Natasha led her motley crew into the hospital. The nurse recognized her. She picked up the phone and rang the doctor. “The sister is here with Mrs. Watson’s immediate family,” the nurse said. She eyed the group of kids and smiled. Moments later, the doctor arrived.

“All of you follow me, please,” Dr. Rogers said. Natasha’s crew followed in silence. Natasha gave Nigel a sideways glance. He was fidgeting with the apparatus that Dane had fashioned for him.

“How you holding up, Nige?”

Nigel just nodded. He looked upset.

A few seconds later, the doctor led them into Ellen’s room. “Just immediate family,” he said, pointing to a small group of chairs just outside the room. “The rest of you, please wait here.”

Dr. Rogers led Nigel, Ralphie, and Natasha into Ellen’s room. The patient nearest the door now had the curtains drawn. The doctor walked to the second bed and pulled the curtain back, revealing several tubes and a ventilator connected to Ellen.

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“Mom?” Ralphie said in a hesitant voice.

“She is resting. We shouldn’t disturb her. I wanted you to see her before we started the testing process,” Dr. Rogers said.

“What testinz procezz?” Nigel said in his robotic voice.

Dr. Rogers looked confused.

“Nigel was in an accident. His vocal cords still need to heal,” Natasha said.

“Where did you get that vocal enhancement?” the doctor asked.

“A friendz,” Nigel said.

Dr. Rogers pointed and urged the group out of the room. Nigel, Ralphie, and Natasha followed the doctor to an unoccupied room with laboratory supplies.

“Nigel, do you know your blood type?” Dr. Rogers asked.

Nigel shook his head.

“Nigel, take off your jacket and roll up your sleeve,” Dr. Rogers said.

Nigel did as he was asked, and the doctor performed some tests on the vial of blood.

“Ahh, finally, a compatible blood type,” Dr. Rogers said.

After extracting blood from Nigel, Dr. Rogers pointed at Ralphie. “Need to test you, too, chief.”

Ralphie looked alarmed.

Natasha put a hand on Ralphie and said, “It’s okay. This will help your mother.”

Ralphie reluctantly removed his jacket and followed the doctor’s orders.