7

I was finishing up with the dishes when I heard my phone going off. I wipe my hands with a washcloth and pick it up. My brother Jared was calling me. I smile to myself as I press answer, "Hi loser, what did I do to receive a call from you?"

"Maria" Jared's tone instantly made me concerned. It was shaky.

"What happened? Are you okay? Are you in trouble?" I ask as the anxiety started rushing through me.

"It's dad," Jared's tone sounded uncertain, I wasn't able to get a grasp on how he was feeling.

My heart dropped, "What happened? Is he okay?"

"He had a heart attack, he's fine he's alright. We're in the hospital" Jared fills me in.

Tears started welling up in my eyes, "What happened?" I rush to my room pulling out a bag and hurriedly throwing some clothes along with some essential items in it.

"He was not taking his HCM pills regularly or consistently and then stress from work possibly that's what the doctors saying," Jared says.

"Are you okay?" I ask as I finish packing my bag.

"I'm freaking out, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Doctor Joseph says he's fine but.." Jared trails off, his voice filled with fear.

"Don't worry, I'm going to the airport right now I'll be there in a couple of hours. Just take care of yourself and dad, I'll be right there" I assure him.

....

"Ladies and Gentlemen we have successfully landed in Charlotte, North Carolina. Thank you for traveling with us" The pilot rings into the microphone.

Usually, I wait until the plane is empty to exit since everyone gets up at once and it gets super rushy but I was in a pinch today. It's been 6 hours since Jared called me, I need to go take care of him and dad. Jared is only 18, he's a kid and I know he's freaking out right now. My dad is all I have, he's my rock, my world. He and Jared are the only family I have, I can't risk anything happening to either of them ever.

I bump into people and constantly mutter excuse me's as I rush out of the plane. Luckily, the hospital dad was less than 20 minutes from the airport so I hail a cab as quickly as I can and head to the hospital.

....

I walk over well practically run over to the receptionist on the second floor, "Hi could you tell me which room James Reynolds is in?" I ask frantically.

"He's in 2E so just the one down the hall" She smiles and I nod once again running down the hall.

I spot Jared coming out of the room, a smile appears on his lips as he sees me. I drop my bag and embrace him in a hug. He might be 6'1 but he's always going to be my baby brother, "I'm so glad you're here" Jared hugs me tightly. I hate that Jared had to be alone during this, he's only 18 and on top of that, he's such a sensitive person. He might come off as this frat boy type of dude but he's always had such a frangible heart which is honestly one of his most endearing qualities but also makes me worry for him a lot.

We pull away from the hug, "I was just visiting dad for the weekend and we were just watching the game I don't know how and what happened" Jared looks at me teary-eyed.

"Hey no, you did everything right." I smile at him reassuringly, "Have you eaten since this morning?" I ask.

Jared shakes his head, "I'm here now go get something to eat, rest for a bit if you need to" I rub his arm as I smile at him.

"He's doing fine now, he's all up and watching the game instead" Jared smiles at me weakly.

I nod as he walks to the cafeteria and I step inside dad's room. There he was my dad in a hospital gown, sitting up on his bed watching the game. I catch his attention and immediately tears started welling up in my eyes.

"Maria, you didn't have to come for me, as you can see I'm fine" Dad smiles pointing to his face.

I move to him and give him a hug, "Dad" I sob into his arms.

My dad caresses my hair, "Aww sweetie, I'm fine. The doctors made you and Jared worry for nothing I'm fine"

I wipe the tears from my face as I pull away from the hug, I sniffle then scowl at him, "You're all I have, you're all we have how could you not take your medication dad? What will I do without you?" I start crying again.

My dad's eyes soften, "I'm sorry Mar" my dad brings his hands to my face and wipes my tears away.

"Do I need to move back home to make sure you take care of yourself?" I frown at him.

"Of course not, you know I sometimes forget to do things and work has just been a little shifty for me that's all" Dad smiles, his warm smile that I missed so much, the smile that makes me feel like I can conquer the world if I have him on my side.

I wipe my tears away, "Please don't scare me like that ever again" I say.

Dad smiles, "Promise darling"

I was about to say something when there was a knock on the door, Dr. Joseph, who has been dad's doctor for years he's been helping treat dad's Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, enters the room.

"Maria! How lovely to see you" Dr. Joseph smiles.

"Hi, you too" I smile at him.

"Were you just telling him off? because you should He's playing risky games here" Dr. Joseph says looking at me then my dad.

"I wish there was a way I could ensure he's taking his medication from New York" I glower at my dad.

"He's fine, you don't have much to worry about. It was just a mild heart attack. He just needs to rest and take it easy for a couple of days and then he'll be fine. He can be discharged tonight" Dr. Joseph says.

I nod, "and the pills were the only reason? Or is something else happening?"

Dr. Joseph shakes his head, "No, everything else is normal. His blood pressure was a little higher than usual but that happens in heart attacks. He's fine" He reassures me.

"Alright, thank you so much, Doctor" I smile at him.

"Seeing you and your brother all grown up and so responsible makes me feel old" Dr. Joseph jokes making me laugh.

"You have good children James, don't worry them so much," Dr. Joseph says to dad.

"I plan on it doc" Dad smiles at him.

....

"You guys stay here, I'll just bring the car to the front," Jared says and I nod. It's 8:45 and we were just taking dad home from the hospital.

"Maria, I don't need to be in this wheelchair I'm fine," Dad says getting up and I hold onto his hand.

"Are you sure you're fine?" I ask.

Dad wraps his arm around me, "Sweetheart, I'm great" He kisses the top of my head.

"Just FYI, I spoke to Mr. Jackson and you are not going to work for 2 weeks," I state.

My dad opens his mouth to say something but I beat him to it, "That is not up for debate. It is final."

Dad shrugs," I guess after a certain age your kids start becoming your parents"