Half Truths

By Tracy Ann Rodriguez

Anthony's been away from home for nearly two in half years. With his little brother Julian in a coma and him carrying his brother's secret. He must return home but he isn't coming home alone.
Julian Sanchez has a secret no one can know of. His brother Anthony is determine to keep it from coming out.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tablo Publishing
• Release date: Aug 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649691972

Book preview

Chapter Two Gabbi

It's late Thursday night technically early Friday morning. I can't seem to catch my sleep. I keep tossing and turning there is just no way I am going to get comfortable on this ugly hard green couch. I can hear the rain hitting the window it's been raining all night. But that's only half of the reason why I am unable to sleep. I'm laying here trying my best to fight back my tears. I sit up slowly to grab my phone. I can't remember where exactly I placed it. I begin to feel the area around me. I lift the sheets nothing. I turn around and check the table behind me and there it is. I check the time four thirty-nine in the morning. I get up trying not to make any noise. I walk quietly towards his bed. Then I remember he can't hear anything so why am I moving slowly! I reach for the remote I press the red button with the nurse symbol. A friendly voice comes over the little speaker. Can I help you?

Yes may I get a blanket please. Sure i'll send one right in. Not even a minute later a nurse comes in with a brown cover and hands it to me. The weather is getting ugly out there she says. I smile and thank her for the blanket. She advised me that she will be back in an hour to check his vitals. Dr.Frey would be in at six to give a update on his status. I thank her once again and she leaves the room. I try hard to get as comfy as I can on this green couch. But it's no use i find myself wondering. Where do we go from here? My thoughts are running around not letting me sleep. I check the time five twenty three. I might as well get up doesn't look like i'm getting any more sleep for the rest of the night. As I sit up and move to the left side of the couch with my legs bundled up to my chest. I wrap the blanket around my self to keep warm and I look at Julian. How did this happen? Why is this happening? I just want to go back to yesterday. I just want to work things out. I just want all this to go away. It's like i'm in a dream that I can't come out of. That I badly want to awake from. I wipe away my tears and pray. I can hear the door open I sit up straight. Good morning Mrs. Sanchez. I'm Dr. Frey he extends his right hand I shake it and say good morning. I'm sorry to wake you so early but I have to be in surgery by seven so I am making my rounds early. He takes a look at Julian and makes his way towards the left side of the bed. He looks at the machines. Then shortly after he opens a vanilla folder in his hand. Before I begin do you have any questions for me? I shake my head and say no. I get up from the couch and make my way to the right side of the bed so that I am at eye level with Dr. Frey. As you know we have given Mr. Sanchez medication through his fluids to keep him stable. He suffered a major impact that has caused him to fall into a coma. He is bruised badly and the bruises from the impact will start to show in the next few hours. So don't be surprised once they appear they will be obvious. From what I can see unfortunately he has not made any progress in the last few hours. He remains stable but only because the machine is keeping him stable. In other words Mr. Sanchez is not breathing on his own. I try my best to hold in all my emotions. My face must of given what I was feeling away. Do not get discouraged Mrs. Sanchez it doesn't mean there is no hope. Mr. Sanchez is in a coma and there is no telling when he will come out of it. This isn't exactly the news I wanted to hear. I can feel my throat tighten and my eyes filing with tears. I avoid eye contact by putting my head down and looking at Julian. Now in this type of situation It depends on the patient and how the body responses to the medication they are given. It could take days even months in some cases years. I clear my throat the best I can. What are our options? Well we have a few options. We can continue to give Mr. Sanchez the medications. Keep him on the machines and continue to monitor his status. Usually in these types of situation we give the patient a few days to see if any progress is made. If not, we leave the decision to family members in what they want or what they feel is best for the patient. Of course the second option would be removing the machine. How long will he have? I can't say that all depends on him. I know its a lot to take in. I do need to make you aware of the entire situation. Mr. Sanchez is in a server coma which means if he does wake up. He will have to start all over like a newborn. In walking, talking, eating and etc. I know this isn't a easy time with you being his spouse this is a difficult decision to make. There is no rush no need to make a decision now. Will give Mr. Sanchez a few days to see if there is any change. Will see if his body responds to the medication. It will give you some time to think things through. Will go with what you decide. I wipe my tears away and thank him. I know I just gave you a lot more to think about Mrs. Sanchez. If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask. I smile letting him know that is all. He places one hand on Julian's shoulder. You don't stop fighting Mr. Sanchez. Feel free to talk to him he can hear you he just can't respond. He makes his way towards the door and before he exits he turns to look at me. Get some rest Mrs. Sanchez it will be needed. As soon as the door closed tears begin streaming down my face. I placed my left hand on his hand and my right hand on his head. I can't hold it in any longer wake up please Julian please wake up! I need you… Avery needs you! What am I going to do without you! Tell me what to do… what do I do… tell me what to do? I wipe the tears away and begin to pull myself together. I grab my purse and look for my phone. It's way too early I don't want to wake Gloria right now. I did reassure her that I would call as soon as the doctor came in to see him. I grab my bag of clothes and head for the restroom. I decide to shower first before I call her.  I need to get my thoughts together. As i'm getting out of the shower I hear the phone ringing. I rush to grab it but i'm to late. I check to see who it was that's funny no missed calls. I double check by going to the call log nothing. Weird I could of sworn I heard the phone ringing. I grab the chair out of the corner and pull it up to side of the bed next to him. I grab his hand and place it in mine. I put my head on our hands and begin to pray. I know if any one can hear me. It's you God. I know you can make all this ok. We claim to be Catholics but we don't attend church as we should. I know we don't pray as much as we should either. I know we are everyday sinners. But we are believers. I know only you have the last say in all this. So please please lord give us the strength to get through this and to overcome this Amen. I decided to call Gloria. The phone rang twice and then I heard fast raspy voice. Hello? Gabbi. is he ok? Yes he's fine ? Que Pasa? What is it she asked. The Dr. will be coming in shortly I want everyone here to hear what he has to say. Ok Mija will get ready and head that way. Once I hung up with my mother in law I dialed my mom. I asked her to pick up Avery for me as soon as she could so that way Nick can come to the hospital. I also asked her to continue to pray for him. Before I could hang up the phone the nurse came in. Ill call you later mom I have to go! I'm just going to change his fluid bags and check his vitals. Are you ok Hun? you look a little tired. I smiled and nod. I watched as she put a new bag of fluid on the hook and connects it to the tube that flows into his hand. She checked the paper that was feeding out of the machine and checked his vitals. All is good if you need anything you just give us a call. I smiled lightly and thanked her. It is so quiet in here so I turn on the TV and watch the news. A few minutes later I remember I forgot to call Issa. I call her just in case my mother in law forgot. Hello. Issa. I say, has your mom called you. Yes we are getting in the car now will be there shortly. Have you talked to Nick? Yes he texted me he is waiting on your mom to pick up Avery and he will come afterwards. My parents should be getting there soon. No one has heard from Anthony yet but we will keep trying. Anthony! Yeah i'm sure he will come I don't see why he wouldn't. I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that Issa I'am just surprise that's all. Ok will see you in a few minutes. Do you need anything food clothes, hygiene? I'm fine I had a bag of clothes that I packed. As far as eating ill go down to the cafeteria in a little while thank you though. I know I lied to all of them but I didn't want to repeat myself to every single one of them. I prefer they all ask the same questions now to get it over with. I didn't even consider trying to contact Anthony. It's been so long since we have seen him. When I say we I mean everyone but Julian. My in laws arrived first. My mother in law immediately hugged me and asked how I was doing? But I couldn't respond instead I hugged her tight. She squeezed me tighter I know mija yo se'. Once my mother in law lets me go she went to stand by Julian. Just as I was about to take a seat. My sister