Page 86 of The Marriage Agreement (Agreement)

The lady looked frightened. They soon returned to tell us what we already knew—that she had lost a lot of blood and would needa blood transfusion. Only O negative blood would work for her, and, right now, there isn’t a supply of O negative, which was the only blood type she could receive.

“Right now, we are calling other hospitals to get a supply of O negative.”

“I’m O negative,” Osei said. “I will donate to her.” I looked at him. “Thank you,” I whispered, so relieved.

“It’s part of our friendship code. We are both O negative, and we’ll donate for each other in times of need.”

I hug him, so grateful we are brothers and that we both love Dele. Osei leaves with the nurses. I lose track of time until Osei returns with shorts and a shirt for me to change out of my bloodied clothing. After changing, I call my brothers. It’s late, but they each answer.

“What’s wrong?” Bruce asks the moment we are all on the call.

“Dele is in surgery; she lost our baby. She was barely breathing when they rushed her here,” I rattle out in a shaky voice.

“Fuck,” I hear Adam curse.

“What happened?” Declan asks.

“Someone attacked her earlier today at the hospital. I call it negligence on the hospital’s part because it has happened before between her and this patient. They didn’t protect her.”

“Do you need your brothers?” Daniel asked.

“Yes, I fucking need my brothers. I’m taking a fight to this hospital for our loss and her pain.”

“I’ll get on the next flight and be there in a few hours,” Daniel says. He’s our legal guy.

“Send the hospital info. I’m on my way,” Declan says.

“On my way too,” Adam says.

“I’m only a phone call away. I will be back in Chicago tomorrow,” Bruce says.

“Thank you,” I say before we hang up.

Osei comes closer to me and sits quietly. We both know we can’t lose her. An hour later, Declan and Adam arrived. They each hugged me and take a seat with Osei and me. Another hour goes by before a doctor comes out to speak with us.

“She’s on her way to the recovery room. We were able to stop the bleeding. It will take a few hours before she wakes up, but she’s going to be okay. I’m sorry she lost the baby, but there’s no permanent damage.”

“Thank you,” I say to the doctor. She nods.

“A nurse will come and get you soon to see her.” I nod, and Osei pulls me into a hug, and I finally hear him whimper. He has been holding it in.

“She’s going to be okay,” I whisper to him. He nods.

My brothers each tap and comfort me. I let out a breath of relief. She’s alive. Then I inhale the anger I feel and exhale my fight. I’m ready to fight.

The nurses return to tell me Dele is in the room. Adam and Declan tell me they’ll head home and see me later in the day at the corner when Daniel arrives. I go in with Osei to check on my wife. I lean in and kiss her forehead. I hear her soft breath and feel her pulse, which is stronger. The machines and devices connected to her are the only sound, reminding me she’s alive. Now, I wait until she opens her eyes and talks to me.

Osei holds her other hand, and we sit across from each other, waiting for her to wake up. I won’t leave her side. The tension in me relaxes, knowing her sedation is going to wear off soon and she’ll be awake. I fall asleep holding her hand.

I wake up to her hand in my hair. I raise my head to meet her eyes.

“Hi,” she murmurs.

“Hi.” I smile, holding back the tears that well up in my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” she says quietly. I jump out of my seat and lean onto her.

“I’m just happy you are alive, and that’s all that matters,” I say to her and notice Osei raise his head.

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