The Arrangement

AnnaLeigh Everyone thinks they are a hero... We dream about moments of glory. The ones we read about in books and see in the movies. Run into a fiery building to save someone? Sure. Donate a kidney to a friend? No problem. Stand in the way of an armed robbery? Easy. We think those things. But the ugly truth is, We dont know how we will react when that moment is actually upon us. Until the gunman has the gun pointed at your temple and you can smell the metal of the barrel. Would you really be strong enough to do it? To face the gun and say, 'Choose me. Shoot Me. Kill me instead.' When that time comes what would you really choose? Your life? Or theirs? *********************************** I squeeze my dads hands, my heart in my thoart. It hurts to see him like this. He lays unconscious on the hospital bed, with tubes attached to his arms and chest. Machines are beeping beside him and an oxygen mask covers his face. Tears spill down my cheeks. And I wipe them away, yet again. My father is the constant in my life. The anchor that holds our family together. A pillar of strength for us all. Greyson, my oldest brother, appears in the doorway and I walk up to embrace him. "What did the doctor say?" I ask. He looks over his shoulders at dad. "Let's step into the hall." Nodding, I go to dad and place a kiss on his forehead before following my brother out of the room. In the fluorescent light of the hospital hallway I took a good look at my oldest brother. I let my gaze run over his disheveled hair, unshaven face, and purple circles under his eyes from lack of sleep. I knew it had to be bad news. "Listen AnnaLeigh..." he began. He grabs my hand and looks at me. "I need you to stay calm, okay? Stay strong. The news ...its pretty bad." I nod and take a deep breath to steady myself. I prepare myself to hear the worst. "Dad..." Greyson started, then stopped, his gaze going to the ceiling. He clears his thoart before he looks back at me. "He had a stroke." New tears spring to my eyes. "We dont know how much it has affected him yet, but they think the ALS had something to do with it. " he continues. "So what do we do?" I ask, desperation seeping into my voice. "We get some rest." Michael, my other brother, says from behind me. He walks up and takes me in his arms for a hug. "The doctors are still doing tests." My two brothers share a look and it is then I know that they are not telling me something important. I let go of him. "What?" I demand. "What are you not telling me?" Greyson shakes his head. "Dont you have an interview coming up? He asks me. "Go home and get some sleep. And we will call as soon as we know more. I promise." I sighed. I didnt want to leave but I knew my brothers were probably right. Besides it was important that I got this job. So reluctantly I said my goodbyes. I walked out into the cold night air. I could see the lights of New York City in the distance and it fills me with dread. I felt helpless. Wasnt there anthing I could do?