Chapter four

The Tannoy System was loudly informing patients and staff throughout the hospital. Ste pushed Conal in a wheelchair along the large, spacious corridors, past the reception desk he had been to, past X-Ray, outpatient's areas and the café until they got to the entrance of Intensive Care. Ste stopped dead in his tracks.

"Here we are." (He pointed to the door)

"I'm scared Ste, what if he is really badly hurt?"

Ste took Conal's hand like he had done before and squeezed with that connected; firm grip like Brendan's and Conal knew what had to be done. Ste pressed the buzzer and waited for a reply… A woman answered.

"Hello?"

"Oh hello my name is…" (He stopped and pushed Conal closer so he could explain)

"My name is Conal O'Malley and my partner Brendan Brady is here and I would like to see him please."

The women didn't reply for at least a minute or two and when she did it gave both men a fright.

"I'll buzz you in."

Ste pushed Conal through the heavy doors and as he struggled with their weight a nurse on the other side was sitting at the desk looking on in amusement.

"You think this is funny do ya?" (His voice was pretending to be angry as he did his famous shoulder shrug)

"Ste leave it we are here to see BRENDAN not fight with the nurses. Anyways it ain't like we are going to get a date at the end of it."

Just at that moment another nurse came through a pair of double doors round to the front of the desk.

"Hello how may I help you gents?"

"Hello my name is Conal O'Malley and my partner was admitted here about four hours ago."

"Ok, what's her name?"

Ste broke in.

"Brendan. Brendan Brady." (His voice was strong and proud but then he realised what he had done and resumed his pervious stance)

"Oh sorry" (She looked embarrassed) "Mr Brady is through there – would you like me to take you to him?" (She only looked at Conal whilst putting and emphasis on YOU)

"I want Ste to come with me."

(Looking at Ste)" And what is your relationship with Mr Brady?"

"I am a friend." (His voice sounded disappointed)

"Ok if you would like to follow me." (She gestured towards a door on her left and Ste pushed Conal through)

The room was very wide with huge windows at the far end looking out over the road, there were three beds in total but only two were occupied and the room was full or expensive state-of-the-art medical equipment. Brendan was lying on the bed furthest from the door. As they got closer Conal and Ste realised he was on a ventilator. He had three drip stands surrounding him, a heart monitor and a countless number of bandages over his body. Their faces dropped. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing. Brendan, Brendan Brady lying so helplessly fighting for his life and the only thing that was preserving it was machines and medicine. The nurse came into the room.

"I am deeply sorry for you both. You must be tired, here sit." (She pulled a chair from the side of the bed for Ste)

"What's wrong with him?" (His voice sounded shy as if he only asked the question because he felt it was the right thing to do)

"Would you like me to get the doctor to explain to you in detail?"

Conal's face grew angry as the nurse avoided his question. But Ste could see the situation becoming more heated and decided to intervene.

"Yeah, ta" (he forced a smile in an attempt to defuse the situation)

The nurse smiled and went out of the room.

"What you playing at Conal? What ever happened to "don't fight with the nurses?"

"Sorry I just…"

Ste stopped him and tilted his head upwards so there was no escape from what he was going to say.

"I know you're scared but we are going to do this together, ok?"

"Ok." (He pulled away from Ste and lifted his head to look over at Brendan)

"I'm here Bren" (He took Brendan's hand) "you don't have to be scared."

Ste went over the other side of the room so as not to ruin their intimate moment with his apparent jealousy. Just as he was walking back to his seat the doctor came in.

"Hello I'm Doctor Kellerman. I am the consultant doctor in charge of Mr Brady's care."

"I'm Ste, a friend of Brendan and this is C…"

"Conal O'Malley Brendan's partner"

"Hello. (He shook his hand) I understand that you would like to talk to me about Mr Brady's condition?"

Yes (His eyes were fixated on Brendan.)

"Well I am afraid he has suffered some pretty severe injuries as a result of the accident."

Ste broke in.

"How bad?" (His voice was broken and his eyes were misty)

"He has substantial damage to the left side of his brain meaning that the right side of his body isn't functioning as it should."

Conal was still staring at Brendan's naked chest. He reached out and ran his fingertips through his soft yet masculine cheat hair. Ste went over to him.

"I think you should listen to the doctor." (He didn't look at Brendan or Conal; instead he stared into the distance)

Conal nodded and Ste turned him to face the doctor who had sat down to create a friendlier atmosphere to deliver such terrible news.

"As I told your friend Mr O'Malley Mr Brady has severe…"

"Brain damage, yeah I heard" (He looked hopelessly at the floor as the doctor carried on talking)

"He has been intubated and placed on a ventilator to help him breathe and we are treating him with a course of antibiotics as he has developed an infection around the damaged area."

Ste held his hand out for Conal to grab and as he did both men turned to each other and started to cry. The doctor left the room as both men sat embracing and attempting to console one another.