Burning Gold

“You’re telling me he gave you his number and you’re not going to call him?” Ali basically shrieked at Lily as they sat sipping their coffee like they did most mornings before Sam would wake up.
“Well I’m sure I’ll end up needing to call him about the tickets but other than that no.” She replied calmly.
“He didn’t need to hand out his number, he could have strictly dealt with the hospital, and we have people for that. He’s clearly interested and when was the last time you had a date?” She argued back.
“So he’s trying to please Sam to get a date with me? That’s great.” Lily replied sarcastically “Ali I can’t deal with a guy right now. The last one was such a disaster and I don’t need a distraction from Sam.”
“I’m sure Sam would be more than happy with you going on a date with his favorite hockey player.”
“Well now it sounds like I’d be using him. Whatever, he’s not even going to ask me on a date because he doesn’t have my number and I’ll get one of your people to contact him.” Lily explained.
“Okay so maybe I was trying to prove a point and we don’t actually have people for that.” Ali nervously laughed at her. “Well there are foundations like that but it’s a lot of paperwork and takes a few months, so honestly going through Jonathan would be a lot quicker and easier.”
Lily couldn’t help but laugh at Ali’s desperate want for Lily to call Jon.
“I’ll call him in a few days okay?” She finally gave in. “Now I’m going to go check in on Sam, he should be awake by now.”
They both stood, dumping their paper cups in the garbage.
“I hate to bring it up but have you talked to Sam?”
“No, I need to though, I want to, today. I was thinking of taking him to Millennium.” Lily tightened her grip on her purse.
“It’d be a good idea. Matt wants to start doing weekend and day passes with him, so he can be more out an about.”
“There’s no good idea in any of it. I have to tell him that his bodies failing him. Where’s the good?” Lily snapped back. “Sorry, I didn’t mean-“
“I get it Lily, I just want you to know I’m here for you, always have been. You don’t have to keep it all inside, I’ve only seen you cry three times since Sam was diagnosed and I’ve cried over Sam’s sickness a whole lot more than three times.” Ali stopped in the hallway, facing Lily. “It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be mad, you’re in an awful situation and life has been more unfair to you than anyone I know, but you don’t have to be alone. That’s all I’m saying, I’m here for you and I’m sure if Jon is already offering to bring Sam out on the ice then he isn’t Thomas, he’ll be there for you and Sam, you just should try giving people a chance.”
After Ali’s little rant, Lily couldn’t help but blink back tears. She wasn’t used to having someone, she knew she had Ali but they didn’t talk about Sam’s illness a lot, Ali was kept updated because she was his nurse so there wasn’t a need to discuss it.
“C’mon, let’s go see Sam.” Lily huffed, still not comfortable with fully discussing Sam’s situation.
The two walked down the hallway, keeping quiet. Both girls were feeling quite anxious, unable to decide if it was because of the previous conversation or something else. But as soon as Lily saw Matt Irwin sprint across the hall and into Sam’s room, they both knew why.
“Sam!” Lily went into a full on run down the hall, getting into the room in time to see them cut his new pajama top open. “What’s happening?” She yelled to Sam’s doctor hoping for an answer.
“Irwin, what happened?” Ali entered the room, immediately going to work.
“He was getting out of bed and fainted when Sarah was in the room.” He felt around Sam’s chest with his stethoscope.
“BP is strong. Heartbeat regular.”
“Why isn’t he awake?” Lily shouted louder.
“Lily, I need you wait outside, I know it’s scary but we’re going to take care of him and do everything we can okay?” A nurse Lily barely recognized began escorting her outside of her little brother’s room.
“The doctor is going to want to do a couple scans to make sure he didn’t do any brain damage when he fell and that it was just a symptom from the illness. Okay? I’ll make sure Ali stays with him and we’ll give you any news as we get it.” Lily found herself in the waiting room, out of every room this was her least favorite. She watched too many people lose their children or siblings here; she didn’t want to join in.
She sunk into the chair, knowing that nothing she could do would help her see Sam right now. Her trembling arms wrapped around her legs that she held close to her chest. She didn’t notice she was crying until she saw the tear stains on her grey tank top.
“Please be okay Sam.” She whispered to herself. She wasn’t ready to be alone, not yet.
She didn’t know how much time had passed but it felt like hours, her tears faded to silent sobs, at some point someone put some water for her in front of her but she couldn’t remember who or when that had happened.
Lily was able to put a stop to her tears, trying to collect herself as best as she could, she needed an update, any kind.
“Is there any update on Sam Martin?” She asked the nurse.
“They’re just finishing the tests with him, he should be back in his room soon, if you’d like to wait in there for his arrival.”
“Thank you.” She whispered, walking down the hall and back into Sam’s room. The eerie feeling she felt in her stomach when she entered his room couldn’t be ignored. Everything was the exact same, the walls still filled with pictures and drawings, everything was there except Sam. And that’s how it would be in a year.
“Sam.” Lily whispered to herself, wiping a couple tears that had escaped. A quiet beep interrupted her though.
He’s still sleeping, not really supposed to be texting. Nothing’s changed regarding his condition, he’ll be back soon.
She reread the message a few times that she’d just received from Ali. After shooting a thank you text she did anything that would distract her. Her eyes fell on a number only recently added into her phone.
Hi Jon, it’s Lily, thanks again for offering to take us to the game, unfortunately Sam’s not doing so great right now so I think we may have to cancel it. Sorry.
She sent the text, without rereading it and switched to her photos, scrolling endlessly through.
Don’t worry about the game; we can make it happen when he’s healthy enough to. Is he ok?
The phone beeped with the message.
Waiting for him to come back from the tests, he’s asleep though so I don’t know if he’s in pain.
I’ll be thinking of him, how are you holding up?
I’m not really.
She’ll never know what caused her to be so open towards a stranger but something about Jon comforted her, he actually listened to her and whether it was an act he seemed like he cared for her.
She could hear Ali’s voice and immediately tucked her phone in her purse, standing up and hoped for Sam’s arrival. Soon enough a hospital bed wheeled in with a sleeping boy in it.
“What happened?” she asked Ali and Matt Irwin immediately.
“As we thought, he fainted when he got out of his bed, he’s got a bit of a bump on his head, no concussion though which is good.” Dr. Irwin explained.
“What was the point in the tests then?”
“For precaution, Lily.” Ali tried to comfort. “His illness hasn’t gotten any better but it’s not gotten worse.” Lily let out a slight sigh of relief.
“Why is he still asleep then? If he just fainted?” Lily suspiciously asked.
“The anesthetics that we gave him should fade soon. We didn’t want to risk any brain swelling in case he hit his head harder than we expected, which he didn’t. It should be less than an hour till he comes to.”
“Okay. Thank you.” She replied graciously, pulling the chair next to Sam’s bed and sitting down.
Dr. Irwin left just after saying goodbye and returned to his usual schedule, leaving Ali and Lily alone.
“I have to tell him when comes to.” Lily whispered, squeezing Sam’s hand.
“I think a part of him knows already to be quite honest.” Ali sounded as broken as they both felt.

Notes

sorry for the delay :( let me know if you liked it! I love reading your comments :)