Chapter Ten
Let me take this moment to set the scene. Seven other people plus myself, all of us imagining different scenarios in our heads while sitting in the waiting room of the hospital. Because none of us are Brian's blood relatives, the nurse refuses to release any information. No one speaks. All I am able to hear is the soap opera running on the television. Why do hospitals do that anyway? Every waiting room has a t.v. and everyone of them is running some form of soap opera. As if we don't have enough shit to deal with in reality!
"Excuse me, sir," I try again with the nurse behind the desk, "but how long do you think it will be before we hear back about him?"
"Him, who?" It wasn't said with unkindness.
"Oh, sorry. Brian Kinney, he was hit by a car on Liberty Avenue. Brought in by the paramedics."
"Give me a few minutes. I'll find out what I can for you."
"Thank you very much." Afterwards, I take my seat between Deb and Emmett.
Too much time passes and I still haven't heard back from that nurse. I walk outside and light up a cigarette. I had tried to quit in New York. I failed miserably. Plus, I believe I deserve one after the week I've had.
I hate to waste a cigarette, but only halfway through, I noticed the nurse come back to the waiting area and begin to speak with the group. I put out the wonderful nicotine stick and walked inside, still dreading what I was about to hear.
"...surgery...internal bleeding..." I catch a few phrases from the nurses initial explanation.
"Could you please repeat that for me?"
"As I was telling the rest of your family, Mr. Kinney was given a CT scan for possible head trauma. The doctors have told me that there is no cause for immediate alarm. Mr. Kinney was rushed into the O.R. for surgery to stop some internal bleeding. They were able to get the bleeding under control and he is in recovery now. Unfortunately, visiting hours are over, so I can't let you in to see him today. Please feel free to come back in the morning."
Having no other option, the eight of us exit the hospital. I catch a ride with Ted and Blake to Brian's loft. I just want to make sure that it's locked overnight. Of course it's not. The door is standing almost completely open. Luckily, nothing seems to be missing. I close and lock the door then walk back to Ted's car. He and Blake drop me off at Daphne's with promises to pick me up in the morning for a trip back to the hospital.
I notice that all the lights are off inside. Daphne's staying out all night again, tonight. She's been doing that a lot lately, I've noticed. Oh well, I go straight to bed, too tired to even take a shower or brush my teeth.