The Badboy and The Jailbird

Chapter 21 "In the Company Of Death"

Emma Stone (Blonde) as Jamie Cartel

-

Hospitals. Where people go to die or to take drugs. Where people are under the illusion they can be helped.

I have been at St. Charles Madras Hospital for over an hour, Baxter on my mind the entire time. The sick and injured around me complaining, crying, and moaning in pain, was the worst thing in the world. Not to mention it reminded me all too much of my brother.

The stout brunette receptionist had no knowledge of a Baxter Michaels but mentioned that they don't log personal data until they know enough such as DOB, parents, and social security number. She also said they had a boy around 17 rushed in here about an hour and a half ago.

Heath still hadn't texted me back or even opened it and this was pissing me off. Just then I realized I should probably text other people to see if they know anything. 

Trying to think of Baxter's friends, only two come to mind: Taylor and Heath.

I sigh heavily and decide to suck up my emotions and text Taylor.

To: Taylor 

From: Brody

- U heard about Baxter?

It was about 10 seconds before I got a reply.

From: Taylor

- Yeah. What hospital? School just got out.

From: Brody

- St. Charles Madras

From: Taylor

- Be there in 20. 

And he was. 

-

Immediately after Taylor walked in and located me, the receptionist called my name.

I grabbed Taylor and ran to the desk.

"Well?!" She looked at me but not before eyeing Taylor suspiciously.

"I'm a friend. Same as her." She nodded. 

A solemn look took over her face. "I'm afraid your friend's death is inevitable." Her voice was hoarse and brash like she herself was on the verge of crying. "He has a cancerous tumor on his brain stem. If they attempted operation then it would paralyze him from the neck down, and radiation isn't an option because of the close proximity-" her voice violently cracks and she hastily wipes a tear from her cheek. "- to his brain."

Judging by how I was reacting, this information wasn't quite sinking in. Taylor, on the other hand, immediately starts pummeling her with questions.

First off, "I'd like to speak with the resident doctor. Also, will he be able to go home?"

Her face grows even more solemn, if at all possible. "He will have to stay here to receive the proper medication. If he returns home, he may, um, leave this world, um sooner than later." She sounded embarrassed and hesitant as if she could set off a boom with just her words.

"The Doctor is with Baxter at this moment but I'm sure he would be okay talking to you."

I snapped out of the haze I was in, almost cutting the nice lady off. 

"Can we see him?"

She nods, "You may. He is in room 204. Also-" She hands me a leather notebook with the words H.W. inscribed on the front. "-some guy that helped bring Baxter in earlier left that in his room. Thought you might know him, tall, Native American, first name Heath I think?" I nod, thank her, and take the book.

Taylor and I walk silently to the elevator. I stare at the leather book in my hands. For some reason, It makes me think of what I'm facing with Baxter. If I open the book and, for some reason, whatever's inside hurts me or other people then I will have to live with that but if I keep it closed then no one, but Heath, ever knows what's inside. 

"Are you gonna tell him?" Taylor stops in front of the elevator, pushes the button and turns to stare right at me.

I look up to him with hopeful eyes, hopeful he will have all the answers. "I don't know."

The elevator arrives and as we step in, Taylor presses the level two button.

"If you don't, I will. I can't lie to a dying man." My exact thoughts a few hours ago.

I nod in understanding. Should I just let Taylor explain what happened and stay out of it, or do I buff up and tell him myself?

The answer still hasn't come to me when we walk out of the elevator, nor when we are standing in front of door 204. My hearts is pounding against my ribs, my instincts warning me of danger.

Taylor looks at me, and in a calm, low voice, "Are you ready?"

Absentmindedly, I nod and tuck the book in my back pocket.

He opens the door and gasps while I stand there speechless.

Baxter, the tan, strong, joyous, football player, sits pale white immersed in sheets of the same hue with several IVs leading into his right forearm. There are several bags hanging, dripping clear fluid into the tubes. A monitor displays his heartbeat, blood pressure, and diastolic numbers.

He flinches slightly and slowly turns his head. The doctor is in the corner typing on a computer but looks up and shuts it when we walk in.

"Oh my God. Baxter!" I swiftly walk over to him and sit in the bedside chair, grabbing his hand. He weakly squeezes it back and smiles.

Taylor's eyes are fixed on our hands when he says, "Good to see you, buddy." The passive aggressive tone is hard to miss but I don't think Baxter picks up.

Taylor pulls the doctor aside and begins to chat with him quietly.

While their whispers distract me, I stay focused on Baxter.

"How are you?" He chuckles genuinely but then begins to cough. I can see the distress and fear in his eyes. 

"I'm fabulous. The good doctor over there said he would bring me some pudding in a couple hours. The highlight of my day." He smiles at me and squeezes my hand. At this, I give a sad smile and realize we are in the company of Death.

Taylor finishes with the doctor and walks to me, gently resting his hand on my back, whispering in my ear, "We need to talk." I hear him sniffle slightly, indicating he is on the verge of crying. I nod curtly and stand, reassuring Baxter we will be back.

-

Outside, Taylor looks at me with a look of pity, a lone tear runs down his cheek. I reach forward to wipe it off his face and he pulls me closer into an embrace, his hands on my lower back.

"What are we going to do," He breathes into my ear. "We have to tell him." I whisper a 'yeah'.

"What did the doctor say?" I look hopefully into Taylor's eyes. He looks down at the floor and steps away from me, shifting uncomfortably. 

"Baxter will be dead within the week."