Chapter 3
Landon didn't bother to ask the main desk where Consultant Connie Marshall was, but headed straight for intensive care. It was only at that reception that he asked where she was. Before the receptionist could look, Connie Marshall came out a back office. She shook his hand. She had long black hair, pale skin, and glasses covering big hazel eyes. "Dr. Carter," she said. "Come through."
"I'll wait outside," Rose whispered. Landon nodded and followed Connie into her office. "As I told you on the phone your father is critical. He was in a car accident. A hit and run."
"A hit and run?" Landon echoed.
"He's had an extreme trauma. I have to tell you he's bleeding internally. The prospect's black."
"No," Landon whispered, eyes beginning to water. "This can't happen. I can't lose someone else I love so much. Not my dad." He swallowed hard, which brought on tears. "Can I see him?"
"Of course," Connie said. "Go through." She remained where she was as he walked out, wiping his eyes. He pushed open the double doors and saw his dad immediately. As Landon approached he saw his dads eyes were closed. He was breathing slowly, and he was attached to a heart monitor. There was a drip connected to his arm, blood slowly seeping into the bag. He was pale.
Landon pulled up a chair and sat down lightly. He held his dads hand. "Dad?" he whispered. His father stirred and opened his eyes slightly and blinked slowly in recognition. "Landon," he breathed.
"I'm here," Landon said, trying to hold back the tears. "You're going to be alright, okay?" He gave up holding them in and let it all out.
Rose watched from the window. Landon's back was to her but she saw his shoulders bent, shaking. She could sense his sadness and grief. She knew these things. It was a gift.
"Don't cry," his dad murmured, wincing in pain.
"Are they treating you properly dad?" Landon asked after wiping his eyes with a tissue.
"Fine," his dad replied quietly.
"I'm, er… being a bit emotional at the moment. Sorry."
"Don't worry about it," Mr Carter said weakly. "It's nice not having to worry about me for a while."
Landon held his dad's hand and looked down at the needle sticking out of it.
"Tell your old dad what's wrong? Woman trouble?" he asked pointing to the window, where Rose was standing.
"No," Landon said. "Well, not exactly her."
His dad gave him a questioning look.
"It's about Jamie,"
"Oh." His dad said. "Go on."
"This afternoon, during an operation… my first… the patient arrested. I froze. And then there she was. My Jamie. Only I couldn't see her. She spoke to me, she said it was the patients time and I was to let him go. I knew it was her, dad…" and then suddenly Landon was admitting the whole story to his dad. "She warned me someone was gonna get hurt soon and only I can save that person if I have faith."
His dad gave him the I'm-worried-about-you look. "Listen, dad, you've gotta believe me!"
"I do, son, it's just a little…" he searched for the right words. "Un-nerving."
Landon sighed and scratched his ruffled hair. "I need to have faith dad, and you have to have faith in me, 'k?"
His dad coughed and Landon grabbed a tissue to cover his dad's mouth. When he took it, it had blood on it.
"Water," Mr Carter croaked. Landon reached around for a cup of water and handed it to his dad.
"Nurse!" Landon called. A nurse from across the room came over and Landon showed him the tissue. He did a double take. It was the nurse from earlier in surgery.
"And this just happened Dr Carter?" he asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I'll go get the consultant." And he hurried off.
"Don't worry, but have faith in me." Landon told his dad.
Mr Carter gripped his son's hand. "I do kiddo, I do. Just don't give up, fight for me. I need more time in this life." He was struggling to speak now.
"Dad, hang on, all right? I need you, now that mum and Jamie are gone."
"They're not gone Landon, they're here with us all the time." His eyes shut.
"No." Landon sobbed, standing up. "NO!"
Rose came running in and held Landon in her arms as he cried. He was watching the Doctors and nurses running round his dad. Connie Marshall looked at him. "We're taking your father to theatre now, Doctor," she said. Landon nodded, releasing Rose he went back to his dad and held his hand. He followed his dad's trolley to the operation doors and just before letting him go the trolley stopped quickly. Connie said from behind him. "I would say goodbye now." Landon nodded. He bent down and kissed his dad on the forehead and then whispered in his ear. "I've got faith. I won't give up on you. You're gonna come through this, and before you know it you'll be waking up with me at your side." Landon stood up straight and released his dad's hand. He nodded to Connie that he was finished. She and the others took the bars of the trolley and went through the double doors. Landon looked up at the ceiling and pressed his hands together. He closed his eyes. Please let him come through this
You're doing good, he heard in his head. Keep going.
I won't give up. I have faith in him and the surgeons.
