Cooper stood at the end of the hospital bed. Ned was next to him, his arm around his shoulder. They watched the doctor intently as he and the nurse examined Derrick. In the background Coop could hear the steady beep beep of the heart monitor. He glanced at the gauges and screens.
“Oxygen at ninety-four percent, blood pressure one-hundred thirty-two over seventy-four, pulse regular at forty-six, respirations sixteen, temperature ninety-eight point eight,” the nurse rattled off the vitals as the doctor checked the IV that carried blood and saline solution into Derrick’s vein.
Derrick had just been moved to his room from surgery. Cooper and Ned had been here all night, waiting anxiously to hear of the condition of their friend. The doctor turned to the two men.
“He’s a very lucky man. S
