Chapter five

“Do you already know what happened?” Jon asked when he entered the room together with Dot.

Richie shook his head no and pulled a pale Kris closer to his body.

“Baby, did you eat something today?” Dot asked concerned and softly caressed her daughters face. “It’s important.” She added. Kris smiled sadly.

“I can’t eat now, mom. Not till I know what’s wrong with my baby.” She whispered. Dot nodded.

“Mr. and Mrs. Sambora?”

“Doctor Cunningham.” Richie jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong with our son?”

“Your son has an epidural hemorrhage.” Richie looked at him shocked. “When he fell off the tree he damaged his head. Typical for such a bleeding is that there are no symptoms for a while and then suddenly the patient collapsed, as it happened to your son.”

“What happens now?” Kris asked in a trembling voice. Richie put his arm around her waist to steady her.

“Your son is already on the way into surgery. We will open his cranium to release the pressure that the blood is causing to his brain afterwards he will be on ICU.”

“You open his head?” Kris’ legs buckled, Richie caught her and carefully helped her to sit down.

“Yes, ma’am. It’s the only way to save his life.” Doctor Cunningham said softly while checking Kris pulse. Tears started to shine in her eyes.

“My baby. My little baby.” Kris couldn’t control the tears any longer. Richie pulled her into his arms. Jon swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat when he saw his daughter so desperate.

Suddenly Doctor Cunningham’s beeper made a noise. He checked it. “I have to go now. I will inform you as soon as the surgery is over.”

“How long?” Richie asked in a throaty voice.

“A couple hours.” The doctor answered and walked out of the room. Jon watched him leaving and suddenly raced after him.

“Doc!” Doctor Cunningham turned around again. “Will he wake up again?” Jon asked silently.

Doctor Cunningham sighed deeply. “Honestly. I don’t know.” Jon tensed. “It depends on the damage and how he’ll be able to handle the surgery.”

Jon nodded shocked and watch him walked away.

“I need a doctor!” Jon spun around and saw Dot standing the hall and a Doctor rushing past her into the room. He sprinted back to her. “Kris collapsed!”

Entering the room they saw the Doctor checking Kris’ blood pressure and her pulse rate. “I will give her something to stabilize her and she should really eat something.”

Before the Doc could give her the medication Dot stepped close to him and whispered something. He looked at her for a second than changed the medicine. Richie frowned irritated, but Dot didn’t say anything.

“Richie, go and get her something to eat.” Dot said when Kris was slowly waking up again. He only nodded and left with Jon.

“Did you tell him?” Kris asked silently when they were alone.

“No, baby. That’s your job.” Dot smiled.

Kris sobbed. “Mom, what if John, what if….”

“Shhh, baby don’t think that way. I’m sure everything will be fine…” Dot tried to assure her and not to start crying on her own.

“Rich would go crazy when…” she let the sentence hang in the air. “Mom, what if he starts to drink again?”

“Oh, baby. He won’t. We’ll watch out for him, especially your dad.” Dot said and held while she cried.