Waiting on the Sidelines

19. The Mend

Buck had made it through emergency bypass surgery and my parents went home later that morning. I stayed with Reed, waiting for us to be able to go in to see his dad. My parents said they'd come back to check on me in a few hours.

Alone, we sat in the waiting room just listening to each other breathe. I felt the heaviness around us. And I knew all the words Reed wanted to say. Part of me wanted to drag them out of him, but instead I waited.

When the nurse called us back, I held Reed's hand tightly and walked with him down the hall. When we made it to Buck's room, I heard his breath hitch a little. He was still sleeping from the anesthesia, but the nurse assured us he would wake up soon, though it would be slow. And he wouldn't be coherent right away.

Reed slid a chair over next to his dad and then reached to hold his hand. I sat at a chair at the end of the bed and just watched. He reached up and brushed a hair from his dad's forehead, putting it in place. He was so tender, so quiet. He just sat like this for about 30 minutes, watching his father breathe. His eyes tearing every so often, and he would wipe them with the sleeves of the sweatshirt.

Exhaustion was starting to hit me, as was the desperate need for a shower. I checked my phone and saw a text from Tyler. I closed it. I would deal with that later, I thought. I decided I would go home to freshen up, maybe get a little sleep and come back to check on Reed later in the afternoon. When I stood up, he turned to face me. No words, but just a question on his face. I wanted to stay, but he also needed this time with his dad. And I was so tired.

"I'll be back. I'm just so tired, Reed. I have to get home. I'll come back with Sean later so we can bring your Jeep, ok?" I said, squeezing his shoulder a little as I walked by. He reached up and grabbed my hand to give it a squeeze, then turned back to look at his father.

The hallways of the hospital seemed so different during the day. So full of people. I pushed the elevator button and leaned against the wall to wait for it.

"Nolan!" I heard Reed call my name, jostling me aware. He was jogging towards me and when he reached me, he just grabbed my hand and kissed it, holding it tight to his lips, and then pressed it against his cheek, closing his eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered, opening his eyes to meet mine. "Nolan, thank you so much," he reached for me and pulled me into a tight hug. I was swallowed by his giant frame and his long arms. This was the only place I ever wanted to be, but never because of circumstances like this.

Then he kissed my forehead, holding his lips there just as he had my hand. He pressed his cheek to me and took a deep breath. "You saved his life, Nolan. You saved my dad," he stuttered. I could hear the emotion cracking in his voice.

My elevator opened and I pulled away stepping in, my eyes just held his gaze. "I'll be back. I promise," I said as they closed.

I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. It was late afternoon when I awoke. I rolled to my side and reached for my phone and checked for texts. I had sent one to Sean before leaving the hospital and he responded, asking me to call him when I wanted to go back. There was also another text from Tyler, asking if I was ok.

Yeah, sorry. A bit of a crazy morning. Reed's dad had a heart attack. It sort of affected us all. Call you later?

I left it simple. He knew Buck was a loved man.

I called Sean next and told him I'd pick him up to take him to Reed's in about 20 minutes. I jumped in the shower and soaked up the warmth. It was like I was washing away a nightmare. I kept picturing Buck gasping for air, and laying on the floor.

My parents had just gotten back from a quick visit and told me that Buck was awake now and talking. They said he was looking forward to seeing me and wanted to thank me, which made me a little uncomfortable. I didn't think I did anything different than what anyone else would have done.