Thank you all so much for following this tale. Here is chapter four. I hope you enjoy it. Please understand this is a fictional story. None of the people are real. They are complete figments of my own imagination. This story has a long build up, so if you are looking for a quick flash and burn, please read something else. Thank you once again and enjoy. IR2R
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Hours passed. But for the occupants in the OR waiting room, it seemed like a millennia. After several hours a doctor emerged.
"Is the family of Ms. Kingston here?" he queried.
Darren leaped to his feet and rushed to him. "My sister Doc, don't tell me she's ....?" He pleaded as fear laced his voice. He couldn't finish that thought. Clemmie had to live. If she didn't, he couldn't go on.
All the others had gathered round to hear the news.
"Mr. Kingston, I'm Doctor Kumal. Ms. Kingston survived surgery. The next few hours are critical. She has suffered a severe trauma and we won't know the full effect for a while. For now, she's in recovery and being monitored. I can let you in to see her, but only for a few minutes." He explained.
Darren nodded and followed the doctor to where his sister, his heart lay. He couldn't believe how viciously she'd been beaten. Her entire face was a covered by a bandage.,. Her body wrapped in gauze to protect her wounds. Darren was afraid to even touch her for fear of hurting her even more.
Then a soft voice whispered, "You can touch her. Talk to her."
He looked around and saw that a nurse had entered the room. "She's hurt, She's hurt so badly." He cried softly, unashamed of the tears spilling down his cheeks.
"I know," the nurse replied, "But she's a fighter and she survived. Always remember that."
Darren nosed. Then he leaned over to Clemmie and told her he loved her and he'd be there for her no matter what. After another few minutes, the nurse escorted him back to the waiting room.
Darren couldn't speak. His job was to protect her and he'd failed. His sister, may not survive because he got the idea he could have a normal life. If he wasn't taking classes, he could have just moved in with her and that bastard would have never gotten to her. Clemmie being hurt was his fault. He forgot the rules, the rules of the streets.
People like him didn't go to school, get cushy jobs. They fought in the jungle, the jungle of the streets.
Shaun saw the look in Darren's eyes and knew he was about to lose his pseudo-son. He knew how angry and powerless he felt; he understood the guilt.
"Delia, take Michal and Kevin home. I want Kevin to stay at the house for a few days. I'm staying here with Darren." He told his wife. But like the others, she refused to leave until they were certain Clemmie was out of danger.
No one left; they all sat there quietly for a few hours. Soon, the nurse that talked to Darren earlier came and informed them that Clemmie had been moved to ICU and they could each sit with her during visiting hours, but the time would be limited.
Maria bid everyone good night, and although Gianni resisted, they went home. She promised he could come back and be with them the next day, but for now they had to go.
Gianni walked over to Darren and hugged him. Darren didn't respond. Gianni cried softly as he embraced his big brother. He knew how much this hit him. He was so angry, but there was nothing he could do. "Darren, I'll be back tomorrow. I'll sit with you. Please be strong." Gianni told him through his tears.
Realizing who was speaking, Darren returned his embrace, but did not speak. Gianni and his mother left.
They all stood to go home, knowing each of them would be back in the ICU waiting room the next morning.
Darren asked for directions to Ice and the nurse told him. He went there. Shaun followed. He wouldn't walk away from him. At least not right now. Darren was too close to going over the edge.
Delia stood and told Kevin and Michal to come home with her, but both young men refused. They couldn't leave. They had to make sure she survived the night. Delia realized, she too wanted to stay. So the entire group spent their first night sitting in the ICU waiting room at Mt. Vienna Medical Center.
No one really slept. A few hours later, a hospital worker came in and directed the group to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. They went, but only wanted coffee.
After they were gone, the doctors examined Clemmie once more and were pleased to see she was breathing on her own. Her vitals were strong; she was still critical, but these were good signs.
The next morning, Dr. Kumal and the other doctors wanted to speak with Darren about Clemmie's condition. He stood, but he wasn't standing alone this time. Four more people stood with him. They followed the doctors to a conference room to be informed of Clemmie's injuries and treatment.
They met with her entire surgical team. As well as accounts and billing, they requested her insurance information. Delia, told Darren not to worry, she'd get the information for Clemmie from her job. She immediately called her friend at the home. The administrator was horrified at the news and asked if they could do anything to help. She quickly relayed the information to Delia and told her what forms she needed to fill out. Delia gave the information to payable and billings. Darren realized that even with insurance, it wouldn't cover everything.
It didn't matter. He'd go to work. He could do unlicensed repair work, and get his other two jobs back. This was his sister and he'd take care of her. Kevin placed his hand on his shoulder, silently communicating that he had his back.
Darren didn't push him away. Kevin was a true G. He stood with him through everything. Unbeknownst to both young men, Shaun had already made the choice to cover the hospital cost. They weren't quitting school to work and pay this. He had to protect Darren, keep him from reverting back to the streets.
Delia wanted to stay longer, but she needed rest. Shaun told her to go on home and asked Michal to go with her and make sure she rested. Michal wanted to refuse. He wanted to be near Clemmie. He didn't want to go, but for now taking Mom home was for the best.
