CHAPTER 3

Keesha did as A.J. instructed, and within five minutes, the paramedics had arrived. They checked his vital signs and found that his heart was racing. They started him on an IV and rushed him to General Hospital.

A.J. was in and out of consciousness in the ambulance; Keesha never left his side. By the time they got to the hospital, the IV had helped somewhat to stabilize him.

Awake when they wheeled him into the Emergency Room, he refused to let go of Keesha's hand. They reluctantly allowed her to stay. Bobbie, the nurse on duty in the ER, was shocked to see A.J. lying on the stretcher.

"What happened?" Bobbie asked, praying that his being there wasn't alcohol-related.

"We think he's had an allergic reaction to some medication that was given to him," the ambulance attendant answered.

"A.J.," Bobbie asked, "can you hear me?"

He nodded.

"Sweetie, who gave you the medication?"

"My dad," A.J. answered, trying to hold back a scream as the ambulance attendants moved him from their stretcher to the examining table. The doctor on duty immediately began to examine A.J. while Bobbie asked Keesha if she could fill her in on what happened.

Keesha kept one eye on A.J. as she gave Bobbie the details.

"I'll have to check A.J.'s records, but I'm sure Alan knows what he's allergic to."

Keesha was about to explain how both she and A.J. thought Alan had been acting strangely when the doctor asked Bobbie to draw some blood from A.J., so they could determine what was wrong with him and what course of action to take.

Keesha stayed close by, opposite Bobbie. She wished she could hold A.J.'s hand, but she didn't want to disturb the IV. Bobbie was gentle and fast as she drew two vials of blood.

"We're going to ask the lab to expedite these, and hopefully, we'll be able to treat you soon."

"Bobbie, do you know if my mom is here by any chance?"

"No, she isn't. I was going to ask you if you wanted me to call her."

"Not yet. Let's wait for the results."

Bobbie nodded and left to take the vials to the lab.

"You seem better," Keesha offered.

"Because of the IV, I guess. But I'm still in agony with my stomach."

"Do you want to close your eyes and try to rest until they know something?"

"Good idea."

A.J. closed his eyes and had just started to drift into a restless sleep when Bobbie and the doctor returned. He could tell by their faces the lab report wasn't good. "What's wrong with me?"

The doctor answered. "You were given medication that, unfortunately, you had an allergic reaction to. Add that to the food poison already in your system, and the result is that your body, right now, is in very bad shape."

"What happens, now, doctor?" Keesha asked.

"We're going to admit you to the hospital, A.J. We've got the lab working on an antidote, and as soon as they come up with it, we'll be giving it to you. In the meantime, I want to take another set of vitals."

His fever was still high, but his heartbeat had almost returned to normal and his pulse was not as rapid.

. "I understand they have a bed ready for you, so the admitting nurse will take you to your room. I'll be up as soon as I hear from the lab."

"Okay. Thank you, doctor."

Bobbie smiled as the doctor left and gave A.J.'s hand a squeeze. "You're going to be fine. I'll be up to see you, too. I'm off duty in twenty minutes."

"Okay. Thanks for everything, Bobbie."

"No problem. Do you want me to make that phone call now?"

"Please. My mom would never forgive me if I didn't let her know I was in the hospital."

"Consider it done."

As soon as Bobbie left the room, the admitting nurse entered and prepared the wheelchair for A.J. She helped him into the chair and transported him to the sixth floor. Once in the room, a floor nurse came in and helped him get settled into his hospital gown and hospital bed.

"Do you need anything?"

A.J. shook his head.

"Ring the bell right by your bed if you need me, okay?"

"Okay."

"Are you feeling any better?" Keesha asked, when they had been alone for a couple of minutes.

"A little, I guess. I just wish this nightmare were over. But I have a feeling it's only going to get worse."

Monica entered the room just then and made her way to A.J.'s bed where she gave him a kiss on his cheek.

"How are you doing?" she asked, very concerned and very scared.

"A little better."

"What happened?"

"Have you seen or talked to dad?"

"No. I understand he's here at the hospital."

"I don't want to see him," A.J. declared.

"A.J., what is going on?"

"I got sick after Keesha and I ate at my apartment. I wanted to see if you could tell me what was wrong, but you're weren't there, so Keesha told Dad, and he came. He determined it was food poisoning and gave me some medication for it. Only, I was allergic to the medication he gave me, and instead of getting better, I got worse. Keesha called 911, and here I am."

"Are you sure it was the medication Alan gave you?"

"Mom, he was the only one who gave me any medication!"

"Okay, sweetheart. Take it easy. I didn't mean to upset you. What are they doing for you now?"

"The lab is trying to figure out an antidote, so they can treat me."

"Does Alan know about this?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. I don't want him near me, Mom, and I'm serious."

"Okay, A.J., just relax. I understand you're upset, but you need to remain calm."

"I agree," the doctor said, as he entered the room with the head nurse.

"Hello," Monica said.

"Hi, Monica. Good to see you."

"Did you get the antidote figured out?" A.J asked.

"Yes, we did. The lab did an excellent job. Theresa is going to give you the medication, and she's going to monitor you throughout the night. We'll see how you're doing in the morning."

A.J. nodded. He could thank his father for this entire ordeal he thought bitterly.

"I do have one question for you," the doctor said. "Your father is your doctor of record according to your file. Do you want him to take over your care?"

"No!" A.J. snapped.

"Okay, young man. Take it easy. Do you know what you want to do? Do you want another doctor to take over your care?"

"Yes," A.J. said, more in control this time, and looked to his mother. "Mom, would you?"

"Of-of course, A.J."

"Thank you."

"I will make a note of that on your chart. And now, Monica, if you and A.J.'s friend wouldn't mind stepping outside, I would like to get the medicine into A.J.'s system."

"Of course. We'll be back, A.J.," Monica said, as she and the doctor left the room together.

Keesha stayed behind to give A.J.'s hand a quick squeeze and a kiss. A.J. held on to Keesha's hand and wouldn't let it go.

"Keesha, don't leave me," he said, suddenly feeling very frightened and very alone.

"It's going to be okay. We'll be right outside and right back in once the nurse is done."

"I'm scared, Keesha. I hate this! This is all my father's fault. I hate him!"

Theresa quickly made her way to A.J.'s bed where she put her arms around him to calm him.

"It's okay, Mr. Quartermaine. Calm down. Everything's going to be okay."

"No, it isn't, and I'm tired of everyone saying that to me! Leave me alone. I don't want any of this! Keesha, make her go away. Please. Just tell her to go away!"

While Theresa continued to coax A.J. to relax, Keesha ran out of the room and tracked down Monica and the doctor and told them A.J. needed them.

"A.J., what's wrong?" Monica asked him as soon as they entered.

"I want her to go away and leave me alone. I don't want her here. This is all Dad's fault. I hate him!"

The doctor realized that A.J. was delirious, probably from the high fever. He motioned for everyone to leave the room except Monica. She sat on A.J.'s bed and took him in her arms to console him. He placed his head on her shoulder and said nothing. Monica held him and finally heard a sigh escape from him. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"He did this on purpose, you know."

"Who did what on purpose?" Monica asked gently, not wanting A.J. to get upset again.

"Dad. He hates me, Mom. You should have seen and heard him tonight. I think he wants to kill me."

Monica hugged A.J. closer to her. "I know you're upset, A.J., but you don't really believe that Alan wanted to kill you."

"You didn't see him, Mom. Ask Keesha. She'll tell you."

"I will, A.J. You know I'll find out what happened."

Monica continued to hold A.J. while she broached the subject of the medication he still needed.

"You need it, sweetheart. You understand that, right?"

"Yes," a more subdued A.J. answered.

"Are you ready or do you want me to stay with you for awhile longer?"

"I guess I'm ready," A.J. said, pulling away from Monica.

"Are you sure?" Monica said, holding his hand.

A.J. nodded and told her to let Dr. Warren know.

Theresa returned and gave him his medication and then helped to make him comfortable in his bed before she left.

"How is he, Theresa?" Monica asked when she emerged from his room.

"He's much calmer. You can see him if you'd like."

"Thanks."

Monica turned to Keesha. "Something tells me that you are not going to leave my son's side tonight."

"Is that a problem? If you want me to leave, I will. I've just been so worried about him."

"It's no problem. I'm sure A.J. wants you to stay. I'll talk to Theresa and let her know. But right now, would you mind if I talked to A.J. alone?"

"Of course not. I’d like to get something to drink. Where can I get a beverage or coffee at this hour?"

"Go to the nurses' lounge downstairs, and tell them I told you you could have whatever you want."

"Thanks, Monica. Can I bring you anything?"

"No. After I talk with A.J., I have a feeling I'm going to need to find Alan."

"I'll wait for your okay to come back."

"I'll see you before I leave."

Monica hugged Keesha and thanked her for being there for A.J. and then entered his room once again. She asked if she could sit on his bed, and he told her that was fine.

"Feeling better?" Monica asked, hopeful.

"Somewhat," A.J. answered softly.

They were silent for a few moments. Monica debated whether to ask the next question. She knew she had to.

"A.J., do you really think your father wants to kill you?" Monica asked seriously.

He looked at his mother, his hazel eyes serious, searching for answers. "You tell me. He can't remember what medication his son is allergic to, even though he's been his doctor for over twenty years. Does that make any sense?"

"No, but we all make mistakes, A.J. I know there has to be an explanation."

"There is. My father hates me. It's as simple as that." A.J. looked away, not wanting Monica to see the tears threatening his eyes again.

"No, he doesn't, A.J. Something else has to be going on. I will get to the bottom of this."

"Do whatever you feel you need to do," A.J. said, still looking away and not really sure he cared anymore why his father treated him the way he did. He paused for a moment to regain his composure and then turned to look at his mother. "But I was serious when I told you that there was something wrong with Dad tonight. Did you ask Keesha? We both noticed it. I don't know if he'd had a couple of cocktails or whether he'd been popping more of those painkillers, but whatever it was, he was in a pretty bad altered state tonight. And believe me, Mom, I would know."

"Painkillers? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, that's right," A.J. said, somewhat smugly. "You don't know about Dad's habit. I guess he's been clever about not letting you see him pop those pills." His voice turned serious. "He does it every chance he gets, Mom. You should ask him about them."

"If you've known about this, why haven't you said anything before now?"

"Several reasons," A.J. said matter of factly. "One, I didn't think it was any of my business. At first, I thought Dad had a legitimate prescription for pain pills. Two, I have been battling my own demons for quite some time now, and you and Dad seemed to have everything under control. I thought maybe you were helping him overcome his possible addiction. Three, I didn't think anyone would believe me even if I did say anything. So, I chose not to. But I'm speaking up now because tonight he almost cost me my life. And believe me, Mom, reason or no reason, if I had been any other patient, this hospital would be looking at a huge lawsuit right now."

Monica knew A.J. was right, and she also knew she needed to get to Alan as quickly as she could.

"Thank you for your insights, A.J. I plan to find your father as soon as I leave here and find out exactly what's been going on."

"Good luck. I think you have a tough job ahead of you. But there's one thing I need to say, and I want to be heard on this one: I do not want to see him while I'm in this hospital. I mean it, Mom. He's the reason I'm here in the first place, and I don't need to be reminded of that. He better not show his face in my room."

Monica's eyes filled with tears at the anger and the hurt she saw in her son's face, but she told him she would tell Alan his wishes.

"I'm sorry to put you in the middle, Mom, and I'm sorry if this hurts you, but you don't know the hurt that I've suffered at his hands, and it's stopping. It's stopping right now."

Monica nodded, kissed his cheek, and left the room before he saw the tears sliding down her face. She ran crying into the ladies' room and was surprised to see Keesha there.

"Monica, what's wrong?" Keesha asked, immediately concerned that something had happened to A.J.

"Nothing," Monica said, trying to brush the tears away. "Just some family concerns."

"Did A.J. do this to you?" Keesha asked.

"He just filled me in on a few things. Things he thought I needed to know. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to freshen up and go find Alan."

"Did he tell you about how strangely Alan was acting?"

"Yes, plus a few other things. He told me to ask you, but I can see you agree with A.J.'s assessment."

"I'm sorry, Monica, but I do. He sounded strange on the phone when I called, and I hesitated to say anything to him, but A.J. was in such pain, I thought Alan could help. I feel somewhat responsible for A.J. being here. If I hadn't told Alan...."

"Keesha," Monica interrupted, "Believe me, A.J. does not hold you responsible. I can tell how grateful he is that you're here. No, this is 100% Alan's fault as far as A.J. is concerned."

"I hope you get the answers you need from Alan. I'll leave you alone so you can freshen up. Is it okay to go back to A.J.'s room?"

"Yes. He's expecting you. But Keesha, do me a favor?"

"Of course," Keesha said, placing her hand on Monica's arm.

"Please don't tell him you saw me like this."

"I won't. I hope everything will be all right."

"Me, too, Keesha. Me, too."

Keesha smiled at her as she left the ladies' room and made her way to A.J.'s room. She was greeted by Theresa, who was carrying blankets and pillows.

"Hi. You must be Keesha."

"Yes, I am."

"Monica told me that you are allowed to stay in Mr. Quartermaine's room tonight, so these are for you," she said, indicating the blankets and pillows. "All we have to offer, though, are the lounge chair and ottoman."

"That'll be fine. I can sleep curled up, no problem. Thank you for these," Keesha said, taking the items.

"I'll be in to check on Mr. Quartermaine later. Tell him to ring me if he needs anything."

"I will. Thank you."