Chapter 12

Half an hour later, Kevin left the boys with Howie and AJ and went upstairs to check on Nicole. He was concerned, because it wasn’t like Nicole to retreat into herself like this. He was relieved when he walked into the bedroom and saw Nicole asleep on the bed. He would let her rest for another little while and then get her up for something to eat. Kevin tried to loosen the tense muscles in his back and shoulders and thought a hot shower would help him relax a little. 

Kevin quietly closed the bathroom door and froze when he saw an empty prescription bottle in the sink. He quickly picked it up and his worst fears were confirmed. Nicole had finished the bottle of sleeping pills. Kevin knew that the bottle was at least half full the other night when he took one to help himself sleep. Kevin screamed and quickly ran out of the bathroom to Nicole’s side. He picked up Nicole and took her in his arms and desperately tried to wake her. “Nicole, I’m not going to loose you too.” 

Before Kevin even had time to think, Nick and Howie were in the bedroom. Kevin was now rocking back and forth on the bed with Nicole in his arms, saying over and over, “I can’t loose you too.” 

“Kevin, do you know what she took?” Howie asked, trying to take control of the situation, since it was obvious to him that Kevin was in no position to do so. 

Kevin snapped out of it and said, “I think she took sleeping pills. But I don’t know how many.” 

Howie picked up the phone and dialed 911. “Is she breathing? Does she have a pulse?” Howie asked quickly. 

“Yes, she is breathing, and her pulse still feels strong.” Kevin replied. 

************* 

Two hours later, Kevin paced back and forth in the small hospital waiting room. Howie had arrived at the hospital soon after the ambulance did. Steven and Nick reluctantly stayed at home with AJ and Nick, and Brian and LeighAnn were on their way to the airport to pick up both Kevin’s mother and Nicole’s parents. Brian and LeighAnn were to come straight to the hospital from the airport, Kevin instructed them. 

“Damn it. What is taking them so long?” Kevin cursed. 

“Try to stay calm Kevin. I’m sure someone will be able to give you some answers shortly.” Howie said, trying to calm Kevin down. 

Kevin finally took a seat after another hour and a half of pacing. He rested his head against the wall and closed his eyes. Kevin felt Howie take a seat beside him and he looked him straight in the eye and said, “I don’t know what I will do if I loose her too Howie.” 

“Don’t think like that Kevin. She is going to be fine.” Howie tried to stay positive. 

As Howie said that, Kevin caught sight of a doctor walking towards them. “How is my wife?” Kevin asked as he stood up. 

“Mr. Richardson, my name is Dr. Edward Canning. Your wife is a very lucky woman. You found her not too long after she took approximately 40 sleeping pills, so fortunately it hadn’t really started to go through her system yet. We have pumped her stomach and given her a light sedative to help her sleep through the night. It is my understanding that you just experienced a death in the family. Is it safe to say that is what caused her to take the pills?” the tall doctor said. 

“Yes, our 6-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident this morning. She’s never had any thoughts of suicide before as far as I know.” Kevin replied. 

“Well, the loss of a child is very upsetting and stressful. But I would like her to talk to a psychologist before we send her home.” The doctor said. 

“Yes, I would appreciate that. Can I go see her?” Kevin asked. 

“Yes, but only for a few minutes. Follow me.” Dr. Canning replied. 

“Howie, will you wait here for everyone else?” Kevin asked. 

“Of course Kevin. Give Nicole my love.” Howie said as Kevin followed the doctor through the hospital corridor. 

The doctor showed Kevin to Nicole’s room and he took a few minutes to collect his thoughts. Kevin took a deep breath and finally entered Nicole’s room. She looked extremely pale, which Kevin found extremely unsettling. Kevin pulled up a chair and sat by Nicole’s side. He took her hand in his and tried to wake her up. “Nicole honey, are you awake?” Kevin said. 

Nicole could hear Kevin’s voice, but for an instant she felt like she couldn’t move. She just didn’t have any energy. It was a struggle, but she finally forced her eyes open and all she could manage was a groan. 

“Hey sweetie. I won’t keep you awake for very long. I just needed to tell you that I love you.” Kevin said. 

Nicole looked around with a confused look on her face. 

“You’re in the hospital. Do you remember what happened?” Kevin asked. When Nicole shook her head to say no, Kevin said, “Don’t worry about it right now. You’re going to be all right. Just get some rest.” 

Nicole licked her lips and was finally able to say, “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?” 

“I’ll stay as long as you want me to.” Kevin replied as he stood up and lightly kissed Nicole on the forehead. That was when Nicole became tense. Kevin immediately asked what was wrong. 

“I just remembered what I did. I am so sorry Kevin.” Nicole said weakly as she started to cry. 

“It’s ok Nicole. Just promise me that we’ll do this together. ” Kevin said. 

“I promise.” Nicole said as she continued to cry. 

“Shhh. Calm down. You need to get your rest.” Kevin said as he lightly ran his fingers through Nicole’s hair to try and calm her down. After a few short minutes, Kevin was relieved that Nicole was asleep once again. 

Once Kevin was sure that Nicole was sleeping, he quietly left her room. By the time he made it back to the waiting room, Brian had arrived with his mother and Nicole’s parents. 

“Kevin how is she?” Nicole’s mother Beth asked as she rushed across the waiting room. 

“I just spoke to her for a few minutes. I think she’s going to be ok. She was a little distraught when she remembered what she did, but she’s sleeping peacefully again.” Kevin said as he hugged Nicole’s parents and his mother. 

“Can we see her?” Beth asked. 

“I think they want to let her sleep for now, but I could find the doctor and check with him.” Kevin said. 

“I don’t want to wake her up. I just want to be able to sit with her.” Beth said. 

“Come on then. I’ll show you to her room.” Kevin said, feeling confident that her mother’s presence would be beneficial. 

“What a tragic day.” Ann said to anyone that was listening as she took a seat in the waiting room.