The Choice

The Choice-Chapter Two

He was alive! That was the news we heard when we arrived at the hospital hours later. The sun was up, and my eyes were drooping. Mom and Luke had finished their work, and had saved Tony's life. They told us that he had flat lined twice in the ambulance before they even reached the helicopter. 

Although no one actually said it, it was pretty certain, that if I had not stopped, and gotten help. Tony would be dead. He would not have been able to survive the blood loss. 

There was no sign of the vehicle the attackers were driving, but the news stations were running the story. A very monitored, and edited story. They only knew that an officer had been attacked, and if anyone had any information they had a number to call. 

Tony was in the ICU, and being monitored 24/7. He was not out of the woods, as they say, but he was at least stable. His mother, however, was another story. No one had told Maya Brillin that her son had been injured. Everyone was worried about the effect the news would have on her heart. Maya's stroke six weeks ago had left her weak, and half paralyzed. 

She is one of Luke's patients, and thankfully he is able to go with them when they go tell her. I am not sure how it happened exactly, but I found myself in the truck with my Dad and Luke on the way to Tony's mother's house. I don't know what was expected of me, but I followed them to the house. 

Maya Brillin is a short, plump woman with short curly white hair. She was confined to a wheelchair, and sat by the window overlooking the street. Her nurse let us in, and we sat in the living room with Maya. 

"What's wrong?" Maya's words were slightly slurred, thanks to the left side of her mouth not working, but she was coherent. 

Dad and Luke glanced at each other. They were both worried about telling her, but as I looked at this woman, I did not see the frail creature they thought her to be. Her body was a shell. Inside, I could tell she was stubborn, and strong. 

I stood, and moved to kneel in front of her. "Tony was injured today." I told her. 

My suspicions were right. Her brow creased in concern, but she didn't fall over. "It must have been bad to bring my doc all the way out here." She nodded to Luke. "How bad is he?" 

"Bad." I answered before my father and brother could sugar coat it. "He's in the ICU, but Luke, and my mother are both taking care of him. Do you want to go see him?" 

Maya gave me a half smile. "Of course I do, but there is no way. I can't leave the house without the medical vehicle coming and it takes two days notice for them." 

I glanced at Dad and Luke, who both nodded. I looked back to the older woman. "We will take you. Dad and Luke can lift you into the truck." 

Maya glanced over at the two men. "I would be grateful." She turned her gaze back to me, and I saw the tears glistening in her eyes. She was a strong woman, but she had her limits. Though she did not show it on the outside, she was terrified for her son. 

Dad and Luke got Maya out to the truck, and lifted her inside. Just after they closed the door I heard a clicking, and turned to see someone standing on the sidewalk shooting pictures with a big camera. A moment later a news van pulled up, and a man and woman jumped out. 

"Shit, here they come." Dad muttered, he jerked open the back door, and helped me inside, then ran around the other side. 

I scooted over to let Luke climb in behind me. The camera man had unloaded his equipment and was filming us as we sped down the road. 

"Not again." Maya muttered. "It's going to start all over, isn't it." 

"More than likely." Dad said.