Chapter 54 Die

Parker pressed the elevator button, waited for the car to arrive, and stepped in when the stainless steel doors slid open. He slumped against the back wall and scrubbed his eyes with his fists, remembering.

Entering the room he'd been directed to, he saw Brennan sitting beside the bed, holding his hand. Parker put his arm around her shoulders and asked, "When did this happen? What does Zach say?"

"He passed out while mowing the lawn yesterday afternoon. The doctors think the tumor in his head may have returned. He's had clean scans for years, but there's always that chance," his stepmother stated softly.

"I've never seen him this still," Parker said. "Even when Dad's asleep, he's always moving around."

Brennan smiled wanly. "Yes, his restlessness has awakened me on more than one occasion."

"You wanna go get some rest? I can stay with him."

"No, Parker, I need to be if he wakes up."

"If? It's that serious?"

"Yes, it could be. His doctors ran run all sorts of tests; will have results tonight. Zach says tumors like his can recur."

"Do I need to pick Christine up?"

"She and Andrew are driving up."

"Josie's flying in tomorrow with the kids. She thought I should be here with you, though."

"She's very considerate, Parker," Brennan squeezed his hand. "It means a lot to both of us that you came so quickly."

"I feel like Dad did when Pops got sick. Powerless. I want to DO something!"

"We all face our end at some p-" Brennan choked, couldn't continue. "We've always argued about who would go first," she said shakily.

"Parker!" His dark haired younger brother walked in.

"Zach! You look like hell, bro."

"I sat up with him last night; only way Mom would relent and get some sleep. Had to work today."

"When will we know?"

"It doesn't look good. He's not in pain, but may not regain consciousness."

"What're we gonna do without him, Parker?"

A/N: I borrowed Razztaztic's characters for this. Couldn't conjure up a family for something so sad. I hate this prompt!