Being a Star (Isn't Easy)
Chapter Twenty
THREE HOURS LATER
It had been three hours and nobody knew anything about Ezra's condition. Nathan
and Buck had been treated and were sharing a hospital room. Josiah, JD, Vin, and
Chris had been allowed in to visit them for a while, but were now in the waiting
room.
As Josiah was silently saying a prayer, his attention was caught by the
television. Realizing what they were saying, he got the others' attentions.
"They're talking about Ezra."
A pretty Latino woman with brown hair was speaking. "...Ezra Standish. He was
involved in a wreck on his way home tonight. He was in the company of two of his
bodyguards. Sources say that they have also been injured. Sources have also
confirmed that Mister Standish is having emergency surgery. We will keep you
updated as more information comes to light. Now, to Eric with this week's
weather."
JD said, "You know, I'm surprised that reporters haven't shown up here yet."
"Ya spoke too soon," mumbled Vin. When the others looked to where Vin's
attention was, they saw several women and men entering through the emergency
room doors, holding microphones and cameras.
A male reporter rushed over to them, followed by his cameraman, and asked,
"Mister Sanchez, how is Mister Standish? Do you have any comments?"
Another reporter, a female, piped up. "Sources have said that there was a
shooting, causing the vehicle that your client was in to crash. Is that true?"
Josiah and the others were saved from having to answer when a middle-aged doctor
approached. Seeing all of the reporters, he asked, "Will you gentlemen follow
me?"
After walking in silence for a few moments, the doctor led them into an office
and shut the door. "I'm Doctor Jason Craig."
Pointing to each in turn, Josiah said, "Chris Larabee, JD Dunne, Vin Tanner, and
I'm Josiah Sanchez." After taking a deep breath, he asked, "How's Ezra, Doctor?"
"We lost him twice on the table," the doctor answered. The other four men gasped
and went slightly paler.
"We managed to revive him both times. And, we also managed to remove the glass
from his chest. But, the glass caused one of his lungs to collapse and internal
bleeding. We have gotten the bleeding stopped, for now, and we repaired the lung
as best as we could.
"There will be no singing again for a while, if ever. But, Mister Standish is in
a coma."
"Coma? What do you mean?" asked Vin.
"The next forty-eight hours are crucial. If Mister Standish hasn't woken up by
then, his chances of ever waking up decrease every day. I am sorry, gentlemen."