A Story A Day. Story 110 of 365: Denial.

They had rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, waked up by a cryptic call by the police, telling them their daughter had been in an accident and that she was in the hospital. Telling them to hurry up. Rick Richardson and his wife, Erika, jumped into their expensive road car and drove to the hospital. Erika hadn't had time to put her make up on and, for once, looked the age she had. Rick was glad he was not sleeping with her anymore. They arrived to the hospital and demanded to see the doctor immediately.

-Mr. Richards? I'm Dr. Spencer. Your daughter's doctor.

-What happened? How is she? Is she badly injured?

-Mr. Richards, your daughter's condition,...

-What?- Erika squealed.

-She had massive blood loss and her brain was deprived of oxygen for too long. There is no sign of brain activity. I'm sorry.

-What does it mean? Is our daughter dead? Is she dead? She can't be dead!

Everyone was looking at Erika as she was screaming. The doctor took them to his office while Rick tried, unenthusiastically, to calm her down.

-Please, take a seat. We have your daughter connected to several machines that are keeping her body working. Her lungs are breathing and her heart is pumping, however her brain is dead. I want you to understand what it means, she will never wake up. You should say your goodbyes and unplug her. I know it is a difficult time, but maybe you could consider donating some of her organs.

-I want you to listen very carefully, doctor.- Rick said calmly.- As long as Nicky is still breathing and her heart is still pumping, she is alive. We are going to pay whichever amount we need to pay, but she is going to stay connected to those machines until she gets better.

-But,...

-No buts, you can't unplug her until we tell you so, right?

-Yes, you are right.- the doctor admitted grudgingly.

-So, you know what to do.

He stood up and dragged his wife by the arm to the exit of the hospital. Doctor Spencer stayed in his office, thoughtful. That girl's brain was deeply damaged, there was massive internal bleeding and several ischemic areas, and no brain activity at all, it was impossible she would ever wake up again. She was dead, but her family wouldn't let her go.