Chapter 21: Chapter 21
Nick was already by the gates when Kate came out of the school premises. Without so much talk, the two arrived at the hospital. Just as everyone expected, Kelly's family did not hesitate to sign the papers to make the surgery happen.
Kate was dazed ever since she got into Nick's car until they reached the nurse's station and heard what they needed to do as soon as they arrived. Her hands were shaking as she signed the papers. Nick assisted her all the way. Nick was nervous, too. He was aware that Kate was in great shock. But he was more composed than Kate. He felt the need to stay strong for Kate to lean and depend on. He had just lost his dad, and Nick knew how it felt to be helpless.
They waited for hours by the operating room door. Nurses would come and go, but no one talked to Kate and Nick about how the surgery was going. The wait must have pulled the last string of bravery in her. After three hours of waiting and Kelly was still inside the operating room, with no news of how she was doing, Kate started sobbing silently.
Nick was beside her and pulled Kate into a warm and comforting embrace.
"Everything is going to be just fine, but cry if it would make you feel better," Nick gently reminded Kate. He gave his shoulder for Kate to cry on. He knew that Kate also needed to let her emotions out. If crying is one way, that would be good for her.
Kate felt even more emotional. She never thought this cold and aloof man would be the very first one to comfort her in moments like this. It wasn't long ago when he was too furious as he caught Kate in disappointing behavior. Still, here he is, not only beside Kate, but he was also offering his reliable assistance. Kate was speechless, not in awe but in great fear and sadness.
The two, Nick and Kate, were not told what exactly happened to her. They were only informed that Kelly got into an accident on her way to work. The nurses said the doctor would explain everything once he was done with the surgery. So they were clueless about what surgery was being done.
The unknown brought both relief and fear.
Relief that they can think of slight and acceptable speculations of what could be happening.
And fear for they do not know what to expect and need to prepare their hearts for any news the doctor would give them after a very long wait.
Four hours later, Kelly was still inside the OR. It was past lunch already, but Kate did not want to eat anything. She did not want to leave her spot. She was worried the doctor would come out of the operating room, and Kate was not around to hear the news right away.
Nick was concerned Kate might collapse in distress. He looked around to see if there was a way he could provide Kate anything to take, food or drinks. Even just water would suffice for the moment. To his disappointment, none. They were in the inner part of the hospital. Vending machines would typically be on the receiving and waiting areas where many people would possibly need and use them.
Nick did not want to leave Kate even for a minute, but he did not want her to starve either. He was in deep thought on how to deal with his immediate situation. Kelly was inside the OR on an operating table, and obviously, Nick could do nothing about her case, but Kate was right next to him. He can see, and he knows what she might need. Now, he must find a way to provide for that need since he possibly can.
With Kate still leaning on his shoulder sidewards, sitting on the floor, right next to the OR door, Nick fished his phone out of his pants back pocket and called the company driver. Nick asked him to bring them food at the hospital and told him where to find them when the driver got into the hospital buildings.
He was aware that the situation does not invite appetite to the family nervously waiting for the patient to come out of the surgery. Still, they need to stay rational, sober and eat to keep their strength. They need to have a sound mind once the doctor gets the chance to talk to them. So, Nick only asked for soup in a thermos flask and a few bottles of water.
Not long after, he received a call saying the driver was on the same floor but could not find where Nick was.
"We are at the west wing. Turn left from the elevator facing the nurse's station. We're at the end of the corridor," Nick answered clearly.
He did not bother standing up. He could have met the driver at the nurse's station to receive the food and still see Kate from where he would be standing afar, but Kate was limply leaning on him with her tears still endlessly trailing down her fragile-looking face. Nick did not want to leave her, even for a moment.
"I'm sorry, Nick, Kate. I couldn't find you right away," the middle-aged man, Paul Courtney, apologized with heartfelt sincerity. He had been working for Elijah for a very long time. He had seen Nick grow up and admired his humbleness just like his late father. It was a shame that a very kind man left this life too early. Elijah Eudovic helped Paul in extraordinary ways that he feels indebted to Elijah and whoever connects with him as a family. Kelly, Kate, and Nick.
"How is Chris?" Nick asked after a slight nod.
Paul smiled warmly. He was almost teary-eyed. Chris is his teenage son who had Corneal Dystrophy and needed a corneal transplant. It wasn't easy for the Courtney family. They did not have the money to afford the surgery. But when Elijah found out about Paul Courtney's distress regarding his son, Chris, Elijah decided to donate his Cornea after asking his doctor if that he was possible to do so. He was a patient himself, so he had to ask for his doctor's professional advice regarding the matter. When Elijah got the go signal from his doctor, he informed his wife and son about it. Elijah did not want to bother Kate with such irrelevant issues, so he discreetly talked to Nick and Kelly about his plans with his Cornea when he takes his last breath. He even offered a loan or cash advance for Paul's salary to get the surgery done as soon as possible. He gave that order to Nick ahead of time, and the son agreed without questions asked. He is proud of his dad, and whenever Nick sees Chris, he feels like he is looking into his dad's eyes, and he can feel an instant connection with the boy.
"He is doing well, thank you," Paul replied with humbleness.
Nick wanted to pour a soup for Kate, but as she was leaning on Nick's shoulder, the latter could not move well enough to do what he wanted to do. Paul sat with his legs crossed across Nick and Kate. He opened the thermos lid, collected paper cups from the bag he brought, and poured for the two youngsters.
"Here, have some while it's warm," Paul handed Nick and Kate the paper cups with cream mushroom soup.
Nick received them both and handed one to Kate.
"You have to eat something, or at least drink this soup," Nick reminded Kate gently. "You won't hear what the doctor will say if you faint before they come out of that door, I am not going to tell you anything if you pass out," Nick made his words sound threatening.
His words alarmed Kate, and she sat up straight to take and drink the soup after a few gentle blows of air on it.
Paul did not want to bother the two, so he reminded Nick to call him if he needed anything.
"I will be waiting at the lounge area. Call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Thanks, Paul. I will," Nick just looked up to see the driver leave.
"Thank you," Kate's hoarse voice was heard. She looked up to Paul, who brought the food. It felt good as the warmth traveled down her throat to her stomach.
Paul smiled warmly and nodded as he saw the beautiful young face turned pitiful in his sight. Kate has always been gentle and kind, just like Kelly, and it pains anyone to see their lovely faces turn sad and in agony. They had seen it when Elijah left. Paul and Nick can clearly recall how Kelly was heartbreakingly sad as she cried for her husband. And more than anyone, Nick knew for what reasons Kelly was feeling the way she did. But for whatever reasons there may be for these lovely ladies to cry, it is always heart-rending to see them in such great sadness and distress.