by Ali Vali
“I’m at the hospital with Jim Bob, and you need to get here. Stop and pick up Mom, and try to hurry, but be careful.”
“What the hell happened, Tucker? Was it something with Ivy again?”
“He collapsed while he was packing up, and Ivy didn’t find him right away.” Her voice was getting softer and softer from the overwhelming emotions she couldn’t get a handle on. Right now she couldn’t imagine a world without Jim Bob in it. “It doesn’t look good.”
“Don’t lose hope, kiddo. We’re on our way.”
She put in a call to Tara and Bubba and both phones went to voicemail. That made her want to scream, but she followed up with text messages, hoping they’d eventually get back to her. It took thirty minutes before the nurse came and got her at the doctor’s request.
The room they entered was bright, cold, and full of equipment that was all attached to some part of Jim Bob’s body. He lay motionless as a ventilator made his chest rise and fall in precise intervals. The mechanical sound of the air going in and out instantly filled her with fear. His chest was bare and appeared pale beside the green sheet that covered part of it.
“Ma’am,” said the older African American man with salt-and-pepper hair as he held out his hand. “I’m Dr. Anker.”
“Is he going to be okay?” The question made her feel like a little kid, but the very adult part of her brain screamed that her brother was gone. She tried to erase that thought, but it was as impossible as holding her own breath forever. The blips monitoring his heart and his chest moving meant he was technically still alive, but he appeared to be an empty shell.
“Let’s have a seat, and the nurse will bring in any other family members who arrive.” Anker had a soothing voice and soft hands as he reached for hers compassionately. “How are you related to James?”
“Jim Bob’s my brother. What’s wrong with him?”
“I apologize it took us so long, but we’ve had a hard time stabilizing him, and I won’t lie and tell you the situation he’s facing isn’t dire. We need to run a few more tests before I can give you a more definitive answer about what happened and how we proceed. I’ll give you a few minutes with him before we move him to CCU, and hopefully by then I can introduce you to the neurologist on call.”
“Thank you. Do you think he’ll come out of this?”
He squeezed her hand and smiled slightly. “We need to have hope, but temper it with the reality of what we’re facing. That’s the best answer I can give you.”
She took a deep, shaky breath. “Not good, huh?”
“No matter how long I do this job or how much experience I have, my mother reminds me daily that some things are beyond our control. Have faith, Ms. Delacroix.”
“Please, call me Tucker, and thank you.”
One of the nurses stayed as Tucker stood next to the stretcher and took Jim Bob’s hand. It was as cold as the room, so she moved the sheet to cover him more. Never in her life had she seen Jim Bob this still and quiet, since he even talked in his sleep. She wanted to wail at the overwhelming sense of helplessness, but that wasn’t what she wanted him to hear.
“Hey, old man, you need to listen to me, okay?” She bent so she could speak softly into his ear. “There’s no checking out early, and no more sleeping to get out of work. I need you to show me you’re in there, that all you need is a few days to rest. You’re loved, big brother, so you fight like hell.”
Tucker wiped her face with her other hand and felt the faint movement of his fingers. “Hey,” she said to the nurse. “He moved his fingers.” She flattened her hand under his and saw the movements were becoming more pronounced.
It was like Jim Bob was tapping out a message at first, then suddenly he started convulsing until his body seized so badly that only his feet and head were on the stretcher. His body had arched like a bow ready to fire.
“Ma’am, I need you to clear out,” the nurse said, pressing an alarm on the wall. Anker came running, along with a crowd of medical personnel. “Ma’am, you’ve got to go.”
She did, but the fear that Jim Bob would go surrounded only by strangers gripped her. “Please save him.” No one heard the words since she was standing outside in the hall alone, but at least she could give in to the tears.
“Tucker, it’s going to be okay,” her father said as he came up beside her and put his arms around her. “Come talk to your mother.” He led her to the private waiting room where her mother appeared frantic.
“What the hell happened?” she asked, almost diving toward her.
“They don’t know yet, but they’re running tests.” Her mother didn’t raise her head as Tucker gave them all the information she had. “Ivy said he was packing and must’ve collapsed.”
“What does that mean?” her dad asked. “Are you sure she didn’t do this?”
“Sober she might be dangerous, but in the condition she’s in, I doubt it.” She sat her mother down but kept her arm around her. “It has to be that he had a heart attack or something, but even with the medics working on him, he was completely blue. That can’t be good.”
“Can we see him?” her mom asked.
“Not yet. Dr. Anker said he’d come and get us.”
They waited an hour before Anker came in with a woman wearing black scrubs. The blonde smiled when she saw Tucker, and it took a moment before Tucker placed her. She’d gone to college with Constance Boudreaux but hadn’t seen her in years.
“Constance,” Tucker said as Constance embraced her.
“Hey, Tucker.” Constance sat Tucker back down and took Tucker’s mom’s hand. “Mr. and Mrs. Delacroix, it’s nice to see you again, but I’m sorry it’s under such terrible circumstances.”
“It seems like you all know each other,” Anker said. “Dr. Boudreaux is on call from neurology and can answer some questions now, but we’re still waiting on quite a few results.”
“Tell us about Jim Bob,” Tucker’s mom said.
“This is what we know so far,” Constance said in that same soft, patient voice Tucker remembered from college. The explanation came down to Jim Bob’s collapse and subsequent problems, which started when his heart likely stopped from a heart attack. “From what you said, Tucker, and what the medics reported, Jim Bob was blue when they arrived. What we don’t know is how long he’d been out, and when he stopped breathing.”
“Do you think he’ll have some problems when he comes to?” her dad asked. “We don’t care, as long as you can save him.”
“Sir, I don’t want to give you any false hope, but the next few days will be a process that’ll require all of you to make some tough decisions.” Constance took her father’s hand as well when he lowered his head in what appeared to be total despair. “What Jim Bob needs now is your prayers,” Constance said and both her parents nodded. “Can I speak to you outside, Tucker?”
“He’s not going to make it, is he?” Tucker asked when Constance brought her to an empty exam room.
“Please let me do all the tests before I comment. What I need to know is if Jim Bob had a DNR and any directions for his health decisions. Like I said, I don’t want to lie and tell you this will have a happy ending.”
Tucker was about to answer when there was a bunch of shouting in the hallway. She recognized all three voices, and Constance beat her outside to shut them all up. Ivy had arrived, and Tara and Bubba seemed to be holding her up. It was almost humorous to find them all crying.
“Where is he?” Ivy appeared shell-shocked and Tucker wanted to slap her. “Am I too late?”
“Who are you?” Constance asked.
“I’m Jim Bob’s wife, and these are his children. We’re here for whatever needs to be done.” Ivy actually sounded sober. “Thank you, Tucker, but we’re here now. My children and I will handle whatever needs to be done.”
It was all Tucker could do to keep from rolling her eyes. “Constance, go ahead and fill them in, and I’ll be with my parents. Can I get your number? I’ll call you as soon as I get the inform
ation you asked about.”
“Here.” Constance handed over a card and didn’t appear ready to go with the new arrivals.
Tucker found a private corner and made a call. “Jeff, I need you to get all those papers you put together for Jim Bob and bring them to the hospital.” She gave Jefferson a short explanation as to what was happening, and Jefferson would hopefully keep this from turning into a disaster. “Try to hurry, but bring all of it.”
“Jesus, Tucker, is it that bad?”
“We need to contain this before it turns into a circus, and I need to know what happens if Ivy isn’t happy with Jim Bob’s decisions.” It felt so wrong to be talking about paperwork and legal crap right now. She just wanted to be with her brother.
“I’ll have a judge on standby, as well as the divorce papers. That should be proof enough of what his intentions were.”
“Thank you, my parents and I will be waiting.” Tucker hung up, closed her eyes, and prayed. “Please God,” was all she could manage before she joined her parents in their tears.
* * *
Monique glanced at her phone again, and there was still nothing from Jim Bob. He should’ve been finished with what he was doing at the house by now, and it wasn’t like him not to call even if he was having dinner with Tucker. In her gut she knew there was something off, and the baby must’ve sensed it as well. Grady had been fussy for a few hours and nothing would soothe him.
“Why do you keep looking at your phone?” Willow asked as she walked around bouncing Grady.
“I’m waiting for Jim Bob to call me. He was packing up the rest of his stuff today and is taking longer than he said.”
“Maybe he and his wife are working things out.” The way Willow said it meant she couldn’t believe Monique was still waiting around on Jim Bob to do the right thing.
“I don’t need your put-downs right now, okay? Ivy Delacroix already cut his face and I’m worried about him. The only good thing is that Tucker went with him, and from what he said, his sister’s been after him to leave Ivy for a long time.”
“I’m trying, sis, but I don’t trust that Jim Bob will actually give you the type of commitment you want. A ring is a long way from an altar and a marriage certificate.”
“Not now, Willow, please.” She jumped in fright when her phone actually rang and buzzed in her hand, but it was a relief. At least, until she noticed Jefferson’s number. It was the first time her boss had called her on a weekend. “Hey, Jefferson, is everything okay?”
“Hey, sorry to bother you, but I need you to meet me at Tulane Medical Center. We might need to go to court on some of the items we filed, so bring your laptop and I’ll grab the paperwork we need. Can you leave Grady with someone?”
“Sure, but what’s going on?” In her head she knew—there was only one client they’d done any kind of legal work for that required them to go to the hospital. Her head knew, but her heart couldn’t accept it.
“I’m sorry, Monique, Jim Bob collapsed, and from what Tucker said, it’s not good. We need to make the hospital aware of Jim Bob’s wishes, and that doesn’t include Ivy making crucial decisions for him.”
She closed her eyes and tried her best to keep the scream that was in her throat from escaping. Her lungs were burning from holding her breath, but she was paralyzed. All she could sense was the terrible pain in her chest that seemed to define the overwhelming loss at Jefferson’s words.
This could not be happening.
“Monique, did you hear me?” Jefferson asked.
Monique held the phone with one hand and beat her chest with the other.
“Hey, Jefferson, it’s Willow.” Willow had placed Grady on his blanket and put the phone on speaker. “What’s going on?”
“I need Monique to meet me at the hospital with her laptop. Jim Bob Delacroix has had a heart attack or something and they doubt he’ll make it. Can you keep Grady? I’m sure you know why it’s important for Monique to get there before it’s too late.”
“We’ll be there.”
“I know what I’m asking, but Tucker Delacroix is also counting on us.”
“She’ll be there, Jefferson, you have my word.” Willow hung up and put her arms around Monique. “Honey, it sounds bad, but he needs you to do your job.”
“I’m supposed to go there as Jefferson’s paralegal?” Monique screamed. The sudden loudness of her voice agitated Grady into crying in earnest again. “Congratulations, you were right. He’s never going to marry me.”
“Honey, I’m so sorry. I really am, but why does Jefferson need you?”
“He gave Tucker power of attorney over his affairs and we have the paperwork to prove it.” Monique rocked as she hugged herself and appeared ready to fracture apart.
“I know it’ll be hard, but you have to do this for him. We have to hope for the best, but if not, it might be your chance to say good-bye.” Willow stood and started to gather everything they needed.
“If you think Ivy’s going to let me anywhere near him, you’re insane.”
“She doesn’t know you, but Jim Bob does, and you won’t know if you don’t go. We’ll find a way around her.”
Willow helped her into her coat after she bundled Grady up, andshe got them both in the car. They had to backtrack to get to the hospital to avoid some sort of Christmas parade rolling on St. Charles, but the extra time gave Monique time to compose herself by the time they arrived.
“I’ll call you when I’m done.” She looked at Jefferson and he seemed to understand every bit of her pain when he held her tightly.
“You can go, Willow,” Jefferson said. “I’ll bring her home when we’re done.”
“I’ll wait. Don’t worry—I’ll find a parking spot and keep Grady warm. Just call me when you’re both through, and I’ll bring Monique home.”
Jefferson nodded and took a deep breath.
Monique stared at the entrance to the emergency room and didn’t want to go in. In that building was the end to her love and all their dreams. Whatever her hopes were for the future, they were waiting to fly away and leave her behind, forgotten and alone. It was so unfair.
“Thank you for coming,” Jefferson said, moving her to the benches outside. “This isn’t the time for big confessions, but I couldn’t have done this without you. Jim Bob and I have been friends since kindergarten, and I am sure about one thing. Right now he deserves to have people who truly love him around. The people who love him also deserve to see him and tell him all those things he needs to know, in case he has to go on without them.”
Monique held his hand as he spoke and tried to smile through her tears. “Thank you, but I don’t want to get you in trouble with the family.”
“All you need to do is follow me, and think about what you need to say. If he’ll come back for anyone, Monique, it’ll be you.”
The tall woman standing outside the room she and Jefferson had been directed to had to be Tucker Delacroix. Her resemblance to Jim Bob was unmistakable, even though she appeared tired and pale. Now she wished she’d given in to Jim Bob’s desire to introduce them before now, if only so they could comfort each other.
“Sorry to get you out, Jeff,” Tucker said as Jefferson hugged her.
“Don’t apologize,” Jefferson said, patting Tucker on the back. “We have everything you need.” Jefferson waved Monique forward. “This is Monique, my paralegal. I trust her to go in and sit with Jim Bob to ensure he’s really incapacitated and needs you to handle his affairs. Monique and Jim Bob know each other, so if you don’t mind, we’ll leave her to it and will start the process. Once we have everything in order, we can explain it to Ivy and the children, or to a judge if they can’t accept his wishes.”
Tucker nodded and shook Monique’s hand. “Thank you. They’re getting ready to transport him to the CCU unit. We’ll know more in a little while.”
The three of them followed the nurses as they pushed the bed to the closed unit. It took a Herculean effort on Monique’s part not to break down as
she stared at her love lying there without much life left in him. They waited outside until the staff was finished, and they entered with Tucker, who placed her hands on Jim Bob’s feet.
“Jefferson, you need to make sure everything he wanted is taken care of. I’m not going to stand by and let this turn into some clusterfuck to make Ivy feel better. My brother deserved better in life, but if this is his end, we’ll face it with dignity and not the circus tonight has been.”
“Where are Ivy and the kids?” Jefferson asked. He stood next to the bed and took Jim Bob’s hand.
“They’re in the waiting room making demands,” Tucker said, sounding disgusted. “Let’s get to it.”
“Monique, go ahead and stay,” Jefferson said. “Call us if there’s any change.”
Jefferson slid the glass door closed, and Monique was left with only the sound of the ventilator and random beeping. “Oh, my love.” She put her briefcase down and took his hand between hers and kissed his fingers. “If you can come back to me, please try your best. Grady and I love you, and we’re looking forward to all that stuff you were going to teach us, like fishing.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek before whispering in his ear. “If you can’t, know that I love you, and I’m grateful for everything you gave me, especially Grady. There’s never going to be anyone else for me.”
She tried not to cry, but her tears fell on their joined hands, and she couldn’t make herself let go. This man she loved was everything she’d ever wanted, but their time together had been too short. That was worth crying over, so she placed her forehead on his hand and released some of her anguish.
The nurse entered a while later and handed her a few tissues and pointed to the hall where Tucker and Jefferson were coming back. “The doctors are here, so you have a few more minutes in case you have anything else to say.”
“Thank you.” She wiped her face but didn’t release his hand. “You go peacefully, my love, and know you’ll always be remembered as well as loved. Good-bye for now.”