Richard sat in the waiting room with his head bowed. This had been the worst evening of his entire life. The doctors and nurses seemed to know nothing about the condition of Emily. It had already been several hours and the only information that Richard had received was that she was still alive. He felt weak, but was too nauseas to eat, too upset to sleep, and too distraught to find something to take his mind off the situation.
Finally, a doctor approached Richard with information concerning Emily. "Mr. Gilmore." The doctor began. "I'm sorry that you have had to wait so long."
"Please." Richard begged. "Just tell me how she is."
"She's very sick, sir." The doctor replied. "Your wife encountered a stroke earlier this evening. That's what caused her to lose consciousness. After running tests, we found more problems. Did you know that your wife is a diabetic?"
Richard shook his head. "No, I had no idea."
The doctor paused. "Were you aware that your wife has breast cancer?"
Richard's eyes filled with tears. He tried to hold them back, but he was failing. "No, sir." He replied. "I wasn't. How bad is it?"
"Underneath her breasts are black." The doctor continued. "She's obviously been fighting breast cancer for quite a while and obviously without treatment. The diabetes are at the worst stage, and the stroke…." The doctor paused. "The stroke has damaged the left side of her brain. She is in a deep coma."
"Oh my God!" Richard cried as the tears streamed from his eyes and he felt his knees give out from under him.
"I am very sorry." The doctor replied, as he himself fought back severe emotions. "This is always the worst part of my job."
"Is she going …. Going to live?" Richard asked, as his voice found its way through his tears.
"I've seen miracles before, Mr. Gilmore." The doctor honestly replied. "We'll do what we can for her. But, I won't lie to you… she's probably not going to live much longer. Her body has sustained a powerful hit of sickness."
Richard collapsed into a seat and buried his head into his hands.
"I suggest you call in the family." The doctor replied.
(The Gilmore House)
"I want to see my Daddy!" Lorelai yelled. "Take me to him!"
"Lorelai, I am sorry, but I cannot do that." Richard's sister replied.
"Where are my parents?" Lorelai asked frantically.
"I told you, dear, they had to go take care of some business."
"You're lying!"
"Joan!" Sabrina called. "Can you come here for a moment please."
"Yes, ma'am?" Joan asked.
Sabrina walked closer to the maid. "I cannot handle this girl." Sabrina whispered. "She is intolerable."
"Ma'am she's upset over her parents." Joan sympathized.
"What about myself?" Sabrina asked offensively. "Do I not have a right to be upset? That is my brother and my sister-in-law. She doesn't even know what is happening."
"Of course ma'am." Joan quickly replied. "I didn't mean anything by it."
Sabrina placed her hand to her forehead. "I need a drink. Watch the girl." Sabrina exited the living room.
Lorelai was sitting on the couch crying. Joan's heart went out to the young child. She walked over and sat down beside her. "It'll be alright." Joan said soothingly, as she placed her hand on the young girl's shoulder.
"What happened, Joan?" Lorelai asked in a much calmer tone that she used with her aunt.
Joan carefully chose her words. "You mother became ill this evening. She needed to go see a doctor at the hospital. So, your father took her."
"Is she okay?" Lorelai asked heartbrokenly.
"I'm sure she is, sweetheart." Joan smiled. "Your father hasn't called yet, but I am sure he will soon. You can talk to him then."
"I don't want her to die, Joan…" Lorelai's voice broke as she buried her head into the maid's apron. "I always said I did, but I don't!"
"Shh …" Joan whispered. "I know." Joan wrapped her arms around the small girl. "It'll be okay, Lorelai. Please, stop crying."
The phone rang. Sabrina quickly answered it. "Hello?"
"Sabrina…" Richard replied gravely. His voice was hard and emotionless. "Call the family."
"Richard?" Sabrina asked. "Richard, what is going on. Is everything okay?"
"Call the family." Richard repeated. "Tell them to come to the hospital."
"Ohhh…" Sabrina's voice cracked as she placed her hand to her mouth. "Richard… no…"
"Please, hurry. Time is precious." Richard hung up the phone.
Sabrina let several tears stream down her face. Finally she pulled herself back together. She picked up the phone and began dialing numbers.
"Hello, Mr. Hanson…" Sabrina began. "This is Richard's sister, Sabrina. I'm so sorry…"