She held her hand up to Charlie. “None of you have been in this position and I hope none of you ever have to be.” Vi pointed at Carson. “His wife is fighting for her life and you’re fighting with him. Think on that. You all need to take a break. Go home to your families.”
Everyone stared—or rather glared—at Vi but no one contradicted her.
“Ma is our family,” Cord said. “We have a right to be here. We have a right to see her.”
“What is it you want from me, Cord? A fight?” Carson said wearily. “Fine, I’ll give you one. Get out. I don’t need this bullshit or guilt from you—any of you—for doin’ what the doctor ordered.”
“You ready to throw all of us out? It’s the six of us against you. We can have you declared as incapable of making medical decisions.”
Jesus. That gouged deep into the heart of him.
“Whoa, don’t include me in your petty threats,” Colt said. “Dad made a decision, it don’t make me any less worried about Ma, but I will respect it. So suck it up and don’t fuckin’ argue with him for once, Cord.”
“Who’s sucking up now?” Colby snapped. “You’re just hopin’ by takin’ his side that Dad will let you see her and that’s a crock of shit, Colt.”
Carter stepped forward. “Listen to yourselves. This is how you want it to be? We take sides for or against Dad? You’re idiots if you think acting like this is gonna change his mind. He has every right to ban you, especially with your selfish attitudes about what your rights are. His rights, when it comes to Mom, trump ours. Always have, always will, and we’ve always known that.”
“Carter sided with Dad, big fuckin’ surprise. Like Colt, he’s expectin’ it’ll get him to the front of the line when Dad comes to his senses and lets us see our mother,” Cam said.
“I won’t change my mind,” Carson said. “This ain’t a negotiation. You don’t get a vote. I’ve said my piece. And I’m really glad your mother can’t hear you right now.”
“She can’t hear us because we’re not even on the same floor with her!” Keely said.
Enough. “I’m done here.” He looked at Cal. Then Charlie. Then Vi. “I’ll let one of you know if there’s news or a change in Carolyn’s condition and you can pass the news on to them. I can’t…”
Vi moved in and patted his arm. “Say no more. You do what you have to and we’ll take care of this.”
“How are we supposed to get through the next week not knowin’ nothin’?” Kimi demanded.
Carson looked at her. Then his children. “You can survive without her for a week. Better that than puttin’ her at risk and tryin’ to survive without her for the rest of your lives.”
He walked out.
Upon returning to the empty ICU waiting room, he slumped against the concrete wall. Even if he closed his eyes he’d still see the anger, bewilderment and resentment aimed his way. His kids’ reactions were much worse than he imagined. He might’ve relented and reminded them that although they couldn’t see Carolyn, they could visit him in the ICU waiting room. But their sense of entitlement and anger toward him—not at the horrible situation Carolyn was in—guaranteed he didn’t want them around. He had enough emotional upheaval right now.
Nurse Lissa’s voice broke through his misery. “They’ll get over it. I’ve seen this happen dozens of times. Actually it’s more the norm than you’d think. These situations bring out the worst in people. And it sucks when people who love each other lash out at each other out of fear.”