Tides

Chapter 36 - Hang Ten

LUNA

Alberto parks his car at the hospital garage and I feel even more nervous. Mom tries hard to stay calm, but her hands shake. We have been through this before. On an evening, we received a call from a nurse who said we needed to come to the hospital. Upon arrival, we were informed that Skye was in intensive care in critical condition. We had to wait and hope he would get better. The feeling of not being able to help him was frustrating, and the thought of losing him was terrifying.

Skye and Dax join us, and we walk in silence to the nephrology department. A nurse stops us in the hallway and Mom tells her we are here to see River Garth. I can imagine the nurse is suspicious about seeing a bunch of people in lime green clothes. Skye still has sand stuck to his legs, and Dax's hair is matted from the sea water. The nurse goes into a room. Skye moves next to me and places his arm around my shoulders.

"Remember what I told you. Worry and sadness make no one feel better," my brother whispers in my ear, and I nod.

The nurse comes out the room, followed by Maggie, who pulls down the face mask she wears. Her blue eyes are bloodshot and her face is pale. She moves into my dad's arms for comfort and he rubs her back. It's a heartbreaking moment.

"They are my family," Maggie says to the nurse while cleaning her tears with a crumpled napkin.

The nurse gives us face masks and then returns to the station.

"Sorry we have to wear this. It's to protect River from catching something extra," says Maggie.

"How is he doing?" Mom asks.

"He is not well; it was like last December all over again. I found him this morning sitting at the dining table. He was crying and holding a bag of ice cubes to his back. His legs were swollen again so I brought him to the hospital. The doctor found his blood pressure is dangerously high."

"Oh, my poor child. When is all this suffering going to end?" my mom hugs Maggie.

We have spent time with River since we found out about him. I was hesitant, but Dax's attitude towards the situation made me change my mind. My parents have been out with him. Dax visits him almost every day, and Skye and I took turns keeping him company during his dialysis.

My brothers don't know I have also been in contact with him outside the hospital visits. I shared our plans for the party with River and he asked me if he could be part of the team. He is creative and as a teacher is used to deal with chaos. We had great ideas but were disorganized. He made an action plan and divided the tasks. River has a wicked sense of humor like Skye and has the naughty grin of Dad. I enjoy being around him.

"He got medication and is under constant supervision. He will love seeing you all. He is upset he couldn't go to the festival to see you compete," Maggie caresses Dax's cheek.

We disinfect our hands, put on our masks and follow Maggie into the room. River smiles when we come inside. He looks weak. It's a painful reminder of our past family situation. Medication bags drip into the IV in his left hand.

"Hey sweetheart," Mom kisses River on his forehead, even though she is wearing the mask.

"You are all here," River says with surprise.

"We are," Dad moves closer to him and pats his hand. "You and Maggie are part of the Kalani clan. We always stick together in good or bad times."

"Mrs. Garth? Dr. Harper would like to speak with you," says the nurse we met earlier.

"Sadie, Ash, Alberto, could you please come with me?" Maggie asks and our parents leave the room with her.

"How did the competition go? I'm sorry I couldn't be there. I had my Kalani staff t-shirt," River looks at us with so much sadness.