Page 26 of Drew
Tension rolls off him in waves as we enter the emergency room door. His grip remains firm. He quickly asks the woman behind the desk where to find his parents.
After tapping his information into her computer, she tells us we’ll need to go to the seventh floor to meet with Dr. Reagan’s team. She asks us to go through some locked doors, where a nurse will show us where to go.
The entire ride up the elevator, I can tell Drew’s barely hanging on. His clasp on my hand tightens, while his other hand fists and releases, as if he’s preparing himself for the worse. His breathing is slow and steady, almost as if it’s calculated. My heart aches for the pain this is causing him. The fear of the unknown is always greater to deal with.
I lean closer to him and whisper so only he can hear, “It’s okay. It’s gonna be okay.”
Drew remains silent, but when I feel him squeeze my hand twice, I know he’s heard me. From the look on his face, I doubt he can say anything, even if he wanted. His pale complexion lets me know his nerves have taken over.
When we exit the elevator, the nurse introduces herself as Janice. She has us stay in a waiting area, assuring us she’ll send someone out soon with an update. We sit next to one another on the couch and wait.
It feels like forever before a woman in blue scrubs approaches. “Drew Jacobs?”
Drew immediately stands. “That’s me.”
The doctor looks from him to me and back. Drew gives her a quick nod, and she proceeds by reaching out her hand to shake his. “Hi, I’m Dr. Reagan. I’ve worked on your dad’s case. He’s out of surgery and is expected to make a full recovery. We’ll keep him in the hospital for a few days to monitor the progress of his lungs, and he’ll be on crutches until his leg completely heals. We had to put some pins in, which will be removed in about eight weeks. I’ve just spoken with your mother’s surgeon, and she’s out of surgery, as well. She’s still in recovery but will be transported to share a room with your father when she’s ready.”
Drew’s deep voice cracks when he asks, “Can I…” He clears his throat and repeats himself. “Can we see him?”
Dr. Reagan nods. “Follow me, and I’ll take you to his room.”
As we approach the door, I wonder if I should go in. The doctor walks in ahead of us, but I stop at the entry. Drew looks to me with concern, and I whisper, “Do you need time alone?”
Drew pins me with his deep blue eyes and pleads silently for me to not make him do this alone. “Please?”
The look of sheer desperation on his face as his eyes bore into mine, make my decision for me. I know I’d follow him anywhere. I take in a deep breath and prepare myself for what’s on the other side, as I follow him through the door.
When we walk in, a man is lying in a hospital bed, with his face turned away. From where I stand, it’s evident he’s tall as he takes up most of the bed. The bed’s adjusted so that both his chest and legs are raised. The doctor walks immediately to him and checks his vitals, as well as reading the machines.
Without letting go of my hand, Drew walks to stand beside his father. Wordlessly, Drew places his free hand on his father’s shoulder, causing him to stir. When his head slowly turns in our direction, I’m shocked to see an older version of Drew staring back at us. He has the same dark hair and shade of eyes as his son. The only difference between the two men is that the man in the bed has a few wrinkles around his eyes and has started to gray at his temples. He also has a few cuts and scrapes and slight bruising from the accident. But other than that, I’m staring at what Drew will likely be in thirty years.
The moment he recognizes Drew, his face lights up. With a weak smile, he croaks, “Drew… You’re here.”
“I’m here, Dad.” Drew pats his shoulder softly, and a matching smile mirrors his dad’s. Drew’s rigid posture eases as he lets out a low chuckle. “There was no need to go to quite the theatrics. If you wanted me to visit, you could’ve just asked.”
His dad shakes his head and ignores his smart-ass comment as he explains, “I… I didn’t see the other car coming until the last minute. I swerved, and we must’ve hit a patch of ice. They said your mom’s still in surgery. Have you heard anything?”
Drew nods. “Yeah. She’s out now. They say she’ll make a full recovery. You guys were damn lucky.”
Drew’s dad takes a labored breath and winces when it causes him pain. It’s all I can do just to sit back and watch. “I’m… I’m so glad she’s okay. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“You and me both, Dad. You and me both.” Drew lets out a deep breath, and I feel his body relax next to mine. My heart aches at the stress he must be under. I can’t imagine what I’d be like if my parents were in this situation.
The doctor turns her attention from the monitors to us and says, “Mrs. Jacobs should be back in the room anytime. Mr. Jacobs, don’t you worry about a thing. We have you taken care of. Is there anything I can get the two of you? I know you’ve traveled quite the distance to get here.”
“We’re good, thanks,” Drew answers for both of us, and I nod in agreement. I can get whatever I need after we know Drew’s parents are okay.
“Well… if you need anything,” she looks between the three of us, “just ask for the nurses. I’ll be back in a bit to check on him.” With that, she leaves the room.
Before I can return my attention to Drew’s dad, I hear his deep voice. “Well, son… who’ve you got here?”
Drew releases my hand and gestures from his dad to me. “Dad, this is Abby.”
Mr. Jacobs nods in my direction and says, “Nice to meet you.”
I reach out and touch the hand laying in front of me and give it a gentle squeeze. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Mr. Jacobs gives me a warm smile, but confusion flits across his features as he takes me in. Knowing he’s likely wondering what I’m doing in his hospital room, I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I’m really glad you’re out of surgery and doing better.”
“You can say that again.” Drew reaches out to hold his dad’s hand. His dad gives Drew’s hand a squeeze, but neither of them let go.
