Page 103 of The Man I Hate

Embarrassed, grateful, and shocked beyond belief, I stepped in front of the camera. Braxton draped his arm over my shoulder.

“Can you explain your thought process on putting this amazing deal together, Miss Wilson?” the reporter asked.

“This disease does not discriminate,” I replied. “Young, old, compromised health, or the epitome of health, we’re all at risk. To spread the word of this disease’s contagion and seriousness, I thought someone with a strong social media presence would be best.”

“Well, you’ve certainly found those people with DeGeneres, Hart, and Mendez,” she said, turning to face the second camera. “From Hollywood fixer, to Hospital fixer, Braxton Rourke and company have left their mark on Scripps Mercy. The medical staff, the community, and all of us at KGTV San Diego would like to express our sincere thanks. This is Meghan Murphy reminding you to stay safe, stay six feet apart, and stay strong.”

Following a few still shots of the delivery van, Braxton, and me, thanks was given by the entire news crew from afar. The medical staff then expressed their gratitude from inside the facility in the form of hand-written signs they held high in the air.

MASKS SAVE LIVES - THANK YOU

As the news crew loaded their equipment, Braxton faced me. “I’m glad this is over.”

“You looked like you were annoyed,” I said.

“Never cared much for having my picture taken.”

“Mister Rourke,” A voice from behind us said.

We both turned around. A gentleman dressed in blue scrubs was standing on the top steps of the entrance, twenty feet from where we stood. A plastic face shield and a cotton mask obstructed his face, but they did little to hide his exhaustion.

“Good morning,” Braxton said.

“I’m Doctor Betz,” the man said. “I wanted to bring you up to speed on your father’s condition.”

“I’d appreciate anything you can share,” Braxton said.

“As Doctor Ziminov advised you, your father’s condition hadn’t worsened, nor had it improved. He remained stable, but reliant upon the ventilator to breathe. This morning, based on your discussions of late yesterday, we opted to try an experimental drug, Remdesivir. Since the drug’s administration, we’ve seen major improvements in your father’s oxygenation. We’ve also recorded a significant decrease in his lung edema. He remains on the ventilator, but we have expectation that he’ll be off of it before day’s end.”

I gasped.

“Breathing on his own?” Braxton asked excitedly.

“This is our first experiment with this drug,” the doctor admitted, checking his watch as he spoke. “Believe me, we’re as excited as you are. Although we have chosen to leave him on the ventilator for now, we believe he will be breathing on his own soon.”

Braxton exhaled. “Is there any way you can keep me posted on his—”

“I have your cell phone number,” the doctor replied. “May I—”

Braxton nodded. “Absolutely.”

The doctor checked his watch. “I need to go.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Braxton said. “For everything.”

“The instant something changes,” The doctor said. “You’ll hear from me.”

Braxton held me tight against his shoulder. “Thanks again.”

The doctor gave a curt nod and turned away. As he disappeared through the hospital’s doors, Braxton exhaled. “Maybe Pratt’s right.”

“About what?”

“He said good karma brings good karma.”

“I believe hatred breeds hatred, and love can only blossom by and through love,” I said. “It sounds like he and I think alike.”

“Pratt doesn’t think like anyone,” he retorted. “He wanted to come here and see if he could get a nurse to fuck him. It wasn’t until I warned him about the possibility of getting infected that he finally decided it wasn’t a good idea.”