Waiting on the Sidelines

Exhaustion was starting to hit me, as was the desperate need for a shower. I checked my phone and saw a text from Tyler. I closed it. I would deal with that later, I thought. I decided I would go home to freshen up, maybe get a little sleep and come back to check on Reed later in the afternoon. When I stood up, he turned to face me. No words, but just a question on his face. I wanted to stay, but he also needed this time with his dad. And I was so tired.

“I’ll be back. I’m just so tired, Reed. I have to get home. I’ll come back with Sean later so we can bring your Jeep, ok?” I said, squeezing his shoulder a little as I walked by. He reached up and grabbed my hand to give it a squeeze, then turned back to look at his father.

The hallways of the hospital seemed so different during the day. So full of people. I pushed the elevator button and leaned against the wall to wait for it.

“Nolan!” I heard Reed call my name, jostling me aware. He was jogging towards me and when he reached me, he just grabbed my hand and kissed it, holding it tight to his lips, and then pressed it against his cheek, closing his eyes.

“Thank you,” he whispered, opening his eyes to meet mine. “Nolan, thank you so much,” he reached for me and pulled me into a tight hug. I was swallowed by his giant frame and his long arms. This was the only place I ever wanted to be, but never because of circumstances like this.

Then he kissed my forehead, holding his lips there just as he had my hand. He pressed his cheek to me and took a deep breath. “You saved his life, Nolan. You saved my dad,” he stuttered. I could hear the emotion cracking in his voice.

My elevator opened and I pulled away stepping in, my eyes just held his gaze. “I’ll be back. I promise,” I said as they closed.

I must have fallen asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. It was late afternoon when I awoke. I rolled to my side and reached for my phone and checked for texts. I had sent one to Sean before leaving the hospital and he responded, asking me to call him when I wanted to go back. There was also another text from Tyler, asking if I was ok.

Yeah, sorry. A bit of a crazy morning. Reed’s dad had a heart attack. It sort of affected us all. Call you later?

I left it simple. He knew Buck was a loved man.

I called Sean next and told him I’d pick him up to take him to Reed’s in about 20 minutes. I jumped in the shower and soaked up the warmth. It was like I was washing away a nightmare. I kept picturing Buck gasping for air, and laying on the floor.

My parents had just gotten back from a quick visit and told me that Buck was awake now and talking. They said he was looking forward to seeing me and wanted to thank me, which made me a little uncomfortable. I didn’t think I did anything different than what anyone else would have done.

After getting Sean, we drove to Reed’s and went inside for the keys to his Jeep and a change of clothes. While the smell of alcohol had worn off of him, he still looked disheveled this morning at the hospital and was in need of a fresh shirt. I smiled a little when I opened his boxer drawer and pulled out a pair to put in a backpack I found under his bed. I put in socks and a new pair of jeans and one of my favorite gray T-shirts.

Sean followed me to the hospital. Reed was getting a drink at the coffee station when we walked in, and he smiled as soon as he saw us. He pulled Sean into a tight hug right away. “Thanks so much for coming, buddy,” he said, patting his back hard to toughen up the embrace.

He came over to me and put his arm around me and started to walk us back to Buck’s room. “He’s been asking for you all day,” Reed said.

I smiled a little. I was anxious to see Buck in good condition. As soon as we got through the door I heard his voice, gravelly but comforting like butter. “There she is. That’s my angel. Come on over here, darlin’,” he charmed. I slowly made my way to his bedside and grabbed his hand. He patted the side of the bed. “Sit down. I don’t bite.”

I kept his hand in mine and just looked him over. A little uncomfortable from the silence, I broke it with my usual humor. “A lot of fuss just to get a room with a view, don’t you think Buck,” I winked. He laughed and coughed a little. I reached for his water and handed it to him.

When I looked at Reed, he had a look of wonder on his face as he watched me and his father. He just smiled, his dimple creeping up as he slid his mouth sideways just a bit. Remembering the bag I packed, I looked to Sean. “Hey, I left the bag in my car. You mind getting it for him,” I said, nodding at Reed, who looked puzzled. “I packed you some fresh clothes. It’s been a long night.”

He sighed with relief; he seemed grateful. “I’ll go with you, man. Fresh air sounds nice. Be right back, OK pops?”