a week later
i was at home mom give me a day off & i do my work in my room then my cell phone rings i answer it
[White - Phoebe]
[Phoebe... - Beca]
[hey Beca was up - Phoebe]
[im so sorry to bother you it's Teddy]
her voice falters.
[What is it? What's happened? - Phoebe]
My heart leaps into my throat.
[Teddy's been in an accident - Beca]
Oh, no. Teddy. I stop breathing.
[He's in the hospital. You'd better get here quick - Beca]
[Beca what's happened? - Phoebe]
My voice is hoarse and thick with unshed tears. Teddy. Sweet Teddy. My brother.
[He's been in a car accident - Beca]
[Okay, I'll come . . . I'll come now - Phoebe]
Adrenaline has flooded my bloodstream, leaving panic in its wake. I'm finding it difficult to breathe.
[we are at Northwest Hospital & Medical Center Oh, Phoebe, I didn't see the car. I just didn't see it . . . - Beca]
Her voice cracks. Beca—no!
[I'll see you there - Beca]
Beca chokes and the line goes dead.
A dark dread seizes me by the throat, overwhelming me. Teddy. No. No i get up and i rush to the car and i drive and then i grab my phone and i call David
[David! - Phoebe]
I gasp.
[Christ, Phoebe. What's wrong? - David]
[It's Teddy—he's been in an accident - Phoebe]
[Shit! - David]
[Yes. I am on my way to Northwest Hospital & Medical Center - Phoebe]
[i'll meet you there in 3 hours - David]
[okay - Phoebe]
[ love you - David]
[love you too David - Phoebe]
i hung up and i drive.
when i got there I walk briskly into the buzzing ER reception area. The receptionist
at the desk gives me a polite smile, and within a few moments, she's located Teddy and is sending me to the OR on the third floor. OR? Fuck! "Thank you," I mutter, trying to focus on her directions to the elevators. My stomach lurches as I almost run toward them. Let him be okay. Please let him be okay. The elevator is agonizingly slow, stopping on each floor. Come on . . . Come on! I will it to move faster, scowling at the people strolling in and out and preventing me from getting to my brother. Finally, the doors open on the third floor, and I rush to another reception desk, this one staffed by nurses in navy uniforms.
Nurse: Can I help you?
asks one officious nurse with a myopic stare.
Phoebe: My brother, Theodore Grey. He's just been admitted. He's in OR-4, I think
Even as I say the words, I am willing them not to be true.
Nurse: Let me check, Miss Grey
I nod, not bothering to correct her as she gazes intently at her computer screen.
