Pay It Forward

Happiness

Hours passed. But for the occupants in the OR waiting room, it seemed like a millennia. After several hours a doctor emerged.

"Is the family of Ms. Kingston here?" he queried.

Darren leaped to his feet and rushed to him. "My sister Doc, don't tell me she's ....?" He pleaded as fear laced his voice. He couldn't finish that thought. Clemmie had to live. If she didn't, he couldn't go on.

All the others had gathered round to hear the news.

"Mr. Kingston, I'm Doctor Kumal. Ms. Kingston survived surgery. The next few hours are critical. She has suffered a severe trauma and we won't know the full effect for a while. For now, she's in recovery and being monitored. I can let you in to see her, but only for a few minutes." He explained.

Darren nodded and followed the doctor to where his sister, his heart lay. He couldn't believe how viciously she'd been beaten. Her entire face was a covered by a bandage.,. Her body wrapped in gauze to protect her wounds. Darren was afraid to even touch her for fear of hurting her even more.

Then a soft voice whispered, "You can touch her. Talk to her."

He looked around and saw that a nurse had entered the room. "She's hurt, She's hurt so badly." He cried softly, unashamed of the tears spilling down his cheeks.

"I know," the nurse replied, "But she's a fighter and she survived. Always remember that."

Darren nosed. Then he leaned over to Clemmie and told her he loved her and he'd be there for her no matter what. After another few minutes, the nurse escorted him back to the waiting room.

Darren couldn't speak. His job was to protect her and he'd failed. His sister, may not survive because he got the idea he could have a normal life. If he wasn't taking classes, he could have just moved in with her and that bastard would have never gotten to her. Clemmie being hurt was his fault. He forgot the rules, the rules of the streets.

People like him didn't go to school, get cushy jobs. They fought in the jungle, the jungle of the streets.

Shaun saw the look in Darren's eyes and knew he was about to lose his pseudo-son. He knew how angry and powerless he felt; he understood the guilt.

"Delia, take Michal and Kevin home. I want Kevin to stay at the house for a few days. I'm staying here with Darren." He told his wife. But like the others, she refused to leave until they were certain Clemmie was out of danger.

No one left; they all sat there quietly for a few hours. Soon, the nurse that talked to Darren earlier came and informed them that Clemmie had been moved to ICU and they could each sit with her during visiting hours, but the time would be limited.

Maria bid everyone good night, and although Gianni resisted, they went home. She promised he could come back and be with them the next day, but for now they had to go.

Gianni walked over to Darren and hugged him. Darren didn't respond. Gianni cried softly as he embraced his big brother. He knew how much this hit him. He was so angry, but there was nothing he could do. "Darren, I'll be back tomorrow. I'll sit with you. Please be strong." Gianni told him through his tears.

Realizing who was speaking, Darren returned his embrace, but did not speak. Gianni and his mother left.

They all stood to go home, knowing each of them would be back in the ICU waiting room the next morning.