“Hey guys, glad I found you.” Megan and Brian looked up to see Nick walking towards them. Neither one of them said anything, but the look on their faces told Nick something had happened, “What’s wrong?”
Megan started to cry again and Brian looked at Nick for several moments before clearing his throat, “Stephanie was hurt really bad…”
Before Brian could finish Nick stepped closer, “Will she be alright?”
Brian looked at his friend for several minutes, “She was hurt bad…and there was nothing the doctors could do.”
Nick stared blankly at him. After several seconds he looked at Megan and then back at Brian, “I don’t believe you.”
“Nick..” Megan started but he interrupted
“Where is she?!?”
Megan slowly looked at the door and Nick without saying a word walked in. He found A.J. sitting next to the bed holding Stephanie’s lifeless hand. Nick walked slowly towards the bed, without saying anything and A.J. didn’t turn to look at him. After what seemed like an eternity A.J. stood up, and placed her hand gently on the bed. He looked down at her pale face for several seconds before brushing the hair away from her face and kissing her on the forehead he whispered, “I’m sorry.” Then turned and walked out slowly.
Nick’s head was spinning, he couldn’t believe what he saw, and he couldn’t believe what they were saying. Stephanie couldn’t be dead. Just 3 hours ago she was watching TV with him, and now, he stood looking at a pale face that would never smile at him again, or laugh at his stupid jokes. He couldn’t take it, and after just minutes, he turned to walk out. He found Brian, Megan and A.J. in the waiting room, “What happened?”
“Howie’s in surgery.” Brian answered
“No, what happened to Stephanie.”
“She was bleeding internally, and there was nothing the doctors could do.”
Nick stared out the window, “How’s D doing?”
“They say he’ll be just fine.”
“And Brandi?” Nick asked
“She’s just a little shaken.”
Nick went over and slid into a seat next to A.J., “They’re married.”
“Who?” Brian asked
“Howie and Brandi. That’s what they told me when I….” He trailed off
“They are married?” Megan asked
“Yeah.”
A.J. ran a hand thru his hair, “Has anyone heard form Kev?”
“I talked to him yesterday.” Brian answered
“Do you think he will come back for the….?” Nick asked
He didn’t have to say anything, everyone knew he was talking about the funeral. “He probably will.” Brian answered
“It will be in Dallas.” Megan said quietly
“What?” Brian asked
“Stephanie’s funeral will be in Dallas. That’s were all her friends are, and her parents live close.”
Brian nodded, “Let’s not talk about it just yet.”
“Why not? She’s dead Brian, she’s gone!” A.J. yelled
Megan burst into tears again, and Brian looked at A.J., “Calm down.”
“Calm down? She’s dead, and it’s my fault.”
“it’s not your fault.” Brian said
“Yes it is.” A.J. said thru gritted teeth
“No, it’s my fault. I’m the one that met her, I’m the whole reason she even met you guys.” Nick said
Before anyone could say anything Brandi came in with news on Howie.
