Sorry for the delay in posting. Notes at the bottom as usual...
Chapter 35: A Long December
Beep... beep... beep..
The machine kept a steady rhythm. It was like a clock; never missing a beat, moving forward.
Gavin Mason sat in the hospital room, elbows on the bed and fists covering his mouth. He sat staring off at the wall facing him; thinking so many thoughts at once and not having a single answer for any of them.
The only one thing he wanted at this moment was for his son to wake up.
Jane called him while he was at work. She was near hysterical when she called; understandibly so. Their only son was in the hospital and was in such a condition, the doctors didn't know what would happen. When he found out what happened, he told his staff to take over. Lucas didn't mind and stepped up, like always.
He was so glad his brother-in-law turned himself around.
As he drove over, so many thoughts crossed his mind. The who, what, when, where and why were easily answered when he arrived.
He hated finding out these answers; as it left him with more questions.
It also left him not only sick to his stomach, but hurting as well.
He got the full story, from the one person that could talk. He had admired the young woman that told her story. What she had to go through, all over his son. She truly was brave.
And now, as he waited for his son to wake up; he contemplated all the things that happened to his family and was wondering.
If this was payment for all the bad things he did over the years.
The soft knock from the door barely shook these thoughts from his mind.
"Spinner?"
He looked away from the one spot he stared at the woman that was half way in the door. She had barely aged in the years they had been out of school. If anything, the blonde looked healthier than she did all those years ago. Motherhood had been a good thing for her, he thought.
"Spin? You okay in here?"
Spinner closed his eyes. "Might as well come in Emma, no sense in staying out there."
Emma grimaced and quietly closed the door behind her. She took the extra chair in the room and placed it directly across him on the other side of the bed. She sat down, laying her arms on the edge of the bed. She placed her head on her hands and stared back at him. Emma kept staring at him as he watched the spot he chose on the wall. Spinner kept glancing back at her; Emma blinking at him the entire time.
"I hate you sometimes." Spinner sighed. "You know that doe-eyed look annoys me everytime."
"It's a gift Spin." Emma smiled. "It works on everyone."
Spinner shook his head.
"I have some news." Emma replied. "Sean is heading into surgery for his knee."
Spinner sighed. "They'll fix him up real good."
Emma nodded. "Tony's awake. He's got a real bad concussion, but the nurse said that he'll be alright."
"Well, that's good to hear." Spinner sat back in his chair. "How is everyone else doing?"
Emma sighed deeply. "Managing the best we can, I guess. It's not everyday that we find each other at the hospital." Emma motioned to the spot next to him. Spinner nodded and Emma moved the chair next to her friend. She sat down next to him, crossing her legs as she sat.
"How are you really?"
Spinner blinked, staring at his son. "Really don't know how to answer that. It's too soon."
Emma nodded. "Jane send you down here?" Spinner asked as Emma looked towards her friend.
"She's worried about you." Emma sighed.
"She's a good woman." Spinner replied. "She's always been."
"You're a good man too." Spinner turned to her. "I know you're probably thinking this is somehow your fault. It isn't."
"It isn't yours either." Emma sniffed. "I mean, your kids are relatively safe."
"Benny is in the parking lot with Jay Hogart, smoking a joint. He's trying to calm his uncle down." Emma smiled. "Never thought I'd see the day where my flesh and blood is blazing a joint to one of our friends, so said friend doesn't trash a hospital."
Spinner snorted. "You must be proud Blaze."
Emma smiled. "I am. I mean, I don't like the fact that my son smokes pot to the degree he does, but at least he's a good person overall. Decent student and person, if a bit laid back."
"He takes after Sean a bit." Spinner sat back in his chair.
"And Emily takes after me. It's a fair trade Spinner." Emma chuckled. She placed a hand on her friend's arm. "He'll pull through."
"I hope so."
Tap…tap…tap…tap…
Emily Cameron sat in the waiting room, not sure what to do. She ended up tapping her finger on the wooden armrest of the chair. She had a lot going through her mind at this moment. She felt, for the first time in her life; empty. She had the answers for everything, but not this. The whole situation that happened in the last hour was something out of one of those television shows her friends watched. Still, she was now involved. Her father called from his best friend's garage. He explained what had happened. Her mom grabbed keys and purse, telling Benny and herself what was going on as they drove to the hospital.
Her father, Sean Cameron was probably the most prominent man in her life. He was a war hero, decorated for acts of valor and bravery in the Middle East. He came home; one of the lucky few that did. He reconnected with his mother, never really giving up the love he felt for her. He told her some time ago that his mother was sometimes the only thing that kept him going over there. To come back almost twenty years ago and to end up married to her, was like a fairy tale ending. Yet, as her mother told it; her father came back a changed man. He was still a good man, but she knew that war changed him. Their love for each other was what kept them together.
Tony Hogart; the obnoxious "older brother". He was always there, like the rest of her extended family. He was annoying, treating her like a porcelain doll. He did it to protect her; she knew this, but it bothered her. Deep down, he was a good guy; even if he could be a pain sometimes. Now he was in a hospital bed, recovering from a severe concussion inflicted from his own sister.
Juliette Hogart; the middle Hogart child and only daughter, was a menace. She hadn't always been that way, making a complete 180* change this summer. Before this, Juliette was adventurous, fun-loving and caring. She had been the older girl that she could look up to; go to and get a real opinion or answer without question. Then, she came back to school; changed. Juliette made it a point to torment and torture her and her friends. Emily didn't receive too much backlash; picked on a few times here and there, but nothing as severe as to what happened to Veronica Mason. Juliette was sent away; presumably to get herself healed and better.
Now Juliette Hogart lay in the morgue of this same hospital.
Alyson Manning had kind of become the replacement to Juliette this year. She hadn't seen Alyson stay here too long; her grandparents had arrived shortly after her family. She saw Alyson being wheeled out on a stretcher, her grandparents following after her. It was rumored that Alyson's actions had led to Juliette getting hit by that truck. She was a kind soul, but like Juliette; had her own demons to deal with. She had become close to her recently; talking about life in general, yet she didn't know the girl all that well. Alyson had kept herself at arm's length with most of them. She had only really opened up to her boyfriend.
The boyfriend in question, one Gabriel Mason; was in the worst shape. She shook her head to the damage he had received and couldn't understand how he managed to walk into the hospital. He was a beacon in her world, growing up together. He didn't treat her any different than her friends. He treated her like an equal. It was an endearing trait of his, among others. But she saw the young man as what he truly was, a man that proud of whom he was becoming.
Emily sighed. She heard a door open in the hallway and two familiar voices.
"No! I'm gonna find her and kick her ass, Shane!"
"Stop it. This is a hospital."
Emily got up from her chair and walked to the hallway. She spotted her close friend and her boyfriend. Veronica looked at Emily and jogged to her.
"Em, please tell me you have news?" Ronnie asked, hugging her friend. Shane merely nodded.
Emily broke from the hug, but didn't let go of her friend. "I have some news, but not much."
Ronnie motioned for her to continue. Emily took a breath. "Dad's in surgery, Tony is awake and talking. I don't know what happened with Alyson or Gabe."
"What do you mean?" Shane asked.
"Alyson left here on a stretcher about an hour ago. Her grandparents were with her. I'm guessing they transferred her to another hospital. I don't know for sure."
"What about Gabe? Is there any news?" Ronnie asked, tears in her eyes.
Emily shook her head. "I don't know much. He's alive. Mom went to see what she could find out. We don't know much more past that." She looked in Ronnie's eyes. "He's in really bad shape. He's got several broken ribs, separated shoulder, possible fracture to his collarbone. That's not including several cuts and bruises; maybe a concussion."
"Damn." Shane placed a hand to his forehead.
Ronnie shook in emotion. She shook her head and looked to her friend. "She's gone too far. She came after our friends, then me and now my brother? Enough is enough. I'm gonna find her and beat her up!"
Shane placed a hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. "Babe, you need to calm down."
"Fuck that!" Ronnie growled. "She's done enough. I'm taking her down a few pegs!"
"Ronnie, two wrongs don't make a right." Shane replied. "I should know."
"This isn't about you!"
"Will you stop it? You're talking assault and this is pre-meditated. You're gonna end up in her position." Shane was trying to control his temper.
Ronnie turned to Shane. "Do you think I care at this point? She needs to learn a lesson!"
Emily had enough. The two of them arguing wasn't going to solve anything. She spun her friend to face her. "You want to see Juliette? Do you really?" Ronnie growled and nodded. Emily took her hand. "Okay, follow me."
Emily pulled her friend down different corridors, Shane keeping pace with them. She led them deep into the hospital. After five minutes of twists and turns; Emily stopped in a nearly empty hallway. There was a lone figure sitting in a chair.
Shane squinted at the form. "J.J? What?"
J.J. Hogart looked up from his hands. He was surprised to see the three of them in the hallway. He got out of the chair and met them in the middle.
"Hey Shane, thanks for coming down." J.J. tried to smile, but was having a hard time. Shane noticed that he had been crying at some point. Shane looked up briefly, noticing the sign above the door. He pulled the younger man into a hug.
"Oh man, I'm so sorry for your loss Jay."
Ronnie looked at the two in confusion. Loss? She turned her attention to Emily. Emily merely pointed to the sign above the door while Shane and J.J. were distracted.
Morgue.
Ronnie took a second to realize what was going on. Her eyes widened and looked to her friend. Emily merely nodded to her, not saying a word. Ronnie realized that Juliette hadn't survived what ever happened to her. The two girls moved towards their friend and tried to comfort him.
"Oh J.J., I'm sorry." Ronnie whispered, taking Shane's place in a hug. "What happened?"
The door to the morgue opened, a doctor and Manny Hogart walked out of the room.
"Thank you for your help."
The doctor nodded. "Your daughter will be transported within the hour. You might want to contact the mortuary in the morning and set up all of your arrangements." With that, the doctor re-entered the room. Manny wiped at her eyes and noticed there was a small crowd in the hallway.
"Oh, wasn't expecting more people." She tried to smile.
J.J. broke from his friends and returned to his mother's side. "Mom, can I see her?"
"No honey, you'll see her at the service. I don't want you to see her this way." She knelt down and hugged her son. She broke the hug and nodded at him, keeping him at arm's length. "She's not hurting anymore, that I can promise you."
"Aunt Manny?" Emily spoke up, walking closer.
"Hi Emmy." She hugged the girl. "How's your father?"
"In surgery right now." Emily responded. "Are you…"
"I'm sad Emmy. No mother should have to bury her child." Manny sighed. "Why are you down here? Where's your mom?"
"Ronnie and Shane just arrived. I was trying to fill them in." Emily spoke. "Mom is with Uncle Spinner right now."
"Of course." Manny nodded. She looked over to the others. "Pumpkin, come here."
Ronnie looked down and walked towards Manny. Manny pulled her into a hug. Manny let a few tears roll down her cheeks, hugging her close friend's daughter.
"Pumpkin, I'm so sorry to what happened to you." Manny whispered. "You didn't deserve what happened; your brother didn't either." She held the girl within reach. "I wish I could've done more to not have this happen."
"Aunt Manny, you didn't know."
"I should've known pumpkin, I should have." Manny looked towards Shane. "Thank you for trying to help Shane."
"Wish I could've done more as well Mrs. Hogart." Shane nodded.
Manny sighed. She looked at J.J. "Come on honey, let's go check on Tony." The two Hogarts started to leave, only for Shane to place a hand on J.J.'s shoulder.
"You need anything, you get ahold of me. Don't go to Jimmy or any of the other older guys. They will only make things worse, not better." Shane looked at him. "Do you understand?"
J.J. nodded and the two left the hallway. The three watched them leave, taking a few moments to wait before talking. Shane turned to Emily. "What the fuck happened?"
"I only know what I was told." Emily started. "All I know was that all three of them were brought in, with Juliette dead on arrival. Gabe was… he was…" Emily turned to Ronnie. "Ronnie, Gabe almost died."
"What?" Shane whispered.
Emily nodded. "I heard the medics when he walked in."
"He walked in?" Shane's eyes widened. "The crazy son of a bitch walked in?"
"After coding on the way here." Emily finished. "The medics tried to stop him; he told them to eff themselves and walked up to the desk attendant. They got him in a wheelchair and wheeled him off. Heard from mom that they had to sedate him, otherwise he would've just died."
"Which room?" Shane asked.
"Room 6, back where we met up."
Shane nodded. "I'm gonna check up on my buddy. I think you two need some girl time." He saluted the two of them and went back the way they came from. Emily watched Shane disappear and turned back to her friend.
"I wanted to kill her. I wanted to beat her so badly…" Emily placed a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "I wanted her to suffer like she caused on the two of us…"
Emily pulled her friend into a hug. "I know. I truly know how you're feeling. I wanted her to hurt too, but never this." Emily held her dear friend as the floodgates broke; Ronnie silently sobbed into her friend's shoulder.
Thump…thump…thump…thump
Shane jogged the hallways, back to the immediate care wing. He couldn't wrap his head around what happened in the last hour. His best friend and his girlfriend were taken out by a woman, that up until five minutes ago; should have been pushed in front of a speeding train. That's at least if he was given the chance. But now, knowing the fate that she had come to; he had reconsidered that though.
As he slowed down to the door, his mind was racing a mile a second. How did all of this happen? He couldn't wrap his head around what had taken place in the last few months. There were nights where he would try and figure out how his life had changed so much. It was because of a small group of people that helped him change. They helped him become a much better person than he was before.
Now, one of those people were in a hospital bed; fighting for his life.
He approached the door and gently knocked before entering. He counted to five and slowly opened the door, peeking his head in. He noticed a blonde woman keeping vigil of his best friend. Shane recognized her as Emily's mother.
"Sorry, I can come back." Shane slowly started closing the door when the woman spoke up.
"You can come in, I won't bite."
Shane smiled a bit as he started to walk in. "If I was my old self, I probably would've made some crude joke at that."
Emma smiled at him. "I know you're thinking it. Let's keep those thoughts to yourself. Once my husband is healed up, I'd have to send him to kick your sorry butt."
This caused Shane to actually chuckle. "How is your husband doing Mrs. Cameron?"
Emma smiled. "He's in surgery right now. The doctor said they would have him fixed up in no time." She motioned to the empty seat next to her. "How did you know who I was? I don't think we've actually met."
Shane closed the door and walked towards the empty chair. "You look like a more mature version of Emily; kind of took a guess. Since I know Emily doesn't have an older sister; well, process of elimination."
Emma nodded. "Em is right, you are charming when you want to be."
Shane smiled. "And here I thought I was just good looks and super strong." He stopped just in front of her, offering his hand. "Shane Milligan."
"Your reputation proceeds you." Emma shook his hand. "Emma Cameron."
Shane shrugged as he took the empty chair. "I guess it's better than it was last semester." He looked at his best friend. "Damn. What did she do to you, bro?"
"He's in rough shape."
Shane looked in her direction. "Yeah, I guess I wasn't expecting it to be as bad as this." He moved the chair closer. "Hey buddy, I'm here. Emily and Ronnie are having a girl's moment. I'm sitting with Mrs. Cameron and hoping you can hear us."
Emma watched as Shane talked to his friend. She could see that there was a change in this young man. She remembered the last school year when she had a different opinion of this same person. She had listened to her son tell stories of the horrible man that Shane was acting as towards him and Gabriel. Now, she had a hard time believing the turn-around that Shane had taken; not only with his current classmates, but the younger kids as well.
"Sorry Mrs. Cameron, just wanted to fill Gabe in with the situation."
Emma shook out of her thoughts. "It's okay. I'm sure if it was one of my friends in this situation; I would've done the same thing."
Shane nodded, not sure what to say.
"He'll pull through Shane, I'm sure of it."
Shane smiled. "He has to, the guy's fucking Superman."
Emma looked at Shane surprised. "Excuse me?"
"Sorry, I forget my manners sometimes."
"No, I meant to say what do you mean?" Emma recovered quickly.
Shane looked at his friend. He took a deep breath, letting out a sigh. "You said it best when I walked in; my reputation proceeds me." He looked at his friend as he spoke. "It's common knowledge that your son and I don't get along. It's slightly unwarranted from him, but I have my reasons. He's a good guy I guess, I just don't have a lot in common with him." He smiled as he continued. "No offense, but your son being a bit of a pothead and me being a bit strait-laced…"
Emma laughed at this, holding her stomach as she did. She laughed for a few minutes, causing Shane to do the same.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt." Shane smiled.
Emma breathed, wiping a tear from her eye. "No, it's okay. It's refreshing to hear that." Emma smiled. "I've tried to get him to cut back, if not stop altogether."
"It's not that I find annoying. It's trying to get an answer out of him in English class." Shane turned to Emma. "It takes him five minutes to answer a question from Mr. Del Rossi that should take a minute tops."
Emma smiled. "Oh, don't get me started laughing again!"
Shane chuckled. "I see where Emily gets her looks, smarts and laugh from now."
"Now you're being charming good sir."
"Sorry, just happened to see the connection between mother and daughter." Shane smirked. He turned serious as they continued to talk. "It just isn't right." Emma turned towards the young man, as he looked at his friend. "Three months ago, I would've been picking on Gabe, along with a couple of others. I would've been running around with the same group of jocks, barely squeaking by the amount of work I do in school now. It would be sports and screw my studies."
Shane motioned to Gabe. "Now, I'm sitting here in a hospital; worried for my friend's well-being. The same guy that I would've picked on and harassed last semester. This is the same guy that helped turn my life around, got me to talk to my mom." Shane sighed. "I almost feel helpless."
Emma nodded. "Emily speaks very highly of you." Shane looked at her, eyebrows raised in near disbelief. "No, it's true; she says you've really turned yourself around this semester. She told me about the first time that she met you."
"Not my shining moment; giving half of the freshmen class the finger while glaring at them."
"Yet, you're still here." Emma nodded. "You are sitting with your friend…"
"Best friend."
"Sorry; best friend. You're waiting for him to wake up, to help him recover."
Shane smiled. "He did it for me. He got me to see that the crowd I was hanging out with weren't great people. He got me to focus on being a better person."
"…you two are gonna give a guy a complex…"
Both turned towards the bed. Gabriel slowly blinked the haze out of his eyes.
"I'll go get Gabe's parents." Emma got up and headed towards the door. "Good to have you back in the world of the living."
"Living…?" Gabe croaked.
"Long story buddy; we'll fill you in." Shane wiped at his eyes. "How you feeling?"
Gabe blinked a few times. "Like I got ran over with a bus." He looked at his friend. "Juliette didn't make it, did she?"
Shane looked down. "No. She didn't, but it wasn't your fault."
Gabe nodded. "Alyson?"
Shane shrugged. "I really don't know. Emily told us that she was taken to another hospital. Guess her grandparents came and got her; moved her on her parents' wishes."
"Sorry I messed up your date."
Shane shook his head. "You didn't cause the date to end. Although, we were enjoying dessert when I got the call."
Gabe groaned. "Oh man, that Italian place has the best desserts…"
"Yeah, you're definitely on the mend." Shane laughed. Gabe chuckled, but stopped in pain a few seconds later. "Easy bud, you're still a little tender."
Gabe leaned back into the bed. He sighed and looked at his friend. "Thanks for being here."
"We're brothers; it's what we do for each other." Shane grinned. "Well, you're damn close for that matter." Gabe smiled.
"Yeah, I kinda like having you around too." Gabe squinted. "Why is it so bright in here?"
"Yeah, you're definitely concussed. Think it's all the meds they have in you right now. You're lucky to be breathing." Shane breathed. "Dude, you flatlined; don't do that to us again."
Gabe turned. "Seriously?"
Shane nodded. "On the way here. You were dead for a bit."
"Awesome." Gabe said brightly, Shane looked at him in disbelief. "What? It's not everyday that you can say that you died and came back."
"When you're better; I'm punching you as hard as I can, in the shoulder." Shane shook his head.
"I can take it; I'm fucking Superman." Gabe grinned.
"Great, I'm Batman then." Shane facepalmed. "Didn't think you heard that…"
"I hear everything; I'm Superman." Gabe joked. The door opened, causing both men to look at the door.
Jane and Spinner entered and moved quickly to the bed; followed by Emma Cameron. They moved over toward Gabe and began to fuss over him. Shane motioned that he'd see his friend later and quietly snuck out the door. He let the door close behind him and breathed a sigh of relief. He closed his eyes and looked towards the ceiling.
"If you can hear me; look out for my brother. Help him as you can. Maybe some guidance for me on a few things; if you can spare the time…Thanks." Shane took a seat in the waiting area. He heard the footsteps and directed Ronnie to her brother's room. He watched her go in, smiling at his girlfriend; knowing how worried she was about him. He felt Emily sit next to him.
"You ok?" She smiled.
"You didn't have to say those nice things about me."
They looked at a spot on the wall, not sure where to go from here. Emily had sat in the chair crossed-legged and sighed deeply. Shane merely stared at the wall.
"Things are gonna change around here, aren't they?" Emily asked out loud.
"Maybe, maybe not." Shane grunted. "I guess we'll have to see what happens."
Emily turned to Shane, frowning. "That's not a very positive thought process…"
"Wasn't supposed to be Bindi." Shane closed his eyes, interrupting the girl. "I'm looking at this as I'm seeing it. He's pretty messed up; my girlfriend is out for blood and can't take revenge. Take the factor that his girlfriend is probably going through a lot of baggage from this whole situation." He turned to her. "Face it; we're all at ground zero and could be a lot of collateral damage from the fallout of this whole situation."
He stood up and stretched, facing away from her. "I'm not liking the whole situation; but I know where I'll be, right by their side."
Shane felt a hand on his arm. "I didn't mean it that way."
"Emily, I know that." He turned to face her. Emily had her head bowed down. Shane placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face up. He wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Things will work out in the end." Shane took a seat on the small couch. Emily looked at the spot next to him. He nodded at her; which she sat next to him. She leaned into Shane for comfort; he putting his arm around her. They sat in silence; waiting to see what happened next.
So like I said, sorry for the break in posting. I've been trying to readjust to the real world.
I've been poking at this chapter for a couple of months, mainly because I'm already in the direction I want to go with this story. Things are gonna change from here on out, but can't say how. I guess that you'll have to be patient and see where this goes.
Thank you that keep following, reading this story. It does my old soul good to know that I'm entertaining in some manner. I hope to keep a steady schedule of posting and keeping this all worked on.
Hope that you're well and all of your dreams come true.
Until next time. keep reaching for the stars.
