The Save Game

Chapter 14

Sal knew Allison was hurting. He rushed to catch up to her and slid his hand into hers just before they walked through the door. She squeezed her fingers around his, letting him know that she appreciated that he was there.

He felt helpless, not knowing anything about the process that was taking place. While he wanted to be the strong one and the one in charge, for her sake, he knew that he was at the mercy of the staff.

When they stepped on the elevator, Sal reached out to push the twelve. At least he knew that was where they were going.

"Can I do anything?" He asked her, knowing that 'are you okay' wasn't acceptable to ask.

"Just be here." She whispered, her voice clearly straining to stay steady.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her smooth the shirt she was wearing over her baby bump. She was such a strong woman. While she prepared to watch Paul take his last breath, she also protected the tiny body of their baby.

Because he couldn't stand it any longer, he reached out and touched her stomach. He rubbed his thumb over it and smiled. Sal caught her eye and she smiled back at him through the pain she was feeling.

When the elevator opened, she gave him a small nod and stepped out. Allison walked toward the desk there.

"I'm here for Mr. Peterson." Allison straightened her back and glanced around the sterile room. The walls, the floor, even the pencils that sat on the desk were all too dull. It wasn't an environment where you'd want to say goodbye to someone you loved.

"Down the hall, room 906. The doctor will come in and speak with you and have you sign some paperwork." The nurse barely looked up from the chart she held in her hands.

Any other time, Sal would have told her not to let them interrupt whatever was more important than what Allison was about to go through. Today, he chose to give her his most hateful look but keep his mouth shut.

He placed his hand at the small of Allison's back and guided her down the hallway, stopping in front of the door marked 906. He pushed it open but neither moved to go in.

A long table, surrounded by plush black chairs was the only object in the room. Sal stepped inside first, thinking that somehow he could suck all the negative energy onto himself and keep it from Allison. She stepped in behind him and quietly closed the door.

"At least the walls aren't white." She observed, taking in the deep green that contrasted with the rest of the building. "Is this the color that they think will ease the minds of loved ones? Make us feel less terrible about making life changing decisions?"

Allison walked halfway down the length of the table and pulled out a chair. She sat and put her hands on top of the table, palms down.

Sal took the seat next to her before reaching for one of her hands.

"You're doing the right thing, Allison. Paul deserves peace." He stared at a tiny speck of white that showed through the dark green paint on the wall in front of him. He wondered if someone had seen through the attempt to set this room apart from the rest of the hospital. Had they known that the walls must have been white at one time and just started picking away at the paint?

Before he could come up with an answer that satisfied him, there was a soft knock on the door. The door opened and an older man in a white lab coat walked in, followed by two women that Sal assumed were nurses.

"Mrs. Peterson, I'm Dr. Lamon." He extended his hand to her, as he took a seat across from them. "I understand that this is a difficult decision that you're making. I've reviewed your husband's file and from a professional opinion, it is time."