Friday Night
Friday felt like it would never come, but it was here. All the tension Brady felt 20 hours ago has dissipated and he was grateful for that. As Brady got out of his Jeep, he knew that he had to make their Friday night count. They have become more important to him than to her. As he pressed the door bell, he wondered what Chloe wanted to watch tonight. It was strange that she didn't call him with a list of video requests. Maybe she wanted to watch something that she already owned.
N: (opening the door) Oh, Brady.
Br: I hope I'm not too early.
N: No, you're not. Come on in.
He came inside, hoping that Chloe was waiting, either in the living room or the kitchen but when didn't see her, he grew concerned.
Br: (removing his jacket) Where's Chloe?
N: (solemn) She's upstairs.
Br: What is she doing upstairs? I thought that last night…
N: … that she was on her way back? I did too. But today, she was so exhausted. The doctors said this was to be expected, but I can't help feeling…
Br: (touching her shoulder) I know, Mrs. Wesley.
N: I keep telling myself that we were blessed to have yesterday, but I want more days like that. Pretty selfish, huh?
Br: No. The only way to get what we want is to want it, more than anything.
N: Let's hope that our selfishness will pay off. I'll check to see if she's awake. Have a seat.
Brady sat on the couch, leaned back and tried to relax. He tried to brush away the doubts he had about Chloe's recovery. He didn't want to think that her energy was symptomatic of the euphoria that dying people have before the end. He closed eyes and tried to be like Belle, optimistic and hopeful. While Brady concentrated, Nancy came downstairs. She stood in the foyer, and stared at an exhausted Brady. She thought back to the night when their lives changed.
**********FLASHBACK***********
N: (hysterical) Craig, please hurry.
Cr: I am, Nancy. She is going to be fine, I promise you.
Craig opened the car door and carefully carried Chloe out of the car. Nancy climbed out and ran along Craig, trying to wake Chloe.
N: (crying) Chloe baby, please open your eyes for Mama. Please, baby. Oh, God, if there's one time for Chloe to obey me, let it be now. Chloe, please wake up.
The emergency room team met the Wesleys in the corridor. They wheeled out a gurney and Craig carefully placed Chloe on it. The team quickly wheeled her to the E.R. as Nancy and Craig ran along. As Nancy stroked Chloe's hair, she began to rouse.
Ch: (moaning) Brady…
N: (crying) Chloe, baby…
Ch: (groaning) Mama, what's happening?
N: (composed) We're in the E.R. You've fainted again.
Ch: (attempting to sit up) I'm fine.
She became dizzy and fell onto the gurney.
Cr: (calmly) Chloe, you need to relax.
A nurse placed an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth.
Ch: (voice muffled) Where's Brady?
Craig and Nancy looked at each other.
Cr: (calmly) He will be here. Don't worry.
Craig ran to the physician on duty and explained Chloe's history. Nancy held on to Chloe's hand as the nurse took Chloe's blood pressure. Tears welled in Chloe's eyes as she watched the nurse fold the cuff.
Ch: (voice muffled) I've got to talk to him, to explain… (turning to Nancy) Please, Mama. You've got to explain…
N: (tears flowing) Sweetheart, you need to calm down.
Ch: (removing the mask) You've got to tell him that I didn't mean it. (sobbing) I've hurt him, Mama. I've hurt him so deeply. I know you hate him, but please promise me that you will tell him I am sorry. He may never speak to me again, but he has to know…
Nancy replaced the mask over Chloe's nose and looked into her eyes.
N: Shhhh… (whispering) He will speak to you again. Whatever you said didn't destroy what he feels for you. He is a very strong person, Chloe. I bet he is pulling into the hospital parking lot right now. If he was here, he would insist the same thing Craig and I are. He would want you to calm down and let the doctors take care of you. (kissing Chloe's forehead) I promise that I will tell him what you said, but I'm telling you, his mind is on you, not on his wounded pride.
Chloe managed a half smile as Nancy stroked her hair.
Nurse: Mrs. Wesley, we need you and Dr. Wesley to leave.
Nancy squeezed Chloe's hand.
Cr: Come on, Nancy. We have to let them do their job.
Nancy released Chloe's hand, but Chloe's grip remained firm. Nancy leaned to Chloe's ear.
N: (whispering) Now, how can I tell Brady what you told me, if you won't let me go?
Chloe slowly released Nancy's hand. Craig leaned over and kissed Chloe's forehead. Craig led Nancy away from the gurney, as the nurse pulled the curtain. He guided her through the dark corridor toward the waiting room. He could feel her trembling as they reached the room. He led her to a chair and sat her down. Nancy bowed her head and wept quietly. Craig kneeled in front of her and lifted her chin.
Cr: (quietly) Nancy, I want you to listen carefully. Chloe will be fine. I've hired the best physicians, nurses, lab techs that this institution can afford. They are the cream of the crop. They won't stop until they figure out what's wrong with her. They will find it and cure it. I pro-…
N: (icily) Don't promise me anything, Craig. You know that there are illnesses that even the best doctors can't cure. Don't promise me a damn thing, Craig, because I will hold you to your word. (voice cracking) And if anything happens to my baby, I…
Craig pulled Nancy to him as she wailed.
N: (sobbing) We've only had her for two years. We can't lose her, not now.
Cr: (calmly) We won't, Nancy.
N: (sobbing) Oh, God. I forgot to tell her I loved her. What kind of mother forgets that? (standing up) I've got to tell her…
Cr: (pulling her down) She knows, Nanc.
Nancy's face crumpled as Craig held her. While Craig comforted her, she noticed Brady standing in the doorway. She pulled away from Craig, attempting to stand up. She walked toward Brady, wiping away her tears. His face became ashen when he saw her flushed, tear-stained face.
Cr: (to himself) Nancy, don't…
Br: (concerned) Mrs. Wesley, I know I'm the last person you want to see, but…
N: (quietly) Chloe wanted me to tell you how sorry she was for hurting you. Speaking for her and for Craig and I, it would be a good idea if you stay. I'm sure that you will be the first person she wants to see.
Nancy turned away from Brady and Craig and walked toward the corner most seats in the room. They watched as Nancy fidgeted in the chair.
Br: (slowly turning to Craig) Dr. Wesley, please tell me how she's doing?
Cr: (quietly) She was conscious when we arrived. The doctors are conducting some tests. We will have to wait. (looking at Nancy) I think that it's a good idea if we leave Nancy alone, for now.
Brady stared at the devastated Nancy.
Cr: I'm going to talk to Chloe's doctor. Can you keep an eye on Nancy?
Brady was fixated on Nancy, as she rocked herself.
Cr: Brady?
Br: (detached) Yeah?
Cr: Will you keep an eye on her?
Br: (roused) Yeah, sure.
Cr: Thanks.
Craig left the waiting room. Brady walked to the water cooler, continuing to look at Nancy. He took a drink, crumpled the paper cup and threw it away. He pulled out another paper cup and filled it with water. Cautiously, he walked to Nancy and kneeled in front of her.
Br: I know I'm pressing my luck, but… would you like something to drink?
Brady watched as Nancy's eyes fluttered. Brady grabbed Nancy's hand and twisted it until her palm was up. He carefully placed the cup in her hand and squeezed her hand until it formed a cup.
Br: You know how Chloe is. She hates having a fuss made over her. And if she sees you like this, she will get upset.
Nancy slowly lifted her head and looked down at Brady.
Br: We will have to follow her lead. If she's not scared, then we won't be. And if she is, we will have to be that much stronger for her. She's got the three of us, Mrs. Wesley. Just having you, is more than enough. But you need to know that you have three people supporting you too. Naturally, Craig and Chloe, but me too, that is, if you let me.
Nancy lifted the cup to her lips and carefully drank the water. She handed the empty cup to Brady.
N: When you're right, you're right. When Chloe is ready to see us, we can't worry her more than she already is. Excuse me.
Nancy rushed out of the waiting room and ran into the restroom. She stared at her blood-shot slivers where her eyes used to be. She washed her makeup-smeared face and splashed it with cool water. She took several deep breaths, watching as her face returned to its natural color.
Cr: (knocking on the door) Nancy…
Nancy grabbed some paper towels and dried her face. She rushed to the door.
N: (concerned) What is it? What happened?
Cr: (smiling) Calm down, Nancy. The doctors said that we can see her. She's going to be fine.
N: Let's go.
Nancy rushed past Craig and Brady. She turned around.
N: Where is she?
Cr: She's in the recovery room. Room 2.
She ran to the door and looked in the window. A curtain obscured Nancy's view of Chloe. Nancy didn't move.
Cr: Well, go in, Nanc…
N: (turning to Craig) Actually, I think that Brady should go in first.
Br: Why?
N: Because the last thing she said to me was about you. Seeing you and knowing that you've forgiven her would help her.
Br: But, Mrs. Wesley…
N: Trust me, Brady, I can wait. Go ahead.
Brady walked into the room, past the curtain and saw a sleeping Chloe. He sat next to her and held her hand. He kissed Chloe's cheek.
Ch: (groggy) Mama…
Br: (whispering) You really know how to hurt a guy. I've heard my kisses, described in many ways, but never motherly.
A smile crept across her face.
Ch: (groggy) Brady.
Br: (smiling) How are you doing, Diva?
Ch: (groggy) I'm tired. Where's my mother?
Br: She's waiting outside.
Ch: I want to see her. Could you get her?
Br: Sure.
Brady walked out of the room. Nancy's eyes filled with concern as Brady approached her.
N: (nervous) Is there something wrong?
Br: No. She wants to see you.
Surprised, Nancy rushed toward Chloe's hospital room. She turned the knob and paused.
N: (to herself) Okay, Nancy. Control yourself.
Nancy took a deep breath and entered the room. She tried to walk in as quietly as she could. She sat next to Chloe's bed and stroked her hair.
N: (quietly) Chloe…
Chloe's eyelids fluttered, as she struggled to open her eyes. As she tried to focus, a smile crawled across her face. Nancy hiccupped a nervous laugh.
Ch: Mama…
N: How are you doing, sweetie?
Ch: (groggy) I'm really tired, Mama. I want to go home.
N: (calmly) Sweetie, you'll have to wait.
Ch: (upset) I don't want to stay here.
N: You won't, sweetie. What I meant was… the doctors are giving you fluids. They hope it will make you feel better.
Ch: How long will it take?
N: Maybe an hour or so. Actually, you should ask Craig. He's the expert. But right now, he's signing your release papers.
Ch: Good. I want to go home. And Mama…
N: What, baby?
Ch: Thank you for talking to Brady. It made a difference…
N: (whispering) No, it didn't. Like I told you, nothing you say could destroy what he feels for you. Now, sweetie, I know you hate it here, but try to rest. Okay?
Ch: (squeezing Nancy's hand) Okay.
Nancy watched as Chloe turned away from her. Nancy could see Chloe fighting to stay awake, but it was as if her lashes were magnetically drawn to each other. Chloe finally submitted to her body's demand. Nancy smiled at her dozing daughter.
**********END OF FLASHBACK**********
Nancy watched as Brady struggled to stay awake. His head bobbed to the left. She walked to the couch and touched Brady's shoulder.
N: (quietly) Brady?
Brady awoke.
N: (quietly) I'm sorry, Brady, but she's so exhausted, she can't get out of bed.
Br: (pained) Oh, no.
N: Remember, we have to remain upbeat.
Br: (sighing) Okay. I guess I better go home.
N: Not in the condition that you're in. Why don't you stay for dinner? Maybe a good meal will energize you.
Br: No, I'd better go.
N: Come on, Brady. Craig will home later and… I hate to eat alone.
Br: (resigned) Okay.
N: Dinner will be ready soon, so sit and relax.