[excuse any mistakes]
CHASTAIN PARK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Savannah, Georgia
-8:19 am-
| Xander |
At this point, I've been here so long that I can't even remember how long I've been here.
Ironic right?
It's crazy that I haven't left his side since that tragic day. I've just gotten accustomed to seeing him like this; seeing him at peace.
I bite back tears thinking about how we both ended up here.
It should've been me in that hospital bed; I'll do anything to trade places with him.
I grabbed his hand and interlocked our fingers. I lightly played with his nails and lightly kissed between his middle and ring fingers.
I bowed my head and began praying.
This is our ritual now. Every morning I wake up, take a shower in the bathroom, and come pray with him.
I looked at all the machines and cords hooked up to his brain and chest. Hopefully, the doctors are able to at least take his trach out soon.
I sighed hearing the door open. Knowing it was the nurse coming to notify me they were about to switch shifts.
I kissed his hand once more before making my way to the cafeteria.
They do shift change two times a day. Early in the morning and again around eight or nine pm.
I'm not allowed on the floor while they're doing this.
I don't mind though because I prefer the morning shift over the crew at night anyways. They're more gentle and caring to him.
I walked down the long white hallway until I finally reached the cafeteria. Most of the hospital is like that, plain; white.
There are very few places that aren't, but I rarely leave the ICU so I haven't had much chance to explore them.
It's usually pretty cold in here so I'm glad I actually remembered to wear my hoodie today. I slowed my steps as I looked over the menu.
It was written in pretty colors on a dry-erase board. I guess I'll have my usual grits, eggs, and toast.
As I stood in line everything began to wash all over me. I was running out of money, but I couldn't leave.
Not now.
I was also running out of clean clothes. I sighed collected my breakfast and sat down.
I could call his sister I know she has my back. His bestie on the other hand... I don't know. She doesn't seem to like me very much, lol.
Ever since that day, she blames me for the accident. She even told me the day she came to visit.
She hopes I'm never happy again and when Everett recovers she won't allow him to see me anymore.
Strange how she doesn't want me to see him anymore, but she rarely comes up here to see him.
His own fucking bestie barely comes to see him.
Meanwhile, I've been here every day by his side. I played around with my breakfast looking down.
I know it will get better. There's something in my heart that knows it.
His parents are coming down today maybe his sister will be down too.
They're not originally from here. Actually, they live two hours north of here.
He was coming back down here to see me when the accident happened.
I sighed losing my appetite. I looked down at my phone and decided I would make my way to the gift shop to pick Everett up something cute.
He's always had a thing for stuffed animals, especially the ones that took you all night to win at the fair.
The whole way to the gift shop I kept my head down watching my feet drag.
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THE SULLACE RESIDENCE
Columbia, South Carolina
-4:44 pm-
| Anais |
Every day I wish I could be by my brothers' side. Out of all people, I can't believe this happened to him.
It's been around three months now and I hate that I can't visit him like I want to. Hopefully, Xander is still there by his side.
I've always loved them together. Even though Ivy hasn't always seen it that way.
I don't blame her though.
Everett deserves the best things in life. He's literally the sweetest person you can come in contact with. Sure he's shy and quiet but who isn't?
I finished packing my little overnight bag since I'm as meeting up with my parents.
We decided it would be best to stay in a hotel since it is a little bit of a drive.
I grabbed all my things being sure I didn't forget anything and made my way to my car.
Once I got in I began the short drive to my parents' house.
The crazy part is we invited Ivy to come with us, but it's like she's already moved on with her life you know?
At least to me, that's what it seems like; that's why I don't say much to her and she doesn't say much to me.
Nothing has been the same since this happened.
Regardless of how much my parents try to hide it, I know they've been fighting more and more.
I hate to see my parents going through this but I know everything happens for a reason.
It's so hard trying to process it all.
I mean this is my baby brother here. Not just some distant family member or a stranger on the news.
He's literally been fighting for his life in the ICU.
I know everyone handles situations differently and grieves differently that's why I keep to myself.
I can't lie and say I haven't spoken to anyone about it though. I decided it would be best to get a therapist and truthfully it's really been helping me process it all.
I've been wanting to reach out to Xander, but I'm sure he thinks we all hate him. As for me, I don't; I could never, but my parents & ivy I can't say the same.
I walked up to my parent's house and used my key to unlock the door.
We're supposed to be leaving, so I wonder why they haven't even moved the car. I walked in to see my dad sleeping on the couch and immediately began to sign.
I walked up the stairs and knocked on my parent's door. "Come in".
I walked over to my mom sitting on the bed and hugged her. She acknowledged my embrace and began sobbing hard.
I know this has been really hard on her. I could tell by the way it was still almost lifeless in the house that they wouldn't be going anywhere.
I ran my fingers through my mom's thick hair in an attempt to calm her down. It was silent, but it was a comforting silence.
Her tears soon turned into soft snores. I lightly pushed her onto her pillow and wrapped her up.
I'm sure she needed the rest from arguing with my dad all night.
I peeped at my dad still asleep before making my way to the door.
"I love you guys, more than you'll ever know. Even though I don't always show or express it . It's going to be alright." I whispered as I blew them a kiss before leaving.
I guess it's just me. I can't say I'm not nervous. I hope he's in better condition than he was when I last saw him.
He was almost unrecognizable last time.
His body had so much swelling and there were so many wires and machines hooked up to him.
I put the hospital address in my GPS.
I checked my gas and made sure I was good to go.
Here goes nothing baby bro. I'm coming to see you, again.
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CHASTAIN PARK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Savannah, Georgia
-6:08 pm-
| 3rd Person |
It was mid-evening when Anais arrived at the hospital.
She was so tired she could hardly make it. As she walked to the receptionist's desk she couldn't help but notice an old couple in the waiting room.
She immediately thought of her parents.
She stepped back outside to shoot them a text letting them know she had gone alone and not to worry about her she had made it.
She walked back inside and asked if Everett's room number had changed.
Sadly, it had not.
She made her way to the elevator and pushed the buttons to the top floor nervously.
She made her way to room 326 and gently knocked on the door.
She pushed the door open slowly to reveal a sleeping Xander on the futon and Everett who was still hooked up to a series of machines and wires.
She lightly gasped seeing Xander knocked out in night clothes. Has he been here all along?
She was careful not to disturb Xander as she slipped into the room and made her way to her brother's side in the loveseat.
She couldn't help but touch his face. It was cold to the touch, so she pulled his blanket up his body a little more in hopes of warming him up.
Since the last time, she's been here the swelling has gone down tremendously.
She was able to recognize her own brother and was even able to hold his hand.
She pulled out a photograph of the two from their childhood and sat it on his nightstand.
A warm tear rolled down her face as she finished decorating the nightstand and made herself comfortable on the loveseat.
Maybe she could catch up with Xander tomorrow. That's if he'd accept her and her apology.
She looked down as her eyes began to fill up and silently cried herself to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a long day of reconciliation.
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-What do y'all think? Comments 👀
-DDESIRES🖤