And If there was a tomorrow

Chapter 9

Lunch between Kim, Linda and Christian didn't go exactly as they expected. After seeing the document, they understood the reason why he requested that in-person meeting. The two of them started to wonder how to approach the next steps, and a silence hovered over the table in an embarrassing and crushing way. But they decided to stay for lunch. Then, Christian broke the silence again:

─ Look, I know this is not what you expected. I get it. It's not what I want neither. The first time he attempted that, he stayed in the hospital for a long time, and I can tell you that he was very angry with us when he left, because of all the efforts we made to keep him alive. I think he always thought of trying it again, but I didn't expect it would take that long. Then, he vanished, he no longer shared news with me. I even imagined that something had happened, that he was successful and that I'd never hear from him again, until Kimberly sent me that message. From what you told me, his situation is very serious, so I'm not sure if we have options.

Linda tried not to cry, not to scream and keep a controlled tone of voice, but she was very angry, sad, and discouraged.

─ His condition is stable. I don't think we'll need to take extreme measures to keep him alive. The accident was serious and it's all very recent. He needs time to get better.

─ Are you sure about that?

─ Medically speaking, we are never 100% sure. The condition of a patient at the ICU can always change in a matter of hours, but from what I saw since his admission, his condition is very stable.

─ Still, that's not what he wants. You must let him go.

They both wanted to yell, protest, but it wouldn't be appropriate.

─ And you want us to take these documents and do what he wants, is that it?

─ No.

─ No?! ─ they answered in one voice.

─ His lawyer will do the procedures. I just wanted to inform you beforehand. If you haven't contacted me, we wouldn't know anything about him and wouldn't be able to act on it. So, I called you here to explain the situation, to thank you and to tell you to enjoy Toronto for a while. I'm covering the costs of your stay here, as a thank you. But I'll take it from here. ─ then he wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up, stretched his expensive suit, and left, while saying that he would pick up the tab, and that they didn't have to worry about it. He went away, leaving them both submerged in a feeling of impotence, deception, and sadness.

Linda was down in the dumps. What else could go wrong? Her personal life was falling apart, her professional life was on thin ice, and it was not worse because Peter was the best boss in the world. Her emotional life was never great, but she felt like she was being tested the most at that exact moment. Kim seemed to think. After a few minutes, she saw her face brighten up. She felt a spark of hope lighting up deep inside her chest, but didn't want to cling on to it, because she was tired of being disappointed. However, she asked:

─ What?

─ Linda, we both live in Brazil. We have our laws. He is there, so he abides by our norms, right?

─ Yes, of course. But what are you talking about?

─ He is not brain dead, right? It's just an induced coma.

─ We don't know the size of the damage and we are going to assess it from his reactions and parameters, so I believe he isn't.

─ Do you realize what I mean?

─ I think so. In Brazil, they can't simply pull out the plugs, except if there is confirmed brain death, otherwise it's illegal. ─ she felt the spark increase and turn into a small flame.