Sideways

Chapter 10 Reinforcments

Saturday

Eddie slowly starts to wake up to the sound of a text notification on his phone. He reaches over and grabs his cell phone to see a text message from his mother. He clears the notification and looks at the time. It is a little past 8 am.

He puts his cell phone down to collect his thoughts for a moment. He has a moment to center himself, and his cell phone rings. He looks at the screen, and it's his mother again. He silences the call and puts his phone back down. Seconds later, a series of texts come in from his mother.

Mami: Edmundo, this is ridiculous answer your phone.

Mami: Why didn't we hear from you and Christopher on Thanksgiving?

Mami: It's bad enough you won't bring him home to us for the holidays.

Mami: A boy needs to be with his family!

Eddie silences notifications from his mother. He knows he needs to deal with her but needs to prioritize. First, he needs to get an update on Buck. Then he needs to see his son. Finally, he needs to have his own scans done. Well, if he has his way, that's the order things will happen. He grabs his cell phone, opens his contacts, finds Hen's name, and dials her.

"Eddie, did you get any sleep?

"Yeah, they gave me the good stuff. I got a few hours before my Mom started blowing up my phone.

"Shit, Eddie, do they know?"

"Doesn't look like it. She was bitching at me about Thanksgiving. If she knew I was in the hospital, they would be here causing chaos."

"Ok, Maddie said she was going to call your Aunt this morning and let her know what was going on. I called Carla this a little while ago. I gave her the rundown about you both being hurt. She is waiting for me now. I am almost at your house now. I told her not to tell Chris."

"Thanks, Hen."

"Give me 15 minutes, and I will call you back, ok Eddie?

"You are a godsend, Henrietta Wilson." Hen laughs as she hangs up.

Eddie reaches over and clicks the assistance button to flag a nurse or Doctor. He is joined a moment later by a new Doctor. They Doctor gives him a rundown of what his day will look like. He has an MRI scheduled for 10 am and another scan for 11 am. This new Doctor doesn't know anything about Buck. But promise they will get someone else to speak to him as soon as possible.

Eddie's phone rang again a moment later. He sees it, Hen, and he answers it.

"Eddie, I am at your house now. Just a heads up. Chris knows something is up, and he is upset. He saw me and put together something is wrong."

"He's too perceptive for his own good," Eddie says. "Where is he, Hen?"

"He is in his room and won't come out until we tell him where you and Buck are."

"Go to his room, put me on speaker."

He hears Hen shuffling down the hallway until she knocks on Chris' door and tells him he has a phone call.

"You're on speaker Eddie."

"Chris, mijo. Can you open the door for Hen, please?

"Dad?"

He hears the door open.

"Hen, can you give him your phone so we can talk for a minute?"

"Dad, where are you? Why is Hen here?"

"Chris, first things first. I am ok. I was hurt last night, and I am in the hospital. Hen is going to help you get ready, and she will bring you to see me."