Nick's heart sank as he walked into Alex's room. She was hooked up to several machines. Mrs. Paine sat down next to her daughter and began to cry, Mr. Paine tried to comfort her. After several minutes Mr. Paine was able to get his wife out in the hall in order not to disturb his daughter. Nick walked up to the side of the bed slowly, and tried to keep his emotions in check. He sat down next to her and reached for Alex's hand and held it gently, "Oh Alex, I love you so much." Nick put his head down on the side of the bed and gave a huge sigh
"I love you Nicky." came a faint voice
Nick looked up and tried to keep the tears out of his eyes, "Are you okay, do you need anything?"
Alex slightly shook her head, "no..it just hurts.."
"I’m sorry."
"Nick, I can't move my arm."
"I know, you have some torn muscles...but the doctor said they will heal in no time."
"Will I..." Alex trailed off, knowing that Nick knew what she was asking
"I'm afraid not." Nick watched the emotions on her face and watched as a single tear made it's way down her face
"I will still be able to pitch."
"No, Alex..."
"YES, I WILL, and no one will tell me otherwise. I have been pitching since I was 8 years old, and nobody is going to take that away from me."
Nick looked at her, it hurt to see her hanging on to something she wouldn't be able to do, but he didn't say anything. He nodded and told her to get some rest. He went back out into the hallway and got her parents. After they had went back into the room Nick sat down and leaned against the wall. He hoped that he would just wake up and this would be a nightmare. He turned to see Brian walking towards him, "Is she alright?"
"yes."
"Oh, thank God. Any damage done?"
"some torn muscles, but she will heal."
"That's good, so you ready to go home?"
Nick sighed, "I think I'll stay with her tonight, she's had it rough, I had to tell her she couldn't pitch again."
"How did she take it?"
"denial."
Brian looked at his friend, he seemed so much older all of a sudden, "Well, you're truck is parked out front, and I guess I'll be leaving now."
"And how do you plan to do that?" Nick asked
"I’ll take a cab or something..." He wasn't finished with his sentence when Mr. Paine came walking out of the room rather briskly, "They have arrested the man they think shot Alex. They need someone to identify him, can you come? They need a statement from you as well" he said looking at Nick
Nick looked at Brian, "You want to come to? You saw him didn't you?" Brian nodded
The 3 headed for the police station. Nick hoped that they had caught the guy and that he would be put away for a very long time.
