When You Least Expect It

36

a/n enjoy the loveydoveyness for these next few chapters bc after that.. yeah

vote and comment por favorr <3

Chapter 36

   Two weeks had passed, and Carson still wasn't getting better. In fact, he was admitted to the ICU for a stubbornly high fever just last night.

I tried to visit yesterday, but Claudia assured me he was fine and resting. I had a test to complete that day, and I was busy with college applications. The hospital downtown only accepted family members as visitors, but I was sure I could bribe them. The staff there are good friends with Dad—I'm sure they'd let this one slide.

With a mission in mind, I grabbed a coat and biked down to the hospital, weaving through cars and pedestrians.

"Excuse me, miss?" I called, hurrying after a kind-faced nurse who seemed to be on a mission. "Is there any chance I could see Carson Rivers? I'm a friend of his."

"I'm afraid ICU visits are restricted to family members only. It's hospital policy."

My shoulders slumped. "Oh, okay. That's a bummer. It's just, uh, my dad mentioned I might be allowed to see him."

She squinted at me, her eyes flickering in the fluorescent lights. "Who's your dad, hon?"

"Frank Hudson."

Margaret's eyes widened in recognition. "Frank Hudson's daughter! Of course, I know your dad! Great guy, runs the best store in town. How's he holding up?"

"He's alright, just busy with the store. I was just hoping to see Carson for a few minutes, if that's okay."

"Let me see what I can do." She disappeared behind the counter for a moment, returning with a sympathetic smile. "Dr. Sanchez is finishing his rounds in the ICU right now. He knows your dad well, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting you in for a quick visit. Just follow me."

Score one for Dad's connections! Looks like that twenty bucks can stay safe in my pocket for a more personal gift for Carson.

Cradling the fluffy shark plush, I followed Margaret up the stairs. Her voice broke the silence. "Actually, someone just stopped by a couple hours ago."

I peeked through the doorway. Carson was sound asleep. "Who?"

"Genevieve Gellar," Margaret said. "Such a sweet girl."

Genevieve? My stomach clenched. Their growing friendship was starting to worry me.

"Just a quick visit, sweetie, alright?" Margaret gave a gentle pat on my shoulder before slipping out, closing the door behind her.

The soft click of the door shutting seemed to rouse Carson. He spotted me by the door and gave a faint smile. He was in a hospital gown, with IV dripping fluids into his arm.

"Hey," he rasped. His face was flushed red. Despite that, he was smiling at me like I was the only person in the world.

I set the shark toy on the table beside his bed. "How're you doing?"

"Good." No 'better that you're here'. Just good. He must've saw the look on my face as he sat up a little straighter. "Much better."

"That's good to hear."

"Come here," he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. Patting the empty space beside him on the bed, he beckoned me closer. My stomach lurched at the sight of the needle and the trail of tubing snaking up his arm. I swallowed bile and looked away. Blood and needles—my worst nightmare come to life.