All I Have to Give

Chapter 10

Kevin stepped out of the sound booth and sighed as he plopped down on the couch next to Nick.  He rubbed the fatigue out of his eyes and yawned as he reached for his water bottle that sat on the coffee table in front of him.  Nick glanced over at him and gave him a light punch on the shoulder before rising to his feet.

"You're up next," Kevin said with another yawn.

"You're getting old, Kev," Nick joked.  "You can't even hang a few hours in the studio with us," he said with a laugh.

Kevin lightly chuckled as he ran a weary hand over his face.  "I had a long night, Nicky," he said as he unscrewed the lid to his water bottle.

"I heard," Nick said softly.  "How's Sarah doing?"

"Exhausted and in a lot of pain, but they have her on some heavy pain relievers right now.  She's been sleeping a lot but that's really what she needs to be doing. The whole thing has me stressed out but I'm glad he didn't hurt her any worse than he did."

Nick nodded and patted Kevin on the shoulder.  "We got you, bro," he said before heading into the sound booth to record his vocals onto the new song.

Kevin took a long swig of his water, sighing deeply as he screwed the lid back on.  He rested his head on the couch cushion, fighting sleep as he sank into the soft leather material. His eyes were slowly closing as he heard the sound of soft footsteps coming in his direction.  Forcing his eyes back open, Kevin saw Brian who was approaching him with a mug in each hand.  Offering him a forced smile, Kevin sat up straight and yawned again.

"You look like you could use this," Brian said as he handed one mug to Kevin.

"Thanks," Kevin said as he took the mug from him.

He closed his eyes, inhaling the smoky aroma of the Peruvian coffee that they always kept in stock at the studio.  Bringing the mug to his lips, he sighed as the warm liquid trickled down his throat.  He could taste the splash of whole milk seeping over his taste buds.  The coffee was prepared with perfection.  His cousin knew him well.

"Did you come straight in from the hospital or did you go home first?" Brian asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

Kevin shook his head as he swallowed another sip.  "I left early this morning, took a shower, then came here."

"I overheard you telling Nick that Sarah's experiencing a lot of pain.  I'm really sorry to hear that," Brian said, his tone filled with sympathy and his brow creasing with deep concern.

Kevin nodded wordlessly, observing Brian as he took another sip of his coffee.  Brian clenched his jaw and tightened his lips, looking down at the mug in his hands. 

"I've been praying for her," he said as he shook his head in disbelief, bringing his gaze back up to Kevin.

Brian stared at him with his eyes filled with sadness and worry.  Kevin knew that look.  It was the look Brian always had whenever something hurt his soul in a painfully spiritual way.  It was the kind of compassion that only a man of faith could truly comprehend.  Kevin smiled softly at Brian and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Thank you for that," he said softly.

"What are the doctors saying about her condition?  Is she going to be okay?"

Kevin sniffed as he noisily shifted his position on the couch, bringing his left leg up on the and slouching back onto the cushions, holding his mug away from to keep from spilling it on himself.  He settled into his position and took another sip before responding.

"They said she'll be okay.  She has two broken ribs, which will heal on their own as long as she follows the doctor's instructions.  She also has a gash on the side of her head, which should heal just fine as long as she keeps it dry and bandaged up."