Fourth of July

Chapter 34

"Gerard Way?" Someone asked.

I stood up, heading to the doctor.

"I-is he okay?" I asked.

"He is," he said. "He was in critical condition but we've stabilized him."

"C-can I see him?" I asked.

"I'm sorry but it's immediate family only," he said sympathetically.

"I-I'm adopting him next week," I said.

"I'm sorry but it's just the rules, I can come back when you can see him," he said.

"How long will that be?" I asked.

"I don't know, I would say not for a few hours," he said.

My eyes watered as I went back to Jamia.

"Th-they won't let me see him," I whimpered. "They said it's immediate family only."

"That's bullshit, you're all he has," Jamia said.

She stormed up to the doctor, grabbing him by the lapels on his white lab coat.

"Gee is in there all alone," Jamia spat. "He is scared and lonely and mentally handicapped. He is like a five year old and Frank is the only person he has. He needs Frank and he is just about to have the adoption finalized. You cannot leave him there all alone."

"Fine but if anyone asks I didn't let you through," he said.

He lead us back and I held Jamia's hand nervously. We went into his room and I saw Gee laying there unconscious, a breathing tube down his throat.

"Wh-why does he have that?" I asked.

"He was having difficulties breathing, his throat was swollen," the doctor said. "His temperature was dangerously high and it lead to him having some seizures. We...we lost him again at one point but we brought him back with the defibrillators. "

"Is he gonna be okay?" I asked.

"He should be," he said. "We gave him medication to stop the infection and we cooled his body by placing ice packs on him and giving him cold IV fluids, which helped to also give him nutrients that would help him to pass the fever."

"How long is he gonna be here?" I asked.

"We're gonna keep him here for another day," the doctor said. "You two should probably go home and get some rest, he'll most likely asleep for the next few hours. You two have been here the whole night."

"But--"

"Frank, we should go," Mia interrupted. "You need a shower and you should relieve Evan of Miles."

I sniffled and nodded.

"Promise he won't wake up?" I asked. "I don't want him waking up alone."

"We promise," he said.

Jamia took my hand and brought me down to the car. We drove home and I sniffled as I took Miles from Evan's homes.

"Hey, Baby Boy, I missed you," I cooed.

I sniffled, cradling him softly.

"Frank, come on, you should go shower," Jamia said.

I nodded, giving Miles back to Evan. I went upstairs to shower as I listened to Jamia tell Evan about the situation. The shower lasted longer than I had intended, I didn't get out until the water was starting to cool and my fingers were wrinkled. I put on a pair of jeans and a hoodie.

"Evan made food," Jamia said. "I'm gonna go grab a shower too."

"There...there isn't much hot water left," I said quietly.