As The World Turns

Chapter 37

Marshall turned up at the house just as the ambulance was leaving. He didn't understand what was happening, Jodie had been perfectly fine the last he saw of her, which was last night when she was having a girls night.  Apart of him wanted to blame Taylor and the others (he couldn't remember their names) but another part was too worried about Jodie to start playing the blame game. That would come later if he found out she was going to the hospital because of something they did.

He contemplated whether to follow the ambulance, but as he got closer to the house he saw that Taylor was stood on the doorstep, clearly waiting for him. Not entirely sure as to why she'd waited for him, Marshall pulled up to the curb and started to get out the car when Taylor came running up to him.

''Can I get a ride with you, I thought I'd be able to get in the ambulance, but they wouldn't let me?'' she was shaking, Marshall couldn't help, looking down at her hands he saw how white they were. Jodie may have been his girlfriend, but it looked as if Taylor was closer to Jodie than he had first thought.

In any other situation, he would have made a snarky comment about why she couldn't just get in her own car, but the state she appeared to be in he realised that perhaps her driving wasn't such a good idea.

''Yeah sure jump in,'' Taylor nodded thanking him. Seconds later she was in the car and he was pulling away, trying to catch up with the ambulance.

Every few seconds, Marshall couldn't help looking across at Taylor. Her hands were clasped in her lap and looked to be picking at the skin around her thumb. He figured it must have been something she did when she was nervous.

''Hey, she'll be ok,'' he tried to reassure the blonde. Taylor just nodded and sniffed as if she was trying to keep herself from crying. Since she wasn't going to reply to his first comment so he asked her a question instead, ''have you told her parents?''

''Yeah, they're probably there already. Her Mom was about to take Maddie to school, so they just diverted to the hospital instead,'' Taylor replied and Marshall couldn't help trying to wonder how Maddie was, Jodie had explained to him how she was only eight, the poor kid was probably terrified and he did not envy her mother at that moment.

''Ok good. Um, we're having to go in the back, Paul had to call ahead. You know I...''

''Can't just walk in the front of a hospital without some dickhead taking a picture and selling it to the media, I know,'' Taylor was beginning to get jittery and he saw her next question coming, ''are we nearly there?''

''Yeah, just around the next corner,''  as Taylor nodded they'd finally made their way to the front of the hospital. Now he had to find his way to the back. It didn't take him long because he recognised the pacing figure of Paul as he waited for him. That was one person he hadn't expected to see.

After parking the car, Taylor hoped out before him and he could just see the confusion on Pauls's face. Marshall had forgotten that Paul hadn't exactly met any of Jodie's friends let alone her housemate.

''Paul this is Taylor, Jodie's friend and housemate,'' Marshall answered Pauls unasked question. Taylor gave him a meeks smile.

''Right well, we need to go this way. I've told the reception that you were coming and they agreed to make sure Jodie's being put somewhere with minimal people.''

The small group of people was silent as they made their way through the back entrance of the hospital to the lift. Marshall noticed as they stood in the lift how Taylor had started to shake again and he placed his hand on her shoulder in reassurance. Taylor was a little surprised at first and flidged too begin with, but she didn't shake his hand off; meaning he kept it there until it was time to step out of the lift.

He wasn't sure if they were in the right place because he'd never actually seen Jodie's family and the last time he'd seen her father it was in a strip club with minimal lighting. However, Taylor darting past him to hug the woman, who'd been sat next to a little blonde girl, told him they were in the right place.

''I'll make sure security's arrived,'' Paul patted him on the shoulder like a piece of good luck before he wandered down the corridor in the opposite direction.

''Yo, you're Marshall right?'' The voice made him jump as a man not much older than Jodie came out of nowhere, ''sorry, I'm Bradly Jodie's brother I got a twin, but I'm the better one,'' Marshall put on a small smile, he couldn't recall Jodie mentioning her having twin older brothers. Maybe she mentioned it, but he hadn't listened.

''Bradly Kingly, where have your manners gone,'' Marshall found himself moving his feet to the voice of the female that had just spoken. He figured she was most likely Jodie's Mom.

''It's ok really,'' he replied, but she shook her head, pointing to the seat across from her. Brad did as he was told and sat down, crossing his arms, mumbling that he was too old to be told off by his mother.

''I'll still apologise. I'm Grace Jodie's mother, this is Maddie,'' Grace placed her hand on Maddie's head, the little girl gave a small wave, ''and of course, you've already met Bradly,'' Marshall was sure he heard him mumble 'Brad,' under his breath, ''Adams just on his way I only rung him when we got here,'' Marshall nodded, noting that Adam was most likely to be Jodie's dad.

''Do we know what's happening with Jodie?'' He asked, aware that Maddie was staring up at him trying to work out who he was.

''The Doctors have told me she's awake and running some tests,'' Grace sighed before speaking again, ''I should have told her to come to the doctors before,'' she placed her head in her hands, ''yesterday was too late.''

''Don't blame yourself, dear, she was never going to go see a doctor anyway,'' Marshall jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he came face to face with a man that looked remarkably similar to Brad, but instead of his brown hair, it was more grey. He figured it was Adam.

''Dad, is Jodie going to be ok,'' Maddie piped up, looking up at her father, Marshall remembered the same look, but with Hailie.

''Hunny, I'm afraid we just don't know, but we know she's awake at the moment,'' Adam, knelt down by his daughter; it took a second for Marshall to realise she wasn't his real daughter, but like he was with Whitney Adam treated Maddie like she was his own.

Maddie nodded, and Adam allowed her to wrap her small arms around his neck. Marshall couldn't quite catch what he was whispering to her, but Maddie appeared to be able to keep a strong face.

The family, including Marshall and Taylor, waited together, sat on the chairs that ran along either side of the corridor. Paul had come back some time ago, Marshall wasn't sure when; though when he did introductions went around again and he was now sat next to Marshall.

''Did you tell Denaun?'' Paul whispered, Marshall, nodded not taking his eyes off the poster he was staring at.

''Said he'd stop by later. I'll keep him updated though,'' the rest of the waiting continued in silence, apart from Maddie asking the odd question now and then, which led to everyone looking at each other for which answer they should give her.

Finally, after what felt like hours, a doctor appeared down the corridor. He held a clipboard in his hand and by the look on his face, Marshall braced himself for the worst. He'd seen that tight-lipped, stern, with a hint of sympathy facial expression too many times before.

''I assume you are the friends and family of Jodie Kingly,'' the doctor announced and everyone nodded. His gaze stuck on Marshall for a couple of seconds before he spoke again, ''Jodie woke up not long after she was admitted, which was good and so we got on with some tests. Erm with did find something that most likely caused her collapse this morning.''

The doctor paused and Marshall wanted to wack him with the clipboard that he held in his hand. The unnecessary pause had everyone on the edge of their seats and Marshall hated it.

''Jodie has a small and I will reiterate as small growth on her brain.''

''So she's got a brain tumour,'' Brad blurted out and the doctor nodded.

''Unfortunately yes,'' Marshall felt as if the air had been sucked out of his lungs. Just like everyone else, he was unsure of what to say.

Music To Be Murdered By
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(that's it that's my thoughts😂💕)