Chapter 321: Chapter 321
Chapter 321
~Good bye grandma~
As a result of Brian being sentenced to jail, grandma fell ill and was admitted at a hospital. Coleman had the most difficult moment taking care of her at the hospital, considering his condition.
Days dragged by, grandma was yet to be strong. The doctor had told Coleman it was high blood pressure and he took it less seriously. Although grandma had come of age, Coleman only suspected that the viral infection she had been harboring in her system all these years was back into action. It was a mere suspicion.
And later his suspicion became a reality. Doctor had invited him over the other day and nagged about the inconsequential viral load in her system. Coleman damn scared because the absence of Brian had only succeeded in worsening the whole ailment. He was scared grandma may not make it.
“The virus has multiplied so greatly now that her white blood cells are hugely susceptible right now. Any ailment that hits her right now could take her life,” the doctor had said to Coleman who died many time in his heart upon hearing that.
“Oh my goose!” Coleman exclaimed, “Please doctor, money is not going to be an issue. She is a billionaire. I need you to administer first-class treatment to her. Grandma must stay alive. If you need more money do inform me, I will always wire your bank account,” he said, pleading.
The doctor shook his head, “It is not all about money here, Mr. Coleman. This is a viral infection we are talking about here. You seem to be working and doing your best yet it makes you look like a fool. It has taken over her blood defense system and once it gets to that stage , the inevitability of death becomes certain. We will only try our best, Mr. Coleman. We are not God,” the doctor said conclusively, as he and Coleman locked eyes and then shook hands together.
Later Coleman was by the edge of grandma as she lay in her sick bed and stared into the ceiling. On a daily he had envisaged death, but often rebuked it. He really wanted grandma to live for him
“Where is Brian?” she asked coldly.
And when she hummed , “Hmmm,” she only ended up in baffling Coleman who held her fragile arm and stared into her drawn face, “I want to see Brian, is he out from jail?” she asked and said yet further, “The only person I want to see right now before I join the dead is Brian. Could you please fetch me Brian…”
Coleman interrupted him, “Drop it grandma. You are not going to die. I have instructed the doctor on what to do. Money is not our problem; I told the medical team to spring into action and ensure you continue to breathe life.”
She tossed her head, “Will I see nanny’s boy today? Will I see Brian today, uh, Coleman. I need him more than oxygen. I really need to understand if his jail term is fallacy or reality.” She coughed, even hugely now and spat sputum into a bowl. She cleared her throat after coughing a little more without spitting sputum. Her breathing whistled through and she could feel the failure of her breath surging. “Did you invite my lawyer like I told you?” she asked.
“Yes I did. In fact he is supposed to be on his way,” Coleman replied and stared into her wary face that seemed so strange now.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. A petite, ebony young man walked in with a file and a briefcase handy.
“Oh he is here already,” Coleman said.
“How is she faring now?” the lawyer asked the moment he appeared by her side.
Coleman dragged a frown, “I am only scared. She doesn’t seem to be responding to treatment even the doctor has given up on her despite the availability of money. She has been insisting on seeing Brian which is impossible right now.”
“Who is the Brian? And where is he?”
“Brian is my son, and her grandson. He is mysteriously serving a 20 year jail term in California…”
He was interrupted by grandma, “Do you have my testament and payment card?” she asked the barrister.
“Yes , ma’am,” the lawyer replied and placed his briefcase and file on the table.
“Proceed,” grandma said and started off a rapid coughing without end. “I want you to present my will and testament to my son, Coleman. He can take care of the rest,” she struggled to say yet again, my body is failing me. If I die now, I have come of age and it can only be a celebration of life for my family.” She watched on.
The barrister opened his briefcase, brought out the documents and a credit card, which he handed over to Coleman. Coleman collected the credit card and documents without perusing though it. His whole attention was on grandma whose eyes hard started rolling inwards. When he thought nothing was wrong with her, she coughed and bloodied spittle escaped through her lips.
“Grandma! Grandma! Are you Ok?” Coleman called, shook her on the shoulder, and quietened as she spoke. “Brian - ” it was late.
She couldn’t complete her words. Brian was the last words on her lips before she started convulsing hugely and then collapsed - she had died.
“No! Call the doctor!” Coleman yelled.
The lawyer sprang out to call the doctor…
***
The next day Coleman paid Brian a courtesy visit in jail. Seated with their faces staring at each other, Coleman was all tears when he said, “grandma is dead. You have finally killed grandma. She died out of the boredom and worries of having her grandson spend his life in jail. She died with your name on her lips. She died of …” he wept bitterly like a child.
Brian started fidgety, rolling his tongue in her mouth, stroking his hair, confused and wept with a yell.
“Grandma! No! No!” his yell echoed into the yard…