Darren's eyes fluttered open, he squinted at the lights. His head still hurt although maybe that was from falling on the floor. He looked over at Lillian.
Lillian let out a sigh of relief and felt a small tear fall down as she called out, "Hey Miss nurse! He woke up."
The nurse came running into the room, "Hello Mr. Anderson," she said to Darren putting on blue gloves, "My name is doctor Wake, how are you feeling." Darren moved his attention from Lillian to the doctor entering the room and all that came out was a groan. The doctor laughed, "Do you remember what happened?" Darren thought but the last thing he remembered was waking up and seeing Lillian so he shook his head, "That's okay and completely normal," She looked at Lillian, "Do you know what happened?"
"Um," Lillian thought about what happened, "He looked like he was in pain. And then he turned really pale and ended up spazzing out. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong, and I called the ambulance."
The nurse nodded, "He had what is considered a Grand Mal or Tonic-Clonic seizure. It's a pretty serious thing and we are running tests to figure out what may have caused it. Meanwhile, I'm just going to check you out okay?" she said walking towards Darren with a light. Darren nodded and she put the light in front of one eye and then the other, she nodded and said she'd be back later and they would have some time alone.
Lillian gave Darren a hug. She whispered shakily, "You really scared me."
Darren still looked drowsy, "Sorry." He grumbled moving one arm to return the hug as much as he could.
Lillian let out a shaky breath, "Just don't try not to do that again okay?"
Darren let out a small laugh, "I'll try." he said quietly.
Lillian looked at him and smiled, "That's all I want."
"What do you think caused this?" He said looking concerned.
Lillian sighed, "I don't know."
"Should we be worried? The doctor said it was serious."
"I know I am. Darren don't ever brush something like this off, it'll never help."
Darren let out a sigh and he put his still throbbing head back on the pillow. "I'm scared for those tests to come back."
Lillian nodded, "I am too. I'll stay as long as I can, but I need to get home. My mom's pretty peeved right now."
The concern on Darren's face only grew, "Are you going to get in trouble for staying with me overnight?"
Lillian didn't want to tell him, "I'm sure it'll be fine."
"I hope so," Darren said. A few moments later a different doctor came into the room. This time it was a tall, older looking man with silver hair and a sorrowful look on his face. He was holding an official looking folder as he pulled a chair up next to Darren's bed. "Hello there Mr. Anderson," He looked shook Darren's hand and then offered a hand to Lillian as well, "I'm Dr. Britian."
Lillian shook his hand. She didn't say anything in return.
He sat down in the chair opening the folder and then looking up at Darren, "There is some very-uhh- sensitive information waiting for you in this folder. Are you comfortable with the young lady knowing?" He looked at Lillian. "Yeah. Consider her family." Darren said. "Okay." The doctor plastered a phony smile on his face, he took a deep breath before saying the words that would forever change Darren's life. "You have a brain tumor."
Lillian's mouth dropped. She wasn't expecting this, this, this. She couldn't even finish her thoughts. She looked at Darren her face filled with sadness and concern.
Darren stared into space as if he didn't understand what the doctor was telling him. Dr. Britian stood, "I'm going to give him some time to process and I'll be back when he has questions." then he left the room leaving Darren speechless.
Lillian looked at Darren. She said quietly, "Y-you good?"
Darren turned to Lillian, a tear streaming down his cheek, "Yeah." he said in almost a whisper, "I'm good."
Lillian grabbed his hand and squeezed it, "You don't have to pretended. This is…. Big."
"I don't know what else to do." Darren remained at a near whisper, "How am I going to tell my dad? My mom died from cancer and now his son has it." More tears made their way down Darren's face.
Lillian held him. She kissed his forehead, "We'll figure out something."
"I could die." He said blankly, realizing it for the first time.
Lillian responded, "Yeah. You could."
