His mum, normally so loud, chatty and full of life, was totally still, stunned. She looked like she had aged ten years. She appeared frail as she talked to the doctor, but when she saw Ben walk through the doors of the emergency room, she just crumpled. Ben had to run to catch her. She broke down in sobs. ‘I can’t live without him, Ben. If he doesn’t survive I’ll not survive. I’m devoted to him, I’ll not be able to live.’ Ben didn’t know what to say, he felt the same. He took his dad for granted, but the sudden thought of not seeing his cheerful face ever again made Ben almost throw up. ‘Where is he?’ is all Ben could finally say. The nurse showed him through to his dad’s room. Joe was still unconscious and hooked up to monitors, drips and machines. That is not my dad, Ben thought, it can’t be. My dad is strong and tall like me, plays golf almost every day, and has a permanent tan from the wind on the golf course. This man was so frail-looking he barely took up any space on the bed.
