Last Flight to L.A.

chapter thirty-nine: the aftermath

  "She had tricked him. She had made him leave his old self behind and come into her world, and then before he was really at home in it but too late to go back, she had left him stranded there–like an astronaut wandering about on the moon. Alone."  

~Bridge to Terabithia

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Two hours passed without a word from the doctor about Kelsey.

Becca had dozed off, and Ethan was left in the dim waiting room, feeling dazed. His body was exhausted as the clock passed five a.m.

The movie premiere seemed like years ago.

He'd almost been awake for a full day and night.

It was strange how the hospital had quickly become his life, in a way. Like he was suddenly living in a bubble that revolved around doctors, nurses, patients, and the smell that all hospitals contained.

When the door of the lobby opened, he jerked at the noise and sat up expectantly.

A tired-looking woman walked behind the front desk dressed in casual business clothes and offered a polite smile. "Good morning."

Ethan deflated back into his seat. The receptionist. Still no doctor.

Becca snored loudly in the seat next to him.

He got up and stretched, rubbing his eyes lazily. Maybe the cafeteria would have some fresh coffee by now.

He placed his hands in his pockets and yawned as he walked down the hallway aimlessly.

He passed by Kelsey's room and lingered for a moment, watching the closed door.

Fear drummed through his veins. What was going on in there? Were they busy keeping Kelsey alive? Were they scrambling to make her lungs work? Or was there only a few nurses in there, trying to keep Kelsey comfortable before she—

The door opened and a nurse came out, glaring down at a clipboard.

"Excuse me," Ethan said, surprised at how scratchy and hoarse his voice sounded. "How is she?"

The nurse looked up and started. A worried bend formed in her brow before she opened her mouth. "Uh...I..." She licked her lips before taking in a breath. "I'm sorry."

Ethan's body went weak. "No... no, that can't be true."

His head spun. He couldn't breathe. This wasn't supposed to be how it ended.

"She passed a few minutes ago after her kidneys failed. She went peacefully." The nurse patted his shoulder sympathetically.

Ethan stared dumbly at her for a few moments before blinking. "Her kidneys? I thought the problem was her lungs."

The nurse cocked her head to the side. "Are you Mrs. Albany's grandson?"

Ethan shook his head. "No, I'm here for—for Kelsey Harris?"

The nurse's mouth formed a small "o" and she put her hand to her chest. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sir! No, Ms. Harris got moved to the Accident and Emergency Department two hours ago!"

"So she's still alive?" Ethan choked.

The nurse nodded. "Yes, yes! I'm so sorry!"

Ethan took off down the hall and asked the receptionist where Kelsey was.