Decisions, Decisions
Title: Decisions, Decisions
Series: A Year in the Life - June 2010
Date: June 6th to 12th - National Headache Awareness Week
author: cunningdeb
Rating: G
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: Hannah and her parents butt heads over college.
Disclaimer: Pure fiction.
Part of my Allen-Lambert universe. Hannah is 17 yrs old, Josh is12 yrs old.
Even though this fic is inspired by the week’s observance, the theme is more of a backdrop for a main story I’ve been trying to write for a while. Enjoy.
--*--
“24, 82, 17, 4….hike!”
The football was passed and picked up for the throw.
“Go long! Go long!”
“Stop him Hannah! Knock him down!”
“Kris! Here! Here!”
Kris threw the football across the yard towards his husband. Adam had nearly run out of the lawn when the ball reached him. He jumped up and grabbed it. Before he hit the ground, Hannah caught him around the waist, sending father and daughter rolling into a heap. Adam came to rest on his stomach.
“Adam! The ball! Where’s the ball?” Kris yelled as he and Josh ran to their teammates. Adam groaned, slowly getting up….and he still had the ball.
They won! They won!
Adam spiked the ball and he and Kris hugged, jumping up and down, whooping, swatting each other on the butt and kissing just like on the pros - except maybe the kissing part.
After months of trying, The Goof Balls finally beat The Rugrats at a game of football. Pretty impressive considering Adam’s distain for sports.
“In your face!” Kris blurted out, catching his son in a headlock and rubbing his knuckles into his hair.
“Dad, quit it!”
Hands on hips, bent over to catch his breath, Adam finally looked up at his daughter. “Where the hell did you learn to tackle like that?”
“Dad.”
Adam straightened up, rubbing his side. “I should have guessed; knew it felt familiar.”
“Lemonade on The Rugrats,” Kris declared as he and Josh headed into the house, arms around each other.
“I think I need a shower first,” Adam declared, picking a damp t-shirt off his chest.
His daughter laughed, turning downwind. “And how!”
--*--
Hannah sat crossed legged on her bed, an array of college catalogues covering the mattress. She’d read through each of them a least twice and still nothing jumped out at her. No campus, no extra curricular activities, no course list made her yearn to attend any particular school. Every day more arrived in the mail, and every day the decision became that much harder.
“Any luck this time?” Josh asked, sauntering into her bedroom and sitting on top of UCLA.
“Nope.”
“Have Dad and Papa said anything yet? You know, you’re running out of time to apply?”
“I know…hey, how’d you know that?”
“Overheard them talking. They don’t want to pressure you but they’re getting worried.” He got up, stripping the glossy catalogue off his leg. He flipped through it. “Why not pick this one. At least it’s close to home.”
“I guess. It would be easier if I knew what I wanted to study.”
“Hey you two, time for bed.” Their Dad’s voice echoed down the hall.
“We know!” they answered together
Josh gave her a quick hug and headed back to his room. Hannah gathered the books and plopped them on the floor. Getting under the sheets, she hugged her pillow, staring at her favorite doll across the room. Hannah got up, grabbed Madeline, and got back in bed, remembering to turn the light off this time.
Holding her doll close, she wished making up her mind was a simple as it had been when she was five - eat the mud pie, don’t eat the mud pie.
--*--
“Anything wrong with your eggs? I swear, I didn’t put any vegetables in it,” Kris joked, alluding to the lifelong saga about Hannah not eating her veggies when he cooked them.
“They’re fine Dad…not very hungry,” she replied, flicking the bits with her fork.
Adam settled an encouraging hand on her arm. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find some school to interest you.” He took a bite of his toast. “Have you narrowed it down?”
“No.”
“Eliminated any?”
“No.”
“What about Liberal Arts? You can study a variety of subjects, maybe get interested in something…finally.” The last word was an afterthought and it should have stayed that way.
Hannah set her fork down and glared at her Papa. “So, what exactly are you saying?”
“Adam, leave it alone,” Kris warned.
“No Kris, we’ve held our tongues long enough. You should have narrowed down a list of schools when you were a Junior and had your applications in already. At this rate, it’ll be too late and you’ll have to wait another year.”
“Would that be so bad? Maybe it would give me a chance to try new things.”
“You could go on a mission or two, like I did when I was your age,” Kris offered, trying to be helpful.
“Maybe.”
Adam tossed his napkin down. “God, you can’t even decide on that! Hannah, wake up! You do know how lucky you are that we can afford to send you to any school you want? College is so important.”
Breakfast was forgotten as the tension rose. “That’s rich,” she laughed bitterly, “coming from a guy who quit after five weeks!”
“Hannah!”
“No Kris, she’s right. I did quite after five weeks but at least I knew the direction I wanted my life to take. I realized I learned better by doing and it worked out. I didn’t sit around waiting for something to come to me.”
“Well, some of us aren’t as focused and driven as you! Can’t you accept that I’m not like you and maybe it’s going to take time for me for settle on a career?”
“Yes,” Kris quickly replied.
“No,” Adam countered. He opened his mouth to speak and got a sharp pain behind his eye. He faltered momentarily then continued. “When you get home from school this afternoon, the three of us are going to sit down with every college catalogue you have and by supper, you are going to start filling out applications.”
Hannah mad a fist, fighting back a retort that could get her grounded for the next ten years. “Yes sir,” she hissed, getting up and pushing her chair away with the back of her legs. “May I be excused, I have to get dressed and Kevin will be here soon.”
Kris looked at his daughter and his husband. He nodded to Hannah and she stormed off. Adam was sitting in his chair, head between his hands, eyes closed.
Josh cleared his throat. “I, ah, got get dressed too.”
“Go ahead Joshie, I’ll drive you to school.”
“Thanks Dad.” He opened his mouth to speak to his Papa but changed his mind. It was time to leave before the next explosion.
Kris waited til their son was out of earshot.
“What the hell is wrong with you? She needs support, not ultimatums.”
“She needs to make up her mind.” The pain was back, now behind both eyes.
“By suppertime? Be realistic!”
Adam got up quickly and almost fell over. Kris caught him, feeling the sheen of sweat on his lover’s skin. “You okay?” He looked at Adam’s face, his eyes closed tight and his mouth twisted. “Damn. Let’s get you to bed.”
They never knew when these migraines were going to strike. Adam had never had migraines until they went through that horrible episode with Audra and Bobby almost fifteen years ago. Possessed by her spirit and in coma, Adam relived her murder over and over, experiencing everything she had. When the whole thing was over, Adam had been left with these intense headaches. The doctors could only give him medication and educated them on how to handle the pain. When asked if they would go away, they had no clue.
Kris helped Adam to the bed. He got him a glass of water from the bathroom and dug through the side table for the pills. Once Adam swallowed them, he laid down, vomit bucket beside him. Kris closed the blinds and kissed him softly on the lips, whispering he’d be back as quickly as he could after dropping Josh off at school. Adam barely moved his head, nodding, and Kris slipped out.
--*--
“I’m sorry Josh. It shouldn’t have gotten out of control like that.”
“Whatever. I don’t remember ever seeing Papa that upset.”
“I know, he’s usually so calm. Did it, um, scare you?’
Josh didn’t answer. Kris parked at the school’s entrance.
“It scared me,” Kris offered.
“No shit?”
Kris let the swearing slide. “No shit.”
“Then, ah, yeah, he scared me….Hannah scared me too.”
Kris recalled Hannah saying she wasn’t like her Papa. Well, the way she and Adam were behaving dispelled that theory.
--*--
He didn’t knock on the bedroom door - the noise would have been too much. Walking in, Kris’ noise scrunched up at the sour stench of vomit. He still wasn’t use to it. Throwing up was part of Adam’s migraines, a result of the intense pain that would attack his head. They had black out curtains in their room to stop the light but in the dim light that came from the hall, Kris could tell something wasn’t right.
Instead of Adam lying stock still as movements increased the nausea, he was rolling back and forth on the bed, hands on either side of his head. Kris moved in closer. Every muscle on Adam’s face and in his neck were strained. Tears poured down his cheeks and it appeared he’d missed the bucket, vomit on the bed, his shirt and chin.
“Adam?” Kris asked as quietly as he could.
Sobs left his husband’s mouth. “Head….breaking…help…please,” he choked out. Those few words made him throw up again.
Kris had never seen it this bad before and it terrified him. He moved away from the bed and dialed 911.
--*--
Hannah couldn’t concentrate at all that day. When she’d stormed out of the house, she was livid. Her boyfriend was driving her to school and she didn’t say one word to him and Kevin didn’t push it. How dare they try to run her life!
That anger faded a bit by lunchtime. She sat in the cafeteria, staring at her salad. Kevin sat with her and again, she didn’t say one word to him. So what if she was screwing up her life? It was her life, after all, not theirs. If she needed another year, why not take it? Why go through all the work and pay all that money for something she didn’t want?
By the time Kevin drove her home, she’d calmed down. And she talked to Kevin. Hannah told him what happened and he understood. Tentatively, she asked him what he thought. He was smart enough to choose his words carefully. He said it was her decision but maybe her Papa was right about Liberal Arts. That way, she could try different courses and find out what she’d like to do and get a diploma in the process.
Who would have thought Kevin would be the voice of reason. She hated having her parents mad at her. They’d disagreed but it had never gotten this heated before and she was sick about it. She thanked Kevin, kissed him goodbye - a lengthy goodbye - and went inside to face the music.
The house was quiet. Hannah dropped her school bag at the bottom of the steps and wandered into the family room.
“Hello? Anybody home?
She spotted her brother on the couch, legs pulled up to his chest. His head rested on his knees and he looked miserable.
Hannah sat beside him, thinking his mood was her doing. “Look Joshie, I’m sorry I exploded this morning. I don’t know why I did it; I guess I’m just as frustrated as Dad and Papa are. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”
Josh turned to her, tears pooling in his eyes. All thoughts of herself vanished.
“Joshie, what’s wrong?”
Before he could open his mouth, Mrs. Willowby came in. She also looked upset.
“Hannah, your Papa is in the hospital.”
Her world imploded.
“Your Dad is with him. He had a very bad migraine attack this morning, worse than we’ve ever seen. He called 911 and the EMS took him in.”
“Is Papa going to be alright?” She took Josh’s hand.
“I haven’t talked to your Dad since they left. I was to wait for your children to come home from school then take you to the hospital.”
Without another word, and with her brother’s hand still tight in hers, she hurried off the couch and to the car.
--*--
They were directed up to the sixth floor, Room 604. The kids peered in, afraid of what they might see. Papa was lying in a hospital bed, asleep. Their Dad sat beside the bed, holding onto Papa’s hand. The only sound was the soft hum of a monitor and the curtains were drawn, cutting out as much light as possible.
Mrs. Willowby cleared her throat, attracting his attention.
Kris looked over his shoulder and offered a tired smile. He got up quietly and came out into the hall, closing the door behind him. Josh threw himself at his Dad, needing his hug. Hannah held back, worried he was mad at her. Kris held out a hand to her and she moved in under his other arm.
“Mr. Allen, how is he?”
“He’ll be fine. His usual meds didn’t work so they gave him some stronger painkillers and a sedative so he can rest. He pretty dehydrated too.”
“Do they know why it was worse this time?” Hannah asked, fearing she was the cause.
“No Hannah, it just happened. They’re keeping him overnight and if he’s better tomorrow, they’ll release him.”
“Can we see him?” Josh asked.
“I think we should just let him sleep. I’ve been here for hours though. How about going with me to the cafeteria for something to eat?”
Mrs. Willowby and Josh nodded.
“I’m not hungry. I’ll just wait out here,” Hannah commented, gesturing towards a chair.
Kris kissed her on the forehead. “Okay baby girl. We’ll be back soon.”
As soon as her Dad, brother and nanny had left, Hannah looked about to make sure she wasn’t seen and entered her Papa’s room, closing the door behind her. With the curtains drawn, only a few shards of light came into the room. She wanted to talk, to apologize, but now wasn’t the time.
Hannah leaned back in the chair, arms crossed over her chest. She looked at the machinery in the room; some were being used, others weren’t. Hannah got up, looking at everything closely, wondering what the medical words and acronyms meant and what everything did. She even dared look at his medical chart. Aside from his name, birth date and insurance information, the rest might as well have been Greek - or Latin - and it probably was.
A nurse came in to check on Adam. She smiled at Hannah and went about her work. She said a few words to Hannah which was enough encouragement for the teenager to start asking questions. The nurse was kind hearted, answering everything she could about migraines, treatments, the medical equipment, etc.
Hannah absorbed everything like a sponge.
--*--
The next day, Kris gave Adam a hand getting into the family room. He still felt weak but was tired of lying in bed; he insisted Kris help him to the couch. Mrs. Willowby was there with green tea and a light nosh the minute he was settled in.
His husband hovered, driving Adam a little crazy but he understood; whenever Kris wasn’t feeling well, Adam got the same way. Adam put up with the pillow fluffing and the constant ‘are you okay’s, but when Kris tried to tuck a crocheted afghan from Mrs. Willowby around his knees, Adam put his foot down.
“Seriously baby, aside from being worn out, I’m fine….really…Kris, no…no afghan.”
“Sorry…just want to make you feel better.”
Adam leaned over and kissed him. “That makes me feel better.”
--*--
Hannah got home before her brother. She found her Papa in the family room channel surfing with the mute on. Her Dad was asleep with his head in his lap. Adam put a finger over his lips, carefully slipped out from under the dead weight and left him there - covered in the afghan. Adam strolled up to his daughter and engulfed her in a big hug.
“I’m sorry,” they both whispered. Suppressing laughs, Adam pointed towards the outdoor patio and they slipped out to talk.
“I was an ass.”
“No Papa, you weren’t…well, maybe a little, but you and Dad were right. I’ve done a lot of thinking since yesterday and I’ve made a decision.” She dug into her back pack and handed her Papa a heavy manila envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
Adam opened the envelope and pulled out a bundle of forms. He fanned through them, a smile slowly tugging at his mouth. “What changed?”
“You. I was sitting with you at the hospital and I started thinking about all the times I used to sit with you when you had migraines, being quiet and still, wanting to make it better and not knowing how. Then I started thinking about how I’d jump in when Dad or Josh or Mrs. Willowby weren’t feeling well. I realized I like to help people; I want to make them better. While you slept yesterday, I talked with a nurse, asked her a million and a half questions about medicine.
“I realized that was what I wanted to do with my life. So, I spent today with my Guidance Counselor and filled out six applications and she sent them off for me - these are copies. If I’m too late to apply, I’ll volunteer at a hospital or nursing home next year and reapply again.”
Adam didn’t know what to say so he said nothing. He took her hand and let his beaming face speak for him.
“I hope you two made up,” Kris interrupted, stretching and fighting back a yawn.
“Baby, look at these.”
Kris took the papers. A grin to match his husband’s materialized. “I think this calls for a celebration.”
“I really don’t feel like going out Kris.”
“No worries. We’ll stay in. Hannah, is there something you want to order in, or should I ask Mrs. Willowby to make some of your favorites?”
“I can’t decide.”
Adam rolled his eyes, accompanied by an exaggerated sigh. “Here we go again!”
Series: A Year in the Life - June 2010
Date: June 6th to 12th - National Headache Awareness Week
author: cunningdeb
Rating: G
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: Hannah and her parents butt heads over college.
Disclaimer: Pure fiction.
Part of my Allen-Lambert universe. Hannah is 17 yrs old, Josh is12 yrs old.
Even though this fic is inspired by the week’s observance, the theme is more of a backdrop for a main story I’ve been trying to write for a while. Enjoy.
--*--
“24, 82, 17, 4….hike!”
The football was passed and picked up for the throw.
“Go long! Go long!”
“Stop him Hannah! Knock him down!”
“Kris! Here! Here!”
Kris threw the football across the yard towards his husband. Adam had nearly run out of the lawn when the ball reached him. He jumped up and grabbed it. Before he hit the ground, Hannah caught him around the waist, sending father and daughter rolling into a heap. Adam came to rest on his stomach.
“Adam! The ball! Where’s the ball?” Kris yelled as he and Josh ran to their teammates. Adam groaned, slowly getting up….and he still had the ball.
They won! They won!
Adam spiked the ball and he and Kris hugged, jumping up and down, whooping, swatting each other on the butt and kissing just like on the pros - except maybe the kissing part.
After months of trying, The Goof Balls finally beat The Rugrats at a game of football. Pretty impressive considering Adam’s distain for sports.
“In your face!” Kris blurted out, catching his son in a headlock and rubbing his knuckles into his hair.
“Dad, quit it!”
Hands on hips, bent over to catch his breath, Adam finally looked up at his daughter. “Where the hell did you learn to tackle like that?”
“Dad.”
Adam straightened up, rubbing his side. “I should have guessed; knew it felt familiar.”
“Lemonade on The Rugrats,” Kris declared as he and Josh headed into the house, arms around each other.
“I think I need a shower first,” Adam declared, picking a damp t-shirt off his chest.
His daughter laughed, turning downwind. “And how!”
--*--
Hannah sat crossed legged on her bed, an array of college catalogues covering the mattress. She’d read through each of them a least twice and still nothing jumped out at her. No campus, no extra curricular activities, no course list made her yearn to attend any particular school. Every day more arrived in the mail, and every day the decision became that much harder.
“Any luck this time?” Josh asked, sauntering into her bedroom and sitting on top of UCLA.
“Nope.”
“Have Dad and Papa said anything yet? You know, you’re running out of time to apply?”
“I know…hey, how’d you know that?”
“Overheard them talking. They don’t want to pressure you but they’re getting worried.” He got up, stripping the glossy catalogue off his leg. He flipped through it. “Why not pick this one. At least it’s close to home.”
“I guess. It would be easier if I knew what I wanted to study.”
“Hey you two, time for bed.” Their Dad’s voice echoed down the hall.
“We know!” they answered together
Josh gave her a quick hug and headed back to his room. Hannah gathered the books and plopped them on the floor. Getting under the sheets, she hugged her pillow, staring at her favorite doll across the room. Hannah got up, grabbed Madeline, and got back in bed, remembering to turn the light off this time.
Holding her doll close, she wished making up her mind was a simple as it had been when she was five - eat the mud pie, don’t eat the mud pie.
--*--
“Anything wrong with your eggs? I swear, I didn’t put any vegetables in it,” Kris joked, alluding to the lifelong saga about Hannah not eating her veggies when he cooked them.
“They’re fine Dad…not very hungry,” she replied, flicking the bits with her fork.
Adam settled an encouraging hand on her arm. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll find some school to interest you.” He took a bite of his toast. “Have you narrowed it down?”
“No.”
“Eliminated any?”
“No.”
“What about Liberal Arts? You can study a variety of subjects, maybe get interested in something…finally.” The last word was an afterthought and it should have stayed that way.
Hannah set her fork down and glared at her Papa. “So, what exactly are you saying?”
“Adam, leave it alone,” Kris warned.
“No Kris, we’ve held our tongues long enough. You should have narrowed down a list of schools when you were a Junior and had your applications in already. At this rate, it’ll be too late and you’ll have to wait another year.”
“Would that be so bad? Maybe it would give me a chance to try new things.”
“You could go on a mission or two, like I did when I was your age,” Kris offered, trying to be helpful.
“Maybe.”
Adam tossed his napkin down. “God, you can’t even decide on that! Hannah, wake up! You do know how lucky you are that we can afford to send you to any school you want? College is so important.”
Breakfast was forgotten as the tension rose. “That’s rich,” she laughed bitterly, “coming from a guy who quit after five weeks!”
“Hannah!”
“No Kris, she’s right. I did quite after five weeks but at least I knew the direction I wanted my life to take. I realized I learned better by doing and it worked out. I didn’t sit around waiting for something to come to me.”
“Well, some of us aren’t as focused and driven as you! Can’t you accept that I’m not like you and maybe it’s going to take time for me for settle on a career?”
“Yes,” Kris quickly replied.
“No,” Adam countered. He opened his mouth to speak and got a sharp pain behind his eye. He faltered momentarily then continued. “When you get home from school this afternoon, the three of us are going to sit down with every college catalogue you have and by supper, you are going to start filling out applications.”
Hannah mad a fist, fighting back a retort that could get her grounded for the next ten years. “Yes sir,” she hissed, getting up and pushing her chair away with the back of her legs. “May I be excused, I have to get dressed and Kevin will be here soon.”
Kris looked at his daughter and his husband. He nodded to Hannah and she stormed off. Adam was sitting in his chair, head between his hands, eyes closed.
Josh cleared his throat. “I, ah, got get dressed too.”
“Go ahead Joshie, I’ll drive you to school.”
“Thanks Dad.” He opened his mouth to speak to his Papa but changed his mind. It was time to leave before the next explosion.
Kris waited til their son was out of earshot.
“What the hell is wrong with you? She needs support, not ultimatums.”
“She needs to make up her mind.” The pain was back, now behind both eyes.
“By suppertime? Be realistic!”
Adam got up quickly and almost fell over. Kris caught him, feeling the sheen of sweat on his lover’s skin. “You okay?” He looked at Adam’s face, his eyes closed tight and his mouth twisted. “Damn. Let’s get you to bed.”
They never knew when these migraines were going to strike. Adam had never had migraines until they went through that horrible episode with Audra and Bobby almost fifteen years ago. Possessed by her spirit and in coma, Adam relived her murder over and over, experiencing everything she had. When the whole thing was over, Adam had been left with these intense headaches. The doctors could only give him medication and educated them on how to handle the pain. When asked if they would go away, they had no clue.
Kris helped Adam to the bed. He got him a glass of water from the bathroom and dug through the side table for the pills. Once Adam swallowed them, he laid down, vomit bucket beside him. Kris closed the blinds and kissed him softly on the lips, whispering he’d be back as quickly as he could after dropping Josh off at school. Adam barely moved his head, nodding, and Kris slipped out.
--*--
“I’m sorry Josh. It shouldn’t have gotten out of control like that.”
“Whatever. I don’t remember ever seeing Papa that upset.”
“I know, he’s usually so calm. Did it, um, scare you?’
Josh didn’t answer. Kris parked at the school’s entrance.
“It scared me,” Kris offered.
“No shit?”
Kris let the swearing slide. “No shit.”
“Then, ah, yeah, he scared me….Hannah scared me too.”
Kris recalled Hannah saying she wasn’t like her Papa. Well, the way she and Adam were behaving dispelled that theory.
--*--
He didn’t knock on the bedroom door - the noise would have been too much. Walking in, Kris’ noise scrunched up at the sour stench of vomit. He still wasn’t use to it. Throwing up was part of Adam’s migraines, a result of the intense pain that would attack his head. They had black out curtains in their room to stop the light but in the dim light that came from the hall, Kris could tell something wasn’t right.
Instead of Adam lying stock still as movements increased the nausea, he was rolling back and forth on the bed, hands on either side of his head. Kris moved in closer. Every muscle on Adam’s face and in his neck were strained. Tears poured down his cheeks and it appeared he’d missed the bucket, vomit on the bed, his shirt and chin.
“Adam?” Kris asked as quietly as he could.
Sobs left his husband’s mouth. “Head….breaking…help…please,” he choked out. Those few words made him throw up again.
Kris had never seen it this bad before and it terrified him. He moved away from the bed and dialed 911.
--*--
Hannah couldn’t concentrate at all that day. When she’d stormed out of the house, she was livid. Her boyfriend was driving her to school and she didn’t say one word to him and Kevin didn’t push it. How dare they try to run her life!
That anger faded a bit by lunchtime. She sat in the cafeteria, staring at her salad. Kevin sat with her and again, she didn’t say one word to him. So what if she was screwing up her life? It was her life, after all, not theirs. If she needed another year, why not take it? Why go through all the work and pay all that money for something she didn’t want?
By the time Kevin drove her home, she’d calmed down. And she talked to Kevin. Hannah told him what happened and he understood. Tentatively, she asked him what he thought. He was smart enough to choose his words carefully. He said it was her decision but maybe her Papa was right about Liberal Arts. That way, she could try different courses and find out what she’d like to do and get a diploma in the process.
Who would have thought Kevin would be the voice of reason. She hated having her parents mad at her. They’d disagreed but it had never gotten this heated before and she was sick about it. She thanked Kevin, kissed him goodbye - a lengthy goodbye - and went inside to face the music.
The house was quiet. Hannah dropped her school bag at the bottom of the steps and wandered into the family room.
“Hello? Anybody home?
She spotted her brother on the couch, legs pulled up to his chest. His head rested on his knees and he looked miserable.
Hannah sat beside him, thinking his mood was her doing. “Look Joshie, I’m sorry I exploded this morning. I don’t know why I did it; I guess I’m just as frustrated as Dad and Papa are. Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”
Josh turned to her, tears pooling in his eyes. All thoughts of herself vanished.
“Joshie, what’s wrong?”
Before he could open his mouth, Mrs. Willowby came in. She also looked upset.
“Hannah, your Papa is in the hospital.”
Her world imploded.
“Your Dad is with him. He had a very bad migraine attack this morning, worse than we’ve ever seen. He called 911 and the EMS took him in.”
“Is Papa going to be alright?” She took Josh’s hand.
“I haven’t talked to your Dad since they left. I was to wait for your children to come home from school then take you to the hospital.”
Without another word, and with her brother’s hand still tight in hers, she hurried off the couch and to the car.
--*--
They were directed up to the sixth floor, Room 604. The kids peered in, afraid of what they might see. Papa was lying in a hospital bed, asleep. Their Dad sat beside the bed, holding onto Papa’s hand. The only sound was the soft hum of a monitor and the curtains were drawn, cutting out as much light as possible.
Mrs. Willowby cleared her throat, attracting his attention.
Kris looked over his shoulder and offered a tired smile. He got up quietly and came out into the hall, closing the door behind him. Josh threw himself at his Dad, needing his hug. Hannah held back, worried he was mad at her. Kris held out a hand to her and she moved in under his other arm.
“Mr. Allen, how is he?”
“He’ll be fine. His usual meds didn’t work so they gave him some stronger painkillers and a sedative so he can rest. He pretty dehydrated too.”
“Do they know why it was worse this time?” Hannah asked, fearing she was the cause.
“No Hannah, it just happened. They’re keeping him overnight and if he’s better tomorrow, they’ll release him.”
“Can we see him?” Josh asked.
“I think we should just let him sleep. I’ve been here for hours though. How about going with me to the cafeteria for something to eat?”
Mrs. Willowby and Josh nodded.
“I’m not hungry. I’ll just wait out here,” Hannah commented, gesturing towards a chair.
Kris kissed her on the forehead. “Okay baby girl. We’ll be back soon.”
As soon as her Dad, brother and nanny had left, Hannah looked about to make sure she wasn’t seen and entered her Papa’s room, closing the door behind her. With the curtains drawn, only a few shards of light came into the room. She wanted to talk, to apologize, but now wasn’t the time.
Hannah leaned back in the chair, arms crossed over her chest. She looked at the machinery in the room; some were being used, others weren’t. Hannah got up, looking at everything closely, wondering what the medical words and acronyms meant and what everything did. She even dared look at his medical chart. Aside from his name, birth date and insurance information, the rest might as well have been Greek - or Latin - and it probably was.
A nurse came in to check on Adam. She smiled at Hannah and went about her work. She said a few words to Hannah which was enough encouragement for the teenager to start asking questions. The nurse was kind hearted, answering everything she could about migraines, treatments, the medical equipment, etc.
Hannah absorbed everything like a sponge.
--*--
The next day, Kris gave Adam a hand getting into the family room. He still felt weak but was tired of lying in bed; he insisted Kris help him to the couch. Mrs. Willowby was there with green tea and a light nosh the minute he was settled in.
His husband hovered, driving Adam a little crazy but he understood; whenever Kris wasn’t feeling well, Adam got the same way. Adam put up with the pillow fluffing and the constant ‘are you okay’s, but when Kris tried to tuck a crocheted afghan from Mrs. Willowby around his knees, Adam put his foot down.
“Seriously baby, aside from being worn out, I’m fine….really…Kris, no…no afghan.”
“Sorry…just want to make you feel better.”
Adam leaned over and kissed him. “That makes me feel better.”
--*--
Hannah got home before her brother. She found her Papa in the family room channel surfing with the mute on. Her Dad was asleep with his head in his lap. Adam put a finger over his lips, carefully slipped out from under the dead weight and left him there - covered in the afghan. Adam strolled up to his daughter and engulfed her in a big hug.
“I’m sorry,” they both whispered. Suppressing laughs, Adam pointed towards the outdoor patio and they slipped out to talk.
“I was an ass.”
“No Papa, you weren’t…well, maybe a little, but you and Dad were right. I’ve done a lot of thinking since yesterday and I’ve made a decision.” She dug into her back pack and handed her Papa a heavy manila envelope.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
Adam opened the envelope and pulled out a bundle of forms. He fanned through them, a smile slowly tugging at his mouth. “What changed?”
“You. I was sitting with you at the hospital and I started thinking about all the times I used to sit with you when you had migraines, being quiet and still, wanting to make it better and not knowing how. Then I started thinking about how I’d jump in when Dad or Josh or Mrs. Willowby weren’t feeling well. I realized I like to help people; I want to make them better. While you slept yesterday, I talked with a nurse, asked her a million and a half questions about medicine.
“I realized that was what I wanted to do with my life. So, I spent today with my Guidance Counselor and filled out six applications and she sent them off for me - these are copies. If I’m too late to apply, I’ll volunteer at a hospital or nursing home next year and reapply again.”
Adam didn’t know what to say so he said nothing. He took her hand and let his beaming face speak for him.
“I hope you two made up,” Kris interrupted, stretching and fighting back a yawn.
“Baby, look at these.”
Kris took the papers. A grin to match his husband’s materialized. “I think this calls for a celebration.”
“I really don’t feel like going out Kris.”
“No worries. We’ll stay in. Hannah, is there something you want to order in, or should I ask Mrs. Willowby to make some of your favorites?”
“I can’t decide.”
Adam rolled his eyes, accompanied by an exaggerated sigh. “Here we go again!”