I brought out another box and noticed Wam still wasn't with the guys. Wonder where he went? "Umm Mato, where did Wam go?"
"He went to get the pizza but hasn't come back," he replied with a shrug.
Mato nor Hawk seemed concerned about Wam missing, but I just had a sinking feeling in my gut that something wasn't right. I looked out the window and saw Wam's SUV was back, so where was he? I looked around but all I saw were tenants and visitors. Nothing out of the ordinary until I look straight down at the front entrance. "Awww crap!"
I take off out the door and sprint down the steps. Wam was here to help, he shouldn't get robbed or beaten for it. Many of the people in this neighborhood were opportunists. They take care of their own, anyone living here was under their protection, but outsiders were seen as fair game.
When I neared the front door of the building, I snuck out the door that had four grown men standing there. Rolland had his back to the door, so I didn't see Wam, but I had a feeling he was in trouble. "Oh, sorry Rolland. I didn't mean to bump you with the door."
Rolland looked my way and grinned, "hey Kynlee. We were just thanking this fine gentleman for buying us pizzas. Want a slice?"
I moved closer to Rolland and patted his hard, large bicep with my small hand. "Actually, that's what I came to check out. This gentleman is helping me pack and move. The pizzas he bought are for me and the other two guys helping me move. I needed help since Kedron is still laid up."
"How is Kedron anyway?" The guy named Terrance asked.
"Thanks for asking. He is now awake, but we are not yet sure if he will regain any use of his arms or legs. It's a waiting game." I sighed as I finished talking for effect.
"Damn Kynlee, Im so sorry about Kedron," The third man, Tarik expressed.
"Wam here," I say as I pat his shoulder, "is a neurosurgeon that's been helping Kedron and me. Could you please let him pass unscathed?" I ask with my best puppy dog eyes.
Rolland is the first to answer, "yeah, no problem. Sorry about the misunderstanding. Kynlee and Kedron are like family to us here. Thank you for helping them," Rolland decreed as he moved from in front of the door.
I opened the door to let Wam pass first as I said, "thank you guys for keeping us safe."
I watched Wam enter the door and start to ascend the stairs before I fell into line next to him. Wam turned toward me in thanks, "thank you for saving my butt back there." I nodded and we continued to climb. Once we reach the apartment door, Wam turns toward me with big eyes and a smile, "quite the neighborhood watch they have around here."
I couldn't help but laugh. Yes, watch they most certainly do. "If I'd have known you were leaving, I could have warned you. Luckily I realized you hadn't come back and came looking for you. You were a tad outnumbered," I said with a smirk.
"That I was. I'm a lover, not a fighter," Wam says before kissing my forehead.
I open the door and within seconds of stepping in the apartment, Wam is swarmed by Mato and Hawk like vultures to their pray.if I didn't know better, I'd say they don't get fed regularly. As I stand and watch them inhale piece after piece of pizza, Hawk looks up and says, "what? I'm a growing boy," and continues to eat.
Between the two teens, they consumed twelve slices of pizza. Wam and I split the other four slices.
By the time everything was packed and loaded, it was mid afternoon. Wam asked me, "anything else we need to do?"
I shake my head, "no, I wiped down the counters and the bathroom, so we should be good. The landlord told me to leave the key on the counter and shut the door since he has a master copy."
"Are you okay?" Wam questioned while pulling me into an embrace. The boys were down with the truck waiting for us.
I wrapped my arms around Wam but laughed and said, "I'm all sweaty," when he first grabbed me.
"I don't care," he replied. "If I'm not going to see you until Friday, I need to hold you, touch you a little bit."
I wasn't looking forward to the separation either, but was grateful it was only until Friday. Knowing he was coming back, made me feel better. "I know you have to work, but I'm going to miss you Wam."
He stroked my head and down my brunette ponytail repeatedly. He tightened his hold slightly and replied, "I'm going to miss you too Lee. The boys are waiting, so I suppose you should go. I wish I could come with you back to Rochester with you."
I stroked his back and said, "mmmm, me too Wam."
Wam continued his early thought, "I need to visit Halian tonight, then head home to prepare for my early morning surgery. I may have to do a brain mapping in the morning on Hal. Unless by some stroke of the imagination, he hasn't had anymore seizure type activity since I left."
"I'm so sorry Wam. I know how much family means to you. Hal is lucky to have you on his side," I whispered just loud enough for him to hear.
"You always know what to say to make me feel better. How do you do that Lee?" Wam asked.
I simply shrugged, pulled back, and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Just then I heard a 'beep beep' from outside. "Sounds like the boys are getting restless," I laughed. Text or call me this week please. I'll be wondering how Hal is doing."
Wam nodded and I took it as my key to leave before I ended up back in his arms.
Kedron's coworkers were nice enough to bring his truck back, so all I had to do was grab his keys, my purse, and leave the apartment key on the table. Locking the lock on the handle, I motioned for Wam to precede me and then pulled the locked door shut behind me. "Thanks again Wam!"
As Wam climbed into his SUV, I went around back and climbed into Kedron's truck. I had to adjust the seat and mirrors, but finally started the truck and pulled out of the driveway. I made sure Mato and Hawk saw me and waved at Wam as I went in the opposite direction toward Rochester. I saw Wam's taillights light up before they were out of sight. I sighed. It was going to be a long week until I saw Wam again. Well moping won't help, so I turn on the radio and sing along.
Before I know it, I'm pulling into the driveway at the cabin and the truck and trailer are right behind me. I park in front of the cabin, but on the opposite side of the porch, to give the guys room to maneuver the truck and trailer closer to the shed.
It took little time for the two of them to unload the trailer. I took only five boxes in the house of my belongings, and the rest was stacked in the shed. When the last box was in and the shed locked up, I walked over and shook their hands, "thank you so much guys. That would have been a nightmare by myself. What do I owe you guys for helping?"
Hawk's chest puffed out as he replied, "it's already taken care...ooof," as Mato hit his chest with the back of his hand. Hawk was running his chest as Mato began to talk, "we owed Wam a favor," he said as he gave Hawk a glare. "You don't owe us anything. It's all good. We wish you the best Kynlee." Hawk simply nodded.
"Well thank you again. If I can ever return the favor, please let me know. Have a safe trip back."
Hawk waved as the got in the truck, and they drove in a huge U-turn and out onto the road. Their back and forth interactions remind me a little of Kedron. Now I have to decide if I stay here and put away my boxes in the house or if I go visit Kedron and do boxes tomorrow night? In the end, I go with a phone to Kedron's nurse to make sure he is okay. "Room 1112 please," I wait on hold as they transfer the call, listening to some instrumental music.
"ICU Nurse's station, how May I help you?"
"This is Kedron Knutson's sister, Kynlee. I was just hoping to talk to his nurse and if he is awake, maybe Kedron as well."
"Okay,
If you can hold a minute, I can take the phone into Nurse Timothy."
I nod then realize the secretary cannot see me and squeak out, "okay, thank you."
The elevator music comes on as I wait. Finally after a few minutes, a nurse answers, "this is Nurse Timothy. Please tell me, what can I do for you Kynlee?"
"I've been packing and moving our apartment all day, so I wasn't able to visit. So instead I'm calling to check on Kedron. How is he? Any changes?"
Nurse Timothy cleared his throat quietly, "excuse me. Umm no changes, but if you want to talk to him, I can take him the phone and hold it for him."
"Thank you Nurse Timothy. That would be wonderful!"
I hear some movement on the other end of the line and then a deep, "hello?"
"Kedron, good evening. It's Kynlee. How are you?"
"I think I'm about the same. I still feel like a pin cushion and cannot move on my own."
"I just called to touch base and tell you the apartment was packed and moved today and I'll be there by 6am for rounds in the morning," I explained with love in my voice. This was hard for me and likely not easy for Kedron either.
He was quiet until I heard Nurse Timothy ask, "you okay Kedron?"
"Kedron, talk to me, please..." I begged, trying to figure out the problem.
"I'm just so sorry Kynlee to have put you in this situation," I heard what sounded like sobs coming from Kedron.
"Kedron, it's okay. I found help and it's all done. Do you need me to come there tonight?" I ask in an attempt to comfort him.
A very harsh, "no! I don't want you to see me like this. I'm pathetic! I'm supposed to be the man, the provider. Instead, I lay here unable to do anything..." more broken breaths signaled Kedron continued to cry, and it was breaking my heart.
"Kedron?" I heard a low keening sound in return.
"What?" He finally whispered.
"K, you know I love you no matter what. You may not be able to do the things you did before, but you're still the same great man. We will get through this together. You got that? You and I together can do almost anything," I say with authority and positivity in my tone.
"That won't make me walk again. It won't let me...hug my loved ones, or make me be able to use the bathroom on my own. This... shell of a body, isn't me Kynlee. I. can't. live. like. this." More sobs could be heard and Nurse Thomas could be heard talking quietly to Kedron. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but he was talking calmly and quietly.
Several minutes later, Nurse Timothy said, "Kynlee? He is asleep. Nurse Yin will be in tonight."
"Thank you and goodnight."
Once in bed, I also cried myself to sleep.