Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Would you like to go get something to eat, Mr. Sterling? You can come back in when you finish. Dr. Wilson stopped by after he came on shift. He didn’t want to disturb you, but checked Rod’s vitals and was encouraged. We’re keeping a close eye on your husband.”
Hunger had eluded Wyl since they arrived at the hospital. But he needed nutrition to keep him going. The stress of almost losing Rod had taken its toll.
“You’re right. I need to eat something,” Wyl said. “I’ll be in the cafeteria.”
“He’ll be fine. We’ll see you back here in an hour.” She smiled.
Wyl went to the cafeteria and bought a container of yogurt and a cup of coffee. After twenty minutes, he still struggled to eat the yogurt.
Dr. Wilson came in, grabbed a coffee, and came to Wyl’s table. “Mind if I sit?”
“Please…” Wyl motioned to a chair.
“How are you holding up, Wyl?” Dr. Wilson showed concern. “I don’t need another patient named Sterling.”
“I’m hanging in there. Rod spoke to me last night, and I took that as a good sign.” Wyl realized the early hour. “Don’t you ever sleep?”
“I’m on the 12-hour shift, midnight to noon. That lets me follow up with any patients that come in overnight.”
“I appreciate you, Doctor Wilson.”
“Thanks. I reviewed Rod’s charts this morning, and he’s recovering well. I’m having him moved into a regular room. He’ll be on the 5th floor. When you finish, go on up. The nurse’s station will know which room.”
Wyl broke into sobs. It was a great relief to know that Rod was recovering. He couldn’t help the emotions bubbling to the surface.
“Thanks, doc,” Wyl choked out. “Sorry about the tears, but I feared he would leave me.”
“I understand.” Doctor Wilson handed him a napkin. “If he continues to do well, we can get him out of here tomorrow.”
Wyl wiped his face.
“You two take care of each other.” Doctor Wilson finished his coffee and stood. “You are an inspiration to gay couples everywhere.”
The doctor left, and Wyl finished his yogurt and coffee with renewed interest. His husband was going to be okay.
* * *
Wyl went to the 5th floor and inquired at the nurse’s station.
“522,” the nurse pointed down the hallway.
Wyl walked through the dimly lit corridor to Rod’s room and entered, quietly closing the door behind him.
A light over the bed was aimed at the ceiling, providing soft illumination.
An IV bag hung at the head of the bed, with a tube snaking under the covers.
A urine bag hung at the side of the bed with a good amount of dark yellow liquid.
Rod was asleep. Wyl stood by the bed and took his hand.
“Oh, Rod, I hope you can hear me. I love you more than life itself.” Tears clouded his eyes. Wyl leaned and kissed Rod’s forehead.
Wyl sat in the chair, where he could watch Rod sleep, and drifted off to sleep. “Hey,” he heard in his dream. “Wyl,” a soft, raspy voice invaded his mind. Wyl gradually woke and realized it was not a dream.
He leaped to his feet at Rod’s bedside. “Oh god, Roddy, I was so worried. I’m glad you are okay.”
Rod’s half-closed eyes searched Wyl’s face. “I feel so weak. What happened to me?”
“You couldn’t stop throwing up. You became dehydrated. The doctor put you in the ICU for a day. Do you remember talking to me there?”
“Yes, but it’s all a bit cloudy. What made me sick?”
“Baby squid.” Wyl smiled.
A weak smile crossed Rod’s dry, cracked lips. “I thought I asked you not to mention squid, Wylton,” he chuckled, weakly squeezing Wyl’s hand.
Relief flooded Wyl’s entire body. He knew Rod would be okay if he could crack a joke.
“Did you talk to the doctor?” Rod asked.
“Yes, and he said you are going to be fine. Your vitals are good, and you should be able to go home as soon as your strength returns.”
“I want to be home with you.” Rod closed his eyes.
As Rod drifted off to sleep, Wyl remembered Stewy and Matthew’s invitation for dinner the previous night. He left Rod’s room and went to the 5th-floor waiting room to call Stewy.
“Stewy, Wyl here.”
“Hey, Wyl. What happened to you guys last night? I called your place, but no answer. Is everything okay?”
“No. Rod is in the hospital with what the doctors think was food poisoning. I’m sorry about last night. I came to the hospital early yesterday morning when the ambulance brought Rod. I was so distraught I forgot to call.”
“Oh my gosh. Is Rod going to be okay?” Panic showed in Stewy’s words. Matthew clicked on the extension. “Are you doing okay, Wyl?” Matthew asked.
“I’m doing fine, and Rod is improving. He needs to stay another day so the doctors know he can tolerate solid food.”
“Is he up for visitors?” Matthew asked.
“I think so. Visiting hours this evening are from four to seven.”
“Do you think bringing Mom and Dad is okay?” Stewy asked.
“If Lefty and Rebekah don’t mind a hospital visit, that would be fine.
I want to see them again, and it might help your cause if your parents saw a gay couple who are so totally in love they cannot bear to be apart.
” Wyl hoped Stewy would take this opportunity to show his parents that he and Matthew could be as solid as he and Rod.
“Great. Where are you?”
“We’re in UCSF, 5th floor, Room 522. Rod should be stronger and more alert by tonight.”
“Okay… we’ll see you later this afternoon. Bye.” Matthew and Stewy hung up.
Wyl returned to Rod’s room and relaxed in his chair, dozing intermittently.
* * *
By late morning, Rod was more alert. The nurse brought in a food tray with clear broth and iced tea. Rod’s spoon tapped the plastic bowl as he slowly sipped the beef broth, the aroma permeating the air.
“That tasted good.” Rod pushed the tray table away.
Wyl breathed a relieved sigh. “It’s good to see you eat. You gave me quite a scare.”
“I gave myself quite a scare, too. I’m glad you rescued me.” The love in his eyes warmed Wyl’s heart.
Just before noon, Dr. Wilson entered, followed by a nurse. “How is our patient doing?” he asked Rod.
“Much better. I sucked down the broth and am starting to feel like my old self.”
“That's great news,” the doctor smiled at Rod. “I’m Doctor Wilson, by the way. I’ll ask the nurses to remove the femoral IV and the catheter.
You’ll be more comfortable. But you must promise to drink lots of liquids.
Tell the nurses what you want. Juice, coffee, soft drinks, water, tea, you name it. Keep forcing fluids.”
“You bet,” Rod smiled.
“I’ll increase your evening meal to soft foods, and we’ll see how you do with that. If you still feel good in the morning and your vitals stay strong, we’ll get you out of here tomorrow.”
Rod beamed. “Great, Doctor Wilson.”
Wyl couldn’t stop smiling. The relief of seeing Rod’s improvement, added to the excitement of having him awake and alert, took all the stress away.
“I’ll stop by in the morning to check on you.” Doctor Wilson and the nurse left.
Rod gazed at Wyl. “C’mere.”
Wyl ambled over to him, and Rod reached up and pulled him into a kiss.
“I love you,” he said softly.
“I love you too, baby.”
* * *
Rod devoured the beef/vegetable soup, along with the fresh roll they brought him for supper. They even got a tray for Wyl so they could eat together.
At 6:00, they heard a soft knock at the door. Wyl stood and pulled it open for the Snowdons. “Hi, guys. Come in. Rod is eager to see you.”
“I hope we’re not disturbing his rest,” Rebekah commented.
“Not at all, and I’m Wyl, by the way,” Wyl offered her his hand. “I don’t think we’ve crossed paths since Stewy and I were in high school, so you may not remember me. I was younger then.”
“We were both younger then, Wyl.” Rebekah took his hand and pulled, wrapping her arms around him in a motherly hug. “After what you did for us, reuniting us with our Stewart, I think you deserve a big hug.”
“You and Rod did something we could not do for twenty-five years,” Lefty grabbed his hand and shook vigorously as Rebekah moved aside. “I don’t know how we can ever thank you enough.”
“No thanks needed.” Wyl’s face sported a mile-wide smile. “Come in and see Rod.”
Wyl stepped to the other side of the bed and took Rod’s hand. “Babe, this is Lefty and Rebekah. I don’t believe you ever met them.”
Rod extended his hand to welcome them. “It’s nice to finally meet you. Wyl mentioned you numerous times, and of course, Stewy talked about you too.”
“Actually, Mitzi told me about you two,” Rebekah said. “She was in the bridge club, and we’ve kept in touch. Apparently, you are quite a hit in San Francisco. Imagine that…two Blackfield men, married and setting an example for others. After being around Stewy and Matthew, I think it’s great.”
“Thank you, Rebekah,” Rod responded. “We hope we set a good example for those two.”
“All they talk about is Wyl and Rod…Wyl and Rod…Wyl and Rod,” Lefty chuckled and grabbed Stewy by the neck, rocking him back and forth. “I’d say you set the bar pretty high for them.”
Wyl watched Lefty interact with Stewy. He definitely felt proud of his son.
“We'd better get going,” Stewy said. “We’re on our way to dinner and wanted to stop by and see you two.”
“I’m glad you came by,” Rod said. “We’ll get together at our ranch. No doubt Stewy and Matthew will be coming for a visit soon.”
“You bet we will,” Matthew said. “Right, honey?”
“Definitely,” Stewy beamed.
“It’s good to see you both,” Rebekah stepped toward the door.
“Great to see you again, Wyl,” Lefty shook his hand. “Rod, you take care of this guy. You landed a good one!”
They all left.
“Good folks.” Wyl took Rod’s hand. “I’m a little surprised that Rebekah knows Mitzi.”
“Me too.” Rod laced their fingers. “Stewy is lucky he has such understanding parents. I’m glad we helped reunite that family.”
“And I’m glad we’re alone.” Wyl leaned over and kissed Rod. “Good thing we aren’t wearing our ball caps. We’d be in trouble!”
“Boy howdy,” Rod laughed.