Chapter 29
"I'm sorry, sir, this is a private matter." Doctor Hartman said.
"This is Benjamin and Elizabeth," Jason's mom said, "they're Izzy's parents. They are family."
"Very well."
Benjamin and Elizabeth appeared at the window. I was stunned, I thought by now they'd be hundreds of miles away. Elizabeth put her arm around Jason's mom.
"I'm so sorry, Nancy."
"It's so nice of you to come. From what Doctor Hartman was just saying, I think Izzy will be free to go home very soon. She's been so brave, so strong for him."
"Izzy will be fine." Elizabeth glanced over at me and I could see the concern in her face—more than I expected, there must be something about my appearance that alarmed her. "I'd like to speak with my daughter." Elizabeth said to the doctor.
"Of course, go right ahead." Doctor Diaz said.
"Thank you." Elizabeth looked puzzled until Nurse Greene stepped in front of the glass door and it opened.
"Just walk back to the door when you're finished—it will open automatically." Nurse Greene said.
Elizabeth took a cautious step into the room, testing her control, or maybe the door and then slowly crossed the room to Jason and I. Behind her, Benjaim was talking to Doctor Hartman again.
"How long?"
"How long?" Doctor Hartman questioned.
"How long can Izzy keep young Jason alive?"
"She's already well beyond human endurance, but assuming—"
"Yes, yes, assuming she can endure, how long?"
"Twelve—eighteen hours tops."
Jason's mom collapsed into Nurse Greene's arms. Benjamin slid a chair over and they eased her down.
"Thank you, you may go." Benjamin said to the doctors.
"You can't dismiss us, sir." Doctor Hartman said.
"Did you not say there was nothing else you could do?"
"Please," Jason's mom said to the doctors, "give us sometime to digest what you've told us."
"Very well." Doctor Hartman said in a more compassionate tone.
"I'm very sorry, Mrs. Whitaker. I wish there was more we could do." Doctor Diaz added. "Mr. Faulkner, may we talk a moment?" She led Dad away from Jason's mom. "I'm very worried about your daughter. She's been in an almost catatonic state for hours, she's had nothing to eat or drink, I don't know how she's managed—"
"Thank you for your concern," Dad said, "I'm sure..."
"How are you holding up?" Elizabeth said, startling me. She came closer and stared into my eyes. "You're not doing well at all."
"I'm fine. Honest, I have no thirst."
"No, young lady, you are most definitely not fine. There is the impending loss of young Jason and everything that means to you, to us and to his mother, but more immediately, there is your present deterioration—beyond my understanding of our existence." She stroked my cheek and then felt Jason's breath against the back of her hand. "Forgive me, I've been harsh, but I'm frightened for you, dear. It is as if you are deteriorating right before my very eyes."
"The doctor said Jason and I still have a few hours."
"You would accept this fate?"
My head suddenly became very heavy and I unconsciously let it droop. In doing so, the rhythmic pulse of Jason's heart monitor fluttered. I quickly regained my composure and made the minute, adjustment necessary to correct my mistake. The rhythm returned to normal. "It isn't what I want—what I envisioned for us, but yes, we exist, or don't exist as one.
"Then, even under these circumstances, you still will not change him?" Benjamin said as he stepped to Elizabeth's side. They glanced at one another, grave concern evident in their wordless exchange.
"Even if I could, it's impossible now, not in the hospital."
"Nothing's impossible." Benjamin said. "You of all people should know that."
"I wish I believed that—I really do, but it's hopeless, Jason's life—my life—our life is over. I wish I'd died in that car accident six years ago. If I had, maybe none of this would have happened."
Again they exchanged a concerned glance.
"What? What aren't you telling me?" I said.
Elizabeth cradled my cheek. "Trust your father."
"I do, but—"
"Keep him alive, Izzy." Benjamin said. "We'll be back as soon as possible."
"You're leaving?" I reared up, but when I did, Jason's heartbeat faltered again. I started gently manipulating Jason's neck as the doctor's and nurses flooded into the room. Before they could do anything, Jason's heartbeat had returned to normal. "It's okay." I said with a raspy voice. Another monitor chimed—Jason's blood oxygen level was at seventy-five percent—he wasn't breathing. I leaned down over him and began breathing for him again. The alarm stopped.
"Oh, thank God." his mom said through her sobs.
I looked up between breaths—Benjamin and Elizabeth were gone, but why?