Page 71 of The Texas Sterling Collection
Wyl sat on the bed; I tugged off his boots and helped him lie down. I took my boots off, lay behind him, snuggled up, and wrapped my arm around him.
“Thank you,” Wyl muttered as he drifted off to sleep.
I breathed in the essence of my man, wishing I could take away his pain and hoping Walt survived. Through everything that happened today, the realization emerged. Wyl had become more like a husband than Patrick ever was. Before Wyl came along, I avoided relationships. But the two of us already survived so much. I drifted into an uneasy sleep.
* * *
We sat at the breakfast bar the following morning, having coffee in silence. Although we both slept, I don’t think we rested. We both remained too keyed up over Walt’s situation to relax.
I didn't offer to fix breakfast. Although nutrition would help us deal with the stress, neither of us had an appetite. We could eat something from the hospital cafeteria if the ICU wasn't open when we arrived.
I placed a hand on Wyl’s shoulder. “Want me to call the hospital and check on Walt?”
Having retreated within himself during this ordeal, Wyl gave a slight nod. The only other Sterling in Wyl’s world lay in a hospital, unresponsive and hooked up to machines. When the plane crash killed his parents, Wyl was stationed overseas. Walt dealt with their deaths and arrangements by himself. I’m sure Wyl used emergency leave to come for the funeral. Still, he couldn't be here to give Walt the immediate critical support he needed. I was glad I was here for Wyl while we went through Walt’s tragedy.
I stood, kissed Wyl’s forehead, and walked to the phone. It felt like I walked theGreen Mile. I dreaded what the hospital might say. I bet they would have called if Walt’s condition worsened. Not that it could get much worse. Brain swelling and an induced coma were severe. I picked up the handset and, with shaking hands, punched in the number. “Yes, I’m calling to check on Walt Sterling in ICU.”
“I’ll transfer you,” the operator said.
“Intensive Care,” the nurse answered.
“Yes. I’m calling to check on Walt Sterling. Can you tell me how he’s doing?”
“Are you family?”
“Yes. I’m Wyl Sterling’s partner. He’s here with me.”
“Your name?”
“Rod Bonner.”
“Yes, Dr. Bonner. Your name is on the list. Walt’s condition is unchanged. He has some tests scheduled this morning, but should be back in the ICU by 10:00.”
“Thank you.” I disconnected the call.
“His status is unchanged, Wyl. At least he didn’t deteriorate overnight.”
Wyl nodded.
“He’s having some tests this morning, but they expect those tests to be completed by 10:00. Let’s get you showered and changed, then we’ll drive in.”
I could tell the news didn’t comfort Wyl. Me either. We still didn’t know if Walt showed any signs of improvement. I tugged Wyl into the bedroom and got him seated on the bed so I could help him undress. We slept without changing, so both needed to shower and put on clean clothes.
During the somber drive to the hospital, I could tell Wyl hated Walt's unresponsiveness. They were as close as two brothers could be. I wasn’t there when Wyl talked to Walt about being gay, but from what Wyl shared, Walt threw his support behind Wyl no matter what. That…right there…made their bond more vital. If Walt suffered minor brain damage, he might undergo months of rehab. I figured Wyl would drop out of his college classes to take care of his brother.
When we arrived in the ICU, the nurses told us the doctor had taken Walt for another test. She showed us to the family waiting room, a small room with a table and comfortable chairs away from the bustle of the hospital. We waited.
Twenty minutes passed before Dr. Nelson poked his head into the waiting room. “Mr. Sterling?”
“Yes,” Wyl said.
He came into the room and closed the door. “We performed several scans on Walt this morning. Because of the induced coma, we didn't take him off the ventilator. One of the scans showed us the swelling went down, so we did an EEG to determine the affected areas of the brain.” He stopped and sighed. “Unfortunately, the EEG showed no brain activity at all. In a coma, the brain is active and keeps the body going. No activity means brain function ceased.”
Wyl sagged. “So he’s dead?”
The doctor nodded. “Yes. The machines keep his body alive, but the Walt you know is gone.”
Wyl sucked air in gasps and stared at the doctor. “He’s gone?” He reached for my hand and asked in a shaky voice, “What do we need to do?”
