Tyler's Teddy

What would you do if you were told you can't do anything and you just had to wait?

I'm sitting here in this white bland room, in these over-used chairs waiting. About two minutes ago I was pacing. Nerves are kicking in, and my abdomen has gone into over-drive flipping out on me.

Waiting rooms were made by a sadist person; the smell is making me feel queasy. I need some fresh air; the nurse said it would still be an hour, and I saw the outdoor sitting area entrance down stairs. Maybe stop at the cafeteria, get a drink.

"That will be three dollars-fifty." The cashier announced.

I handed over the money, and then she passed the carton of flavoured milk. I took a stroll around the outdoor area. Waiting is not one of my virtues... when I was five, I would be that kid up at four in the morning to open their presents on Christmas day.

The next hour passed exaggeratingly slow. Once I heard that Tyler was in the Recovery wing, I speed walked to that wing in the hospital.

My breathing quickened as I entered the large glass doors. I could see beds lined up along the wall with their area separated by curtains. The nurse led me to Ty's section. Once I saw him I stopped short, and a large lump formed in my throat. "Is he going to be okay?" I croaked.

"You will have to wait for the doctor's report. " The nurse gave me a weak, sympathetic smile and walked away to another patient's bedside.

I moved slowly over to Ty's bedside, looking at him, with an IV drip in his arm, and a heart beat monitor softly beeping. Tears built in my eyes, but I blinked them away. He was scarred from the accident on his left arm, with soft brown hair so much like my own; it stuck out at different directions. Ty had a slight stubble that made him look older and worn out. I exhaled heavily and took a seat on the edge of his bed.

This reminded me slightly of when I was six, except I was in that hospital bed. Ty was about thirteen at the time when he came in after I had my surgery. He was the only one I was asking for, not my mother or father but my older brother. He came in with a big smile, came and sat at the end of my bed. At this time I was anxious since it was my first operation. He made some jokes and helped calm my nerves about the result of my surgery.

I wish my parents were here right now, or that Tyler was currently awake so that somebody could hug me tightly and just say 'everything is going to be okay.'

"Jessica?" A doctor came over and interrupted my thoughts.

"Hello Doctor Roberts." I greeted him courteously.

"I'm sure you are a little anxious on the result."

"Yeah, is he going to be okay?" I nodded towards Tyler.

"There is a slight chance that he won't. Due to his condition we had to keep him in a coma." Dr. Roberts paused. "He is in a serious condition, and we may have to put him through surgery again."

"What's the problem, is it his heart, his lungs or... what's wrong?" I stuttered.

Dr. Roberts cleared his throat and exhaled slowly. "When the accident occurred, he received a punctured lung; that lung has filled up with fluid. Also as result from the accident, he has tissue around his heart that is now infected. This could case heart failure."

I gulped and started to rub the left temple of my head in a circular motion. "What is the chance that he will come out of this completely fine?" I asked quietly, almost a complete whisper.

Doctor Roberts exhaled, looking at me sympathetically. "There is a 30 percent chance..." He exhaled again, and his Adam's apple moved slightly. "He will make it out of this condition completely fine."

Tears dropped, sliding down my cheek slowly; I reached up with my hand to wipe them away.

"Tyler will be moved to a wing in about 20 minutes; East wing room, 206." Dr Roberts left us, and I nodded, bitting my bottom lip lightly.

Once Tyler was moved to his new room, I was looking out the window. Ty's room had a nice view of the city below. Slowly lighting up, as dusk set into the night and lights illumining from cars became blurs of movement and street lights started turning on. I turned to face Tyler, picking up the plastic bag with his possessions. I rummage through until my hand found a soft bear with a black bow tie around its neck. I closed my eyes, remembering the time when this teddy was given to me.

"Here you go Jessie." Tyler smiled at me, handing me the bear. I was in a hospital wing; I grabbed the bear giving it a cuddle and swaying my upper body side to side.