An authors note...Those wonderful reviews made me so happy, as did learning that my love of angst has not chased anyone away:) My deepest gratitude for you loyal readers. We're getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Disclaimer-Glee is the property of FOX, the creators and the writers.
Let It Be
"There's this specialist in Texas..."
"Leesh?," Art cut in softly, while letting out a sigh of frustration.
"No really this looks promising," she whispered back, glancing over to make sure their conversation would not wake up their sleeping son. "She's world renowned and is currently conducting a new study...," Alicia paused as she scrolled down and scanned the screen of her laptop. "She's looking for patients who have been injured in the last two to three weeks...," she glanced up with a ghost of a smile, "Artie's just hitting three..."
"Alicia."
"It doesn't say here if there's an age restriction or a specific injury level..."
"Alicia, stop." She opened her mouth to interject, but Art beat her to it. "Please." He took in a steadying breath. "We've already had a second opinion and we have a third coming on Wednesday...how much more are we going to put him through..."
"But this doctor..."
"Is in Texas," he finished for her. "Where are we supposed to find the money to fly in a specialist from another state, or better yet, afford to medivac our son down south to take part in an experimental trial we don't even know..."
"We could borrow it, or remortgage the house," she said out of desperation, "I don't know."
Art's expression softened and he took Alicia into his arms. "Babe, we..."
"What kind of parents are we if we don't do everything in our power to find someone who can help him?" she sobbed quietly into his chest.
"Mom?"
Both were startled by Artie's small plea and immediately rushed to his bedside.
"I don't feel so good."
He didn't look so good either. Alicia instinctively placed her hand on his forehead. "Oh Sweetie, you're burning up."
"I really don't feel good," Artie repeated and gave a sour grimace that was all his mother needed to spring into action. Making sure to first press the nurses call button, Alicia then grabbed the rectangular wash basin, she knew that little kidney shaped one would not suffice, from the side table and enlisted Art's help .
It was only mere seconds before the nurse stepped into the room to see her young patient retching into the basin. "I'll go page the doctor," she intoned after first making sure the parents had everything else under control.
...
"Well, it's definitely a urinary tract infection," Dr. Murphy announced once the results were in. It was what they had suspected, but knowing didn't give Alicia the same sense of relief it had given Art. "And like I explained before, is one of those issues..."
"But he'll be alright?" Alicia cut in shakily.
"Of course," the good doctor assured them as he gave Artie and encouraging grin. "A quick round of antibiotic, plenty of fluids, rest, and he'll be good as new in no time."
"That means more needles, right?" Artie asked apprehensively.
"An IV is really the best and fastest way to get you better. But it'll be just one little stick," Dr. Murphy replied, trying to dismiss the little boys fear with his casualness, "I promise you wont feel a thing."
"So you're gonna put it in my leg?" Artie queried in all seriousness.
A small chuckle escaped both Art and the doctor. "Fraid not Buddy, it has to go in your arm. But Missy here is awesome at getting needles in without it hurting."
Artie's eyes darted back and forth between the doctor and the nurse..."Okay," he sighed, just wanting to feel better.
Turning back to the concerned parents, Dr. Murphy then made sure to offer them the same gesture of reassurance. "I'm afraid this set back will delay his transfer to the rehabilitation facility about a week or so. I'd like to make sure he's infection free for a few days before releasing him, if that's okay with you."
"Of course," Art returned agreeably, "this is the best place for him to be."
Alicia left the two men to talk, and walked back over to where Artie lay, staring up at the two bags of fluid hanging over his bed. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well Sweetheart," she said comfortingly, and lowered herself into the chair next to him.
Artie gave an indifferent shrug, then slowly locked eyes with his mother. "Does this mean I don't hafta go to Texas?" he asked innocently.
Alicia's mind drifted back to the conversation she had with Art earlier, a converstion they had when she thought Artie was napping. "Do you not want to go there?"
Shaking his head, Artie lowered his eyes. "I just don't wanna see anymore doctors."
Alicia's chest clenched tightly and tears sprang to her eyes. "Daddy and I are just doing that to try to find someone who can maybe help you."
"I know, " he muttered quietly, lifting his expressive blue eyes once again. "But I like Dr. Murphy a lot...he's nice." There was a moment of contemplation before a smile began to tug at the corners of his lips. "I think we should just stick with him."
Alicia forced a smile in spite of herself. "There's just one more doctor coming to see you on Wednesday," she pressed gently. "Maybe we could just see what he has to say...and if you still feel the same way after that, we can be done."
"Even if he doesn't have anything good to say?"
Artie's plea shattered Alicia's fragile heart even further. She wasn't ready to give up...there had to be someone, somewhere...if they had to go to the ends of the earth...
But that was not what he was asking.
A small warm hand closed over hers and Alicia could do nothing more than nod.
...
ANx2...Sorry for all the choppy dialogue in this chapter, lots of talking over one another here. I did that intentionally to better show Alicia's emotional state. She's still in such deep denial that she can't even bring herself to listen to what other people have to say...except for that one little person:)
