What Happens on the Cruise

71. Mom

Chris paced next to Tim's bed. They'd finally taken Adam to x-ray. There was no news about Austin or Ericha yet, but just looking at the blood-stained clothes Tim and Adam had had on filled him with dread.

Every so often a staffer would come by and check on Tim, ask him a series of questions, shine a light in his eyes, write on his chart and leave. Their unworried attitude comforted him that Tim, at least, wasn't critically injured.

"And here we are," someone exclaimed.

Chris glanced to the door and saw Adam getting out of a wheelchair, his arm in a sling. He moved out of the way so Adam could sit in the chair closest to the door. "Well?" he asked anxiously.

"It's a broken collarbone," Adam answered, carefully lowering himself into the chair without jostling his arm.

"What do they do for that?" Tim asked groggily.

"Sling, pain meds, rest, and physical therapy if needed."

The nurse came in and started checking Tim's stats. "How are you feeling, hon?" she asked.

"Still have a headache, but the nausea and shaking are less."

"Any new symptoms?"

"No. Is there any news about my fiance or Adam's wife?"

"I believe the doctor will be in soon to talk to Adam."

"And Austin?" Chris asked.

She paused for a moment, then sighed. "Actually, there's a problem. Since you're not married yet, you're not considered next of kin, and we can't discuss his condition with you."

"That's bull crap!" Adam exclaimed.

"So who's making decisions for him?" Chris demanded.

"We're in contact with his father. I understand his mother is en route."

"Wait, you called his parents in Georgia instead of talking to his fiance who's right here?" Chris sounded outraged.

"Our hands are tied, I'm af--."

"Wait. Tim, didn't you say once you've got power of attorney?" Adam interrupted.

"Y-- Yes. The paperwork is at home in the filing cabinet."

"Oh. That would change things."

"Who has keys to your house?"

"The neighbors that take care of Satch, um... Adam Chance..."

Chris pulled out his phone. "I'm calling him now. We'll get that paperwork for you."

***

"Are you sure you don't want to discuss this in private?" the doctor inquired.

"These guys are family," Adam answered. "I want them here."

The doctor pulled the rolling stool around so she could face Adam. She took a deep breath and Adam's heart sank. "As you likely will already know, Ericha sustained a significant blunt force head wound. That trauma led to a cranial fracture and swelling. We've put her in a medically induced coma until we can get the swelling reduced. We may need to perform surgery to reduce pressure on the brain."

"Oh, God," Adam breathed. "Is she... Is she going to be okay?"

The doctor pursed her lips. "Honestly, we don't know. It's hard to see how much damage has been done to the brain tissue itself. These first forty-eight hours are critical. Once we've reduced pressure and taken her out of the coma, we can begin to assess any loss of function, which... brings me to her second injury."