One Way or the Other

“Nurse! Good, it’s you, Linda. I trust you. You’ve been with him a lot. Any change at all?”

“Well, Mrs. Moore, if you mean, is he waking up, then no. I haven’t seen any sign of that.”

“But you heard about him moving this morning, didn’t you?”

“Yes, and did you hear the nurse say that kind of movement is actually a bad sign, not a good one? It means the brain is very damaged.”

“I keep hearing that, but it's not sinking in. He even squeezed my hand!”

“Did he do it when you told him to? On command? If that happened,
that would be a good sign.”

“Colten, squeeze Mom’s hand! Squeeze it!”

“Any response?”

“No....There really isn’t any hope, is there?”

“I’m sorry… It’s so hard… Can I give you a hug? …Go ahead and cry. There’s a tissue box… Will Colten’s father be here today?”

“He’s supposed to be, with his new wife.”

“Will he be some support for you?”

“I don’t think so. He’s blaming me.”

“But it’s not your fault your son fell off his bike. All kids do that.”

“I know. John is really angry though.

“Do you think the two of you will be able to come to some decisions? Can you even stand to be in the same room?”

“We can if we have to. Be in the same room, that is. I don’t know if we can reach a decision. It’s hard enough for me to understand what’s happened. John won’t. He won’t let go. ”

“Is this him coming now?”

“Hello John.”

“How is he?”

“It’s really bad, just like the doctor said.”

“He hasn’t started to come out of it yet? What’s the matter with these doctors? Don’t they know how to fix a little head bump? I’d better start making some calls and see if we can’t get him transferred to Sacred Heart where they know what they’re doing!”

“John, I’m Linda, Colten’s nurse. Can I help you?”

“You’re damn right you can! Three days of this and nothing’s happened yet? Joan, how could you let this go on so long? Can’t you see you should have been insisting on better care?”

“I know you don’t think I know anything, but listen to me. Life support is all that’s keeping him alive. We’ve been waiting here for you…for your per-permission…to make Colten…an organ donor.”

“Never! I’ll never give up. What’s the matter with you? Are you afraid you’ll be stuck with an invalid?”

“Mr. Moore. Your son won’t be an invalid. His brain is dead. Our machines are keeping him alive, while we wait to see if you will allow his organs to be donated. The doctor explained all that to you on the phone. “

“It can’t happen that way!”

“Then the only other way is to withdraw the life support and let him go.”

“I mean it can’t be happening that he’s going to die! He can’t die! He’s my only son!”

Word count: 498