A Story to Remember

Chapter 33 Another Hospital

Gavin-

I’ve noticed, ever since I’ve started working with Chelsea I’ve spent more time in hospitals then I’ve ever spent in one. First was Austin, then Chelsea, then finally Chelsea again. Zach’s taking up the only visitor slot in Chelsea’s room while Austin is assuming his position as official pacer and pacing the length of the waiting room floor. Me, I’m sitting in the waiting room looking on my tablet for information on this producer that Chelsea spoke of so highly. Austin pauses his walking as four doctors and five nurses speed by a nurse and doctor taking the door leading to Chelsea’s room. Austin stands stock still as Zach walks back out hands in his pocket and head down. He collapses in the waiting room chair not making eye contact. Oh, no, this can’t be good.

“Is she okay?” Austin asks.

“I was talking to her, she was fine.” Zach says not looking up his head resting on the palm of his hands; they seem to be the only thing holding him up. “She was fine, she was talking.”

“Was?” Austin’s face goes pale, “you keep saying was. Is she okay now?” Austin asks, his voice almost a yell, “I need to know she’s okay!”

“I DON’T KNOW!” Zach fires back he looks up his eyes blazing with the anger from Austin, from Chelsea, from Sarah, and everything, his eyes glazed over with grief, “I don’t know.” His voice cracks with the grief in his heart and he looks back down and rests his head back on his hands.

A flash of devastation crosses Austin’s face before he starts pacing once again. I can tell Austin’s begging for God’s help again. One of the doctors walks into the waiting room. “Mr. Cameron?” the doctor calls. Zach’s head jerks up as if he was sleeping and someone is waking him up.

“Yes,” his voice holds the desperation of everything he needs.

“Your friend is going to be fine.” The doctor says, “She’s sleeping, but you can go sit with her.”

Zach nods and stands up before looking over to Austin. I watch them exchange a glance. Austin quickly nods and heads off to Chelsea’s room. Zach slumps back down into the seat. His head hanging in defeat.

“She’s going to be okay,” He tells himself, “She will be okay.” He sits up and throws his head back against the chair staring up at the florescent lights on the ceiling.

“I looked up that producer Chelsea was talking about.” I start slowly not sure how he’d react.

“So while Chelsea is in there fighting for her life,” Zach stares right at me his eyes filled with an anger and hatred that I can't even begin to explain, He points to Chelsea’s room where, as he puts it, Chelsea is fighting for her life. “You’re out here doing Hollywood stuff?” He pauses a minute, “What kind of sick jerk are you? She’s in and out of consciousness and has been for the past few days.” He’s breathing heavily from his outburst and his hatred is only getting stronger.

“Look,” I start calmly, “I needed to do something to get my mind off Chelsea’s condition. I’m just as worried about her as you and Austin.”

Zach resigns and sits back, “What did you find out?” he asks his voice holding an annoyance that I guess will always be there.

“Well, it’s a church group in Northern Los Angeles. They’re trying to get some promotional filming to get their start. They need publicity. It’s an honest group.” I tell him, handing him my tablet. “Biographies, photos, everything that makes them seem real.”

Zach skims it as Austin races out of Chelsea's room. “She’s going to be fine. They’re releasing her in two hours.” He says, his enthusiasm bubbling over. Austin throws himself onto the couch and I realize how exhausted he is, “I need caffeine. You two want anything?”

“I'll go with you. I need to stretch my legs.” I answer him standing up and realize how true it is, my legs are so stiff from sitting in the waiting room for the past three days.

“Zach?” Austin asks looking over to Zach.

“I’m going to sit with Chelsea.” He answers standing up to head to her room. A pang of jealousy washes over me. He and Chelsea have this friendship as does Austin and Chelsea. I'm just a coworker to her. I guess I always will be.