Chapter 33

Richie had become like a sick dog, helpless and needed medical attention.
Evie sighed and picked up the phone, she dialed the hospital. "His name is Richard Stephen Sambora, his age is twenty eight" she told them, her fingers tapping as Richie lay still under the covers, other than the occasional grumble. To go on with the treatment and have to go to America, or stay here and have the wedding with Richie as sick as a dog. A tough decision. She then decided to call Jon. "Hello" said a deep, shrill voice. "Sorry to wake you up so early but it's Richie". "What's wrong?" he asked, his voice raw and full of worry. "I'll come right now, you obviously need my help". She put down the phone and paced the room. Richie started to stir and grumble; she sat by him on a chair, holding his hands.

"Evie" he managed to whisper to her. "Richie, go to sleep, Jon's coming right now in the plane. Don't worry, I've already phoned the hospital" she replied, giving him a sip of water to satisfy his thirst. He lay back down, his skin was wet and clammy and he had a temperature. Evie stood up and pushed some of his hair out of his face. "Sleep tight my King, Jon will be there when you wake up, we'll decide what to do with you then" she told him, opening the door and switched off the light. Richie groaned, rolled over and slept, he slept for all he was worth.


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Jon sat on his private plane, reading Rolling Stone magazine. He looked at his watch; his plane was landing in five minutes. Gran Canaria was beautiful, though he was only going to help his brother from another mother out. The plane landed with a thud, it taxied to the terminal, Jon rushed down the steps and rushed through security, passport control and baggage claim to his truck and sped off towards Richies' villa. Jon jumped out of his truck, and ran towards the front door, knocking frantically on the heavy, dark oak door. Evie opened the door. "He's upstairs, door on the right, come in" Evie told him as he strolled in, running upstairs with Evie behind him. Jon opened the door gently, his face drained, Richie looked like death itself.  Evie came up behind him.  "He was like this last night, I phoned up the local ER, I don't know whether to send him to the hospital in America or here" Jon turned around and looked at Rich. "Here" he replied, sighing. "I think we should call an ambulance, don't you think?"

"Yes, we shall, you keep him company and gather up his things and I'll dial the ambulance". Evie went over to his wardrobe and bundled some clothes together in a small sports bag. Jon told the Spanish-speaking operator Richies' name, age, height, nationality, weight, parents and other necessary details including his symptoms. Now it was evident they were sending paramedics. It was time for Richie to re-gain consciousness, Evie sat by him. She heard sirens outside, they blared, waking him up.  Richie groaned and grumbled as the paramedics banged on the door, Evie let them through. Jon managed to pick up Richie and carried him down to the living room. Richie lay limp in Jon's arms, his arms were limp and his eyes rolled back, his skin was no longer tanned, it was white, pasty and pale, his eyes rolled back.

Jon held Richie close to his chest and laid him down on the paramedics stretcher, Evie ran next to him, crying. They put an oxygen mask onto his face and put a heart monitor onto his index finger, his right index finger. Evie ran to go to Richie, who was now being rushed into the ambulance. She felt arms grab her, and pull her back. It was Jon. "No! I have to go with him" she yelled, trying to fight against him, kicking and screaming. "Shhh, it's alright. Richie's in the best possible hands, we can go to the hospital in the car" Jon replied, Evies' face was clammy and bright red, tired, she leant against him for support. He groaned and grumbled. Her legs felt weak, he head pounding as the only thing that was stopping her from falling, was the man by her side. He made his way to the car and helped her get in, made his way to the drivers side, clambered in and sped to the hospital for Rich.