As mom, dad and I sat in the waiting room we saw the attending physician and several nurses rushing back and forth from the room Wayne was in.

The doctor finally stopped long enough to fill mom and dad in on what was taking place.

" I’m afraid I have some bad news for you, " said the doctor. " Your son has spinal meningitis."

" Oh dear God no? " My mother said starting to sob.

Dad stood with his arms around mom. I just sat in a nearby chair, trying hard, with the mind of a fourteen-year-old, to comprehend what this meant.

Dad looked over at me and said, " Don’t worry Neal, I’m sure Wayne is going to be fine. "

The doctor continued. " Wayne is in a coma right now. We’re giving him massive mounts of antibiotics. I would like to tell you he will be okay but all I can really say is we are doing the best we can. Only time will tell what the outcome will be. I’m sorry. 
"

The doctor returned to Wayne’s room, talking with another physician that had been called in to assist with the case.

A day later Wayne was still in a coma and the medical staff continued with the antibiotics.

Mom told Dad to take me back home and ask our neighbors, Harry and Norma, if I could stay there for a while.