Whatever Occurs: Life, Love, and Loss

The Ugly Turn of Events

You and Ethon check into Harborview. You ask to see Spencer. The receptionist tells you he is in Hospital Room 307.

You and Ethon head to that room. You see Spencer in his hospital bed, with every piece of equipment you could imagine. His eyes are closed. You are completely disheartened by the sight of all of that.

"Hi Spencer, Dad and I came to visit you!"

"Hi Mom," he says very faintly.

"Oh darling, may God grant you healing and peace. I love you son," you cry as you lightly hug him.

Spencer turns your way and opens his eyes slowly.

"Where's everyone else?" You ask.

"My mom and Nolan are getting lunch. They should be back in a minute or two. I decided to stay with him," Bryan butts in.

Nika and Nolan come into the room with lunch. You hug them when they set their food down.

"I brought you some water," Nolan says to Spencer.

Spencer smiles.

"Are Beaudry and Malyssa here?" You ask Nika.

"They are. They just got caught in the crowd when getting some food. Beaudry and Malyssa should be back in ten minutes or so."

You then remember that you have a flight scheduled for Glasgow on July 13th because your mother is very ill. It won't be long before she passes away. You tell Ethon.

"Oh shit! I have to go to Scotland after Fourth of July weekend to visit my mum!"

Ethon widens his eyes. "Fuck. Isn't she sick?"

"Yes, I want to be there for her before she dies."

"Hogwash."

"Oh golly," Spencer blurts, "I have my flight scheduled, but I don't think I'll be out of here before then."

You put your hands on your face ready to turn on the water works. No tears come out. You still feel them.

Beaudry, Malyssa, and their families come in with food as well.

"Hi Spence, we are all so sorry!" Malyssa apologizes. She grabs Spencer's hand and rubs it.

Spencer grips onto hers. "I'm peeing," he jokes.

"I'm not gonna look," Malyssa chuckles.

You know that Spencer and his family are all in for a long journey. You ask Bryan and Nolan if they found anything else.

"The police are investigating the accident. They haven't found a suspect yet, but they believe it won't be too long before they do," Nolan replies. He looks at you, wanting you to say something.

You decide to be honest about your deepest fear. You whisper, "I really don't think he's going to survive."

Nolan widens his eyes. He speaks, "I don't think he will either. I'm faithful to God, so I've been praying for my dad anyway."

Bryan looks like he wants to crash. "We were all up really early to head up here with Dad. But I know I need to eat before I take a nap for a while."

You try to process everything. Your mother's death is inevitable at this point, and Spencer already has a very high chance of dying. You think about it all for hours at a time. Although you don't get joy from it, you want to prepare for when it all unfolds. You pray so hard for Spencer to heal.