Page 47 of Until He Scores

Why did I have a sinking feeling about what Dr. Jay was going to say next?

“Unfortunately,” he said on an exhale. “None of the cultures for the infection told us what was happening within the siteor why it kept coming back, until last night. It was apparent upon arrival; Thierry had contracted a staph infection, and the blood test confirmed as much, along with the beginning stages of sepsis. The small red and white bumps along the scar was the outward manifestation of the contagion. Inside, the disease spread to the surrounding healthy tissues and corrupted the joint. I’m sure you’ve all seen him limping and wondered if that was his new gait or something else.”

I had. Several times, but I hadn’t said a word because it wasn’t my place. Plus, one night spent together didn’t really give me the authority to point anything out.

“I asked him the day he came home if he was okay,” Mrs. Thomas said. “He told us he was fine.”

“He’s stubborn,” Wes muttered. “I don’t think Thierry would complain even if he couldn’t stand.”

“Sounds about right,” I agreed. “I asked him the night of the party. He said his knee ached, but it was nothing new.”

Dr. Jay nodded. “So, here’s what I did to hopefully get Thierry back on track. I excised as much of the infection and affected tissue as possible. Cleaned and replaced the joint to be sure none of the Staph could hide within the mechanics of his prosthetic, and I placed a drain as well. He’s sedated right now and will be for the next couple of days. I want his body to heal without the added stress of movement or his fever since it was almost a hundred and three when he came in. He’s on a full spectrum antibiotic again, along with pain medication, and a saline drip to rehydrate him. Between the fever and staph, he depleted his electrolytes and dehydrated himself.”

Hence why he passed out.

“Visiting is limited for now,” Dr. Jay said as he stood. “Figure out who you’d like to go first, and I’ll make it happen. If someone is going to stay the night, let the nurses know.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Thomas should go first,” I said. “They’re his parents.” I could wait forever if that’s what it took.

Mrs. Thomas patted my hand. “Pope will stay the night. It’ll be easier on us. We’re only a phone call away.”

I stared at them, shocked by their proposal. “Um...”

“We know everything, son,” Mr. Thomas said. “I think he’d be happy to see you when he woke up. Don’t you?”

I wouldn’t get my hopes up, but I’d wished he would. “What about Derrick?” I winced saying his name. I hadn’t heard a peep out of him since we exited the arena, however if I knew the guy like I thought I did, he’d show up making a production out of the situation.

“Don’t worry about him,” Wes said. “Colbi made sure he can’t get onto the floor or into the hospital for that matter”

“Then it's settled,” Dr. Jay said. “Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, if you'd like to follow me back, I’ll take you to Thierry.”

The rest of the day, I made phone calls and had Lily-Mae help me gather some things up for Thierry, since none of us knew exactly how long he’d be in the hospital. The apartment he leased in the newer part of Murfreesboro was nice. Probably not as cool as the million-dollar home he had in Nashville. The gated penthouse-style residence boasted three bedrooms, a balcony retreat, and access to a fitness center, spa, and luxury parking. Only the best for Thierry. Then I thought about Derrick and his persistence, and it was probably for the best. No one could get in without a passcode or a fob for the gate and at night when the regular staff went home, a guard was on duty to keep the area safe.

Swanky for our neck of the woods.

Although, in the last few years, Murfreesboro had become a hip new suburban area to Nashville. With the AHL team, the sports complex that came with it and the jobs, people needed nice, affordable places to call home.

Though, for Thierry and me, we’d always be good ole boys from the Holler.

Two days later, I got out of Lily-Mae’s SUV and grabbed the bag I packed for Thierry while she gathered the food, we'd picked up for everyone who stuck around. According to Dr. Jay, this morning he’d wean Thierry off the medication keeping him sedated since he’d been rushed to the hospital.

If everything went right, Thierry could be on his way home before the weekend. Unfortunately, he couldn’t return to work until next season. I knew hearing the news would break his heart, but with how no one even suspected the staph infection, the next incident could rightly result in him losing the leg whether he wanted to hear that tidbit of information or not.

Upside, even with the distraction of Thierry passing out on the bench, theMountaineerswent on to win the game three to one. If they won the last two regular season games, they’d earn a bye-week for the playoffs and play on home ice.

I couldn’t wait to tell him.

“Do you know who you’re talking to?” The unmistakable screech of Derrick’s voice had me turning my head as we passed through security. “Him! You should be stopping him.”

“Get him out of here,” Lily-Mae said, lifting her chin. “He’s been placed on a do not enter list for Thierry.”

“You did this!” Derrick tried to grab my arm.

I glanced back at him. “You did this to yourself.” I looked at the guard. “If you have any issues, call Cobi Mayson.”

“Already have,” the guard said. “Have a great day, Mr. Ellis.”

I nodded then followed Lily-Mae to the elevator. Once the doors closed and the car began to move, she exhaled. “Can you believe him?” She shook her head. “He’s a real piece of shit.”

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