Fifty-Nine

Hours later, after the medication had worn off and I could resume my normal activities, I was about to indulge in my guilty pleasures when I received a distressing call informing me that my dad had been rushed to the intensive care unit.

“What now?” I groaned aloud, wishing that all of these problems would stop, as they were becoming overwhelming.

Fred drove me to the pack hospital, and we rushed up to the ICU. Dad lay motionless on the bed. Uncle Axton sat next to him. He held my dad's hand, looking devastated.

"Don't give up, Marcus. Please. We have to tell him.”

“Tell who what?” I asked him as I walked into the room. Uncle Axton's body stiffened visibly. Dad opened his eyes and let out a sick groan.

"Ah, Donnie, you are here," Uncle Axton said, unsure of himself and smiling faintly.

A nurse in scrubs walked in to check my dad's temperature. The silence was oppressive, and when a doctor entered, he acknowledged my presence and whispered to the nurse while they performed their duties.