When Kevin, Mira, and Mick got off the elevator, they were met in the waiting room by a nurse and had to go through the whole routine again.
"Why did the police call you?" was the nurse's first question to Mira.
"Probably because Will had my name in his wallet telling them to, in case of emergency," Mira replied tartly.
"But you're not his wife."
"No. Look, long story short, which I know you need to know, I was engaged to Mr. Reynolds when something happened and he disappeared. I was also pregnant with Kevin, though he didn't know that. Kevin is his son, and therefore his only next of kin. Okay?" Mira stared hard at the nurse.
The nurse nodded, held up one hand to let them know to wait, and went into the ICU unit. Kevin could see her consulting with another nurse. They both turned to look at him before continuing their talk. Finally the first nurse returned.
"Under the circumstances, we've decided to believe you, Ms Parker. Since Mr. Reynolds is not able to sign the HIPPA form to release his medical information, Mr. Parker will have to do so in his stead. Then we can let him see his father."
She left, returning with the form which Kevin duly read, signed, and handed back to her. Only then did she tell them Will's condition.
"He received a severe concussion from the blow to his head. So far, he has not regained consciousness. There was a severe laceration to the back of his head, which has been closed, and his skull was fractured." When Kevin let out a small gasp, she quickly said, "A fractured skull does not necessarily mean there was any traumatic injury to the brain."
"But in my father's case?" Kevin asked hesitantly.
"He's been given a CT and no intracranial bleeding or other damage was found. I should warn you, this does not preclude the fact that something could show up in the future. At the moment, he is resting comfortably, although as I said, he hasn't regained consciousness yet."
"Which is not a good thing," Mira said.
"Let's just say the sooner he awakens, the sooner the doctor can do tests to see if there's any memory impairment, muscular weakness, and so forth."
"Can I see him now?" Kevin asked.
"Yes, but only you, and only for ten minutes. And that will hold true even after he regains consciousness, until the doctor says he can be moved from the unit. He has to remain calm."
With that said the nurse unlocked the door to the unit and took Kevin inside. He followed her to Will's room, realizing it was glass-enclosed.
"Is that so you can keep a good eye on him," he asked the nurse, as they entered the room. She nodded.
He walked over to the bed and looked down at Will. No, not 'Will', but my father. He looks peaceful but is that a good thing?
There were tubes and wires and things he didn't want to think about radiating from Will's body. He knew they were just there to monitor his father, but it still frightened him.
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