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“What if they’re wrong? What if he stays like this forever?”
“He won’t.”
“How do you know? He hasn’t moved in three fucking days!”
“Devon.”
“No, Nate, you don’t know what I do. I’ve been researching online, and there is a myriad of outcomes, most of them not good.”
“What the fuck? Myriad of outcomes? What sort of bullshit have you been reading?”
“I googled brain injuries, and there are hundreds of thousands of articles on short term and long term complications. Amnesia, paralysis, loss of bodily functions to name a few. The longer he lays there, not responding, the greater the chances I’ll lose my Bryce!” People walking by glance our way as my voice gradually becomes louder. I duck my head in embarrassment, but the possibilities race through my mind.
“Researching online? You know better than that! Are these the same sites that said you had MRSA because of an infected mosquito bite?”
“It was scary!”
“The same sites that convinced Quinn she had a brain tumor because she had had a migraine.”
“It was a bad migraine, and she had it for more than four hours.”
“The same sites that—”
“Stop!” I hold up my hand to his face. “I get your point, but I had to do something. The doctors aren’t telling us anything.”
“The doctors are telling us what they can. This is not cut and dry, Devon! Is this what you’ve been doing at night? Staying up and filling your head with a bunch of crazy shit?”
I stare at the ground not answering.
“I’m scared. He’s more than my best friend.”
For the first time since arriving, I think about how this affects Nate. His fear and uncertainty are clear from his tone.
“I’m a selfish bitch.” I cling back to his arms. “You’re hurting, too.”
“Yeah, but I get where you’re coming from. Just don’t lose sight that other people love him, too, especially his parents.”
“I know that!” I step back, completely offended. “Why would you say that to me?”
“Because the same thing you’re thinking is most likely on their minds as well.”
“Oh, God, I didn’t think of that. I’ve been too lost in my own head.”
He stays quiet and lets me process what exactly has been going on around me. Realization comes crashing down and hits me square in the face. An idea pops into my head, and I grab Nate’s arm and drag him back into the hospital.
“Come on.”
“Where we going?”
“First stop is the gift shop. Then you’re buying me lunch while Sheila and Dave visit with Bryce. After that, you’re going back to your place to pick up the list I’m making for you.”
He gives me a grin and follows obediently.
By the time I get back to the room, Dave has dozed off in the recliner and Sheila is sitting on the side of the bed reading. She raises an eyebrow and looks between me and the bags I’m carrying.
“Did you go shopping?”
“Kinda, although my selection was limited.”
