Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The ride was far from smooth. The chopper swayed and jolted as it maneuvered through the turbulent mountain air. I clutched the seat. A blend of adrenaline and fear kept me on edge. The scenery shifted from rugged mountainous terrain to a sprawling urban landscape. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves.
Finally, the helicopter began its descent, landing as smoothly as the takeoff. The ground crew stationed nearby sprang into action, ready to usher me to the plane.
9: The Unknown
Beau
Houston Methodist Hospital
“Carter,” I called, my heavy pack in hand. Being back in civilization made me feel like a hobo after spending days and days in the wilderness. I couldn’t sleep on the long flight home. There’d been a private vehicle waiting when I landed, and I’d been given directions to meet Carter in a more quiet, secluded area of the hospital where high-profile patients were placed. I maintained my quick stride as I approached him about three-quarters of the way down the hospital hall.
“How is he?” I asked, still feet away. “Where is he?” The desperation to see him ate at me until I felt I was crawling out of my own skin.
“He’s stable. They’ve decided to begin weaning him off the ventilator. I’ve vetted his care team and brought in some renowned specialists. They all agree with this current treatment plan, meaning something has to be encouraging them.” Carter glanced behind him and then back to me, speaking quieter. “But I don’t see the improvement they apparently do. He’s very sick.”
“I wanna see him.” I’d listened to that same update for the entirety of my flight, I had to know more. I maneuvered around Carter toward a decent size waiting area with the standard chairs, sofas, and coffee machine. My gear needed a drop-off point before I tossed it in the trash but Carter stopped me.
“He’s three doors down.” Carter nodded me to a room between us and the waiting area. “The window’s open. I was able to pull some strings and have a suite here for my private use, keeping me close if Dash needed me.”
A force drew me to Dash’s room. I wasn’t prepared to see my love looking like death in a hospital bed with machines and tubes hooked to his frail body. The way he breathed, his chest expanding abnormally, had my heart shattering, a dizzy light-headedness assailed. The pack in my hand dropped to the floor as I took in my surroundings. Tension tightened my neck, shoulders and upper back, locking my muscles together in instant physical pain.
Tears sprang to my eyes. I couldn’t do life without Dash. My beautiful guy was being ravaged by some unknown disease. How was that possible in today’s age?
I started for the room, but Carter’s hand rested on my forearm, stopping me. He nodded toward the red label on the door.
“They’ve set up cautionary protocols. If you go inside, you’ll have to be in protective wear.”
I didn’t give a single shit about any of that and reached for the door handle again. It was locked, keeping me from him.
“What the fuck, Carter? That’s my husband. I need to be in there with him,” I barked, slapping at the ache in my chest, taking my irrational anger out on the person who stayed by Dash’s side, and flew me halfway around the world to be here now.
“I’m his assigned nurse.” A female voice, walking stride for stride with a woman in a business suit said. She pointed toward the cart outside his door. A stack of disposable gowns, boxes of masks, and various sizes of gloves sat ready to be used. “Let’s get you in there with him.”
“What’s happenin’ to Dash? How did he get like this?” I asked as my anger found a new target. “When I left he had a fuckin’ sniffle.”
“His physician’s on the way. He can help answer your questions,” she said, assisting in the way to properly wear the gown. I forewent the gloves, my hands ached to touch my love.
The lady in the suit said, “I’m Natalie Johnson with the Houston Department of Health. I have questions for you. Can you give me a moment then I’ll leave you alone?”
“I wanna see my husband,” I said, my jaw tightening, my hands clenching into fists. The stern, unreasonable side of my personality became my dominant side. I hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours, and all I wanted was to hold Dash’s hand in mine. “I can’t be clearer. And I’m about to have a big fuckin’ fit over it.”
I shoved the straps of the mask over each ear, as I jumped through all the hoops necessary to be with my husband. My anxiety built to crippling levels.
“The code to enter his room is 1234. He’s isolated for his protection and due to Mr. Carter’s presence in the hospital. Mr. Carter’s been in and out of the room regularly.”