Sick

What's Wrong With Me?

    The drive to the hospital was relatively quiet; the only sounds that could be heard were Kurt’s ragged breathing and the faint sound of Noah singing to him. They arrived at the hospital and Burt stopped outside the ER.

    “Carole, Finn, Puck, you guys take him in. I’ll park and meet you in there.” Puck and Finn slid out of the car slowly, Noah keeping a firm arm around Kurt’s waist. The four of them walked slowly towards the emergency room doors. When they were inside, Carole hurried forward to tell the front desk what was happening. She explained to the lady at the desk who told them to sit down and wait.

    “Please, he’s really sick!” Carole sad, looking behind her at the three boys.

    “I’m sorry ma’am but there’s nothing I can do right now.” She looked behind Carol and stared at Kurt for a moment.

    “Look,” she said, lowering her voice, “I have kids too. So I know what it’s like when one of them is sick. If there was anything I could do, believe me, I would.” She looked at Carole who smiled slightly and nodded.

    “Thank you,” she said quietly, “as soon as you can get him in, please.” The woman nodded.

    “It should only be a few minutes before they have a bed for him. We try and get children in as quick as possible.” Carole led the boys over to the chairs just as Burt walked in.

    “What’s going on?” he asked.

    “It’s just gonna be a few minutes before they can get him in,” Carole told him. He sighed and sat down next to Kurt. They all sat quietly for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the hospital.

    “Dad,” Kurt said suddenly. Burt looked at him; Kurt was paler than ever and now possibly a little green.

    “Dad I think I’m gonna be sick,” Kurt said, his voice horse and gravelly. Burt’s eyes widened and he looked around for a second before the man next to them had pushed a small, empty trash bin into his hands. He held it under his son’s chin just as Kurt started heaving. It didn’t last very long since Kurt hadn’t eaten all day. A nurse came out from behind the desk and took the bin when he was done.

    “Sorry,” he said quietly, he closed his eyes and a few tears escaped.

    “Now, now dear,” the nurse said, “It happens all the time, its okay.” She smiled at them all and patted Kurt’s knee lightly.

    “Come on, let’s get you inside and find out what’s wrong.” Burt and Noah helped Kurt as they followed her while Carole and Finn stayed in the waiting room.

    “Here we are,” the nurse said, leading them into a private room.

    “What’s your name hun?” she asked Kurt, gesturing for him to sit on the table. Noah and Burt helped him sit, and then stood back.

    “Kurt,” he told her quietly.

    “Okay Kurt, cam you lift your shirt up please?” He did as she asked and she listened to him breathe for a moment. She finished her exam and then addressed Burt.

    “How long has he been liked this?” she asked him as she walked over. Noah went around her and walked over to stand next to Kurt.

    “He woke up this morning now feeling that great so we kept him home from school. He slept on and off and was sick once while I was with him and he didn’t eat anything.” Burt looked over the nurse’s shoulder as she wrote down what he’d just told her. Noah had his arm around Kurt who was resting on Noah’s shoulder.

    “I’ve been with him since 3:00,” Noah said and the nurse turned to look at him.

    “How’s he been since then?”

    “He didn’t eat anything. I got him to drink a little water but he was sick right after. He’s been sleeping on and off all day and his temperature has continued to rise as well.”

    “He’s been sick before but his temperature’s never gone that high that fast before,” Burt told her, “That’s why we brought him in.” The nurse nodded and wrote more stuff on her clipboard.

    “Alright, a doctor should be here soon,” she said and walked out of the room.

    “Dad, you should go tell Carole and Finn what’s going on,” Kurt said quietly.

    “Are you sure? I could stay… have a doctor go out there…” Burt trailed off when he saw his son glance from him to Noah. Burt turned and left the room. He headed to the waiting room to tell Carole and Finn what was happening.

    As soon as he was gone Kurt turned to Noah with tears in his eyes.

    “Hey, hey, come on now, it’s alright,” Noah said soothingly as he wrapped Kurt in his arms.

     “I know,” Kurt sniffled, “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

    “You’re tired and you feel awful, that’s what’s wrong.” He pulled back and looked at Kurt. He wrapped an arm around him and sat on the exam table with him. At that moment, the doctor and Kurt’s father walked back into the room.

    “Hi Kurt, I’m Dr. Collins,” she smiled at him.

    “Okay, I’m going to need you two,” she pointed at Burt and Noah, “to leave while I examine the patient.” Noah stood up and followed Burt outside the door to wait.