When we were less than a mile from the hospital, Wam asked, "would you like me to walk you up?"
"That's sweet of you, but I'm sure you want to get home and get to bed." I had to get away from this man before I embarrassed myself again.
"I don't mind Kynlee."
I loved how he said my name and how he was such a gentleman. I couldn't help but start to feel like he was smothering me though. I may be young, but I was a grown woman. I'd been without my parents for well over a year, and didn't need someone to coddle me now.
"Please drop me at the main entrance and I'll get myself upstairs," I said a little too harshly.
As Wam pulled up to the front doors of the hospital, he asked, "did I do something to offend you?"
"No Dr. Teton. I'm sorry if I sound crabby. Thank you for supper and everything you are trying to do for me. I appreciate it, I really do. I'm just starting to feel like everyone is treating me like a child. My parents have been gone well over a year, and now people want to tell me what to do? I can't help but wonder, where all these people were when my parents were killed? I'm sorry. Like I said, thank you for everything."
I could feel Wam's eyes on me as I sat there and talked to him about things I'd never have considered telling anyone but Kedron. It was unnerving how easily I could talk to him.
He put his right hand on my left as he replied, "I hope you don't think I'm trying to tell you what to do. If that's the case Kynlee, I'm sorry. The last thing I want is to upset you." He reached into his wallet and pulled out a business card that had several phone numbers on it. "My cell number is on here. If I'm in surgery I won't answer, but if you leave me a message I'll call you back as soon as I can. Will you please call me in the morning?"
I nodded and moved to get out of the SUV, but Dr. Teton held onto my hand, so I turned to look back at him. "Please Kynlee, call me Wam. I'm giving you my personal cell phone number for goodness sake. I only give that out to friends and colleagues. I'm serious about helping you, but if my take charge personality gets to be too much, please tell me to back off. I promise I'll respect your wishes. Okay?"
I couldn't help but smile at his comment and the fact he was respecting the boundaries I was putting in place. Now if only I can get myself to stick to those boundaries, all would be okay. I might even get through the next few months with my heart intact.
"Good night Wam. Thanks again." I gave him a genuine smile and exited to the main hospital entrance. I arrived back at the hospital after visiting hours were through, but couldn't help but check on Kedron before I went to bed. I was glad I had when Nurse Yen told me they were able to cut the Levophed dose in half, and Kedron's blood pressure was holding steady. I really didn't expect any change in his condition in the last three hours, but this was great news. The right side of his face and neck remained every color under the rainbow, but the swelling seemed slightly less than when I had seen it this morning. I've always thought it's odd how bruises look worse as they heal, before they begin to look better. I knew from junior high sports, before we lost Mom and Dad, that was how it worked. I sprained my ankle during a basketball game and within a couple days, it had looked pretty gnarly if I do say so myself. Even with ice, a compression wrap, and anti inflammatory medications, I'd missed over two weeks of the season. Even now, if I spend too much time on my feet, it aches.
My boss had not been happy when I had called her this morning about missing my shift tomorrow. I needed to make a decision about my job. Either I needed a leave of absence, which in a small, family owned restaurant was unheard of, or I needed to resign.
My job was simply a way to bring in money and help pay the bills. There was no chance for advancement, and if I chose to go to college in the spring or next fall like I was considering, I'd likely have to quit anyway. So I guess I've made my decision. I don't have much choice but to quit.
I hadn't truly grasped the significance of the grant that Mark was able to find me until now. The money from the grant and staying at Wam's cabin rent free, would allow me not to work and be here for Kedron as needed.
I have high hopes that my brother will continue to improve and do well in rehab before coming home. The scary part is that only time will tell how well he will recover. It remains to be seen if his paralysis is temporary or permanent. I was terrified how he would respond if he was a quadriplegic when this was all said and done.
Kedron before the accident was very athletic, very active and outgoing, and worked long days in construction to make a living. He hadn't worked for the current company very long, but he had started working construction right after graduation.
Oh how I miss my brother. People think it's an old wives tale that twins have a special bond, but in our case, it's true. Kedron and I have always been close. After our parents died we became even closer because we were all each other had.
Kedron dated a few girls in high school, but hardly a date since our parents died. My eyes began to burn as I thought about my parents and then the condition Kedron was in. Suddenly I felt so alone.
I took a couple calming breaths and took out the business card Wam had given me. I brought the white card with standard black, block lettering to my nose and sniffed. The card smelled just like Wam's bedroom. That same odor surrounded me when I stepped in his room and was even stronger in the bathroom. I saw cologne in the bathroom called Drakar, and it smelled heavenly. Wait, scratch that. The cologne mixed with Wam's natural scent smelled heavenly. If I'm being honest, it make me think of doing things I've never done with anyone before. I didn't understand why I felt this way about him. Dr. Teton was my brother's doctor for goodness sakes. It would be morally wrong for me to start something with him. Not to mention Wam was attempting to help me...platonically. He has made no attempt to do anything physical other than comfort me. Yet, here I am swooning over his scent left on a business card. I guess I should be grateful his scent is enough to lift my spirits. I'll have to keep that in mind.
I grabbed the folder off the bedside stand and began to look at the possible insurance and financial programs that I or Kedron may qualify for. I set the ones aside that I felt might work and made a note of the things I'd need to bring from home to apply for most of them. Most of the forms needed social security number, driver's license or identification number, financial information, tax forms (if applicable), and a couple other things I had no idea how to get or where they were located. Kedron had a safe with all the important paperwork in it, but I don't have a clue what the code was to open it. The good news is, it isn't a fancy safe that needs a fingerprint, so hopefully he used some significant numbers I can figure out. There must be millions of possible combinations. If my brother wasn't as predictable as I think he is, I might never get into the fireproof safe.
Setting the papers and list I started down, I stepped into the bathroom for my nightly routine. I was going to have to make a trip home in the next day or two, because two days in the same clothes simply sucked, and tomorrow would be day three. Ewww!
I opted for a quick shower even though I didn't have clean clothes. I hand washed my underwear and bra, rinsed them in hot water, rolled them in a dry towel to soak up as much water as possible, and hung them over the towel rack to dry. Tomorrow I lose this room, so tonight I was taking full advantage. Once I had showered, I dried off and attempted to wrapped a towel around myself. The towel wasn't large enough to go around my chest with my ample breasts, so I hopped into bed naked and pulled the covers up to my chin.
Normally I wouldn't go to bed with wet hair, but desperate times call for desperate measures. At least my body would be clean in the morning.
I grabbed my cell phone and set my alarm for five forty five in the morning. I did not want to take a chance on missing Dr. Adams and the residents doing rounds. If anything had changed or they were making changes, I wanted to be there.
Seeing the business card sitting on the stand, I entered Wam's cell phone, home phone, and office numbers into my 'contacts' section on my phone. Upon impulse, I pulled up my text screen and began typing a text.
Kynlee: Sleep tight Wam. Thanks again for tonight. I appreciate it more than you know.
Within seconds I saw dots appear on the screen, to indicate Wam was typing. My phone vibrated and I opened a text from "Dr. Wam Teton."
Dr. Wam Teton: it was my pleasure. I hope you have a restful sleep as well. And Kynlee... it was my pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow. (Smiley face emoji).
A man that uses emojis? Now that is too funny. I set my phone down, shut off the bedside lamp, and rolled on my side to sleep. I had to admit, it was a long day, and I was exhausted. Now, if only I could shut my mind off.
My mind must have shut itself off, because the next thing I know, my phone was going off. I picked it up to shut off the alarm, but it was ringing with an unknown number. I answered it figuring anyone that would call me at five in the morning, it must be important.
"Hello," I said in a sleepy voice.
"Kynlee, I'm sorry to bother you. This is Nurse Yin. Your brother has spiked a fever that is not responding to paracetamol. The hospitalist is on his way, and I thought you might like to be here to discuss options with him."
"Yes. I'll be right there. Thank you for calling."
I threw on my damp under clothes, grabbed my purse and ran out the door to see Kedron.
In the elevator I said a prayer, "Lord, please help pull my brother through this. Kedron is all I have," my voice cracked slightly. I took a deep breath before continuing. "Please God, I'll do whatever you ask if you just spare my brother. In your name I pray, Amen." The elevator dinged and the doors opened to deliver me to the ICU.