A Heavy Heart 7/20
Chapter Seven:
Terry barely stops the car before Don leaps out and runs for the emergency room entrance. He bursts through the door looking around frantically for any familiar face. He sees his father and the two men rush towards each other.
Alan is already in tears and as Don embraces him, he begins to cry as well.
"Is he...?" Don can't bring himself to say the word.
"They won't tell me anything," Alan sobs.
Don's not sure if he's holding his father up or vice versa but they grasp each other with a desperation born out of having already lost someone they love.
Terry enters and speaks to Laurel briefly since Larry's still practically useless, consumed by grief.
The two women speak to the hospital staff and manage to secure a private waiting room for the family. Terry gently guides Don and Alan into the room, promising to bring them a doctor with answers as soon as possible.
Don and Alan sit together on the couch, consoling each other as best they can.
It's not like before though. Alan knows his wife lived a long life, not long enough certainly, but enough to raise two sons and see her husband into retirement. Charlie... Charlie has barely begun to live, despite his academic head start. 'It's so unfair', Alan thinks.
The door opens and a doctor enters. "Are you the family of Charles Eppes?"
Alan suddenly can't speak but Don manages a nod, just barely. Alan's holding his breath in fear but Don pulls up reserves he didn't realize he had and asks, "Is Charlie alive?"
"Yes," the doctor answers.
Alan lets his breath out but doesn't relax yet.
"Is it his heart?" Alan asks, fearfully.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."