The Aftermath

Jackson lay unconscious in the stretcher as he was rushed into one of the hospital beds. The door shut before Aaron could enter the room.

"What are you doing, let me in!", Aaron shouted at the nurse, trying to push past her to gain access to the door.

"I'm sorry sir but we have to run some tests and need the area clear for the moment. While you're here can you give us some information. What's the patient's name?"

"Em, its eh ..." He couldn't speak. He was too flustered and in a state of shock to speak. He mumbled a few words but couldn't muster up an appropriate answer. A voice called out behind him as it got closer and closer.

"His name is Jackson Walsh, he's 21 and yes he does have health insurance before you ask." The woman now stood beside Aaron hoping to access the door so she could see Jackson. She was a small woman but quite big, she seemed frantic, but still calm.

"Okay, do either of you have a contact number for a parent or a friend we can call".

"No need" the woman answered, "I'm his mum, I'll look after him". The nurse nodded and walked off with the chart. Aaron eyed the woman up and she returned the looks. Jackson had spoken of his mother but Aaron had never seen her. He made an effort to talk to her so that his staring wouldn't be weird.

"Hazel right? Jackson's told me all about you". He twitched a little smile, to be polite, but resumed his usual aggressive look.

"Let me see if I can get this one; skinned head, tracksuit bottoms, angry expression. You wouldn't be Jackson's ex Aaron would you?" Aaron was kind of nerved by how Hazel recognised him, and made him wonder what Jackson had been saying about him to other people, but he lightened up as she continued. "He's always been fond of you since he met you. I remember the time he came down to visit me and tell me he had a new boyfriend. You should have seen the smile on his face. You would think he was dating George Clooney or something". Aaron scrunched his face at that idea. George was a bit old for Aaron's liking. He smiled though because he never knew how much Jackson cared.

"Bet he wasn't that nice when we broke up though?"

"Well I dunno really. He never told me how you'se broke up, or maybe it was that you'se didn't actually. All I remember him saying is that he has a new boyfriend. I met him there the other day. Quite a looker." She winked at Aaron with that comment and Aaron scrunched his face again. Even if he did think Nikhil was good looking, he'd never admit it because he was his rival for Jackson's heart. Hazel didn't make things any easier on that front. "Things are getting very serious between them now. I can see it in Jackson's eyes that he's comminted. Nikhil seems quite fond too. Sure he offered Jackson a key to his house so that Jackson could move in. I guess it would be handy for him 'cause he's always working there but it means I have more of a travel to see him."

Aaron went to interrupt her, to divert the conversation back to him, but they were interrupted by the nurse. She informed them that the results would arrive momentarily so Aaron and Hazel sat on the two seats opposite the door to Jackson's room.

"So how are you so calm about this. About Jackson I mean. 'Cause I have to be honest, I'm terrified for him."

"Well I have to be strong don't I. I'm a mother. I've seen it all in my day. Jackson's actually quite accident prone. But he's a strong boy, so I know he'll pull through. He has to." She smiled a reassuring smile which comforted Aaron, but that didn't last long as the nurse came back out with the results.

"I'm afraid your son has gone into a minor coma. Its nothing too serious as of yet. He could wake up any minute..."

"But...?" Hazel questioned, knowing there was more to it.

"But he could be in a coma for as long as a few years." Hazel began to blubber now and Aaron stared at the ground in disbelief. The nurse offered her condolances and walked off. Aaron tried to comfort Hazel but he was never really any good at that. He was saved by Chris' arrival. He didn't really want to talk to him but if it would get him out of this awkward situation. Chris interrupted their grieving session and asked lightly:

"Can I have a word with you in private."

"I'm busy."

"Aaron please"

"Can't, Jackson needs people here for him."

Hazel decided to butt in. "Its okay, Nikhil's on his way. Go chat with your friend". The thought of Nikhil taking Aaron's place was more of an incentive for him to say, but he reluctantly gave up and went with Chris. Aaron thought they were only heading to a different room or something, but Chris brought him to his car and drove him back to his apartment.

"What the hell are we doing 'ere?", Aaron scowled, still angry at Chris from yesterday. Feeling guilty, Chris was nervous with his responses, and failed at bringing himself to confess to Aaron.

"Er, you left your phone here."

"Oh right. Cheers. Is that it?", Aaron turned towards the door.

"Sorry".

"Look Chris I don't wanna hear it right now."

"No, I think you do. Cause you dunno what I'm apologising for."

"Well, go ahead then".

"Remember yesterday I was having a go at you? Well, the only reason for that was because I told you I love you when we got back here after Adam's party."

"Oh, I see, and what I didn't say it back? I'm not into to all mushy love crap Chris, sorry"

"Well you said I love you back"

"Oh, alright. Then what's the problem?"

"Your exact words were: 'I love you too, Jackson'". Aaron made a defensive face but what Chris said started to ring a bell in his head. He was even angrier at Chris but he hadn't really got a reason to give out to him now. Although that never stopped him before.

"That's why I did what I did. Out of jealousy. And stupidity. But I've been guilty ever since and I promise I'll do whatever I can to make it up to him".

Aaron turned to face him with a confused look now. What the hell was he talking about now? "What do you mean you did what you did? What did you do?" Chris couldn't pull himself together to say it. He lifted his head and opened his mouth but all he could say was "Jackson". However Aaron immediately knew what he was talking about and, of course, went into a blind rage.

He stormed over to Chris and grabbed him by the shirt with both hands and shouted "You can't be telling me you did this to Jackson cause if you did I'll bloddy kill ya!"

"Aaron let me explain!", but he didn't get a chance to explain as Aaron pushed him to the ground and started punching him in the face. He was dealing more damage to Chris than he did to Paddy. With blood now pouring down his face, he shouted out to Aaron to stop.

"Aaron please, your gonna kill me"

"And give me one good reason why I shouldn't!". Just then his phone rang. He put his bloody hand in his pocket and snatched out the phone and answered it.

"Hey Aaron, it's Hazel calling of Jackson's phone. Jackson just woke up."