[The last bit of water hit my broad chest as I turned the knobs to the right, and shut the shower off. I felt much better than I did a short time ago. I was refreshed, but still, weighing on my mind heavily...]

'What would Hans say to me?' I thought to myself.

[I reached up, and grabbed my white towel from the shower curtain rod. I quickly rubbed myself down with it, drying every part of my young body. Then I wrapped the towel around my waist, and stepped out of the shower. I picked up my bloody clothes and tossed them into the hamper. I then reached for the lock, and unlocked the door. Turning the knob, the door automaticly swung open. I looked out into the gym, and I saw Hans in punching bag gloves hitting the bag by himself.]

[His long powerful strides, and his mean hooks hit the bag unforgivenly. His strength, especially at his ripe ole' age of sixty six was undeniable. He could probably still contend with the middle weights, which were in his division, at the time. Although he had stopped boxing many years ago. Infact over a decade ago, but yet, it seemed as if he was strong as ever. He had held the Middle Weight title for over three years.]

[I just put out a delightful smile, and then walked over to where my bag was. It was an old, brown, leather bag. Within it I kept my clothes. I dug through them and grabbed my blue hoodie, and a pair of blue jeans. I looked back over at Hans once more. He was now leaning over the bag, his head against his arm, and his arm propped up on the bag.]

'He must be tired.' I thought to myself.

[I then knocked on Stacy's door. She came out, and stopped. She looked stunned that I was standing there in my towel.]

'Can I change in your room? I have my socks in there as well.' I said.

[She looked me over once again. I smiled, because I was happy she was looking at me like that.]

'Uh, yeah, go ahead.' She responded.

[I squeezed by her, and she walked out of the room. I closed the door behind her. I then dropped the towel, and began putting on my clothes. I couldn't get Stacy out of my mind, ever, and now she was making it even harder on me. After she gave me a look like that I didn't know how I'd feel around her, but all these thoughts came to a halt as she screamed. Her scream rang out, and I dropped my shirt that I had in my hands. I didn't know what was up, but I didn't wait for her to scream again.]

[I pulled the door open, and ran out to the gym. Hans was laying on the floor, motionless. He was drenched in sweat, and his hand clutched his chest. Stacy was frozen. She didn't know what to do. I froze as well, but then, without thinking I ran to Hans' office. I picked up the phone and dialed nine one one. After telling the nine one one operator where we were and what I thought was going on, which I thought it was a heart attack. I ran back out by Stacy, and Hans. She was knelt down by him, she had his hand in hers and she was crying.]

[I bent down by them as well. I didn't know what to say, but the sobbing and the silence was wearing down on me, I almost began to tear up. In a desperation move not to cry I spoke.]

'They're on there way.' I said.

[I didn't know if she could hear me, and truthfully I didn't care. I just needed something to hold back the tears from flowing. I cleared my throat, and just sat there. What was acctually ten minutes seemed like a life time. The ambulance had finally arrived. I ran over to the doors, and let them in. Four guys came running in, wheeling a stretcher. And seconds later a couple more came in with an IV, and some other gadget. I had no idea what they were, but they pulled Stacy away from them and did their work.]

[I nervously watched, and then, from no where, Stacy came over and put her arms around me. She rested her head on my shoulder, and let the tears fall down my shirt. I just wished she was hugging me under different circumstances... Finally the ambulance personel brought him outside, all except one. The ambulance took off quickly and he was still here. He walked over to us. I knew he really didn't know what to say.]

'Hey.' He said.

'Hey.' I said clearing my throat.

'Is he going to be alright?' I asked.

'I think so. We get things like this all the time, and they usually come out alright.' He said.

[I just nodded, and got a tighter grip on Stacy. She as well tightened up on me. Her grip was a bit painful, but I didn't mind. I just wanted her to feel better, and for Hans to get better.]

'Do you guys want to go down to the hospital?' He asked.

'We have no way there.' I said.

'I'm a C.F.R., Certified First Responder, so I just show up on scene with my car, and usually just help out until they get in the ambulance. I only go with them if there's someone to take care of my car, but I figured you guys might want to go down and be with him.' He said.

'Yeah, let me go get our coats.' I said.

[I gave Stacy a small kiss on the top of her head.]

'I'll be right back.' I said.

[She finally loosened the grip, and then just kinda', in a way hugged herself. The guy just stood there, he was staring at the punching bag which was still swaying. I went and grabbed my blue hoodie, and her jacket. I slid my hoodie on, and then jogged over to her, and handed her, her jacket. She put it on, and then we walked out of the gym. I was in such a hurry I didn't even remember to lock up. We got in his car, and he turned on his light. He had a Pontiac Grand Am. It was new, and nice. We both got in the back seat, and I put my arm around her.]

[We were now off, and on our way to the hospital. I more than anything wanted Hans to be alright. I mean, in a way I felt like it was my fault.]

'If I hadn't given him a hard time would he have had a heart attack?' I questioned myself.

[I really didn't want to put the blame on myself, no one else was, but still, I couldn't help but to feel guilty. He'd done everything in the world for me, and all I had done was give him a rough time.]

'What kind of person am I?' I whispered to myself.

[But still Stacy heard it, she whiped away her tears, and looked up at me. She knew I was blaming myself.]

'It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself.' She said, and the wrapped her arms back around me.

[It was, from there, a silent trip to the hospital. Other than the occasional cough from the driver, and the noises of the busy streets, there were no sounds. Nor' were any glance shared between the three of us...]

[Finally we pulled up into the hospital, ER unloading spot. He parked next to where the ambulance was and shut off his car. We all sat there for a minute, and then I grabbed the door handle, and opened the door. I let out a huge sigh, and then stepped out onto to ground. Stacy followed close behind. The guy that was driver got out of the car, and walked over by us, and then took the lead. He lead us through the automatic double doors, and then through another set, and into the Emergency waiting room.]

'You guys can take a seat, and watch some television, we'll let you know when you can go see him.' He said with a smile, that must have been shown to comfort us.

[But I didn't really ever know if we'd see Hans again, all I could do was hope.]

'Thanks.' I said.

[And then we walked over to a pair of seats facing the television. Family Matters was on, but neither Stacy nor' I, althought staring at the television, paid attention. At times the audience laughed, and I envied them. I wanted a reason to laugh, but right now there wasn't anything to laugh about, this situation was no laughing matter. I just wanted to know how Hans was doing, and if he would alright in the future.]

[Then to my mind came the thought of the boxing match that was scheduled. I had no doubt in my mind I was going to fight, but I now only had two weeks to train, and I wouldn't have Hans to help. For if he came home he'd have to have alot of bed rest, and I couldn't get him worked up, and have him risk the chance of another heart attack. Or that's what I thought it was. Either way I didn't want him to be hurt again.]

[We sat there for about a half an hour, and then finally a nurse walked in. She spotted us immediately. She walked over towards us. My heart pounded. I didn't know what to think. It didn't look like she had bad news because her face wore a smile, but looks could be deceiving. Something Hans told me over, and over. She was wearing one of the old nurse skirts that they wore in the eighty's, and early ninety's. She took a seat next to Stacy who still had tears flowing down her face, and she put her hand on her back, and began rubbing it for reassurance.]

'He will be just fine.' She said.

[We both looked up at her.]

'He had a small stroke, and as long as he gets alot of rest, and remains healthy, he should be fine, and you guys can go see him whenever you're ready.' She said.

[Stacy and I stood up as soon as she said that, and when I reached my feet, a cold chill went through out my body. It was an unsettling feeling, and I didn't know why I was having it. Hans was fine, and I was getting ready to go see him.]

'What could be better?' I thought to myself.

[I put my arm gently around Stacy. She was still curled up to keep warm. The nurse then got to her feet.]

'Just follow me.' She said.

[And we did. We followed her through every hallway that there was, and then on to the elevator. I'd never been on one, I just knew what one was. We stepped in, and she hit the button that read '2', for the second floor. Or so I assumed. The door closed, and for a moment I felt trapped. We weren't moving, but then with a slight jolt we were heading up. Butterflies came, and settled in my stomach. My heart raced, and I had the shivers, but then at the end it stopped with the same jolt it started with, and with a 'dinging' noise, the doors opened, and we stepped out into the hallway.]

[From there we walked to the very end of the hallway. I had never been in a hospital, and I didn't even know whether I'd been born in one or not. I didn't know that for the mere fact I didn't even know my parents. For as long as I can remember I'd been bouncing around foster homes, and then living on the streets for months before Hans brought me in...]

[Finally we reached his room. The door was open, and the nurse walked right in. Stacy and I looked at each other, and then walked in behind her.]

[It was an awful site. Hans was hooked up to all types of machines, one was making a dreaded beeping noise, and he had a bag of what looked to be water hooked into his forearm by a needle that was taped there. The site made me sick.]

'You have visitors.' The nurse said to Hans.

[Hans looked over at us and my heart sank. I didn't know what to do. He looked awful. He had tubes up his nose, and was much more pale than usual. There were black circles under his eyes. Just hours ago he didn't look this bad. I could now see what type of toll a stroke took on your body. My eyes swelled up with tears, and I froze... I had no idea what to do or say. I was just motionless...]

To Be Continued...

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