About halfway through the second day, Jason was sitting with Sonny while Ray and Blackburn were in with Clay. All in all, they had a pretty peaceful night, minus the constant in and out of the nurses. They hoped the day would be the same.
Jason was making small talk with one of the nurses who was checking on Sonny. It wasn't something he would typically do, but it helped distract him and make the time go by quicker. As they were talking, he looked over at Sonny and was surprised to see Sonny staring back him.
He looked over at the nurse, not sure if he should try talking to him or let him rest. They both walked over to Sonny and he watched their every move. "Hey Sonny, it's going to be ok. We're off the sub and in a hospital on the ship. Just try and keep relaxing ok brother?" Jason assured Sonny.
Sonny just nodded his head, too weak to try to answer. In a matter of seconds a coughing fit came on. Jason did his best to keep Sonny calm and relaxed, reminding him to breathe in between coughs while the nurse administered his next dose of antibiotics.
Minutes after the coughing started, Sonny slipped back into a deep sleep and the coughing ended. Jason looked over at the nurse. "What the hell was that!?" He yelled in concern.
"It's nothing to worry about, in fact it probably won't be the last time it happens. The water that entered his lungs when he drowned irritated the lining of his lungs. He also developed slight pneumonia. Coughing is a big symptom associated with both of those. It's something that will gradually dwindle away as he recovers." The nurse assured Jason.
"You're sure?" Jason was skeptical. He had a hard time believing anything anyone said medically, unless Trent was the one saying it. Trent knew the team better than anyone and the fact that he wasn't here stressed Jason out that much more.
"I'm positive, now you should really get some rest yourself. The three of you are running ragged since you've been here. If you guys don't take care of yourselves, you'll find yourself in a hospital bed as well."
Jason sat down but didn't bother replying. A part of him knew she was right, but there was no way he'd be able to relax until he knew Sonny and Clay were alright, especially after what he just went through with Sonny.
About an hour after the nurse left, Ray entered the room to check on Sonny and Jason. "How you doing over here?" He asked.
"Not good Ray. Not good at all." Jason finally admitted. "Sonny woke up a little bit ago while the nurse was still in here. He didn't say anything but practically coughed his lungs up. Nurse said its 'normal.'' Jason air quoted. "I just, I wish Trent was here to reassure me that he really is going to be ok."
"I hear ya there. We're only going to hopefully be here for a day or two more. One of the nurses in Clay's room said Sonny's cleared to fly, they're just waiting for Clay to stable out a little more. As soon as that happens we'll be on a plane and you know Trent, Brock and Lisa will be chomping at the bit at that hospital to see them." Ray tried reassuring Jason.
"How is Clay?" Jason asked.
"About the same. They're still keeping a close eye on all his vitals and I think they said something about taking some more x-rays later today to see how everything's healing up. Other than that, he's holding up. He's fighting." Ray said.
"Good. That's real good." Jason replied while turning his attention back to Sonny.
"When's the last time you ate? I'm gonna run down to the cafeteria, you want anything?" Ray asked.
Jason shook his head no. He wasn't hungry at all. One look at Ray's face though told Jason that Ray wasn't satisfied with that answer. "Fine, bring me back whatever." Jason slightly snapped.
Ray just looked at him. There was no point in arguing. Whatever he said at this point was just going to go in one of Jason's ears and out the other. He decided it would just be best to walk away and give Jason his space and time to think.
When he returned, he decided to drop Blackburn's lunch off first. "I'm gonna sit with Jason and Sonny for a bit. Jason's not dealing too well. You gonna be ok in here with him for a bit?" Ray asked.
"Of course. Go do what you have to do. We'll be ok in here." Blackburn replied.
Ray thanked him and then returned to Sonny's room. He had picked up burgers and fries from the cafeteria and handed Jason his.
Jason reluctantly took it from Ray and placed it on the chair next him.
"I ain't leaving this room till you eat that, you know." Ray said as he pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Come on Ray. I'm just not hungry." Jason protested.
"I don't care Jas. You haven't eaten in like two days. You have to eat something. At least eat the burger." Ray argued.
Jason glared at Ray as he grabbed the burger and took a bite. "Happy?" He asked.
"I will be once you finish it." Ray glared back.
Jason rolled his eyes at his friend and slowly, bite by bite, finished the burger.
"Now I'm happy. Ray muttered.
"Any idea when we're getting out of here?" Jason asked, completely forgetting about the conversation he and Ray had earlier about waiting for Clay to become for stable before he could fly.
"All depends on Clay. Why don't you go check on him, keep Blackburn company for a bit. I'll hang out here with Sonny."
Jason agreed and headed a room over to see Clay. It was still so hard for Jason to see his youngest member in the condition he was in, but somehow, the sound of the machine breathing for him and the steady beat of the heart monitor kept him calm. It reminded him that despite how bad he looked, he was still alive.
He pulled a chair up next to Blackburn and sat down. "You finally eat?" Eric asked.
"Ray told you I wasn't eating?" Jason asked.
"He's just worried about you. We both are." Blackburn replied.
"I'll be alright." Jason assured him.
"They're gonna take some more x-rays in a few minutes. Make sure everything's healing right and then they'll make the decision about whether or not he fly yet or not." Blackburn informed him.
"And if he can?" Jason asked.
"If he can then you'll be on the first flight out tomorrow." A nurse cut in as she entered the room. "Now if you boys don't mind, I'm gonna have you step into the other room for a moment while we run some tests and take his x-rays. I'll come get you as soon as we're finished.
Jason and Eric both stood up and walked into Sonny's room. Ray stood up, nervous that they were booth there and Clay was alone.
"Everything's still ok. They're just running some tests and taking some x-rays, asked us to step out of the room." Eric said after seeing the nervous look on Ray's face. "If everything looks ok, they said we'll be on the first flight out tomorrow morning."
That was good news. It was the first time anyone mentioned flying them home, which meant they were one step closer to normal. They all sat there, silently praying, waiting for someone to enter with good news.
The waiting was the worst. The longer they sat there, the more worried they became.
Hey guys I'm glad you're all still enjoying the story. Question for you guys. Would you prefer shorter chapters more often or longer chapters a little more spread out? I'll do my best to post as often as possible regardless of which decision you guys make, it'll just depend on my work schedule and vet appointments with the dog. We have an appointment tomorrow morning so I should have a better idea of what the next move will be after that. Thank you all for your kind words. They're super appreciated.
