“I’m leaving now and should be at the hospital in about fifteen minutes.” I was in automatic mode. I was afraid, but Aiden needed me.
Ryan, who was hearing my side of the conversation, had picked out my shoulder bag and jacket from my locker. He was holding them out to me with a worried expression on his face.
“Look after Ayden for me and call if anything changes. If he’s sick, feel free to take a day off, Kaley,” he said, and I reached for the jacket and shoulder bag before putting them on. I filled him in on what Melissa said before rushing out of the café like a bat out of its cave.
“Please,” I prayed, “don’t take Ayden from me. Let him be alright. Let it be a minor fall or exhaustion. Just don’t let it be anything serious.”
I could either run to the hospital and be there in about forty minutes, or ride a bike and be there in half the time.
Fear.
No matter how much I tried to brush it away, it would slowly start crawling up my skin, reminding me of what happened two years ago with my parents. It was taking my sanity bit by bit, and I could do nothing about it unless I made sure that he was alright.
I had never ridden a bike faster to get to the hospital. Once I arrived there, I walked through to the admissions foyer, breathless and perspiring. Melissa was there to meet me at the front entrance.
Melissa and I first met around two years ago when I started working at Eat & Smile. She often came there with a friend of hers called Max. Max was a really nice guy, but he’s always been pretending to be a womanizer, though he was never really interested in relationships at all. But that doesn’t mean that they weren’t interested in him.
“What did the doctors say? Is he okay…D-Did he regain consciousness? Where is he?” I pumped Melissa for answers, struggling for breath with each question as I followed her to accident and emergency.
The waiting room was full of sick or injured people and their loved ones, and suddenly, my worries weren’t as big as they were on my way here. We found a spot close to the double doors where doctors emerged to call patients into treatment cubicles.
“First put your jacket down and sit. The doctors never really say anything until they run all the tests, but it is unusual for an active child to just lose consciousness.” Melissa sat down beside me and put her arm around me. From the look on her face, I could tell she felt worse than she was letting on.
Brave front, was it? I remember putting those all the time after my parents died. It is useless. It eventually breaks you. Compared to it, crying is much more relieving.
I truly had no other choices but to wait and hope. But would God even listen to someone like me, someone who cursed him when I lost everything I had?
We had coffee, and the clock kept ticking, marking time. It was the beginning of November, but it was cold as if it was full blown winter. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I was freezing to death. I felt that even if I were to put my jacket on again, the cold would still loom over me.
Should I just embrace it then?
Minutes became an hour; an hour became hours. I had lost track of time when a doctor in her late forties asked if there was anyone there for Ayden Evansville. Melissa and I jumped out from our seats and hurried up to her, both wearing worried and expectant expressions.
“Hello, I am Dr. Grainger.” She glanced at the clipboard and then looked up. “The records say Ayden was accompanied by a teacher.”
“That’s me, Melissa.”
“Melissa is Ayden’s teacher and my friend. I’m Kaley, Ayden’s sister and guardian.” I gulped waiting impatiently for a diagnosis.
“Follow me to the treatment room where you can take a seat and see Ayden. We have been conducting extensive blood tests.”
Quietly lost in our thoughts, we walked after Dr. Grainger’s fluttering white coat.
“Have there been any recent changes in Ayden’s life?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Has he been as active as before, doing the same things he did in the past?” She didn’t seem annoyed or anything though my voice was like the one of rabid animal demanding to get out when it wanted.
“Not really. He’s had a fever recently, but nothing much. He doesn’t really go out often, so it’s nothing too strange about it.” He’s been like that ever since they died, so the psychologist noted that as normal for him.
“So he changed from being a physically active outdoor boy to one that spent more time indoors?” she asked again to confirm.
“I thought Ayden was…Our parents died two years ago. He changed since then. They said that it was normal because he might have…post-traumatic effects after the accident.” When a four-year-old kid sees his parents dying, it traumatizes him.
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. It explains why you haven’t noticed it earlier,” she mumbled, rubbing her forehead and looking at the papers. She didn’t say a word for a while, and I was about to make the first move, but before I had time to ask what was she talking about, she spoke.
“Here we are.” Dr. Grainger drew the curtains to reveal Ayden lying on a single bed with white cotton sheets and gray blankets. I gasped, covering my mouth. There were tubes running into the veins on his arms and what looked like an oxygen mask pulled over his nose and mouth. Apart from the tubes, Ayden looked fragile and blissfully asleep.
After making sure Melissa and I were seated next to Ayden’s bed, Dr. Grainger continued, “Blood tests indicate that Ayden has leukemia. I have ordered an array of further tests to check the effects: an X-ray to check the condition of his bones, an MRI to check on his brain, and ultrasound for the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Here’s a fact sheet of treatment options that I want you to read up on, as well as support groups that you could talk to. We should know more in a few days, but Ayden has been admitted and will be treated as an in-patient here.”
Melissa gasped, visibly shaken by the news.
I was numb.
It was less painful to stare back at hospital walls that witnessed the worst events of my life than to focus on Ayden. I reached for Ayden’s little hand, and my other hand grasped Melissa’s tightly.
“Are you all right?” Melissa reached to hug me. How could I tell her that my life had turned into a tragedy?
“Depending on how advanced Ayden’s leukemia is, we’ll need to make quick treatment decisions. Most forms of leukemia are treated with medication combined with a chemotherapy regimen. Radiation therapy and bone marrow transplantation are also treatment options that could be effective depending on test results. Without comprehensive insurance, I have to warn you about treatment expenses. Costs could run into six figures. Some patients have had to remortgage their homes to get lifesaving treatment. If you make financial arrangements now, there will be no further delay when we agree on the most suitable treatment for Ayden.”
The first thought that came to my mind was of my aunts. Oddly enough, I was feeling pain and panic. They were on a cruise, but Ayden’s predicament might bring them back home. Ayden was a happy, energetic six-year-old boy. A tragedy could not be his lot in life. He deserved a shot at a happy one.
I rose up from the hospital chair with steel resolve, throwing away regret and pain. I could choose to cry and give up, or I could do all I can to get the six figure sum and save my brother’s life.
I chose the latter.
Because no matter what, I couldn’t let the last real member of my family die. I couldn’t lose him too.
If only I knew that the true tragedy doesn’t come from despair but from the hope of fighting one’s own destiny, maybe I wouldn’t have been burnt so much when faced with pain. But I could not grieve; I was not allowed to.
I was, after all, simply human. I could only go forward and take fate into my own hands regardless of consequences. Because the future I aimed for was the one with Ayden by my side.
The one where I could truly live as myself.
Chapter 2
Proposal
Is us being here our de
stiny or the result of us fighting it?
“We can’t spend our money on something so insignificant. People die all the time. You’ll get over it…Here I come, honey. Wait for me!”
I played those words my aunt just told me over and over again as I cried in front of the mirror in the hospital bathroom. They fucking told me that their nephew’s life was insignificant to them! The people I thought could help me with my brother’s transplantation and therapy said that to me like it meant nothing to him! Those sick bastards!
I bit my lip, trying to stop my sobs. Those people no longer considered us family. What did I get my hopes high for? I should’ve known better. Their answer wasn’t all that surprising now that I think about it.
Two years ago, when my parents died in the car accident, we were left in our aunt’s care. She and her husband convinced the jury that they were going to use the money left by our parents to take care of Ayden and me, so they were appointed as our guardians. We truly thought that we could live with them as a family. They did often come with presents back then, but they apparently had other plans. They sold our house and rented a small one-story house for Ayden and me to live in before they took the money and went to cruise the world.
I was still young. I didn’t know what to do. Since I was underage, had I complained about our case to judge, they might’ve separated Ayden and me. I was threatened with the same thing by my aunts. That’s why I kept quiet, and it was only two months ago that I became an adult and Ayden’s guardian. The so-called remaining family we had were more than willing to get rid of him, so they didn’t complain.
Fighting the tears, I splashed some water on my face to hide my bloodshot eyes, but I knew that it will be hard. I’ve cried the whole day ever since learning about Ayden’s state, and I doubted that it will go away just by washing my face once.
Hopeless.
I took a deep breath again and again. I didn’t want to think, but I had to. I didn’t know how, but I had to get that money for him. With that as my final thought, I headed back to Ayden’s room.
I couldn’t do anything.
I noticed Mel’s pain when she heard everything from the doctor. I knew she was from some rich family, but she cut her ties. I didn’t know how, but they destroyed her life. It was all she said when she mentioned it to me long ago. She said she’ll try to get it, but she wasn’t sure just when she will make it. He may die by then…I couldn’t let it happen.
The doctor explained everything to me; he had AML, the type of leukemia that attacked your red blood cells. Most leukemia cancers attacked white ones, but this one reduced the production of red cells, thus, causing problems to every single cell in the body. There was no oxygen for them. Therapy was simple. He needed marrow transplantation and then, chemotherapy. He will constantly be under strong rays that will destroy his sick cells while his blood will get filtrated. He’ll also need some medicines, but they couldn’t say it for sure. The question was if his body would accept it. I prayed it would, but I needed money for all that.
The one I didn’t have.
“But I don’t want to stay here, and I don’t want you to go.” Before I knew it, I was at Ayden’s room as he whined. Visiting hours were long over, and I had to go, but Ade had to stay there. He wouldn’t let me go, and I didn’t want to leave him either, but I had no choice. I have never been separated from Ayden at night, not since the day our parents died.
After the accident, he had nightmares, and I was always there to calm him down. That’s why we’ve been sleeping together no matter what.
Seeing what happened to our parents at such a young age was a terrifying experience for me, so I couldn’t even imagine what’s been going through his head.
“Ade, you know I would like to stay here, or take you with me, but I can’t,” Alright, let’s make this more interesting. “You see, there are monster’s bacteria in you, and those nice superheroes in white are trying to destroy it. Otherwise, you will become one of them and start terrorizing this planet.” I tried to make this like an adventure to him. I moved my arms, making different figures to make this talk more interesting for him. He didn’t have to know what was happening, not yet, at least. How the hell do you explain to a six-year-old kid what leukemia is? Blood cancer? How do you even explain to him that he has to get surgery? He would probably escape the hospital on his own if he were to find out about the very process of surgery.
“Even Amy?” His eyes widened, and I chuckled. Amy’s been his crush for a long time as he was hers. She is Melissa’s daughter and the same age as him. They were in the same grade and a team of troublemakers, so I swear that he wanted to protect her more than he cared for himself. He’d always share his food with her, and she’d do the same.
“Yep, her too. Do you want her to get hurt, or will you stay here and fight like a real hero?” I raised my eyebrow.
He bought it.
“Let’s beat it!” He raised his little fist in the air, and I did the same. I kissed his forehead and told him I would come back tomorrow, and all he has to do is go to sleep. I gave the nurse my phone number in case Ade wanted to talk to me, and she nodded saying that she would call me if needed. I could barely look at his weakened form without crying. His hair wasn’t like it was before, and I knew that it was because of the radiation he had been under as a treatment.
That night, for the first time in my life, I spent my time alone in our little home. It was just a simple one-story house with two rooms, but the man was kind enough to rent it for us under the price of a single-room flat.
I didn’t sleep. Just cried. There was, after all, nothing I could do for the time being.
Not a single thing.
Next day, I was working at Eat & Smile, but my usual cheerful mood was gone. How could I even think of being happy when Ade was in the hospital on his own? I didn’t even say anything to that Betty that comes in every day; I just walked around like a zombie. How could I be myself when Ayden is in the hospital, probably scared to death from all the staff going in his room? He wasn’t good with strangers around him, and all those people in white must have been scaring him.
I needed to go and see him soon; although he might have seen them as heroes, he was still a child. They’ll just come, give him medicine, and leave. They won’t play with him. He’ll be scared no matter what.
“Kay,” Ryan called me, and I turned around to face him. “Is everything all right, honey? Do you want me to send you home?” he asked with worry etched across his face, and I just shook my head.
“I’m alright, just…It’s Ade. He’s sick.” I tried to hold my tears. Maybe I wasn’t strong enough to stay cheerful and positive in this situation, but I sure as hell couldn’t cry like he had already died. I cried enough yesterday, and today I promised him that whenever I think of him, I will always laugh, so I just have to hope for things to settle down and get better. I prayed that something good would happen. It just had to.
It had to.
“There’s nothing to worry about. You know how Ade is. He will get through any fever that gets him, just like always.” He smiled. He knew nothing. I wasn’t strong enough to talk about that yesterday and now. Oh, God. I just couldn’t.
“That’s the point. This isn’t some usual fever, Ryan.” I stared at the ground, rubbing my forehead, as to not let him see my glassy eyes.
“What do you mean?” This caught his attention, and he stopped chopping carrots.
“He-he has leukemia.” I finally choked it out. “The doctors said that without surgery, he will be able to live, at most, for more than a few months, barely one at the worst case scenario, and I…I have no money for it.” I let a tear escape from my eye. I didn’t think. I couldn’t. My mind was broken at that moment.
“Don’t worry. He will make it somehow.” He hugged me. “We can try something. We can help you. You can count on my wife and me. We’ll get through this all together,” he said, but I shook my head. Even with their help, it would be hard.
“He�
��s my only family. I can’t lose him too.” I cried.
“We will help you somehow. Everything is going to be alright. What about your aunts?”
“Those people aren’t our aunts! You should have heard them…what she said.” I cried and trembled with anger. “I really need that money. I know that it’s not a lot, but I need it!”
“So what are you going to do? Do you have any plans? Have you contacted anyone else?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Anything. I would do anything to get that money.” I was determined. No matter what, I will get that money even if it kills me. I didn’t care if I had to go around every single help center for his sake. I reminded myself that I had to move forward. I had no time to stop, or he’d be taken from me.
Hearing the doorbells that signaled a customer’s arrival, I apologized to Ryan before heading to the bathroom. I couldn’t allow myself to bother our customers. Ryan worked hard to get this far; I needed to do the same. If I thought positively, positive things would happen, right?
As if.
Splashing some water on my face, I checked my reflection in the mirror. It wasn’t enough to hide the red in my eyes that showed that I was indeed crying. Silently cursing, I only splashed my face with more water before drying it off. It had to do. If they asked, I was cutting onions or something.
When I came back in the lobby, I noticed that the only new customers were Max, a friend of Melissa and me, and someone I didn’t know. Grabbing the pen and paper from my apron, I headed in their way.
Just keep natural.
“What can I get you?” I asked, and both Max and that guy looked up at me, the guy’s eyes widening as if he recognized me.
Strange. I didn’t recall seeing him. When I had taken a closer look at his face, I could say he was breathtakingly beautiful. His finely defined jaw and disheveled black hair gave him that serious, business-like look. His eyes that were as blue as the ocean seemed to bore into my soul. He also seemed older than me, his business suit proving me right.
One Night Stand with a Billionaire Page 2