LUNA
Alberto parks his car at the hospital garage and I feel even more nervous. Mom tries hard to stay calm, but her hands shake. We have been through this before. On an evening, we received a call from a nurse who said we needed to come to the hospital. Upon arrival, we were informed that Skye was in intensive care in critical condition. We had to wait and hope he would get better. The feeling of not being able to help him was frustrating, and the thought of losing him was terrifying.
Skye and Dax join us, and we walk in silence to the nephrology department. A nurse stops us in the hallway and Mom tells her we are here to see River Garth. I can imagine the nurse is suspicious about seeing a bunch of people in lime green clothes. Skye still has sand stuck to his legs, and Dax's hair is matted from the sea water. The nurse goes into a room. Skye moves next to me and places his arm around my shoulders.
"Remember what I told you. Worry and sadness make no one feel better," my brother whispers in my ear, and I nod.
The nurse comes out the room, followed by Maggie, who pulls down the face mask she wears. Her blue eyes are bloodshot and her face is pale. She moves into my dad's arms for comfort and he rubs her back. It's a heartbreaking moment.
"They are my family," Maggie says to the nurse while cleaning her tears with a crumpled napkin.
The nurse gives us face masks and then returns to the station.
"Sorry we have to wear this. It's to protect River from catching something extra," says Maggie.
"How is he doing?" Mom asks.
"He is not well; it was like last December all over again. I found him this morning sitting at the dining table. He was crying and holding a bag of ice cubes to his back. His legs were swollen again so I brought him to the hospital. The doctor found his blood pressure is dangerously high."
"Oh, my poor child. When is all this suffering going to end?" my mom hugs Maggie.
We have spent time with River since we found out about him. I was hesitant, but Dax's attitude towards the situation made me change my mind. My parents have been out with him. Dax visits him almost every day, and Skye and I took turns keeping him company during his dialysis.
My brothers don't know I have also been in contact with him outside the hospital visits. I shared our plans for the party with River and he asked me if he could be part of the team. He is creative and as a teacher is used to deal with chaos. We had great ideas but were disorganized. He made an action plan and divided the tasks. River has a wicked sense of humor like Skye and has the naughty grin of Dad. I enjoy being around him.
"He got medication and is under constant supervision. He will love seeing you all. He is upset he couldn't go to the festival to see you compete," Maggie caresses Dax's cheek.
We disinfect our hands, put on our masks and follow Maggie into the room. River smiles when we come inside. He looks weak. It's a painful reminder of our past family situation. Medication bags drip into the IV in his left hand.
"Hey sweetheart," Mom kisses River on his forehead, even though she is wearing the mask.
"You are all here," River says with surprise.
"We are," Dad moves closer to him and pats his hand. "You and Maggie are part of the Kalani clan. We always stick together in good or bad times."
"Mrs. Garth? Dr. Harper would like to speak with you," says the nurse we met earlier.
"Sadie, Ash, Alberto, could you please come with me?" Maggie asks and our parents leave the room with her.
"How did the competition go? I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I had my Kalani staff t-shirt," River looks at us with so much sadness.
"We did our best, but we have to wait until later to hear the final standing for the day," Skye says. "Then on Wednesday, all the scores will be complete and we will know if we made it through."
"I wonder how it went for Dylan," Dax looks at his phone. "I feel sorry I had to put him in the position of covering for my last set."
Nobody has messaged us yet. Kay must be busy right now with his own rides.
"I got video and photos on my phone," I say.
"Really? Can I see them?" River asks and looks hopeful.
We all move to the head of the bed, and I start the video on my phone. The image is shaky, and you can hear the wind and the loud cheers from the people present. Skye and Dax explain the maneuvers to River, and he is fascinated by what he watches.
"It looks complicated and impressive," River says with a proud smile.
"Where are the photos?" Skye swipes over the screen of my phone.
"In the gallery. I made an album," I say.
"All I see here are photos of the VIP tent. River, that place is amazing, you should see it."
"I know it's amazing. I worked on it yesterday morning before I left for my treatment. I hung the bamboo lanterns, carried palm trees and had a fight with the green couch covers. I'm a Garth-Kalani," River smiles.
"Thanks!" Dax hugs him softly.
"Luna, I still can't find the pictures. I think you imagined taking them," Skye says.
"Give me the damn phone," I say, and he moves the phone higher.
"Get it from me! Anyway, I don't think they are worth the effort. You are a shitty photographer Luna. It's a good thing you are a shaper. You would have died of hunger taking photos for a living. Even that video was shaky. Have you ever heard of image stabilization?" my brother says in a condescending tone.
"Skye, give me the fucking phone before I climb over River and slap that smirk off your face."
"Dudes," Dax says in a warning tone. River can't stop laughing. "DUDES!" he yells.
We stop our argument. Our parents stand in the room. Maggie's eyes crinkle so she must be smiling. Mom gives us a disapproving look, while Dad and Alberto are trying hard not to laugh.
"The doctor just informed us that if your blood pressure stabilizes, we will go for surgery on Thursday," Mom says.
River looks from Mom to Maggie and cries. Dax holds his hand.
"We will be here for you, okay? Remember, you are a Kalani," Dax looks into River's eyes.
I can't help the tears that escape me. Skye bites his lip, trying hard to control his emotions.
"The doctor will come by later to explain the procedure. If all goes well, you will need to take medication daily for the rest of your life, but you won't need dialysis..." Maggie's voice breaks and Dad puts his arm around her shoulders.
River smiles between the tears. He calms down, and I hand him a tissue from the box next to the bed. The buzz of multiple phones resonates through the room. I look at mine and smile when I see it is a video sent by Jax. The small preview picture shows Dylan on his board.
"My God! He did it!" Skye gasps while looking at his phone.
Dylan did an aerial maneuver and landed safely enough to continue his ride. I show my phone to River as Skye and Dax give their phones to our parents. Another message comes in and this time, it's a video of Kay. Both feet hang from the nose of his board, and he extends his arms. He then kneels and makes that crazy Quasimoto move.
"He did a hang ten! Not a hang five, a hang ten, and finished with a Quasimoto!" Skye laughs.
River looks at me puzzled.
"Both moves look silly, but require a lot of practice and skill," I say.
"Do you think I could ever do that? That jump in the air?" Maggie asks.
"If you practice hard enough," Dax shrugs.
"Mom, you want to surf?" River asks surprised.
"If your brother Skye wants to teach me. I've heard he is the guy to go to."
Skye looks at Maggie with wide eyes. His mouth is probably open, but I can't see it with the mask.
"The week after the festival is over?" Skye asks. Maggie nods while patting his cheek in a loving way.
Another buzz. This time, it's a message from Kay that only says:
CALL ME NOW!!!!!