AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay. I’m right outside if you need me.”
“I know.”
I gritted my teeth, hating not knowing what to do. I didn’t wait, already calling my lawyer as I stepped outside. I glanced at the hospital representative down the hall. He was chatting with one of the nurses and only paused long enough to note that I was standing outside the door before going back to talk with the nurse.
“Cadence, is everything okay?” Amy Rivera asked as soon as she answered. “You rarely call me first.”
“Can Justin make medical decisions for his dying dad?”
“Whoa, what?”
“My friend, Justin. Can he make end of care medical decisions for his dad who’s currently in a coma?”
“Okay, I need to understand what exactly is going on. Wait, give me a moment to go somewhere more private.”
There was a murmur of voices and then a door shutting. “Okay, talk to me. Do you need me to come to you? Where are you?”
“I’m at the hospital. Justin’s dad was released from prison because he was terminally ill. They didn’t even think he had a month to live by the time he was released. He’s currently in palliative care at the hospital. Uh, in-patient.”
“Who’s his proxy to make the decisions?”
“Uh, I think the doctors are? I’m not sure. There is someone from the hospital here who was with the doctors while they talked to Justin. He’s still here.” I glanced at the man.
“How old is Justin?”
“Seventeen still.”
“Any other family?”
“Not that I know of. He lives with Toby’s aunt. She took him in when his dad went to prison.”
“And the doctors are asking for his decision on this?” She was beginning to sound angry and for some reason, that loosened something inside of me.
I swallowed. “I think so. It seemed that way. They did ask him what he’d like to do.”
“I’m coming over. Do not let them push him on this. I’ll be there in thirty.”
“Is this something a lawyer would get directly involved in?” I asked, suddenly feeling worried.
“No, but I won’t be there as a lawyer, I’ll be there as a friend with a little bit of extra knowledge on how things should be working. See you soon.” She hung up.
I bit my lip, wondering what the heck was going on. After giving the representative one more look, I went back into the room and waited. The sound of the machine breathing for Justin’s dad was extra loud as the time slowly ticked away. I focused on the hissing sound, with the soft beeping of the other machines in the background. It created a slow, sorrowful tune that felt heavy and ominous.
Even though Amy said to give her thirty, she was there in twenty. Her long, curly, dark brown hair was pulled back in a braid falling down her back. She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. I almost felt bad. It was Friday evening. No doubt I pulled her away from her family.
“Hi, Justin,” she said, getting his attention.
He blinked out of his thoughts slowly.
Amy went over to him and knelt down so she didn’t hover over him. “My name is Amy Rivera. Cadence gave me a call, concerned for you. I’m her lawyer.”
“I need a lawyer?” He seemed so confused as he asked.
“No. I’m only here as an adult friend. I do have experience in these kinds of situations though. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“They want me to decide if he lives or dies.” If brokenness had a sound, it’d be Justin’s voice in that moment.
I swallowed a cough as all the ache in me rose up. For a moment, I got it. The reason Justin reacted the way he did with Benji. It was all too much, the sharp emotions that tried to cut its way out. If the doctors were there in that moment, I would have been yelling at them, wanting to make them feel what they were making Justin feel.
