I'll Always Love You

Chapter 2

"Kevin? Baby are you awake?" a woman in her mid-sixties sat beside a hospital bed. Her hand was on the man laying in the bed's forehead. His eyes opened slowly, "Mom? I thought you left. What time is it?" He propped himself up on his elbows.
"I did baby. It's 1 in the afternoon, you've been sleeping for awhile," she said in a soothing voice. "Lay back down Kevin, you need your rest."
"Mom, I'm fine. Wide awake in fact, is dad here?" he sat up in a more proper and comfortable position.
"Yes dear, he just went outside a few minutes ago to take a phone call." She smiled politely at her son.
"Anything from Conner?" He asked hopefully.
"No, but you shouldn't worry about him. He's right where he should be."
"He's my fiancé mom, it's my job to worry." She shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "We've been together for five years, get over it. What do you mean where he should be?"
"Well Kevin he tried to kill-" he cut her off. "He didn't mean to! He's sick mom! Where is he?" His face was getting red with anger and his volume was rising.
"You will not talk to your mother that way!" A man of the same build as Kevin but slightly taller walked into the room. "Like your mother said, where he belongs."
"That is?" Kevin's volume did not lower, if anything he got louder.
"State Penitentiary, the mental ward." his father replied coolly.
Kevin gaped at him, "Prison? He should be at a proper hospital! He's sick! Conner needs help! Not confinement!"  if he could've, Kevin would have jumped right out of that bed and slugged his father.
"He made an attempt on your life son! He's insane!" His father yelled. A nurse rushed in and asked the two men to be quiet and for
Mr. Price to leave the room.
"I-I'll calm your father down." Mrs. Price rushed out of the room after her husband.
Kevin sighed and laid down. There was a soft knock on the door, "Unless you're my parents come in!"
A short man, a bit on the heavy side, entered, followed by a petite African woman. "Hey buddy, how you holding up?" He asked.
"Arnold! I'm holding. What's up pal?" Kevin's face brightened at the sight of his closest friend. "And hello Nabulungi, always a pleasure."
She giggled and nodded, "Hello, Elder Price."
"Woah, woah, woah! No flirting with my wife Kev!" Arnold said jokingly, putting an arm out protectively in front of Nabulungi. They all laughed a little.
"Arn, have you gone to see Con?"
"Uhh, I haven't bud, sorry. But Naba has!" He looked at her for help, Arnold started calling Nabulungi Naba for short since he has still his difficulties pronouncing her name.
"I have! He is um, safe and he is taking medication. There is a nice doctor that is helping Elder McKinley." She smiled slightly.
"That's good..."
"So buddy, word on the street is you're going to be released tomorrow." Arnold desperately tried to shift the conversation to a more lighter zone.
"Yep! I can't wait!" He wouldn't say why but Nabulungi knew it was too see Conner.
"I'm so happy for you Kevin!" She said excitedly. The couple sat next to the bed and the three began to have a normal conversation.