Bran-Nu: Book 2

Chapter 18

Sunday, December 26, 1999

5:03 A.M.

*Children's Hospital Los Angeles*

~Terry~

"Good morning, baby girl." I said as I kissed Amilyan's hand.

Last night after the doctors gave us the news about Brandy and Amilyan, Amilyan stopped breathing.

It was the worst shit I ever went through. They immediately rushed her to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, CHLA.

She's now in the PICU, pediatric intensive care unit. It's so tough for me to see my baby girl like this. I feel awful as a parent. I can't believe my baby girl is in this position right now.

It was so crazy seeing her hooked up to so many tubes. I never took my eyes off the monitor or her. I wanted to make sure my baby girl is okay.

"Good morning, Mr. Hightower." Nurse Chance said as he came in with a warm smile.

"Hey, Chance. They still got you here?" I said as I rubbed my baby girl's hand.

"Yeah, I don't get off until seven. I still got a little while, but not that long. Did you get any sleep?"

"Nah, I'm fine. I don't need sleep. I need to make sure my baby girl is fine." I said as I kept kissing my baby's hand.

"I know you're worried about your daughter, Mr. Hightower, but don't get so worked up that you make yourself sick."

"I'm far from worrying about myself. I just got to make sure my baby gets better, man. She got so much life ahead of her."

"I understand, Mr. Hightower. It makes patients feel better when you talk to them. Although Amilyan isn't awake, she can still hear you. Try to talk to her. It will make you and your family feel a little bit better." Chance said as he gave me a reassuring smile.

I nodded as my phone started to ring.

"Hey, I'm going to step out really quick. I got a phone call."

"Ok, I'm just going to change out her I.V. medication." Chance nodded as he did what he had to do.

I kissed my baby girl's head as I quickly went to the hallway.

"Hey brother, are you good?"

I smiled a little bit as a I heard the voice. It was Shaq.

"Hey, bro. I'm just hanging in here. I'm glad to hear your voice." I said as I started walking down the hallway towards the two chairs and the gigantic windows that showed the outside parts of the hospital.

"Man, I looked on tv and you're everywhere. Coach called us to the stadium this morning and confirmed the news. Fans and news reporters were even outside, T. It's crazy." Shaq said as he cleared his throat.

"I know, man. I'm sorry about the missed calls. My phone been blowing up so much that I had to turn it off. I recently turned it back on since I'm up here with my baby girl." I said sighing as I sat down.

"How's Brandy and baby girl?"

I just stayed silent as I tried not to get upset.

"Damn. Tell me it ain't like that, dawg. You okay?"

"Bruh, it ain't looking good. Man, if they leave me—"

"Man, don't start thinking that shit. When you start thinking it, you start believing it. They gone make it."