NEW YORK CITY, NY – HOSPITAL – MAR. 17TH, 2002 – SUNDAY

     Ashley was sleeping in the chair and Kirstin was also sound asleep the next morning when Grace and Tom got to their room. None of them wanted to wake them up, so they just went back to the waiting room.

     “Oh… I forgot to call Kirstin’s sister! I’ll be right back!” Grace got up and headed to a corner nearby, picking up Kirstin’s cell phone from her own purse. She had kept Kirstin’s cell phone so she could have the numbers of all people she needed to call to tell about Kirstin’s situation.

    
     “So…?” Tom asked when she got back.

     “She said she’s sorry but she can’t come. She has a big test tomorrow and can’t miss that. But asked me to say to Kirstin that she loves her and will be praying for her.”

     “Good. That’s good.” Tom nodded. Do you wanna go see if they woke up yet?” he asked Grace.

     “Yeah, sure. Let’s go.”

     When they got to the room, they looked through the window and saw Kirsten alone on the bed. They frowned and entered the room.

     “K, are you awake?” Grace asked as soon as Tom closed the door behind them.

     “G!” Kirstin tried to sat up, but couldn’t. She was still hurting.

     “Don’t! You’re crazy! Don’t do any kind of movement like that!” Tom warned her. She just grinned at him.

     “Oh, baby! I’m so happy you’re fine.” Grace hugged her friend.

     “Grace, I have to thank you. You were what saved me yesterday.”

     “Oh, don’t say that. I did what I had to do. I know you would have done the same to me, so…”

     “I really would.” Kirstin smiled to her friend.

     “I know. Because that’s what friends are for.” Grace smiled back and gave way for Tom to get near the bed.

     “Hey, KeeKee.” Tom hugged her too.

     “Hey, Tommy.” they pulled back from the hug and Kirstin smiled into his eyes “Tom, thank you so much for last night. For letting Ashley stay.”

     “Hey, don’t worry. I only want what’s best for you. You know that.”

     “Yeah, I do. But still, thank you. You didn’t have to do that, but you did.”

     “You’re wrong. I had to do that because that was the right thing to do.” Tom half-smiled at Kirstin and she just pulled him to her and kissed him on the cheek.

     “Thank you.” she said in his ear. When Tom pulled back, he just smiled big to her.

     “Where’s Ash?” Grace wondered.

     “He went to get some coffee for him.”

     “Oh, ok.” Grace said and at that moment, Ashley came in.

     “Oh, hey guys!” Ashley greeted. He kissed Grace on the cheek and shook Tom’s hand. Then he sat back on the chair and took a sip of his coffee.

     “Kirstin, I called Andy, your parents and your sister to tell them.” Grace informed.

     “Oh, you did? And how did they take it?” Kirstin asked worried.

     “Well, Andy says he’ll try to stop by later to visit you.” Kirstin smiled at that. Her boss was just too good “Your sister said she’s sorry she won’t be able to come. She has a big test tomorrow, but she said she loves you and she’s praying for you.”

     “Yeah, I called my parents too to tell them and my mom also told me you’ll be on her prayers.” Ashley told Kirstin who just smiled.

     “What about mom and dad?” Kirstin inquired.

     “They asked how you were now. I said you were doing fine. Your mom wanted to come here today, but your father and I talked her into staying there. There’s not really much she can do here and you’re already fine, so... I didn’t know if you wanted your parents around.”

     “No, it’s fine. It’s better that they stay there. I’m feeling fine and there’s no need to spend all the money coming here.”

     “That’s what I told her. But she said she’s gonna call you later to talk to you. I kept your phone to call them, but here it is.” Grace handed her friend her phone back.

     “Ok. Thanks.” Kirstin grinned.

     “So, is everything fine? Did the doctor say anything about your condition?” Tom asked, changing the subject.

     “Well, he said the situation is still delicate.” Ashley started “The wall is still weak and it’ll stay like that for a month or so. So Kirstin needs to rest and try not to go through any emotional situations or it will upset the baby and cause him to rip the wall again.”

     “I can’t believe there’s still a risk!” Tom shook his head.

     “Yeah, I couldn’t either. And there’s nothing we can do.” Ashley also shook his head. Kirstin watched that scene and somehow thought it was ironic. She just shook her head and grinned a bit.

     “What?” Ashley asked, noticing that.

     “Nothing.” Kirstin just decided to let that go “What time is it?” Kirstin asked.

     “It’s 11:45.” Grace answered.

     “I’m hungry.” Kirstin said.

     “I’ll get the nurse.” Ashley said, pressing the button above Kirstin’s bed.

     “And we have to go. We only have 15 minutes with you on Sundays.”

     “That sucks!” Kirstin exclaimed.

     “I know! Tell that to the hospital!” Grace exclaimed too.

     “I will!” Kirstin exclaimed again and they giggled at the voices they were making.

     “K… please, if you need anything, ask Ashley to call me and I’ll bring you anything, alright?” Grace hugged her friend.

     “Yeah, sure. Thanks, G.”

     “Don’t mention.” she said, pulling back from the hug.

     “Keekee, the same goes with me. If you need anything, call me. And we’ll come visit you tomorrow again.”

     “Oh, I might be going home tonight.” Kirstin informed Tom and Grace.

     “Really? Already? Do they think it’s safe?” Tom frowned.

     “Well, the doctor said they are gonna run some tests, but probably, yeah, she’s fine to go.” Ashley answered Tom’s question

     “Wow… that was… fast.” Tom frowned. He still wasn’t convinced that Kirstin was fine to go. She still looked too pale and weak “Hope they know what they are doing.”

     “Me too.” Kirstin smiled to him.

     “Well, then we’ll see you tomorrow at your place then.” Grace told her friend.

     “Ok. See ya.” Kirstin smiled and waved them goodbye.

 

     “Did someone call me?” Claire, the nurse, walked into the room.

     “Yes.” Ashley answered.

     “Oh, you’re awake! Hi, dear. I’m Claire. You probably don’t remember me, but I was with the doctor yesterday while he was doing your ultrasound.”

     “Sorry, don’t remember.” Kirstin shook her head.

     “Well, I figured. You weren’t really good. You passed out three times.”

     “I did?” Kirstin sounded surprised. Ashley looked worried.

     “You don’t remember that?” Kirstin shook her head “Well, it wasn’t anything serious. It was just because of all the blood you lost. But what matters is that you’re fine now.” the nurse smiled to Kirstin. Kirstin smiled back “So, why did you call me?” she looked at Ashley.

     “She’s hungry. Can you, I don’t know… bring her lunch? Is that how it works here? I don’t know…”

     “Yeah, I’ll bring her lunch.” she smiled to Ashley “And I have to switch that medication too. I’ll be back with your food and your medication.” she turned back and headed to the door. When she opened it, she turned back to Kirstin again “Oh, I forgot!” she knelt down and picked something up off the floor “Someone left this for you. You had visit, I didn’t want to interrupt that, so I just left it here.” Claire said entering the room with flowers in her hand.

     “Wow, they are beautiful!” Kirstin exclaimed and took the orange orchid vase from Claire.

     “They sure are.” Claire smiled “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go get your lunch. Be right back.”

     “Thanks.” Ashley said before she closed the door “Who are they from?” Ashley asked Kirstin.

     “Don’t know. Let me see here.” Kirstin grabbed the little envelope “Kirstin, I’m sorry I won’t be able to stop by. Work. But I’ll call you. Get well soon! I need you here! Best Wishes… Andrew Jackson.” Kirstin finished reading it out loud and put the note inside the envelope again “Andy is so nice.”

     “Yes, he is. I wish I had a boss like that. Mike never gave me flowers!” Kirstin giggled.

     “Silly. Come here.” she asked him and kissed him gently on the lips.

     Ashley took the vase from Kirstin’s hand and placed it on a table beside the bed.