“We got you, bro,” Ray said.
“Vee, Mom and Torrey, take care of them for me.”
I made sure to look at both Ray and Xavier.
“Naw man, you are going to take care of them yourself,” Ray said.
I watched Xavier look up with wide eyes full of hope, “The ambulance is here, El. Hold on.”
I didn’t recognize it immediately, but everything around me had lost its color. I only saw gray. Voices were not as loud anymore, and I was fighting to keep my eyes open. I was dying.
“El!” I heard in the distance, “Open your eyes, Bro. Stay with us.”
I wanted to stay, but I knew that I was going. I wasn’t afraid or sad. I was disappointed that there were some things I’d failed to do, but it was too late now.
I lost the battle to keep my eyes open. It was too much work.
I felt people pulling and tugging on me, but eventually their touches became lighter and lighter. After a while, I didn’t hear or feel anything.
This was it…
Averie
Following closelybehind Laila as she burst through the emergency room doors of the hospital, I could barely breathe. My heart was racing, my chest was tight, and my mind was full of all the worst scenarios possible.
I needed information, and I needed it now.
“We are here for Mr. Samuel Valentine. He was just brought in by ambulance,” Laila said to the woman at the front desk.
I didn’t hear the woman’s response before she got up from her seat and went through a door behind her. I caught a glimpse of Raymond when she opened the door.
“Ray!” I called out.
His head shot up, and we locked eyes before the door closed blocking my view. I started around the desk to go through the same door the woman had just gone through.
“Ma’am,” I felt someone touch me, “You can’t go back there.”
I put my hand on the door to push it open.
“Ma’am,” the person’s voice was sterner.
“My family is back there,” I responded without looking in their direction.
“I’ve got her. Please don’t touch her,” I heard Laila say. She directed me back to the other side of the front desk to wait for the woman to return.
The front desk lady reappeared.
“I can show you to the family waiting room.”
“What does that mean? Where is Samuel?” I asked. “I just saw his assistant in the back. If I could just go back there and speak with him, I’m sure he will have some information on Samuel’s condition.”
“No, he won’t. He’s with the police detective right now. We don’t have any information on Mr. Valentine because he is with the doctors. I can show you to the family waiting room.”
“That doesn’t work for me. I need to know where he is now! If you can’t help me then find someone who can! These incompetent ass people that can’t answer a simple question! Where is your supervisor? Humph? Maybe they are better suited for the hard questions…”
“Vee,” Laila calmly said, “Let’s just follow her to the waiting room.”
* * *