Caroline returned to Eric’s room alone, as her husband had gone to pick up their baby from the sitter. Seeing Bill beside Eric’s bed, the two of them asleep and touching mesmerized her, creating strong emotions that kept yanking at her chest. They looked normal; except that Bill was in a wheelchair and her son was in a hospital bed, the unfairness for both so vivid it was like steel twisting deep in her belly. The chill of the air broke the moment as she rubbed her shoulders and shivered. Caroline sat down, and while watching them, began rubbing her right wrist with her left thumb; round and round, then back and forth, finally stopping when the rubbing had irritated her skin.
She rose to wake Bill, thinking he must be uncomfortable with his head slumped against his chest, gently shaking his shoulder.
Wow, he’s cold.
She could feel his skin was chilled through his clothes. She continued nudging him until he started to come around.
Bill blinked and looked around.
“Bill, you’re freezing! Are you okay?”
Caroline thought he seemed disoriented and confused.
“Yeah, I think so,” Bill replied, pausing. “I’m really weak.”
Bill looked at Eric, who was sleeping just like an eight-year-old should.
“Caroline, I’m so sorry. I hope everything turns out well.”
She wiped her eyes.
“Thank you so much for being nice to Eric. He isn’t as scared when you visit.”
“I’m glad we all helped,” he said. Julio and Jake had also visited with Eric earlier.
I hope I’m not coming down with something.
“Bill, you don’t look good. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I think so. I’m just drained, that’s all.”
“Let me call a nurse for-”
“Please don’t, I’ll be fine. You’ve got enough to worry about. Good luck with his surgery tomorrow,” said Bill.
Caroline nodded, her throat tight with emotion.
“I am sorry you got hurt, Bill. I hope you can pitch again.”
Bill seemed to be struggling understanding what she was saying.
“Bill, are you sure you don’t need help?”
He looked at her, blinked and became slightly more alert.
“I’m fine, thanks,” said Bill, heading out the door in his wheelchair.
“Please stop back by tomorrow,” she said moments later, speaking to the empty doorway.
Megan, working on her end of shift paperwork looked up when she heard a wheelchair. She was surprised at Bill’s appearance.
“Bill, are you okay?”
Great!
“I’m fine. I fell asleep in Eric’s room. When I woke up, I was exhausted.”
“Let’s get you checked out.”
“Megan, I’m fine. I just need some sleep. I’m okay.”
“You don’t look okay. Let’s get you to your room.” Her tone made it clear she would not let him dissuade her.
After rolling Bill back to his hospital wing, she helped Bill into bed then checked his vital signs. His blood pressure was normal, but his temperature was low.
That isn’t right, she thought.
Nothing was obviously wrong, at least not enough medically to raise an alarm so she retrieved a warmed blanket from the nurses’ station. When she came back into the room, Bill was asleep, so she covered him up and pulled up a chair, choosing to monitor him, since her shift had ended. If she didn’t think he was okay in another thirty minutes, she would call Dr. Walker’s service.
Half an hour later, she felt Bill’s forehead. He was warm, and with a slight, melancholy smile she let her hand rest there as he slept.
Her eyes grew moist.
“It was such a nice thing you and your friends did for Eric.”
The sun was brilliant, and Bill threw back his head, liking the suns heat on his face. He was dressed in a black ski suit, black ski boots and riding glistening orange, red and yellow skis. Bill could see for dozens of miles in the biting, frigid air. There were a few scattered clouds; a perfect day. On his right stood Eric, who was looking up at him and grinning broadly. Eric, wearing a white hooded snowsuit, waved, his cheeks red from the cold. He was holding his baseball and mitt and wearing white snow boots.
From his vantage point on the traverse Bill surveyed the scene before them. They were standing above a tight, challenging slope of large black and gray boulders, before the terrain opened into a broken snowy vista.
There were moguls and bumps out there; some small, some large and a few areas scrapped down to rock and dirt. Beyond, the slope was gentle, white, and unbroken.
Noticing movement, Bill saw Eric walk over the crest of the hill, blending in quickly until lost against the background.
“Where do you think you’re going, Eric? Come back here!”