The Longest Goodbye

Five

                          Jacob

Panic. That's the only thing I feel as Robin and I load up our still sleeping kids in the car. Drake just called the house telling us that Jade was in the hospital for coughing up blood. I don't know what that means, and I have no idea what could cause something like this to happen. All I know is that coughing up blood isn't normal with having pneumonia, and this fact scares me.

We take the half hour drive in silence and rush into the ER waiting room. Everyone else except Joanie and her family is here. Robin goes over to Lisa and Clare with the twins practically sleepwalking after her and the baby in her arms. I walk over to where John is sitting knowing that since he's a doctor he would know something about what's going on.

"Have they said anything?" I ask.

James shacks his head. Just like most of us, he's still in his pajamas. "Drake hasn't even come out yet. I told one of the nurses that we wanted to see him or Jade, but they won't let us go back. So we're just waiting."

I nod before looking over at John. "What causes people to cough up blood?"

His expression is sober. "Many things could cause it. I'm not sure what it could be."

Even though he tells us this, I know he's not telling the truth. He clearly knows something we don't.

Just then the doors to the back open and a pale faced Drake comes walking towards us. We all stand and Mom rushes over to him. "Drake, what's happening to Jade?"

"I don't know yet. They've run all kinds of test, we're just waiting on the results. But since I'm not family the adults can go back, and I'll stay out here with the kids."

We all look at him with questioning expressions. "Can you handle all them?" James speaks what we're thinking.

"Of course, y'all go on back. I have Drew and Allie to help me. Jade's in room five."

We all rush back there without another word said. We look like a gang of pajama wearing thugs as we walk back quickly making our way to Jade's room. When we step in I grip Robin's hand. Jade's skin is pale, dark circles stain her eyes and she looks thinner than normal.

What's happening to my sister?

Moments later a slim doctor walks in. Her eyes are sympathetic and her expression is grim. My gut sinks as she opens her mouth and answers my question.

                          ~~*~~
                          Joanie

We quickly thank Allen's amazing mother for watching the kids before driving off. It's one o'clock in the morning and just a few minutes ago James called me saying that I needed to get down to the hospital in Matthews, North Carolina. His tone had been husky and a little off as I tried to get him to tell me what was happening. He told me that we would find out when we got down there.

Allen takes most of the back roads to keep away from cops as he drives like a maniac. The drive down usually takes three hours, but it's only two hours later when we park at the hospital. We both jump out and rush in as my heart pounds with dread of what could be.

Allen, of course, gets to the counter before I do, and the nurse thinks I'm going into labor. He quickly explains that that isn't why we are here before getting Jade's room number. I wave at Drake and the kids as we rush back to the room where Jade lays in bed looking ten pounds lighter. Everyone is in here with red rimmed eyes and sad expressions. It gets very quiet as we step in.

Jade motions me over to her side. "What's wrong, sis?" My voice breaks as I sit down beside her. Allen grips my hand as he stands beside me.

Jade tries to grin but it doesn't work. She coughs before speaking. "I have some bad news, sis." Her voice is just above a whisper.