I gave myself the challenge to tell a story in one thousand words, using ten, one hundred word drabbles.
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The coughing has been going on too long. Sam knows that, deep down. Its confirmed as his father slumps over in his armchair. Even as he takes in Ben's ashen face and his mind starts screaming at him; his training takes over and he snaps into action. Hauling his father out of the armchair and onto the floor, he shouts to Holly to call an ambulance. It doesn't register with him exactly what he's doing. Doesn't register that he's subconsciously preparing to do CPR.
"The ambulance is on its way, Sam"
"Thanks love. Hear that Dad? They're coming."
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Sam hasn't missed the paramedics worried glances. They smile reassuringly at him, but he hasn't missed those looks. He's seen enough people struggling to breath at work. He can tell from the hue of his dad's skin, and the speed they are barrelling along, that this is very bad. He's probably worked with this paramedic crew. Can't remember their names right now. Suddenly the beeping goes haywire, and the paramedic has jumped up from her seat.
"Step on it Dan, we need to be there five minutes ago," Jesus Christ, Dad isn't breathing. "Stay with us James, nearly there."
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Sam sits down by his father's hospital bed. There was no reaction from the old man, not that Sam was expecting one. The intensive care unit is designed to be quiet and peaceful, but Sam just finds it unnerving. He takes James' hand, careful not to dislodge any of the various needles and clips that are attached. Sam starts speaking, he just needs to hear something other than beeps and artificial breathing. Even if its just his own raspy voice.
"You alright Dad? Course not, stupid question. In my defence, I haven't had much sleep these last two days."
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"Where's m'wife?" That shocks Sam enough to stop him in his tracks for a second.
"W-what?"
"Chrissy. Someone needs...tell her...pick up my little boy." Oxygen deprivation, brain damage. The words sprung unbidden into Sam's head. It could be fever. It could be their new normal.
"Dad...Mum's been dea-" He stops. He can't do it. He's a stranger to his dad at the moment, and he just can't bring that grief on again. "She'll be here soon D-James." He wells up as James falls back into a fitful sleep, apparently comforted enough. Sam doesn't share the feeling.
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No-one saw it coming. Not the doctors, not the nurses. One minute Sam was trying to calm down his confused father. The next he was watching in horror as he had a seizure. Its different with Ben. With Ben, he knows what to expect. But this is his seventy six year old father convulsing whilst the nurses scramble to control his limbs and brain chemistry.
"...Mr Hathaway? We're taking your Dad back up to ICU. We need to get his temperature under control, try to prevent this happening again."
All Sam can manage to do is nod, and follow.
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James wakes up slowly. Sam sees the fear immediately apparent in his father's eyes, and his relief at James being awake flips into a need to comfort him.
"Back with us?" James turns his head to look at Sam, but he still looks terrified. Sam starts to rub his shoulder, in an attempt to ground his clearly panicking father.
"Dad? Its okay, you're in hospital. You have pneumonia. You gave us quite a scare, but you're on the mend now. You're alright. Love you"
Hathaway manages a tired smile before falling asleep and Sam finally lets himself relax.
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"Mr Hathaway? Wake up. You're dreaming." James starts awake, coughing and spluttering himself into consciousness.
"W-where...?"
"You're in hospital Mr Hathaway, its okay, you're safe."
"Sam?"
"Sam isn't here Mr Hathaway. Its three am. You're alright." His eyes widen, and she knows that her words aren't sinking in. She takes his hand in reassurance and sits with him as he eventually calms. Once he's fallen back to sleep, she turns her attention to the patient in the next bed, who had alerted her to James' distress.
"Thank you Mr Longcross, He'll be alright now."
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"How's my garden doing?"
"Fine. Ben's been keeping an eye on everything."
"Someone could do with giving this place some plant food to be honest." Sam smiled. Never thought he'd say it, but hearing his Dad grumbling is fantastic.
"You complained that you wanted outdoors twenty minutes ago, now you're insulting the garden." He fusses with the blanket, making sure his Dad is kept warm.
"I'm not insulting it. Just saying it needs a bit of TLC." James turns his face up to the weak winter sun and smiles. "Beats being stuck on that ward."
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"You're being discharged today Mr Hathaway."
"About time." Suddenly, he backtracks. "I didn't mean- Everyone has been really nice I just-" She chuckles. The man has been one of the most polite grumps they've had in a long time.
"Its okay Mr Hathaway, I understand. You just want to go home." The porter comes through the door, with a wheelchair. "Looks like your ride is here."
"Oh... I can walk."
"Hospital policy I'm afraid. Can't have you falling over on your way out, can we?"
"Spose not." He grumbles. Then, "Thank you. For everything."
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Its probably not warm enough for this, but Sam just didn't have the heart to say no. So he and his father are in the garden, James wrapped up in a couple of blankets, complete with hat and gloves. Overkill maybe, but Sam will do anything make sure his dad stays well. He hands over a steaming mug of tea, that James takes gratefully, cupping it in his hands.
"I've been dreaming of this moment for twelve days."
"Tea sorts everything." James nods in happy agreement, sitting back, finally content.
"Its so fucking good to be home."