Missing the Consequences – Chapter 5
Sandy stood at the window of Ryan's recovery ward watching him as he peacefully slept. He looked down at Ryan's foot, bound in a large bandage, and absently wondered how long it would take for Ryan to play soccer again.
"Severe open fracture…" The doctor's words seem to rivet in Sandy's mind. "Broken ribs, slight concussion…could've been worse, it was lucky he was wearing a seatbelt."
Yes, lucky…extremely lucky…luckier than Seth anyways, Seth who was currently still in surgery with no news on his condition. God, Sandy didn't even know if his younger son was dead or alive right now. He only knew one thing, and he tried not to think about it too much…if Seth or Ryan were permanently hurt by any of this, he knew he wouldn't be able to forgive Kirsten…nor would he be able to forgive himself for putting off getting her the help she needed.
Ryan blinked as his eyes adjusted to the bright light.
"Sandy?" he managed to croak out, seeing the man with the thick dark mop…a dark mop that he had no doubt passed onto Seth…where was Seth?
"Seth…the…the accident…Kirsten…" Ryan mumbled, feeling as if his head had been placed into the middle of a fog.
"Ryan? You're awake! How are you feeling buddy?" asked Sandy running over to the side of the bed, a slight sense of relief washing over him as he watched Ryan slowly gain consciousness. His son talking to him now seemed just like a dream a few hours ago; when he had heard the crash over the phone line, and had the dreaded feeling that he may never see his family again.
"Sandy…" Ryan spoke, trying to push himself off the bed, but Sandy placed a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him down.
"Don't try to move too much, you've just been out of surgery," said Sandy, followed by a pause from both parties
"Head hurts," spoke up Ryan again, as Sandy nodded in co misery. "Foot can't move?"
"Its in a cast, you fractured it," was the answer.
A few more moments of Silence…
"Seth? Where's Seth?" asked Ryan, thinking of his brother again, this time searching Sandy's eyes for the truth.
"Seth…he's…" struggled Sandy, trying to find the correct words as to not panic his son. How do you tell someone that his brother has been in surgery for eight hours, and may or may not be alive. Much to Sandy's relieve however, Dr. Jennings walked into the room before he had to answer Ryan's question.
"Mr. Cohen? I see your son has woken up. How're you feeling Ryan?" asked the Doctor, to which Ryan muttered "Like Shit." Softly under his breath. Doctor Jennings managed a grim smile at Ryan, before turning back to Sandy.
"I've came about Seth…maybe we should step outside," he said to Sandy, taking a glance at Ryan.
"No!" Ryan protested immediately, wincing at the strain it placed on his ribs. "I need to know…deserve to know…about…about my brother."
Brother…he had said it again…Seth, his brother. Before he had always been reluctant to say it, to him, brother meant betrayal, meant being used, meant having to cover for someone's ass whether you wanted to or not…but Seth had taught him a whole new meaning to brother. Brothers trusted each other, Brothers worked for each other, Brothers covered each other's backs, and Seth, unlike Trey, who had just a few days ago once again left Ryan to cover his own back, was such a brother.
"Please…" Ryan begged, looking at Sandy straight in the eye to let him understand.
Sandy paused for a moment, contemplating, before finally nodding in approval.
