Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

HARD CHOICES

THE NOW

JOSH

288 ¡Vouchers.

The doctor's office felt too small, too quiet. The walls were painted a neutral beige, but they might as well have been closing in on me. The clock on the wall ticked softly, but each second felt like a hammer against my skull.

Laura had been in the hospital for THREE months. Ninety-two days. I knew because I counted them, each one dragging on like a lifetime. Every day, I sat by her bed, talked to her, held her hand, and hoped prayed-for some kind of sign.

It felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest all over again just sitting here, waiting for the doctor to tell me something, anything, that might change the trajectory of this nightmare.

"If it wasn't for Jess and Luke, I wouldn't even know where to start," I muttered to myself, my voice barely audible.

They were home with Asha. My little girl. God, she was so small, so innocent. Too young to understand why her mother wasn't there. Jess had stepped in like a second mother to her, and Luke... well, Luke was Luke. The steady rock we all needed but rarely deserved. The doctor finally spoke, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"So, Joshua. Your wife-Laura-she's been stable for a few

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HARD CHOICES

288 Vouchers

which is good. There haven't been any infections,

clinging to the word

my stomach dropped.

significant improvement. And we want to discuss moving her to the long-term wing of

blinked at him, trying to process the words. "The long-term

rehabilitation and monitoring. In Laura's case, she needs physiotherapy to prevent muscle atrophy and ensure her body remains strong while her

of his explanation. The words "long-term wing"

to die," I said flatly, my voice cold and

her needs, and there are things we can do to keep her body healthy and prevent complications. But... we need to be honest about

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HARD CHOICES

what you're saying is... we just wait," I said

not passive waiting. Familiarity can help-things like music, photos, personal touches in her room. Studies have shown

voice faded into the background as my thoughts spiraled. They were giving up. They were saying she wasn't going to wake up, and this was their way

own yet?" I interrupted, my

admitted. "She's taking a few spontaneous breaths, but the ventilator

My jaw clenched.

can also discuss

shot out of my seat, my chair scraping loudly against