Chapter 34: Emergency Room
*If you are going through hell, keep going. Why would you stop in hell? – Steve Harvey*
A few minutes later, JD pulled into the parking lot and found a spot. He got out of the car and started to walk towards the building. When he didn’t hear his mom’s door he went back and opened it.
“Sorry. I guess I got in the habit of Reese getting the door for me.” Helen said sheepishly.
JD put his arm around her shoulders and walked with her into the building. They walked up to the reception desk where a blonde sat looking bored.
“I’m looking for Tyrus Johnson.” Helen said with a smile.
“One moment.” She picked up the phone and spoke into the receiver.
A few minutes later, a nurse opened the door and looked towards the woman with long braids and dark skin. “For Tyrus Johnson?”
“That’s me.” Helen said stepping towards her.
“Are you with the department?” the nurse asked.
“No.”
“Department personnel and family members only.”
“I am his mother.”
“I don’t think so.” She said starting to close the door.
“If you close that door, I will contact the press and let them know that you are refusing to allow an injured firefighters family to see him. And why? Because I’m white?”
“I got you, sister!” the woman with braids called out. “You call them!”
“That won’t be necessary.” Reese said behind Helen. “Ma’am, the hospital administrator will be calling me shortly. What name should I give him for you?”
The nurse looked from him to Helen and then the angry waiting room. She opened the door and motioned them to come in. Walking them down the hall, the nurse brought them to where several firefighters stood.
“Chief Gibbons?” Helen said looking at the older man in the white uniform shirt.
“Helen?” he smiled at her and offered his hand.
“You really are his mom?” the nurse asked quietly.
Reese took a picture of her badge. “Thank you, Laquetia. If you would please send the charge nurse over.”
She nodded and then walked off.
“Reese.” Chief Gibbons said shaking his hand.
“Chief. How is he?”
“He’s awake. I’ll take you in.”
“JD?” Reese said to the teen. “Want to go see your new brother?”
JD grinned and followed his mom. “I don’t know what you’ve done to my mom, but I like it.”
“I’ve just made her feel safe. Everything else is all her.” Reese said smiling at the young man. “Navy, huh?”
“Yes, sir, equipment operator.”
They sat in a couple of chairs and quietly talked about the Navy. Helen walked across the small room with the chief.
“Johnson, your mother is here.”
Ty blinked a few times as Helen came into focus. He smiled at her, crinkling the tape holding the plastic nasal cannula in place. “Hi, mom.” He whispered hoarsely.
“Hi, baby.” Tears filled her eyes and she kissed his forehead. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I tried to smoke a twenty story building.” He said roughly and then coughed a few times.
“Shh… do you know where Bunny and Jaxon might be?”
“Club.”
“What Club? I’ll go get them.”
He shook his head no. “Private.”
“OK, hang on.” She squeezed his hand and then walked over where Reese was sitting. “Reese, do you know of any private clubs?”
“I know a couple. Why?”
“Ty thinks his wife might be at a private club and no one’s been able to reach Bunny. She should be here.”
“Bunny? Bunny Johnson?” he asked pulling his phone out of his inside jacket pocket. Helen started to say yes, sir, but caught herself and nodded. He scrolled down to a name and clicked the green button. “Dusty, is Bunny there? Yeah? With Jaxon? Tell him to call his mom. Thanks.”
“You know Bunny?”
“I do. She works at a charity that I sponsor. I’ve met Jaxon in passing at the Private Club before.” Reese stood up and smiled at her. “I don’t think I’ve told you hello yet.”
“Oh?” she blushed as he cupped her face and tilted it up. The kiss was not deep and breathtaking like they sometimes were. It was slow and tender, leaving no doubt in anyone’s minds.
She was his.
Smiling down at her, Reese caressed her lips with his thumb. “I’ve missed you. Go see to your chocolate son.”
Helen smiled back. “I missed you too.” Then she surprised them both when she stood up on her toes and pressed a kiss on his lips.
She let go of his forearms that she had been clinging to and slowly stepped away from him. Reese let his hands fall back to his sides before sitting back down.
“Do you love her?” JD asked quietly.
“I care for her.” Reese answered back, just as quietly. “Yes, I could fall in love with her. She’s a very special lady.”
“Yes, she is. Don’t hurt her, please.”
“She’s in control. It’s over when she says. I’m hoping that it’s a long time before then.”
“How long were you in?” With that they returned to a safe topic as Helen continued to stand by the hospital bed and hold Ty’s hand.
“When did you become my mom?” Ty asked haltingly with a raspy voice.
“Around the time you started sleeping with my son.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “You two make him happy. That’s all I care about.”
The doctor walked into the small room. “We’ve got a room for him upstairs. He’ll stay here overnight and be released tomorrow as long as he continues to improve. You’ll be off work for a while. Couple of shifts at least.”
Ty nodded as Helen’s phone rang. Clicking the green circle, she told Jaxon to hang on before looking back at the doctor. “Do you know what room?”
“I’ll have the nurse come tell you.”
“Not Laquetia.” Reese ordered.
“That’s his nurse.”
“And she did not want to allow me back to see my son.” Helen told him.
“I don’t want her anywhere near my woman or her family.” Reese added.
“Yes, Mr. Reese.” The doctor said as he left.
Helen held the phone up to her ear. “Jaxon?”
“What’s wrong with JD?” Jaxon demanded.
“Nothing. I need you and Bunny to come up to Mercy. Ty was injured in a fire. They’re going to keep him overnight as a precaution.”
“We’re on our way.” Jaxon said and the call ended.
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