Rough Patch

2

Tyler Joseph

After dinner Jenna offers to clean up and Ellie comes with me to the living room. I sit on the couch and watch as she looks at all the different pictures we have on the shelves.

"Daddy, who are you with in a lot of these pictures?" Ellie asks looking at a bunch of pictures. I walk over and take a look. It's Josh. My mind immediately goes back to the memories of 4 years ago.

Flashback
"Hey Josh, we should work on the new album before the show tonight." I tell josh as we speak through the phone.

"That sounds good. I'll be over in a few minutes. I have been working on some great drum beats." Josh replied.

"Perfect. See you in a bit." I hang up and go over to my piano and play around a bit.

//-//
It had been almost an hour and Josh still wasn't coming over. I decided to give him another call since he is late quite a lot.

The phone rings once. Twice. Three times. Then in picks up.

"Josh, where are you? We have a show to put on in less than 3 hours. Come on." I say without letting him speak first.

"Who is this?" An unfamiliar voice says into the phone.

"I'm Tyler. Who's this?" I reply.

"Are you a relative of Josh?"

"No. I'm a close friend. We are in a band together."

"I'm Frank Hanson. There has been a serious accident. We can explain more once you get to the hospital. We are taking him to St. Peter Hospital. Try and find me and we will talk. Also, try to get a hold of any family."

The man hangs up and I begin to starts freaking out. I run around and tell my management that we need to cancel the concert because of Josh. I then rush out of the venue and drive down to the hospital.

I was able to get ahold of Josh's Mom, dad, and siblings and told them but we weren't in Columbus at the time where they were. We were in Illinois.

I finally arrive at the hospital and rush inside looking for Frank Hanson.

"Frank Hanson? I'm looking for Frank Hanson." I say quickly as I run Around the waiting room.

"Tyler? You're Tyler? The friend of Joshua Dun?" An older man asks.

"I am. What's going on?" I ask.

"Come with me." Frank says. I follow him to a conference room where he was going to explain to me what happened.

"What happened?" I shout a little too loud.

"Josh was out skateboarding by what we can assume and there was some gang action down where he was out and he was mugged and stabbed. When we got to the scene he was still alive but not very aware about what was happening. The surgeons have brought him into emergency surgery to try and save him. The wounds are very deep and we aren't sure what they could have damaged. The knives he was stabbed with could've hit an artery or vein which would be a tough repair but the doctors will do the best they can to keep him alive. For now, I need you to sit down in the waiting room and try to calm down. Were you able to get ahold of Josh's family?"

"Uh, yeah. They live in Ohio where we are from so it might take them a little bit to get here." I reply in shock.

"Ok. Thank you. Now go take a seat." I slowly stand up and go to sit down. I couldn't see straight. This was the most scared I've ever been.

//-//

"Family and friends of Joshua W. Dun?" A doctor says out to the waiting room. I stand up and walk forward. The doctor gives me a small smile and guides me to the conference room again.

"You are?" The doctor asks.

"I'm a close friend and band mate, Tyler, is my name." I reply.

"Ok, tyler, I'm Dr. Jill West. As of right now Josh is in a coma but not quite brain dead. We did all we could. He has a machine breathing for him and we need to know if we should keep him on the ventilator or take him off. He's also an organ donor and we wanted to know if we could use his organs." Dr. West explains. I just stare at her.

"You can't just-just throw this on me! My best friend is basically dead and is no longer part of our successful duo band. You can't just ask to make him stop breathing then follow that up by asking to rip apart his insides! I need time! His family needs to see him! Just, wait. Wait for a little while." I shout.

"I'm so sorry, tyler. Of course. We can wait as long as you and his family need. I'll leave you a lone" Dr. West says and leaves the room. I feel the tears stream down my face.

//-//
I get a text a little while later which woke me up from my sleep. It was Jordan, Josh's brother saying they were in the waiting room.

I walk out and see them looking around confused. I walk over to them slowly and they look over and see me with puffy red eyes and tear stained cheeks.

"Tyler. What happened?" Josh's Mom cries.

"Josh was put skateboarding. There was gang activity where he was and he was stabbed multiple times. He was rushed to surgery but they-they couldn't. He's Brain dead basically. You need to speak to Dr. Jill West. She's his doctor. I'm sorry." I say as I watch Josh's family break down in tears.

"Have you seen him?" Josh's mom asks.

"Not yet." I sigh.

"You should. Go now. We will come in after you." I nod my head and go back to where Josh's room is. I take a deep breath before walking in.

He was laying in the bed with a tube down his throat. His eyes are shut and his red hair is a mess on the top of his head. He's got a blanket pulled up to his neck. I look down at his pals, almost gray, face. He looks peaceful as his eyes are shut but I know his body is truly in pain.

I take seat next to his bed and grab hold of his hand which had an IV in it.

"Why you Josh? Why did you have to leave me? Why did you have to leave your family? You made me a better person and now your gone. What am I suppose to tell our wonderful fans? I know it's not your fault. I just can't wrap my head around this. I'll try and help your family out and I'll figure out what to do with our band and the fans. I hope your resting well up there and I hope you can hear me say all these meaningful things. I love you, josh. Thanks for being such and amazing friend and brother to me." I say out loud as I cry. I take one last look and walk out of the room. Josh's family is standing outside the door with tear stained cheeks. I stare at them for a second.

"I'm so sorry." I cry as I quickly leave the hospital.

End of flashback

"Daddy?" Ellie mentions again. Jenna is now standing next to me. She gives me an encouraging nod.

"That's my best friend." I reply.

"Can you tell me about him? Why haven't I met him?" Ellie questions. I look over at Jenna once again who gives me another nod.

"Id love to tell you all about him."