No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

"No way, it's just me and him at home. Now, even the cats and dogs are on his side. Anyone who ticks him off," Jacqueline paused mid-sentence.

I sensed something was off. Before I could ask, Jacqueline suddenly gripped my hand tightly. "No, he said he felt unwell, and I massaged him. Then he said he'd lie on the couch for a bit. Right then, my phone rang, and I think I heard him pick up a call too."

Could that call have upset Herschel?

I immediately asked, "Jacqueline, where's Herschel's phone?"

Jacqueline patted her pockets. "I didn't bring it... It's probably at home."

We definitely couldn't go back for it now, but I had a feeling that call was a lead.

Dustin and Conrad returned soon after, both looking grim. Dustin probably knew more about Herschel's condition and had shared the details with Conrad.

My heart tightened further. I wanted to get some clarity too, but Jacqueline was holding onto me tightly, as if I were a lifeline.

Another hour passed, then the ER doors swung open, and the doctor emerged, looking weary.

"Doctor, how's my dad?" Dustin and Conrad asked in unison.

"The bleeding's stopped, but the cancer has metastasized to the liver. The outlook isn't good," the doctor's words fell like a boulder. Our silence was palpable; the doctor added, trying to be kind, "Don't lose all hope. With a positive attitude, he could fight a bit longer." Was that supposed to be comforting?

Not really.

Herschel's life was ticking away.

"Thank you, doctor. We appreciate your effort," Conrad managed to express our thanks.

Herschel was moved to ICU, where only one person could enter.

It shouldn't have been me, but Conrad and Jacqueline insisted I go.

"Felicia, Herschel kept asking for you after we got here," Jacqueline's words confirmed Conrad wasn't lying to me.

My heart clenched. Under their watchful eyes, I donned an isolation gown and entered the ICU.

There,

Mechel lay on the bed, , an oxygen masket

to countless tubes andet

face. I couldn't hold back r

EW BOV

his

"The anesthesia hasn't fully worn off; he wants to sleep. Family should talk to him, keep him awake," the nurse instructed.

I sat by the bed, gently holding Herschel's hand. "Herschel, it's Felicia."

Herschel's eyelids fluttered, struggling to open, then fixed on me with a faint smile.

"Felicia... Felicia..." he called, his face lighting up.

Seeing him struggling to speak

through the oxygen mask broke my heart. Kgripped his hand tighter "Herschel, don't talk. Wait until you're better. I'm here with you."

But he shook his head, slowly reaching to remove his oxygen mask. That couldn't happen.

I pressed down on his hand. "Herschel, you can't. Please, don't move."This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

The heart monitor's alarm sounded, scaring me. "Nurse, nurse..."

"You just stopped bleeding. Getting worked up could cause it again. Why won't you listen? And family, please, no upsetting conversations," the nurse cautioned.

Was I?

It was Herschel wanting to speak to me.

"He wants to remove his oxygen mask to talk. Is that okay?" I asked the nurse.

Herschel nodded at the nurse, who seemed to understand his urgency. "Only for two minutes. Speak quickly." With the mask off, Herschel's breath was faint. "Felicia, I... might not... make it. I have... something... to tell you..."