Kellan
Chapter Thirty-Two
“Unfortunately, her body isn’t responding to the antibiotics the way we’d hoped. We’ve switched her to a higher dosage.”
I rubbed my hand over my unshaven face, listening to the doctor’s words. Twenty-four hours was all it had taken to go from Layla cracking jokes, trying to reassure us she’d be fine, to her breathing through a tube. Now I was with her family, meeting with the doctor in charge of her care.
“Why wasn’t she started on the higher dosage to begin with?” her mother asked. It was a good question.
“Because there are side effects we wanted to minimize, like vomiting. That would’ve further dehydrated her. But now she is on the highest dosage because we have no other choice.”
“What is the prognosis?” Russ posed the question we all wanted to, but none were prepared to hear the answer.
“Fifty-fifty at this point.”
I felt all of the blood drain from my face while a lump the size of a cantaloupe lodged itself in my throat.
“Every hour counts when it comes to an infection. Because of her compromised immune system, this has hit her hard. We’ll plan to meet in another hour. Hopefully, we’ll have some better news.”
Layla’s mom and dad embraced one another while Russ stood there in shock.
Me? I had to get back to her. To hold her hand and make sure she knew I was there.
They left me alone with her to talk in private for a few moments, for which I was grateful.
She was sedated due to the breathing tube, but still conscious.
“Babe. I need you to fight. Fight harder than you ever have before. I know it’s not fair to ask that of you, but you have to. You just do.” I wiped my eyes and glanced up when Russ came in.
“I can leave for a few more minutes,” he offered.
I knew her parents would be in again shortly, too. “No. No. You talk to her. I have to call and update my folks. I’ll only be a couple of minutes.” I’d been keeping them informed since yesterday, hoping I could give them better news.
“Okay. I’ll be here.”
I took out my phone once I walked outdoors, needing the fresh air and a moment.
Unfortunately, I saw I had twelve missed calls.
Half were from Carly, the others from my foreman on the job.
As I listened to the voicemails, I proceeded to get angrier and angrier.
My ex was threatening to sue if I wasn’t there today to change the color of the paint.
Let her. As if I cared about the job right now.
I was about to dial my parents when Brandon’s number flashed up. I found it curious he was calling now.
“Hello.”
“Hey. Everything okay?”
“No. It’s not.”
“My mom spoke with your mom about Layla’s condition. Is it any better?”
“No.” My voice nearly cracked on the single word.
“What can I do?”
“Nothing.”
He sighed. “Kellan. I know you’re in the middle of a remodel on the Williamses’ house. If you need any help, it would absolutely be something I’d like to do for you.”
Two days ago, I would’ve said no way. No to having the competition take over one of my projects. No to trusting Brandon on my biggest opportunity to date. Funny how all of those feelings washed away in an instant. “If you have a painter who can get there today, I could use your help.”
“I do.”
“By the way, Carly is Mrs. Williams’s daughter.”
Silence, then a cleared throat. “Jesus. Okay. Doesn’t matter. Let me do this. I’ll head there now with two of my best painters.”
“I’ll text my foreman to let him know you’re on the way. I appreciate it.”
“You’d do the same for me. Now go concentrate on Layla.”
That I would do.
We each took turns sitting by her bed. Her mom read her a poem she’d always loved as a child. Her brother told her jokes. I talked about all the things on her list we’d yet to do. But as each minute ticked by, nothing improved.
Three hours later, the prognosis was worse.
When Patty came in to check on her with tears in her eyes, the dread really slammed home.
She must’ve received the latest update, which gave Layla only a thirty percent chance of pulling through.
It was hard to comprehend how quickly she’d slid downhill, to the point she was now hooked up to all kinds of pumps and machines.
“Hi. I’m so sorry,” she said, hugging Layla’s mother and then her father, before focusing on me and Russ.
“Can I talk you boys into getting a quick cup of coffee?”
I found her request curious, but like Russ, I got up and went outside the room with her.
She turned to me first. “You know this is not your fault, right?”
Silence was my only answer, causing her to sigh. But no one would be able to convince me I wasn’t responsible for this. It may not have been intentional, but that sort of rationalization didn’t get the love of my life up from her bed, did it?
“Here. I’m giving these to you for safekeeping.” She passed four envelopes to Russell.
I knew exactly what they were once I saw my name on one of them in Layla’s handwriting. “When?”
“When she started to lose her voice, she asked for pen and paper. I trust you’ll know if or when it’s time to read them. I’m sorry, boys. Incredibly sorry. But we will hold out hope. Okay?”
I had to bite my lip to keep my tears at bay. I was still convinced there was hope. I had to be. So I stuffed the letter in my back pocket. Once Patty gave us hugs and walked back in to speak with Layla’s parents, Russ turned to me.
“This is only just in case. We won’t have to read these. Do you understand?”
“I do.” I got what he was saying. Any moment Layla might open her eyes.
The antibiotics would start to work. She’d be back home in a couple days’ time.
She’d move in with me. I’d give her the ring I’d intended to buy.
We’d make plans to build our house. Have kids. Love one another until the end of time.
Two hours later, it seemed fate had other plans.