknowledge that I heard her.
Mom, going home to grab you some healthy reading material and some stuff for me, be back in 30 min max
I got home, and immediately noticed something different. The gravity of the situation hit me. I quickly grabbed some stuff, including clothes for her when she got out. I check the time while in the elevator heading to the parking lot. 2:40 exactly.
The last turn before it's a straight shot to Mercy is a left turn right by school. I manage to be the first in line for the next light. I peer around, trying to keep calm, feeling terrible that I've been gone so long. Left turn, music quiet until I turn in. it's a two way street. As I turn in, I see Carly in her Ford Focus coming at me, I speed up and get out of view.
Once in the elevator, I remember to check my phone, which vibrated a eternity ago it seemed.
No time, ya, ya ,boring…Spencer,CRAP
Freddie, I saw your mom's car gone early, everything alright?-Spence
I walk out of the elevator, and go straight to mom's room.
"Sorry I was gone so long. Lights cycled from Aurora to Grace." I explained, as she patiently looked on.
"Freddie…we figured out what's wrong." She said bluntly. She quickly filled me in. Surgery, 6-8 weeks recovery. Not an easy surgery. Things could go wrong.
"Well, that's about it…oh yeah, you know the plan if I'm in too much pain right?" She said. I knew it too well. The first time we discussed it the night of the original diagnosis I didn't sleep at the possibility. She didn't like leaving it to me alone, but I am her only child.
"Mom, I think it's time to tell Spencer." I said.
"I agree." She said. I stood up, squeezed her hand as I kissed her forehead.
I pulled out my phone and stepped outside. I dialed Spencer.
"Hello?" he answered.
"Spence, it's Freddie." I said.
"What's up man, why didn't you respond to my text?" He asked.
"I'll explain, how fast can you get to Galini's?"
"5 minutes. Why?"
"I'll explain when I see you, just leave now please."
"Got it." He said quietly.
10 minutes later I spot his lanky frame coming towards me.
"What's wrong." He said, face showing concern.
"First off, I want to apologize for not telling you sooner, but mom and I wanted a normal school year."
"Ok, gotcha, now what's up."
I explained the whole thing. He didn't interrupt once.
"…and now she's having to have surgery." I finished.
He took a second to register the amazing amount I had withheld.
"Freddie, I'm so sorry man. I wish you would of told me, but I understand."
I just stood in silence, there isn't really a defense for what I did.
"What do I tell Carly?" He asked.
"The truth, you know she's going to want to come to Mercy."
"She's at Mercy?"
"Yeah. Room 1229." I replied.
He pulled me into a loving hug. "I'm here for you man, anything you need." He said quietly, then headed back to where he parked.
I drove back to mom. Once I got there, I talked over what to say, that kind of thing. She said something that struck me.
"Freddie, ever since you broke up with Carly, I knew you could handle any situation."
I didn't even know she knew about how we broke up. Where does she get her information?
I perched myself by the balcony opposite the room looking cattycorner at the activity of the hospital. Things were quiet for now, except for me giving the nurse on duty Spencer's name and said he and his party had immediate access.
Within 5 minutes, I saw Carly and Sam, followed by Spencer coming quickly. They didn't see me, they went straight in.
I walked to the vending machines by the cafeteria, buying a large peppy cola.
I hear quiet footsteps.
"Freddie…" Carly said, sounding heartbroken.
"Hey Carls." I said, looking out the window.
"Look at me, please?" It wasn't a demand, it was a request.
I turned to see a demoralized person, who didn't know what to say. She opened her mouth twice, but nothing came out.
Finally, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm ok. You don't look good." I said.
"Yeah, my friend's mom has terminal cancer and is in the hospital! Everything's great!" She exclaimed.
Only a friend? Figures.
"It really isn't that bad." I told her, as flashbacks of saying the same sentence repeatedly to family members came to my mind
"What do you mean?" She looked puzzled.
"I've managed for the entire year, this isn't good but we'll get through it." I said calmly.
She started dragging me towards mom's room again. When I got to the door way, Sam looked at me with very sad eyes.
Suddenly, a team of doctors were at the door. We all fled the room to give them their space.
All I could think about was that I had 3 friends that weren't happy with me.