| Letters |
-----
A few days later inside the conference room, the crew is in the middle of a rundown meeting. Kim sits at the head of the table. Also sitting at the table are Natalie, Bobbi, Dan, Chris, Will, and Dave. Elliott, Jeremy, and Lindsey sit in chairs along the walls of the room.
Kim: Does anybody have anything to add?
Dan: Yeah. Do I really have to say, "You're watching CSC, home to the 2002 World Cup"?
Natalie: There's fifty million reasons why you need to say it, Danny.
Dan: I'd like to hear some.
Natalie: Okay. One dollar, two dollars, three dollars. Shall I go on to fifty million dollars?
Dan: I get the picture.
Kim: Is that all?
Everybody looks around the room to see if there is any other information to be shared.
Kim: Natalie will be here at six, and I'll see you guys at 10.
As everybody starts gathering their belongings, the door opens to the conference room. Isaac slowly walks in. He is greeted by everyone inside the room, and he is briefly cheered up by the warm reception.
Isaac: Could everybody please take a seat?
The concerned crew members each sit down and wait for Isaac to deliver his news. Isaac takes a deep breath before and delivering the news.
-----
Dear Louise,
The world works in a funny way. A week ago, I was there for you when you had your breakup. You've bounced back from it beautifully, but you've always been resilient and optimistic.
It is now, that I come to you. I hope you can share some of your optimism and write some words of wisdom.
Isaac Jaffee, our managing editor, came to us earlier today with some news regarding Dana. Before I begin, I do need to fill you in on what has happened up to this point.
Jeremy recalls the evening, the "Sports Night" crew rushed to the hospital where Dana was admitted.
Natalie, Jeremy, Elliott, and Isaac hurry down a hospital corridor. Chris, Will, Dave, and Kim follow close behind.
The group sees Dan halfway down the hall, and everyone gathers together.
Isaac: Where's Casey?
Dan: He should be coming down here any minute now.
Dan turns around to see if Casey is in the hallway, but there is no immediate sign of him.
Natalie: Why did they transfer Dana to this hospital?
Dan: The doctors wanted her transferred to a hospital with a NICU.
Elliott: Does that mean that Dana-
Dan: Casey hasn't given us an update.
As I finished my last letter to you, we received word and all rushed to the hospital.
The group stands around and quietly waits for Casey. Some people put their hands in their pockets, while others look around and check out the hallway and absence of decor. Dan twists his head, trying to ease a crick in his neck. Chris lets out a small cough, which causes the group to look at him.
Chris: I'm not sick. I'm fine.
Jeremy: We should talk about something.
Natalie volunteers to speak first.
Natalie: Danny, how did you get here so quickly?
Dan: I knew a shortcut.
Natalie: We even left before you.
Dan: I also sped.
Natalie: How fast were you going?
Dan pulls out a slip of paper and hands it to Natalie.
Dan: They clocked me doing 90 in a 45 zone.
Natalie: You got a ticket? And you still beat us here?
Dan: Yeah.
Isaac: Danny, I don't need another member of our team in the hospital.
Dan: I didn't ask for a warning, and I didn't dispute the ticket.
Isaac: You shouldn't put other people's lives at risk driving like that.
Jeremy: Here comes Casey.
The group looks down the hallway and they see Casey heading toward them. Everyone converges together.
Natalie: How's Dana?
Casey: I don't know. She was complaining of headaches earlier in the day, so I rushed her to her doctor. They said her blood pressure was high and they found protein in her urine, so they transferred her here to see a perinatologist.
Isaac: How high was her blood pressure?
Casey: One-forty over ninety. They think she has preeclampsia.
Natalie: Preeclampsia?
Casey: Yeah. Dana has an increased risk because her mother had it with two of her brothers. The doctors were constantly monitoring her, so we've caught it a little early.
Isaac: What about the baby?
Casey: They were anticipating an early delivery, so they've been giving Dana dexamethasone to help develop the baby's lungs. They've administered some hydralazine and magnesium sulfate, too.
Jeremy: It's to decrease her chances of having a seizure because of her high blood pressure.
Casey: Yeah.
Kim: Can we see her?
Casey: No. She really can't take visitors. They've got the room dark and some soft music playing. Her parents are outside her room if you want to see them.
Isaac: We'll stop by and see them.
Dan: Case? How's the baby?
Casey: It's too soon to tell. The doctors are monitoring Dana closely. The longer she can keep the baby, the better the chances are. If she starts going into labor, they have to remove the stitches from the cerclage. When it happens, it's going to happen fast.
Dan: This all could happen in a matter of hours?
Casey: Yeah.
Dan puts his arm around Casey.
Dan: We're all here for you guys.
Casey: Thanks. Dana's parents are down the hall. You should go see them.
Isaac: Okay. Let's go people.
As the group starts heading down the hallway, each of them express their feelings to Casey. Dan and Casey stay behind. Isaac walks up to Casey and grabs his hand. Isaac gives a couple of reassuring pats.
Isaac: It's going to be all right, son.
Casey: Thanks, Isaac.
Casey and Isaac hug. Afterwards, Isaac leaves Dan and Casey alone, and he walks down the hallway to catch up with the rest of the group.
Dan: Is there anything I can do?
Casey: The doctors have it all under control, Danny.
Dan: For you. Is there anything I can do for you?
Casey thinks about it for a moment.
Casey: You know, Danny... downstairs... there's a little chapel... I'm just saying if you wouldn't mind...
Dan: Yeah. I'll go and say a prayer with you.
Dana has had a difficult pregnancy. She had been diagnosed with an incompetent cervix, and she had to undergo surgery and a procedure, called a cerclage, in hopes of bringing the baby to term.
Dan takes a step forward and motions Casey to follow him toward the elevator. Dan stops as Casey remains stationary.
Dan leans over and the two embrace, strengthening their bond of friendship which was formed many years ago.
After their hug, the two slowly make their way down the hall and toward the elevator.
-----
Lou, we live in an advanced society. New technologies, medicines, and techniques are developed everyday. We are living longer and healthier than ever before. Yet, there are times when some people turn to things that originated thousands of years ago. Those people turn to that for a source of comfort, hope, inspiration, and a better tomorrow.
Back in the present time, Jeremy sits at his desk and types on his computer. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Natalie. He stops typing, gets up, and walks over to her. The two of them hug, and Natalie begins crying.
-----
Isaac is walking down the corridor toward his office. He opens his door and closes it behind him. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of keys. Isaac walks over to the other side of his office and uses the keys to unlock a small closet door. He opens the door and reaches down to pull out an empty paper bag. He opens the bag and then reaches for a wrapped package on a shelf. He pulls off a tag addressed to "Dana, Casey, and Hope." He puts the package inside the bag and carries it over to his desk. Isaac reaches into his desk and pulls out a stapler and a black marker. He staples the bag shut and writes a message.
Isaac slumps in his chair, and he begins to cry.
A few hours later, Dana gave birth to a daughter, Hope. The doctors gave Hope a 25% chance of surviving because her lungs hadn't completely developed. While their daughter was in the neonatal intensive care unit, Dana and Casey did have the opportunity to hold her. Hope was a true fighter, but when Isaac came to us earlier today, he told us a respiratory infection claimed her in the end.
There isn't much more I can say about this. All I know is that our group has grown closer together, and we do feel a loss.
I will be flying up next week to see you and the rest of the family. In the meantime, take good care of yourself, Louise.
Love,
Jeremy
