And even when your hope is gone
Move along, move along just to make it through
Grissom nodded his head. It was hard, not asking questions, but he knew he should let Greg continue and go at his own pace.
"Um," Greg said, "We immediately started treatment. We explained to Nathan that there were bad things inside him that were making him very very sick and that the only way to kill the bad things was to put medicine inside his blood. He asked how they were going to put medicine inside his blood and we told him they would put an IV that would stay in his belly. He knew what an IV was, so that part wasn't hard. We also had to tell him that the bad things inside him didn't want to come out and that when they gave him the medicine, he would get very sick. He took all the information in. He understood there would be no more playing baseball and didn't complain. He was content, I guess, that we were going to be with him the whole time.
"It was hard the first time we went to the hospital. There were other kids there and Nathan asked if he would ever lose his hair too. I told him that might happen, but that if it did, I would shave all my hair off too so we could match. He seemed to think that was funny. After that, we signed Nathan in and we put him in a gown. The doctor and the nurses came in and explain what was going to happen. They told Nathan that he wouldn't feel it, that they'd give him a shot to make him sleepy. After that, the nurse walked over and gave Nathan a sedative. Within a few minutes, our little boy was fast asleep in my arms.
"After he fell asleep, I laid him down on the bed and they wheeled him away. Michelle broke down right then, and all I could do was sit there and hold her. We had to wait an hour till the doctor came to the waiting room and said that everything went well and that they had already scheduled an appointment for tomorrow morning for Nathan to begin his chemo. We agreed and the doctor explained how to take care of the catheter that was now in Nathan. He showed us the area, how to keep it clean and how to make sure that there was so swelling. After that, he walked us to the recovery ward and we stayed there till Nathan woke up a few minutes later."
Greg sighed and cleared his throat, "He didn't complain. Not even the next day when he started feeling sick. He just threw up in the bucket and never complained. That, and he always seemed to smile."
Greg turned and looked at Grissom briefly, "Can you believe that? Every month, day in and day out, he always woke up with a smile on his face. Even on his way to chemo. He knew he was going to get sick but he still smiled at all the nurses and at the doctor. Not once did he ever get mad."
Greg shook his head, "I don't think I could've done what he did Griss."
There was silence in the car then. Grissom was about to turn up the radio when Greg started talking again.
"It was three months before his forth birthday when he was declared 'in remission'. Me and Michelle were so happy, that we drove down to LA and took Nathan to Disneyland."
"It was quit a site, seeing that kid run through that park. He had no hair and he was as thin as a toothpick, but he had his energy back and boy, could that kid run. Besides running everywhere, I'm pretty sure he laughed that whole day."
Greg closed his eyes tight for a second, trying to stop the tears that were flowing again, "Oh, his laugh, Grissom, I wish you could have heard it. There was just something about it that put joy in you too, and made you laugh, for no reason at all. I miss hearing his laugh."
They didn't say anything after that. Grissom waited five minutes, and when Greg didn't say anything else, Grissom turned on the radio. Grissom would be lying to say that he didn't want to hear the rest of the story, but he knew Greg couldn't continue right now, and asking him too wouldn't be fair to him.
"Hold on," Greg whispered so faintly that Grissom almost didn't hear it.
"What-" but Grissom didn't get to finish his sentence when suddenly, the car lurched to the shoulder, scaring Grissom so bad that he gave a small yell.
Greg quickly put the car in park, unbuckled himself and opened the door, getting out. Grissom followed suit but stopped suddenly when Greg leaned over and threw up behind the car. Grissom looked at Greg, shocked at what he was seeing.
After a few more dry heaves, Greg wiped his mouth with a napkin and walked back towards the front of the car, retrieving a bottle of water, and rinsing his mouth out.
He then sat down, and produced another napkin, which he proceeded to wipe his face with. He then closed the door and leaned back into his seat, waiting for Grissom to get back into his.
Grissom sat back down and close his door, "Greg are you okay?" his voice soft with compassion.
Greg nodded, but didn't open his eyes, "I'm okay," he said, taking a deep breath, "This just happens sometimes."
"Greg, you don't look well," Grissom said, "I really think you are sick. Are you sure you don't want me to drive?"
Greg shook his head, "No," a breath, "I've made this trip many times alone and I've always been alright after a few minutes. I'll be okay."
You should never of had to make this trip alone, Grissom thought as he gave Greg another once over.
After a few more moments, Greg opened his eyes and shifted the car into drive.
"Besides," Greg said, "You don't know where we're going and I don't want to give directions. Here," Greg said, tossing Grissom his phone, "Call in. We wont make it back in time for next shift. I usually take tomorrow and today off but I got called in."
Grissom started dialing the phone number to the front desk, when Greg interrupted him, "And Grissom? Could you please not tell them anything? Just count it as a sick day, or a vacation day. Heaven knows I have a lot of both and I'm pretty sure you do too."
Grissom looked at Greg, but after his last comment, Greg kept his eyes on the road.
A/N: It's nearing the end folks. I surpirsed myself and i actually wrapped up the story in ten chapters. Um, thanks for all those who have review. Next chapter will be up Tuesday, then the one after that will be up on Thursday...I think. In any case, the story will be completed before Sat. Thanks for all those who have read this sory and I hope you enjoy the last few chapters.
P.S. Quote is from a band called All-American Rejects.
