Threads and Strings

18. Found - March 2020

With that announcement and scramble, the doctor started the debriefing: "I've been made aware of the security and privacy concerns. [Turning to Charles and Suk Yong] I would like your signatures to confirm that the people in this room and anyone you put on this list may hear any news on Ms. Kim's condition as well as visit at any time." The doctor handed Charles the clipboard that covered what he just spoke of. Charles showed Stewart, Carly, and Evan that they were being added to the visitation list, along with Lia and Kai's names.

"Thank you for looking that over. Nurse Hunter will have that processed. I am Doctor Lucas, I will be observing Ms. Kim until she is ready for discharge. As you may have been informed by Nurse Hunter, Emi was brought in with swelling and hemorrhaging in her brain. We reduced the swelling, but we will not know the effects of that swelling until she regains consciousness. She was also found with a couple of broken ribs, which punctured her lung, and several wounds on her left leg which led us to finding some debris in her knee. We have taken out all foreign objects and will monitor her very closely on her breathing and her leg. She was treated for dehydration and burns, which were a simple fix. As of now, she needs help breathing, so we have her on an oxygen mask. We felt intubation was a bit drastic. As for those staying with her for the night, it says Charles and Suk Yong are her family. So just for the first night, we recommend that just the two of you remain here. Nurse Hunter will point you to her room in the ICU."

Stewart, Carly, and Evan understood and said that they would be back after the meeting with Lia and the higher ups at the company. Charles embraced each of them as headed out. Evan volunteered to drop off Pabu at Lia and Kai's hotel room, so they could focus on Emi. Charles spoke to Pabu, "Thanks for finding your mom. We will take care of her." Pabu whimpered as Charles gave him one last pet.

Suk Yong hurriedly followed Nurse Hunter as she led them to Emi's room. Suk Yong ran through the doorway, but Charles stopped himself from entering. "Eomma, I don't know if I can do this, see her in this state. From what the doctor said, I don't know if I can see her that way."

"Adeul [son], we have to be grateful that she is still alive. I cannot imagine what you are going through right now, but I do know that your presence will be the best thing for her." Suk Yong embraced her son and held his hand and told him to take as much time as he needs. She was willing to spend the night with Emi, until he was ready to see her.

Charles could hear the beeping of the machinery, dripping of the IV fluids, and his mother's voice greeting Emi, hoping for some semblance of a response. He knew his Eomma was looking for something to soothe her anxieties and fears as she saw her best friend's daughter lie on that bed, just as she saw her best friend a few years ago take her last breath.

Charles pulled himself into the room and finally caught sight of Emi.

There was his best friend, lying motionless. Her body and head bandaged with the oxygen mask, making it hard to recognize her. He slowly came to her hand and wanted his hand to be squeezed by hers, but her hand remained in the same position as it was before. After a few minutes, he stuttered, "Em, c-c-can you hear me?" No response. That was when his tears streamed down his face. There was no way he would hold in the tears. He feared the worst, but did his best to believe that she would come out of this better than ever. Any semblance of hope kept getting shattered as he waited for her to open her eyes, mumble something about him crying, or showing pain. He just wanted something. Anything.

*

*

Three days had passed. Charles, any chance he got, held her hand, squeezing and hoping even for a reflex, groan of pain, a call for help. Any response. Lia and Kai visited twice a day after their meetings with the production and legal team of the show. The fight for Emi was not only in the hospital but also on the show as well.