Love And Marriage

Chapter 4: Dance With My Father Again

The ride to the hospital was tense. Jesse was gripping the steering wheel with a death grip, the leg not on the gas petal was slightly bouncing, and his face would make an expression and then quickly change to another. While we were getting dressed he told me that his dad had been in a car accident and that he was currently in emergency surgery. Afterwards he called his brother and sister. They couldn't come because Shaun lived in Atlanta and Ciara lived in Pennsylvania. They came up for their annual father's day trip.

It was weird driving back to the hospital at night, and even more weird as a visitor and not as a doctor. Jesse didn't say a single word the whole ride and I was kinda scared to ask him anything. He just had this oddly focused look on his face.

Once we got to the emergency room we scanned the room, looking for Diana and his mom. I walked up to the nurse's station.

"Um, we're looking for Marcus Thomas, and I don't know if you saw his wife Aiesha Thomas?"

"Are you family? Wait, don't you work in the immunology clinic?" My mind hadn't been focused on her but once she mentioned it I did recognize her, she didn't work in ny wing but she has passed by a few times.

"Yeah, Marcus is my father in law."

"Oh, let me look him up. He's in surgery. His wife is in the waiting room. I'm sure you know the way?"

"Yeah, thanks. What's your name?"

"Katy."

"Thank you, Katy."

I went over to where Jess was pacing.

"He's still in surgery, but your mom is in waiting room, I'll show you. I know you're worried but-"

"I'm fine. Can you take me?" I looked at him, he clearly was uncomfortable, and he still had the same look in his eyes.

"Jay, don't worry about me, I'm fine." I sighed and took his hand. I led him through the hallways until we got to the Surgery waiting room.

"Mom what happened?" He said as soon as he saw her. I have never felt bad for Aiesha a day in my life but I felt so bad for her right now. Her eyes were puffy and red, she clutched a tissue in her hand. Diana was asleep in a chair in the corner of the room.

"Jesse, your dad, he went to the mall to pick up a few things. He was on his way back when he got hit by some idiot who was high. I don't know much about his condition but he was rushed to surgery almost immediately. "

"Oh my God. Okay, um how long has he been in surgery?"

"About an hour."

Suddenly, the door opened a doctor walked in. Our heads jolted towards the door. I didn't recognize the doctor that had walked in.

"Marcus Thomas." The doctor said.

"That's us." Jesse said as they moved closer. I stayed behind because I knew before the doctor even said anything, before he even moved, I knew what kind of talk this was going to be. I've had this conversation so many times. No matter how many times you say the words, no matter how many times you practice the words, nothing can prepare you for the reaction to those words. It never gets easier and it always sticks to your soul.

"Mrs. Thomas, I'm so sorry....." was all he got out before Aiesha broke down in Jesse's arms. The sobs that ripped from her body were so strong that it made Jesse take a few steps back just to keep holding her up. Seeing her so devastated made my own chest hurt and my eyes tear up. Jesse continued to listen to the doctor talk over his mother's cries. He was just so strong, he had a determined look in his watery eyes. I wanted to run over there and just hold him but his mom needed him, and he probably needed her a little too even if just for that moment. Next to me Diana was waking up. I didn't know what to do because I didn't think I should be the one to tell her that her father was gone but Jesse and Aiesha obviously couldn't do it.