If there was anyone who oddly enough enjoyed thunderstorms at nearly two-thirty in the morning, it was Jason Reso. Unable to sleep after taking a short nap prior to the storm, the Canadian found himself lying in bed, reminiscing about the memories he and a certain childhood friend shared during their time at hockey camp in Toronto. Just about every other night a storm would take place and of those nights, he, Adam, and a few other cabin mates would sneak out of their cabins and run through the pouring rain, lightning and all. Not one of them cared about the consequences and were quick to shrug off the warning the other five cabin mates gave them before heading outside to act like the hooligans they dared to portray back home.
Finally after about the fourth week, which was near the time to head back home, the group of mischievous teens were called to the director's office after complaints from the girls cabin just across the mini wooden bridge. The minute they arrived, they were immediately ordered to gather their things and board the bus back home after putting not only themselves, but several others in danger. The two best friends could do nothing, but laugh in the director's face, making him even angrier than before, resulting in them being ordered out of the small, damp office.
Both knew the burly man with the bald spot the size of Jupiter, was short-tempered to be a director or any kind of personnel in the hockey camp and that's only when the idea of the five second pose came to mind just to leave a lasting impression. Neither had planned on the silly pose that would add to their fame in the WWE and surprisingly it worked, pissing the angry man off far more than before. Instantly, the pair fled in tears of laughter. As Jason thought about the memories that did go down in the camp that just couldn't handle their "awesomeness" as they would say, a small smile formed on his face. Out of all the friends he had made over the years, none of them had the affect on him as Adam. He honestly couldn't have met someone greater.
Just as Jason was about to close his eyes for the second time to try to get in some kind of sleep in order to be well-rested for his day off tomorrow, he heard his HTC vibrate against the nightstand sitting next to his bed. Averting his eyes to the shaky cellular device, a puzzled look crossed the blonde's face as he thought about just who could be calling him at such a time. Barely anyone on the roster was even up, so just who was this person that felt the need to call right when he was about to close his blue eyes?
Whoever it was had better have a good explanation, Jason thought. The blonde grabbed the cell phone from its charger and looked at the caller ID: Chris Irvine. What was he doing calling this early in the morning? He hoped not another argument went down between he and his wife. As of late, the Manhasset native and his wife of five years, Jessica were going through a somewhat difficult time in their relationship and each and every time they managed to shout a few regretful words, Chris always came whining on the phone about the words he wished he shouldn't have said, but ended up saying anyway. Jason could only roll his eyes at the thought of having to go through another hour long pep-talk with the Fozzy frontman.
Pressing the green talk button and placing the touch screen phone against his ear, Jason sighed in annoyance. "Yes, Chris?"
"I really don't think you'd be using that kind of tone if you actually knew what was going on, which I assume you don't."
Jason's brows furrowed instantly at that statement. 'knew what was going on?' About what? He shook his head, thinking it was just usual Chris, calling about some advice to keep his wife that he loved dearly happy. Besides that, there really was nothing else that he would be calling for at this time of day unless it had something to do with a last minute change in one of the shows.
"I can take a guess," Jason chuckled. "Again?"
"No, not again. We've been working things out for the better, but its not about Jess and I, Jase. Meet me in the hotel lobby in a few. I think its best I tell you in person."
"Tell me what in person? Chris...what's going on? Is there something I should know what?" Jason looked at the phone's interface.
No one was on the other end.
He closed his blue eyes, sighing in frustration at the thought of just why couldn't Chris tell him whatever that was so damn important over the phone. Wasting little to no time, the Peep show host climbed out of bed and threw on a pair of worn-down converses before heading out of the door with not an umbrella in sight.
By the time Jason arrived in the lobby, Chris was already waiting for him, sitting in one of the lounge chairs.
"So what is it that you wanted me to come down here for? Why couldn't you just-"
Nothing else needed to be said the moment Jason saw that familiar face, that he had known for twenty years plus on the screen of the television hanging from the wall. He felt a lump form in his now dry, throat as he found it ever so hard to swallow or even breathe. Blinking the few tears that managed to form in his eyes, Jason averted his blue orbs to meet Chris'. The look of sorrow could been seen on the former undisputed world champion's face from a mile away.
"I'm going to the hospital, did you want a ride? He needs someone there." Chris murmured. If he had spoken any lower, his voice would've been inaudible.
"You're right, let's go."
The two men made their way out of the hotel and into Chris' car, leaving little time to spare. With one false move, they could set themselves back a pace, resulting in them probably not ever seeing their friend again if he were to have his one least breath before they arrived in Tampa. Despite the distance being less than thirty miles and only a thirty minute, its not like either of them could lollygag or sit around and wait during a time like this.
Driving at a good, steady place, being sure not to lose control of the rental SUV, Chris lightly tapped his finger against the steering wheel, letting a sigh escape his lips. "I hope he's alright." He said breaking the silence finally. He looked over at Jason, who was blankly staring out of the window.
"I hope so too."
An almost an hour passed before the two Canadians arrived at Tampa General Hospital. They instantly headed for the front desk in the lobby the moment they burst through the doors, awaiting answers about their best friend's condition. Both men were soaked head to toe from the rain, but neither one cared. Answers were awaiting and they wanted them now.
"Yes, has Adam Copeland been admitted in here yet?" Jason said trying his best to catch his breath once he reached the front desk.
"And you are?" The receptionist with the wire framed glasses and snowy, white hair inquired.
Jason placed his hand over his aching chest, "I'm...Jason...Reso. Adam's best friend." He paused for a second to regain the air that had practically been knocked out of him on his way inside. Placing his large, wet hands on the desk, Jason continued, "Look, ma'am: you have to let us see him or at least know if he's alright. I know you're not supposed to do this, but his mother is all the way back in Toronto and we're basically the only family he has besides her. If-"
She cut him off.
"There will be no such thing," The elderly woman sneered. "Hospital rules is to not let anyone in the ER who is not blood-related to the patient. What makes you think you're any different sir?"
Jason grimaced at the woman's words, causing some kind of fire, that he didn't even know he had light under him, "He's my friend whose probably fighting for his life as we speak and doesn't have a damn family member around to contact the first! We're not asking much, but to just see him, lady. For all we know the hospital has no way of contacting his mother, who as I said before is all the way back in Toronto. I'm sure I'm in his of contact emergencies if he has one."
"Lady? Sir, I advise you to bring a family member here if you want to see your friend, whether they be all the way back in Toronto or not. Hospital rules, are hospital rules. If you cannot abide by that I can certainly have security escort you out. Its really all up to you."
"Come on, Jase. We'll just call Jude and tell her anyway. Then maybe if the hospital can get in touch with her, she can tell us." Chris whispered.
Jason turned to his friend, "But how do we know how long that will be? If she'd just let us know how he is, we can tell her for ourselves. I mean its better than the hospital telling her. They don't hold anything-"
"Ahem!"
The Canadian pair turned their attention away from eachother and to the stern woman, sitting with her hands in a folded fashion. This woman obviously wasn't one to break down when it came to letting a non-family member go on into the ER. Jason threw his head back, letting a deep sigh escape his lips as he ran his fingers through his damp hair. He lazily dropped his hands before looking the woman straight in the eye with those blue-green orbs of his. His face softening, instantly.
"Ms., please you have to let us see him. What if he dies on us? What if-"
"No."
No. The word repeated over and over in Jason's mind. What was he to do now? Its not like he could demand the woman to see him or even try to once again convince her to. She had obviously made up her mind and wasn't going to give in to him, no matter how desperate he was for answers. Jason could only nod as Chris placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll figure something out. Don't worry." Chris said, uncertainty in his own voice.
He honestly had no idea what to do either. Just as the two men were about to start on their way back to the rental outside, the heavy, white doors of the hospital burst open. In came several paramedics rushing in a bloody victim, who looked no different than Adam. Hell, it was Adam! Had his tattoos not been able to be identified, the chance of actually recognizing his bruised face that was covered in an oxygen mask and blood from the gash on the right side of his forehead was scarce.
Chris was the first to recognize his battered friend and once he did, instantly, he shouted out his name, "Adam!"
"Are you family?" The chief paramedic turned around.
"Well-"
Jason was cut off yet again, this by time by his fellow Canadian, "Yes, yes, we are."
"This way, then!" He gestured with his hands to follow. Both men nodded before taking off with the paramedic, leaving the receptionist dumbfounded.
Jason was pacing the waiting room across from surgery a good fifteen minutes before Chris returned to the small sitting room with two cups of coffee at hand. There was still was no word on Adam's condition after being in surgery for almost two hours now. Jay expected one of the nurses helping out in the operating room would at least step away from her duties of helping the doctor to specify what exactly was keeping him in surgery so long.
"Thanks." He rubbed his tired eyes and took a sip of the hot black coffee before looking up at Chris, who was leaning against the vending machine, sipping his own. "I have no idea what to tell Jude, man."
Chris drew the hot beverage away from his lips and took a seat next to his colleague, "We won't know until we get word on him. I wouldn't call her until then." Irvine took a sip of his coffee and took a look around the waiting room. "You'd think by now we'd get word on him, though. Not a nurse in sight."
Ten minutes passed before a man with gray, curly hair in dark green scrubs entered the waiting area. A worn out, look on his tan face. He gave a weary smile before opening his mouth, "Hi, I'm Dr. Montague, Mr. Copeland's surgeon. Nice to meet you. I understand that you're family,"
"Yes, we are," Jason said showing some kind of life in his voice now. "How is he?" he asked standing to his feet.
"I usually don't like announcing this, especially when a patient has been in as a bad of a motor accident as Mr. Copeland has, but...we honestly don't know how he has to live. When he was discovered by the paramedics he was breathing, yet unresponsive, suffering from severe head trauma and a hemorrhage. The blunt force to his head could've easily killed him right then and here, but its still safe to say that it can now. Mr. Copeland is no longer breathing on his own, but on life support as we speak. We're going to continue to run tests on his brain, but as I said before; we cannot honestly say how long he has to live."
"No, you've got to be joking." Jason laughed, trying his best to hold back the tears that so badly wanted to fall down his cheeks. He turned to Chris, "He's joking, right?" Of course he knew wasn't, but the thought of losing yet another friend was just something he did not and could not accept.
"Jase-"
"He's joking, right?" His voice cracked as the tears began to fall down his cheeks. Chris put a hand on the crying man's shoulder. Once he did, the sobbing took over.
"No, Jase, he's not." Chris uttered, ever so shakily as tears began to form in his blue hues. Irvine was never one to cry, but being the situation, it was all a different story. He bit on his bottom lip, holding the tears that threatened to fall down his cheeks back. He hated crying, and knew the circumstances only made it harder not to.
