Page 95 of Boundaries

“Easy,” Nixon said as he took a step back and dropped his hand.

“The doctor’s here Amy.”

Numbly, I shook my pounding head and pushed to my feet to join the cluster of McKenna’s who were standing in front of the doctor. Mitchell was in the corner asleep in the wheelchair.

My mouth was dry and fear trickled down my spine as I tried to call the expression on the man in front of me. Searching for a sign of good news. Again, I found little written there. My stomach curdled.

“So, I have some good news, the procedure went well. We’re still not out of the woods yet though as he needs time to recover from the surgery.”

His words made me want to do cartwheels of joy around the room.

“Is he awake, can I see him?” I questioned rapidly, my eyes wide, I was so desperate.

The doctor’s eyes glanced around all of us, before falling back on mine. He gave me a tight smile.

“He isn’t conscious at the minute and isn’t up for visitors yet. I would suggest you all go home and get some sleep. A family liaison nurse has been assigned to you and you will be given her direct contact number so you are updated every step of the way. At the minute he isn’t in any immediate danger and so I am happy for you to leave the site.” I was relieved Mason appeared to be recovering, but felt appalled that we couldn’t see him.

My brow creased and I took a step forward, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes, “Can’t I stay here? Wait for him to come around?” As I spoke those words, I was mentally plotting a way of weaving around him. Trying to see Mason anyway.

“I must admit it, as his mother, I’d also like to stay?” Melanie said. She placed her hand in mine, a united front.

“I’m sorry ladies, but that won’t be possible.” The doctor replied in a firm voice.

Melanie and I glanced at each other with miserable looks.

“Can we at least see him?” I asked, before the doctor could leave. He turned back around, his face suggesting that he was weighing up his response. I pursed my lips, hope channelling through me.

“You may not want to see him. It isn’t a pretty picture when you’ve come out of surgery. The machines we have for life support can be overwhelming.”

I squeezed Melanie’s hand, “I don’t care. I must see him.”

The doctor asked us to wait again and then left the room.

Nixon turned to look down at us, “Are you sure you want to see him like that?” he said, directing this question as his mother. She smiled up at him and nodded.

He turned to me, “Amy?”

“I have to see him Nixon,” I said impatiently. He nodded his understanding.

The doctor came back around ten minutes later.

“We can only have two people in the observation room. That’s the room where staff keep an eye on Mason around the clock. You will be able to see him through the glass screen, but you won’t be in the same room as him.”

My heart dipped, as surely it would be parents first. Mitchell was still sleeping and his rights where Mason were concerned were removed along with his fist. Melanie must have noticed my body language and the way I glanced at Mason’s poor excuse for a father.

“My husband is incapacitated and I’d like Amy to come with me, if that’s OK?”

My heart swelled, “Thank you,” I whispered at her.

The doctor’s eyes narrowed, “I see and please could I ask who you are to the patient? Apologies that I must ask, but its hospital policy,” the doctor said. I wanted to stick his policy where the sun doesn’t shine.

But there it was, that question. What was I? There had been no ‘labels’ given to our relationship (Mason’s words).

Nixon answered for me, “Amy is Mason’s partner.”

Disbelief roared through me and I twisted and looked up into my brother-in-law’s features, searching his face. The look of understand between us was a first. We were now on the same page; he must have known that my feelings for his brother were genuine. I wanted to throw my arms around him but I pulled myself together and awarded him with a grateful smile.

The doctor appeared appeased by that information, “OK then. Follow me please.”

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