WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
17 288 (Vouchers
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
THE NOW
JOSH
Walking into the hospital after practice felt like stepping into another world–one I didn’t want to be in but couldn’t stay away from. The smell of antiseptic was always the first thing that hit me, followed by the weight in my chest that never left when I was here.
Luke was walking beside me, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “Jess said Asha had a good night,” he said, trying to sound upbeat. “She’s really getting the hang of it.”
“Yeah,” I murmured, distracted. I was grateful for Jess, but I couldn’t keep leaning on her, especially now that her due date was so close. She already had enough on her plate without taking care of my daughter too.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I need to figure something out soon. Jess can’t keep watching Asha for me.”
Luke glanced at me, his brow furrowing. “We’ll figure it out, man. You’re not alone in this.”
!
I nodded, but his words didn’t ease the pressure building inside me. I hated feeling helpless.
As we approached the intensive care unit, someone called my name. “Joshua?”
10:190
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
288 Vouchers.
I blinked, pulled from my thoughts, and looked up to see the nurse from the other day standing a few feet away. She had dirty blonde hair pulled back into a neat ponytail and piercing blue eyes that, for a split second, reminded me of Laura.
For that moment, I froze, my heart stuttering in my chest. But as quickly as the thought came, it faded. She wasn’t Laura. No one was Laura.
“Hi,” I finally managed to say, my voice awkward and stiff.
She smiled warmly, and I turned back around, feeling heat rise to my face.
Luke smirked beside me, shoving me lightly. “What the hell was that?”
“I don’t know,” I muttered, shaking my head. “She was Laura’s nurse the other day.”
Luke didn’t say anything, but I could feel his eyes on me as we walked down the corridor.
When we reached Laura’s room, I immediately noticed the extra people inside. There were nurses and medical staff moving around, and the atmosphere felt different. My chest tightened as I stepped in.
“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
One of the nurses turned to me, but before she could respond, the doctor walked in. “Mr. Andrews,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “We need to take Laura to the theater to place a tracheostomy.”
10.20
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Z28 Vouchers
“A tracheostomy?” I repeated, the word foreign and heavy on my tongue. Anxiety prickled at the edges of my mind. “What does that mean?”
The doctor’s expression softened, but his professionalism didn’t waver. “The breathing tube currently in her mouth is effective, but long–term use can cause complications–things like infections, damage to her vocal cords, and other secondary issues. A tracheostomy is a more permanent solution for now. It’s a small surgical procedure to place a tube directly into her trachea through her neck. It will be more comfortable for her and reduce the risk of complications.”
“Is it a big procedure?” Luke asked, stepping forward when he saw the tension in my shoulders. He placed a hand on my arm, grounding me.
“No,” the doctor assured him. “It’s minor. It’s very common for patients in Laura’s condition.”
I nodded slowly, trying to process his words. It wasn’t major. It was common. But it still felt like another step in the wrong direction–another sign that she wasn’t waking up.
I walked over to Laura’s bedside, ignoring the flurry of activity around me. She looked so small and pale under the hospital lights, her chest rising and falling with the help of the machine.
Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “You’re going to be okay, Laura. You hear me? You’re going to come back to us.”
When I’straightened, the nurse from earlier was standing near the door, watching me with a soft expression. As I stepped out of the room with Luke, I heard her say quietly, “She’s going to be
57.98%
10:20
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
okay.”
I wanted to believe her, but the truth was, I was starting to
believe it less and less.
