A Broken Home

“Dad.”

“Levi.”

“How’s mom?”

Robert couldn’t look Levi in the eyes without telling the truth.

“They’re still running tests. For now ... she’s stable.”

Robert gained his composure and looked his son in the eyes. He owed him that much.

“So they don’t know what it is! They don’t know shit! It’s been two fucking days and they don’t know shit?”

“Yeah … yeah” Robert held back and exhaled with head bowed “fucking doctors.”

“Why aren’t you with her?”

“Your aunt Macie is with her right now. I just needed to check on you guys.”

“We’re fine dad. But mom needs you - she needs us. She's always there for us - and now …” Levi held the tears back at the cost of his next breath.

“I know - I know … tomorrow there will be more … specialists there and I  - I need to be sharp. I need to be rested when they come in.”

“Hey dad - what are you guys doing in the kitchen - and where’s mom?”

Robert and Levi eyeballed Jaxon - he knew he stepped in something - but he didn’t get it.”

“Jax - she is still very sick,” Robert said.

“But she’s in the hospital … she’s been there for a day or something.”

“JAX - mom is DYING! She passed out! She’s in a coma! And they don’t know SHIT!” OKAY?”

“LEVI!”

Jaxon turned around to walk out but Robert wouldn’t let him.

“Jax. Sometimes you miss stuff - important stuff - we - your mother - needs you to get dialed in. Okay? Can you do that? This is all hands on deck - understand?”

“I’m twelve dad - what am I supposed to do?”

“I don’t know what ANY of us are SUPPOSED to do … except - just … just try to find ways to help. You know - do your homework, do your chores, help out with Lily - just try and step up a little bit until we get mom back.”

“You and Levi are smart kids - you’re smarter than most adults I know. Your mom’s case is a mystery. I know we’re not doctors - but we know her better than the doctors. Think about what you’ve seen her eat. Did she mention a new lotion or shampoo or a store she’s never been to before? Anything that’s different for her. It may lead to nothing but we have to try. Until we get her back home - I need you boys to become adults - you can do it. I know you can.” 

Levi stared through with blurred eyes that dripped when he blinked them clear. “So you think she’s coming back?”

With somber determination, Robert said to them both, “She has to - and when she comes back - WE gotta be here for her.”

“Don’t people in comas usually die?” said Jax.

Robert shook his head “it depends on why they are in a coma - that’s our problem - we don’t know what happened.”

“That’s what we need the specialist to figure out tomorrow,” said Levi.

Tears streamed down Levi’s face and he stared at the place she was standing when she fell … “I just let her fall - I was right there - she just dropped! She just … “

Robert grabbed Levi. He knew he would resist a hug but he needed one right now and so did Robert. He motioned for Jax to join in and the three of them consoled each other and tried to shed their darkest fears. The room darkened around them but they found there was great strength in their unity.

With a sniffle, Robert asked “Anyone else hungry? I think we got some pizzas in the freezer.”

“I’ll get’em,” said Jax.

The three of them broke from their huddle and tried to avert their attention for at least long enough to watch some television and get a late supper.

“It’s late boys - why don’t you guys get to bed.”

“Do we have to go to school tomorrow?”

“Yes. You can’t do … ”

“I’m not going. I don’t have any test and I’m going to the hospital,” demanded Levi.

“Me too. No tests - I’m going too.”

“Fair enough - I could use the company and it would be good for her to hear you guys - to hear us.”

“I’ll take Lily and have aunt Macie pick her up after school.”

“You really think she can hear us? Mom - I mean - if we talk to her - can she hear us?”

“I don’t know Levi. I guess it depends. I mean - I think she can - we have to believe she can and we have to believe it will help. She needs to hear us - all of us.”

Friday, 0700

“Dad. Dad - wake up - I thought you were going to bed. You slept all night in the kitchen?”

“Oh - funny - I dreamed I did go to bed. It’s seven o’clock - is Jax up?”

“No. I’ll go get him.”

As Levi thundered up the stairs to Jax - Robert’s phone rang.

“Macie.”

“Swelling? So - why - I mean what “

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

“Fuck!”

“We’re on the way - we’re all coming.”

“Boys! Let’s go - we’re taking Lily with us.”

“To school?”

“No. Straight to the hospital.”

“What happened?” 

“Dad  - is mom - did mom - did - did she …”

“No … no … no - she is still with us - and there is some swelling - and that’s all I know.”

“Bullshit!”

“Levi - that’s all I got from Macie - now - she’s tired and she’s worried like we are - but she didn’t sound good. But we don’t know - we just don’t know - so you know - pray - or something - but … but we need to go - right now.”

“What’s making her brain swell?”

“We don’t know Jax - we don’t know - but if they can’t get the swelling down quickly there could be long-term damage - I guess - I don’t - we - we just need to go. Maybe you can look it up on the way to the hospital.”

Friday, 0730

Just outside the hospital entrance, Robert’s phone rang and he answered it on speaker in the car.

“Macie - we’re pull”

Macie’s voice was muddled with tears and a shaky fear and trembling in her lips “Bob, you need to hurry. I’m so sorry … her blood pressure is just - and oh my god - I don’t know - they're working on her now.”

“Oh Macie - I’m - I’m in the car with the boys - we’re parking now.”

Sunday, 0930

“Hey Bob! Lily and I have been working all morning - making breakfast.”

“Yep - and look daddy - I even made a special cupcake just for mommy.”

“Oh Lily - she is going to love it! Thank you - thank you both.”

“Oh - this has been - I’m sorry - I know she’s going to be okay - it’s just - you know - you don’t … not - not your sister - not now.”

“Where is mommy?”

“She’s coming. The boys wanted to get her stuff and I think Levi feels like he let her down. You know she was right next to him when she fell.”

“Mmm - that smells great! So dad - this WHOLE thing was caused by an infection - she nearly died - and now a little bit of medicine and … she’s all well?”

“Yeah - that’s crazy isn’t it?”

“There she is … you feel like sitting at the table with us?”

“I do … it’s good to be home again - thank you for helping me Levi.”

Levi looked at this mother but couldn’t find the words - only tears - and a smile. He gave her a kiss.

Breakfast was served and for the first time since Tuesday, the sun shone through the gray skies of their home.