Life changes.

Alex

I look at Austin and without having to say anything he takes off with me towards the field. I reach the field first and start running as fast as I can. I see Alex laying there still not moving and the faster I run the farther he seems to be. I reach him as the medic does and I get down on my knees next to him. “Alex?” The coach takes off his helmet and I see his eyes are closed. I look at the Medic scared as I feel a hand on my shoulder and Austin get down next to me. The medic feel’s around and smiles at me, “He is alive. But we need to get him to a hospital.” We turn and see a stretcher getting rolled across the field to us. Austin stands up and pulls me with him and a little bit away so they can get Alex up.

I watch as they get him on the stretcher and then raise it and start pushing it. I turn and see Alex’s teammates down on one knee with their helmets off watching. I look at Austin and he takes off following the stretcher. We reach the parking lot and see the ambulance. I walk up to it with Austin holding me to him. The paramedic looks at me and then at Alex, “You coming?” I look at Austin and he nods before leaning in and kissing me, “You go, I will follow.” I nod and hug him before getting in the ambulance and watch as the paramedic closes the door.

We start off towards the hospital. The siren noise is driving me nuts but I only focus on Alex. They have an IV in his arm and are checking his vitals writing things down. One paramedic looks at me, “Do you know any of his history?” I shake my head, “Not really.” He nods and goes back to writing.

We stop and the doors open to reveal nurses and doctors standing there ready to take him. They get the stretcher out and I follow behind them as the paramedic talks fastly to the doctor about vitals and the doctor ask questions. The doctor is walking and shining a light in Alex’s eyes. We go into a room and they move him to a bed and hook him up to the machines. A nurse looks at me and sighs, “Do you know anything that can help us?” I shrug, “I know his mom is a nurse, he is allergic to penicillin. I know he doesn’t have any heart problems. He has played football for years.” She writes it down and smiles, “This helps a lot.”

I watch as they rush around and check his vitals. One nurse finally comes over and looks at me, “We need you to wait in the waiting room, we will come out in a few and talk to you.” I nod and let her lead me to the waiting room. I get outside the room and watch as she turns and walks away. I turn and hear my name. I see Austin running my way and he picks me up and hugs me, “Is he okay?” I shrug, “I don’t know.” Austin leads me to a chair and holds me in his arms as we wait. He starts to pet my hair to calm me and it works.

About an hour later I hear my name and turn to see Alex’s mom, dad and sister. I stand up and they all hug me. “Have you heard anything?” I shake my head, “I rode with him but nothing. They brought me out here. They need information but I didn’t know a lot.” His mom nods and takes off to find a nurse. I watch as his dad takes his sister who is crying to a care and holds her like you would a crying baby.

I look at Austin, “Have you called Hanna?” He nods, “I told her I will come home once I know something.” I nod and lean against him waiting for news on Alex. Hoping he is okay, even if I am mad at him I don’t want anything to happen to him.

An hour later the doctor comes out and looks at the folder, “Alex Northman.” Alex’s mom, dad, sister, me and Austin stand up and walk towards him. We stand there and he waits a minute before looking at the paper one more time and then closing it. “Alex has torn his ACL and requires surgery. He also has bruised ribs a couple broken ones. He also has a broken ulna and femur.” I look at him and he laughs some, “A broken arm and leg.” I look at him and sigh, “Why was he not awake?” He nods, “He seems to have gotten a concussion from the way he fell.”  I nod and feel tears come to my eyes, His mom speaks up and asks the question we all want to know, “Is he going to be okay?” The doctor nods and smiles, “The surgery like any surgery is risky but it is common and we have to go in and fix the tendon and he should be fine soon.” His dad looks at the doctor, “Will he be able to play football again?” The doctor looks at us all, “There Is no way to know right now. He may be able to or he may not.” I look at him, “When will he wake up?” The doctor looks at his watch, “He should wake up soon. I recommend no more than three in the room at a time. He is in room 156” We all nod and thank the doctor before he walks away.