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The ambulance put its sirens on and travelled through the city to Royal Sussex County Hospital. I followed Callum as far as I was allowed and sat down heavily in the nearest seat. My phone buzzed again in my pocket. One from Elliott telling me to advise the ambulance people that he was a haemophiliac and that he was on his way. Steph sent a dozen messages asking if I was ok, if Callum was ok, did the hospital know about his condition. I didn’t know about his condition, the stranger had told the emergency services about the bracelet but didn’t mention it to me. He may have assumed I knew or he may have told me when my back was turned. I knew now, and I didn’t know what it meant.
Scottie messaged me to ask how I called for help, he was more concerned about me than he was Callum. He told me Callum was tough as old boots and would be fine once he got to the hospital.
I sat alone in the corridor waiting for any news. Everyone sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher. I couldn’t focus on any one person, they kept moving. I gave up trying and stuffed my headphones in my ears until I could find out how Callum was.
Steph arrived first, she touched my arm to get my attention. I must have dozed off because it startled me.
“Elliott is outside parking the car, how’s Callum?” She asked after she’d hugged me tightly.
“I don’t know, I assume that as I’m not family they’re not thinking about coming to find me,” I said.
I was close to tears. I couldn’t focus on any one thought. Steph hugged me again, promising me everything would be ok. Elliott came and sat at my other side and asked me the same questions Steph had asked. I told him what had happened.
“Callum will be fine, it’s happened a few times over the years. He takes great care of himself, has done since his dad died. His dad had haemophilia too, it’s in their genes.”
“I had no idea, he said nothing. I commented on his bracelet once, but he didn’t elaborate, so I didn’t push it. Maybe I should have,” I said, wringing my hands in my lap, searching for a nurse that could tell me how he is.
“He’s ashamed. He couldn’t cope with the condition, thought his life would have to be contained in bubble wrap. He wasn’t allowed to do any contact sport, most of the sports in school were all team related. It’s one reason why he had an eating problem. His dad led a healthy life until he died but all Callum saw was haemophilia as a death sentence. Adolescence wasn’t kind to him. His schoolmates weren’t kind to him. They made fun of him and that caused the eating disorder to escalate. It was a vicious circle for him. When his dad died, it was a wake-up call. The day of the funeral he made a promise he would lose the weight, get fit and healthy and live his life.”
“I hope he’s ok,” I said.
Taking in the information from Elliott gave me a lot to think about. Callum and I had a lot in common going through our school years. Except he confronted his issues and changed his attitude. I stayed in my bubble of denial.
A nurse came to stand in front of me. “Adaline Starling?” she asked.
“Yes, that’s me,” I said and stood.
“Callum’s asking for you,” she said and smiled warmly at me. “Follow me, and I’ll take you to see him.”
“He’s ok?” I asked, my voice breaking as a tear slipped down my cheek.
“Yes, but he’s a bit dazed, Be gentle when you see him,” she warned.
Steph and Elliott smiled as I turned and put their thumbs up.
I followed the nurse in her green uniform down the long corridors of the hospital. I knew I would never find Steph and Elliott again in this maze. I was grateful I lived in the age of the mobile phone in case I never found my way out. We arrived at a small ward with six beds. Callum was sitting up in the bed nearest the window. The mask was gone, but the needle remained in his arm. I slowed my steps, I felt awful for not getting to him sooner. I would never have forgiven myself if something had happened to him. When he saw me coming, his face came to life, his smile wide and his eyes crinkled.
“I’m so sorry,” he said as I neared the bed.
I took his hand in mine and squeezed.
“No, Callum, I’m sorry, I should have found you earlier. I wish I’d heard you fall,” I said and cried.
“You couldn’t have known I would fall off the ladder. I remembered our last shower session, my imagination went a little X-rated, and I lost my footing. I’m fine. I’ve got a big fat headache but other than that I’m fine.”
He pulled me closer to dry my eyes and comfort me.
“I didn’t know about your condition, I wish I could ask more questions about people, I wish a lot of things. My stupid pride stops me from being a normal human being.” I said and sniffled.
“What are you talking about? You ask me a lot of questions. I chose not to tell you about the condition because I feared you’d dump me. It’s hereditary, and I thought you wouldn’t want to have a serious relationship with me. Our kids would have the condition too.”
He was talking about kids and our future. I hadn’t processed that he loved me when he didn’t know everything about me. Now he was telling me he wanted us to have a family, and that was too much.
“I had to get a complete stranger off the streets to call for an ambulance. I made him late for work, and he’ll probably lose his job just because I’m a freak of nature.”
“You’re not a freak of nature, come here,” he said and tugged at my hand.
I half sat on the bed so I could face him. I had to tell him.
