Hazel Rain

Chapter 38

DISCLAIMER-- Harsh and vulgar language used throughout this chapter...consider this your warning, if you find it offensive I'm sorry, but you were warned---

"Ok, thanks." Al was thankful for his girls, "I promise, baby. I will call you as soon as we know something. Just take care of those kids, okay?" He ended the call and slipped his phone in his back pocket. He ran his hand over the top of his quickly, his frustration was  mounting.

Kim had been in surgery for just over an hour now and it would be a lengthy procedure, one that was ripe with risk and potential complications. They took solace in the fact that  the best surgeon Chicago Med had to offer was at the helm.

Al took the seat next to Rhonda, he tapped her arm. "Are you okay? Do you want a coffee or something?"

Rhonda shook her. "No, thanks. Did you check in on my grandchildren? Are they alright? Did Hazel calm down?" Poor Hazel had thrown down when Lexi and Michelle had shown up at the hospital. While they never discussed what was happening with Kim around the children, Hazel knew. She was a bright little girl and she knew something was wrong the minute they pulled into the parking lot of the hospital.

"I did. They're doing ok. They were waiting for Sammy to go down for his nap and then they were going to paint their nails." Al rested his head against the wall, he let his eyes close. He felt like everything was happening way too fast, and not fast enough at the same time. He hated feeling so damn helpless and it was exactly how he felt at the moment. He couldn't help Kim, and he couldn't get to Adam.

Adam was going to be devastated.

"Oh, good. Hazel will enjoy that." She clasped her hands together tightly. "What about my son has he been notified yet?"

Al hunched over, "Still working on it." He knew it wasn't going to be easy, but he also knew Hank wouldn't stop until Adam had been notified and was at the hospital. Al was fearful it would be out of Hank's control.

"Ok." She bobbed her head up and down, "I love him..you know. I never stopped, despite what he thinks. I just want you to know that. I love my son, and I love Kim and my grandchildren. They're all I've got left."

Al held her hand, "I know. Adam? He's a good man...a great father and husband, but he's stubborn as hell...I'm sure he will come around at some point, you just need to let him do it on his terms and his timetable."

Rhonda dragged a tissue under her eyes, "I know. Some days I'm not sure I deserve a second chance with him.."

"We all deserve second chances, Rhonda. We all make mistakes...look back on things and wish we had handled it differently; but what's done is done and we can't go back and change it. We just have to try and make it right in the present. Try and put it back together as best we can."

Rhonda cocked her head to the side, "I'm trying."

"I know that..and so does Adam despite what he has said or done to say otherwise." Al adjusted the watch on his wrist, "Listen, when Adam gets here...he's gonna need all the support he can get. Wether he will admit it or not, he's gonna need you too."

This was among Adam's least favorite things to do, but it couldn't be avoided. He certainly wouldn't be accepted in the group if he didn't partake in their frequent bar crawls.

He made sure to remain sober during each outing, he'd carefully nurse the drinks he was given and would dump them out as soon as he could do it without anyone noticing him.

Solomon sidled up next to him, he nudged Adam with his elbow, "Ghost...you see that dime over there.." he thumbed over his shoulder, Adam glanced at the woman in question.