Ch. 7
In the Hospital waiting room:
(Lars is sitting by himself with a blank look on his face. His eyes are red like he's been crying. He looks up and sees Otto, Reggie and Sam come in).
Lars: What are you doing here Rocket Dork? It is your all your damn fault this happened. Just leave before you make things even worse!
Otto (quietly): I know Lars. You're right. It IS my fault! I've been acting like a total ass to Twister. (a tear slips down Otto's face) He never should have been out there surfing by himself. I am so sorry this happened. I hope he is going to be ok.
Lars: It's a little late for an apology.
Reg (crying): Do you know how he is yet?
Lars: They wont let me go in there. My parents are talking to the Dr. now. They said that he would have drowned if a shoobie hadn't seen him floating in the water and pulled him out at the last minute.
Sam: (trying to comfort everyone) He's going to be ok. I know he will. (He hugs Reggie who is really sobbing now).
Otto (starting to freak out): Twist was right! I AM a loser! I should have apologized to him a week ago and we wouldn't even be here now. I let my damn ego and pride come before my best bro's feelings. Oh man, oh man, oh SHIT! What have I done!!! What if he dies Reggie? He's my best bro! He's like a real brother to me! How could I have been such ass? What am I going to do without him? Oh MAN! What have I DONE?
Sam: Stop acting like the worst has happened. He's not dead yet. He's going to be OK. I know he is!
Reg (trying to calm Otto): It's not all your fault little bro. Raymundo always tells us never to surf alone. Twister knows better.
Otto: I swear if he's ok I'll never bust him again or any of you guys either.
(A few minutes later Mr. And Mrs. Rodriguez come back. Lars, Reggie Otto and Sam all jump up when they see them).
Everybody: How is he?
Mrs. R (still very upset): The Drs. Say he has a good chance of being ok but he's still unconscious. They think he has a concussion where he hit his head on a rock.
Mr. R.: They don't know when he will regain consciousness.
Otto: Can we see him now?
Mr. R: Yes. Maybe when he hears his friends' voices he will snap out of it.
Reggie: You go first Lars, and then we'll go.
(Lars walks down to hall to Twisters room. He comes back in about 30 minutes looking really upset).
Reg: How is he Lars?
Lars: He looks like hell. It doesn't look good at all. I just wish I had been a little nicer to him every once in awhile…
Reg: (puts a hand on Lars' shoulder) He's going to be fine Lars.
Lars: I hope so too.
(Otto, Reggie and Sam go see Twister. He's hooked up to all kinds of medical machines and looks terrible. His eyes are sunken in and his head is bandaged up.
Reg: Man, he doesn't even look like himself.
Sam: He's so pale….
Reg: Twister…if you can hear me…we're all here for you. Even Otto. We know that you will pull through this…please don't give up!
Sam: Twister, what would I do if I didn't have you to laugh at me when I wipe out and call me The Squid all the time? Please be ok!
(Otto starts to say something, but turns around and runs out of the room)
Otto (running down the hall): Shit! I gotta get outta here! I just can't see him like this. I can't do this!
(He bumps into Raymundo and Tito who are coming around the corner).
Ray: Slow down Otto! Where are you going so fast?
Otto: Raymundo he looks so bad! He looks like he's….like he's…DEAD! It's all my fault. I can't do this. I've gotta get outta here!!
Ray: Calm down Otto. He's not dead. Sandy and Raul (Mr. And Mrs. Rodriguez) just told us that he's going to be ok.
Otto: Why won't he wake up then?
Ray: I don't know Otto, but he will.
Otto: I can't believe I acted so whacked!!
Tito: Its like the ancient Hawaiians say. Never take the pineapple for granite because you never know when the droughts will come and destroy them.
Otto: Huh?
Ray: Huh?
Tito: It means that you never know how much you appreciate something until you think you might lose it little Rocket cuz.
Otto: I just wish I could go back to last week and tell him that I'm sorry for being such a lame-o.
Tito: Why don't you tell him now?
Otto: He's unconscious!!
Tito: He can still hear you little cuz. Now go back in there and tell him how you feel.
(Otto goes back to Twisters room)
Otto: Sorry guys. I needed a second by myself.
Reg: Its ok, Otto. We understand.
Otto: Um…can I have a few minutes alone with Twister?
Reg and Sam: Sure.
(They leave and Otto sits beside Twister's bed).
Otto (feeling a little weird): Um…hey Twister…bro…it's me, Otto. Can you hear me? Umm…look…I know you probably still hate me right now, but I just wanted you to know that I'm really sorry for being such and ass. You were right all along. I knew it the whole time, but…well…you know me…I don't like to give in. I guess I finally realized that what everybody says is the truth—I AM a self-worshipping asshole, but that's just the way I am. I can't help it!! See…the reason I bust you all the time is cause I know that you can beat me and well….I guess it scares me. Everybody expects me to be the best at everything and I have to live up to that rep. Also, I really hate to lose…but you knew that. If you wake up…no…I mean WHEN you wake up I promise that I'll stop bragging about myself all the time and let you have some of the credit. Just please be OK Twist!!! (Otto's eyes fill up with tears)
(Otto stays with Twister until visit hours are over)
AN: more soon!! Thanks for all the great reviews!