Chapter 34 #2
Wyl sat on the bed; I tugged off his boots and helped him lie down. I took my boots off, lay behind him, snuggled up, and wrapped my arm around him.
“Thank you,” Wyl muttered as he drifted off to sleep.
I breathed in the essence of my man, wishing I could take away his pain and hoping Walt survived.
Through everything that happened today, the realization emerged.
Wyl had become more like a husband than Patrick ever was.
Before Wyl came along, I avoided relationships.
But the two of us already survived so much. I drifted into an uneasy sleep.
* * *
We sat at the breakfast bar the following morning, having coffee in silence. Although we both slept, I don’t think we rested. We both remained too keyed up over Walt’s situation to relax.
I didn't offer to fix breakfast. Although nutrition would help us deal with the stress, neither of us had an appetite. We could eat something from the hospital cafeteria if the ICU wasn't open when we arrived.
I placed a hand on Wyl’s shoulder. “Want me to call the hospital and check on Walt?”
Having retreated within himself during this ordeal, Wyl gave a slight nod.
The only other Sterling in Wyl’s world lay in a hospital, unresponsive and hooked up to machines.
When the plane crash killed his parents, Wyl was stationed overseas.
Walt dealt with their deaths and arrangements by himself.
I’m sure Wyl used emergency leave to come for the funeral.
Still, he couldn't be here to give Walt the immediate critical support he needed. I was glad I was here for Wyl while we went through Walt’s tragedy.
I stood, kissed Wyl’s forehead, and walked to the phone.
It felt like I walked the Green Mile. I dreaded what the hospital might say.
I bet they would have called if Walt’s condition worsened.
Not that it could get much worse. Brain swelling and an induced coma were severe.
I picked up the handset and, with shaking hands, punched in the number.
“Yes, I’m calling to check on Walt Sterling in ICU. ”
“I’ll transfer you,” the operator said.
“Intensive Care,” the nurse answered.
“Yes. I’m calling to check on Walt Sterling. Can you tell me how he’s doing?”
“Are you family?”
“Yes. I’m Wyl Sterling’s partner. He’s here with me.”
“Your name?”
“Rod Bonner.”
“Yes, Dr. Bonner. Your name is on the list. Walt’s condition is unchanged. He has some tests scheduled this morning, but should be back in the ICU by 10:00.”
“Thank you.” I disconnected the call.
“His status is unchanged, Wyl. At least he didn’t deteriorate overnight.”
Wyl nodded.
“He’s having some tests this morning, but they expect those tests to be completed by 10:00. Let’s get you showered and changed, then we’ll drive in.”
I could tell the news didn’t comfort Wyl. Me either. We still didn’t know if Walt showed any signs of improvement. I tugged Wyl into the bedroom and got him seated on the bed so I could help him undress. We slept without changing, so both needed to shower and put on clean clothes.
During the somber drive to the hospital, I could tell Wyl hated Walt's unresponsiveness. They were as close as two brothers could be. I wasn’t there when Wyl talked to Walt about being gay, but from what Wyl shared, Walt threw his support behind Wyl no matter what.
That…right there…made their bond more vital.
If Walt suffered minor brain damage, he might undergo months of rehab.
I figured Wyl would drop out of his college classes to take care of his brother.
When we arrived in the ICU, the nurses told us the doctor had taken Walt for another test. She showed us to the family waiting room, a small room with a table and comfortable chairs away from the bustle of the hospital. We waited.
Twenty minutes passed before Dr. Nelson poked his head into the waiting room. “Mr. Sterling?”
“Yes,” Wyl said.
He came into the room and closed the door.
“We performed several scans on Walt this morning.
Because of the induced coma, we didn't take him off the ventilator. One of the scans showed us the swelling went down, so we did an EEG to determine the affected areas of the brain.” He stopped and sighed.
“Unfortunately, the EEG showed no brain activity at all. In a coma, the brain is active and keeps the body going. No activity means brain function ceased.”
Wyl sagged. “So he’s dead?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes. The machines keep his body alive, but the Walt you know is gone.”
Wyl sucked air in gasps and stared at the doctor. “He’s gone?” He reached for my hand and asked in a shaky voice, “What do we need to do?”
“We need your approval to disconnect the machines.”
“Oh, God.” Wyl crumbled. I scooted next to him. He wrapped his arms around me and sobbed into my neck. I let him cry. I cried, too, for Walt and for Wyl. The doctor waited, sadness in his expression.
After a few minutes, Wyl calmed. “Do I need to sign something, Doc?” His nasal-clogged voice shook with grief as I handed him a handkerchief. “Or give verbal permission?” He sniffed and wiped his eyes.
“Does he have other family?”
Wyl shook his head. “No, only me and Rod.”
Doctor Nelson nodded. “The hospital needs your signature on a few forms. The nurse will bring them to you.” He stood to leave and placed his hand on Wyl’s shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Sterling.”
“Thank you.”
Wyl buried his face in my neck and sobbed again. His only brother is dead. I held him and let him cry.
The nurse brought the forms and placed them on the table.
“We’ll bring these to you after he’s signed,” I said. She nodded and left.
“Let me read the forms and make sure nothing unexpected is included.” I pulled the forms to me with one hand, maintaining my hold on him with the other hand. “I’ll read the details, explain what each form says, and show you where to sign.”
We went through each form, and he signed where I pointed.
We took the forms to the nurse. “Do we need to be present when the doctors remove life support?” I said.
The nurse shook her head. “You may stay, but most prefer not to witness the cessation of respiration and heartbeat.”
I nodded and turned to Wyl. “Do you want to see Walt one last time?”
Wyl shook his head. I led him out of the hospital.
As we climbed into the truck, Wyl released a ragged sigh. “We need to stop by the funeral home and make arrangements.” Tears flooded, and he used my handkerchief to wipe his face.
We stopped by the funeral home that handled the funerals and burials of his parents. We spent time with the director. The Sterling great-grandparents and grandparents were buried in the family plot on the ranch. Wyl and Walt’s parents, too. Now Walt would join them.
Arrangements made, we drove to the ranch. Wyl sat silent and unresponsive. I took Wyl’s hand, and he wrapped my hand in both of his.
The next day, Wyl gradually emerged from the fog of grief consuming him since Walt’s accident. He called the attorney and the ranch foreman, Felipe, to let them know, and wrote an obituary for the newspaper. I stayed with him because I needed to.
On Wednesday afternoon, the funeral chapel filled to capacity. I scanned the crowd. “I didn’t realize Walt had this much influence,” I whispered.
“We’re Sterlings,” Wyl said. He squeezed my hand and repeated with an emotion-clogged raspy voice, “WE are Sterlings.”
I looked at Wyl’s teary face, and he nodded. Tears streamed down my cheeks at the loss of Walt and the reminder of our bond. Wyl and I were soulmates, and so much more. Walt’s death brought us closer together than ever.
We sat alone on the family row. As the service ended, many people stopped to offer their condolences. We kept an eye on the attendees filing past the casket. Wyl glanced around to see the line and tensed as his hand tightened around mine. He leaned toward my ear. “Mitzi.”
A woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun approached us.
She wore black patent stilettos, slender black leggings, a short black dress, and an inappropriate bright red jacket.
“Oh, Wyl, what a terrible tragedy about Walt. This must be difficult for you.” Mitzi’s words sounded sincere with a smug and condescending undercurrent.
Wyl hesitated, avoiding Mitzi’s glare. “In my grief, I did not think to notify you. How did you find out about the funeral?”
“Oh…I maintain my contacts here in Blackfield.” Her attention turned to me. “Hi, I’m Mitzi Sterling, Walt’s ex-wife.”
“I’m Rod Bonner.” I offered no further explanation about my relationship with Wyl.
“Oh…so you’re Dr. Bonner.” Mitzi’s eyes wavered back and forth between the two of us. “Well, I’ll leave you to your grief. I’m sure we’ll be chatting in the future.” Mitzi turned and left. She passed Walt’s casket with a cursory glance and walked out the door.
I turned to Wyl. “What did she mean we’ll be chatting? Mitzi calls Stella almost daily. I can’t help but overhear Stella’s end of the conversations. I hoped neither of us would be involved with Mitzi.”
Wyl shook his head. “Me, too. I remember Stella mentioning Mitzi on my first day on campus. You may recall it ticked me off a little bit.”
“A little bit?” I chuckled, the first chuckle in what seemed an eternity.
“That’s the first time I saw you scowl. In fact, I don’t remember you with a scowl any other time except when Dusty surprised us at the restaurant in Kerrville.
I also remember you declaring you didn’t have any other friends. ”
Wyl smiled his first smile since Walt’s accident. “Yeah, but I got you, and that’s better than a whole passel of friends.”
The funeral parlor emptied, and only the two of us remained. The funeral director closed the doors at the rear of the chapel and came forward, nodding to Wyl.
“Remind me to tell you about something.” I squeezed Wyl’s hand as we stood.
“Let’s take a few minutes to say goodbye to Walt before we leave through the family-only door.” Wyl’s voice trembled as he struggled to maintain his composure.
We stood at the casket. The aroma of carnations and roses filled the air. For me, the lifeless body in the coffin differed from the warm, welcoming man I considered family. Seeing him brought emotions to the surface, but I found comfort knowing Walt’s spirit watched over Wyl and me.
“Walt, I love you. You are the best brother any guy could ask for.” Wyl gasped the words between sobs. I kept my arm around Wyl as we stood at Walt’s casket and cried our final goodbye. Wyl leaned over and kissed Walt’s forehead. We left through the family exit.
Thursday, the burial in the family cemetery on the ranch included Wyl and me, the funeral director and two of his staff who saw to our needs, Felipe and his wife Margarita, and the ranch hands.
After they lowered the casket into the ground.
Wyl and I, and each of the ranch employees, tossed a handful of dirt on the casket as our final goodbye.
I stayed with Wyl after we found Walt following his mishap. I took bereavement leave to be with him as long as needed. Walt’s tragedy further cemented our relationship. I could never leave this man after helping him work through the tragedy.
An unexpected consequence was meeting Mitzi.
I only knew of her through word of mouth, mostly Wyl’s caustic explanation of her relationship with the Sterlings, and eavesdropping on Stella’s covert phone calls.
She was not to be trusted. Her smug attitude at the funeral said everything.
She cared nothing about the Sterlings except their wealth.
With Walt gone and her one connection severed, I hoped she would crawl back into the snake hole she came from.