An indignant squeal from the horse and the clang of metal on metal preceded Susan’s leap from the back of the horse trailer. Robert was impressed at the agility. Most women in their sixties couldn’t move half that fast, not even with a horse about to kick them.
Susan wasn’t paying any attention to her loving husband, leaning against the fence. All her energy was focused on the horse in the trailer.
“It’s all right, sweet thing. You’re at your new home now. It’s just fine,” she spoke soothingly and gently from the door of the trailer. “Just let me get in there and untie you and you’ll be out in a field in no time.”
“Let that thing out in a field and you’ll never catch him, Woman,” Robert warned.
“Positive vibes, dearest, positive vibes,” Her tone was still coaxing, soothing, almost sexy, and still focused on the horse. “You’re going to just love it here… um…” she paused. “He needs a barn name. Don’t you Big Boy?”
“What’s his name?”
Susan smiled. “Devil’s Advocate.” Her tone was still that same soothing one.
“Hmmph. Sounds about right.”
“Well, we’re not going to call you Devil, now are we sweet boy?”
The only response was another hoof, pounding against the side of the trailer.
“Those mean old people you used to live with just didn’t know what to do with you, did they now? We’ll have you gentled down in no time, won’t we?”
Those mean old people Susan had bought this monstrosity from had probably been suckered by a slick talking horse trader, and were now celebrating their good fortune to have this beast off their hands, Robert thought.
“Why on Earth did you buy this thing?”
“Robert, don’t call him a thing. He’s a beautiful boy. Highly intelligent, plenty of energy. Once we get a few ribbons under his belt he’ll command some impressive stud fees.”
“Stud fees? I thought you were going to geld him.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly do that.” Her eyes were still on the horse in front of her. “His blood lines are incredible. And his conformity is award winning. It’s not his fault he wasn’t treated properly as a baby, was it sweet thing? And such a horrible name. Come on, Robert, help me think up a good barn name.”
Robert stepped closer and the horse gave a warning whinney. He was a beautiful animal; even Robert could see that. He couldn’t stand around a ring discussing the musculature of an animal the way Susan could, but the big bay was well-built, powerful, healthy and in the prime of his life. It would be a shame to cut his balls off.
“He’s going to be a hunter-jumper to be reckoned with. Perhaps even Olympic quality.”
Robert sighed. Susan was in love. Again. He hated this, and had realized too late in their relationship that Susan’s first true love, and his only competition, was horses.
“Hmmph.” He searched his memory for names that would be tolerable for this beast. She would want something uplifting and positive. She always did. No matter what their behavior, she would never call any of them ‘Devil’. ‘Devil’s Advocate’, there sure wasn’t much positive to work with there. “How about Bear?”
“Bear?” Susan cocked her head to the side and repeated it a few times, trying it on. “How about it, Bear? Do you like that?”
The beast snorted and pawed at the floor of the trailer. If they didn’t get him out of there soon, he was going to destroy the trailer.
“Come on, Bear. You sweet big ol’ teddy bear,” Susan soothed, evidently accepting the name as she inched her way back into the trailer. “That’s a boy, Bear. You just let me untie you, and Robert will open the gate, and you’ll be in your new home, you sweet ol’ Bear.”
Obviously his name was going to be Bear, Robert thought as he turned to open the gate as his wife had ordered. He wasn’t fooled by the tone of her voice, both he and the new Devil Bear would do exactly as Susan wished, whether they wanted to or not.
In a few moments Susan led the horse from the trailer and into the paddock. It wasn’t a field, and Susan was no fool, she wouldn’t let this beast out into any wide open spaces until he was eating out of her hand. But that probably wouldn’t take her long. It never had before.
Robert breathed a sigh of relief as Susan backed to the gate and released the horse. She stepped out and Robert swung the gate shut.
“Okay Miss Cowgirl, let’s head for the house and clean up for supper.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“And if you’re interested in any more thrills for the evening, I could always take one of those blue pills and you could have a little private rodeo after dinner. Care to ride ol’ ‘One-Eyed Jack’?” he drawled.
Susan laughed. “You are a dirty old man.”
Robert leaned over and kissed her neck. “And you’ve never complained. You can even dress up like a cowgirl if you’d like.”
Susan laughed harder. “Go get one of those blue pills.”
Roberts hand moved from her back to her behind and he gave a little squeeze. “Heigh Ho, Silver.”
Over the next couple of weeks Susan spent most of her time gentling her new ‘Bear’. She fed him an endless supply of apples and carrots. She sat on top of the fence and talked to him. She only fed him in his box stall, just off the paddock he used during the daytime. She made sure while he was eating, she touched him, talked to him, praised him for each tiny good behavior he demonstrated.
Robert was wrapped up in a consulting project. Despite his daughters’ belief that he had retired, his time since he left the pharmaceutical company had been very lucratively spent reviewing research projects of a number of small start-up pharmaceuticals. He reviewed their data prior to publication and advised on both setting up valid test strategies and walking companies through FDA approval. It allowed him to keep his hand in and stay current on all the latest research, as well letting him set his own hours and paying extremely well.
He flew to San Francisco for a few days but was not surprised when Susan declined to accompany him. She was still infatuated with the Bear.
The weather was beginning to turn nice and there was a crispness of Autumn in the air when she told him she was planning to ride the Bear. Robert sat out by the pool reading through a grant proposal one of his companies would be submitting to the government soon.
Maggie’s eldest grandson, Miguel, was their current stablehand. The teenager hated school, but had his great-grandfather’s way with horses. He led the saddled Bear from the stall into the paddock. Susan petted and cuddled the horse and Robert reminded himself that having horses as competition for his affection wasn’t as bad as some other man. He watched as his wife moved slowly to the side of the horse, letting Miguel head the horse as she mounted gracefully. Robert enjoyed the way her tight jeans clung to her hips.
Susan leaned forward, stroking Bear’s neck. Robert wasn’t close enough to hear the words, but he knew she was speaking soothingly to him as she had done constantly over the past few months. Bear held still, head down, but ears back. He wasn’t exactly enjoying himself, but not protesting either.
Miguel began to lead the horse slowly around the paddock. Susan sat up straight and nodded to Miguel who slipped out the gate as they passed it. Miguel watched from outside the fence as Susan walked Bear.
Susan raised herself up in her seat, the sight Robert was waiting for. He loved to watch her move in those jeans. She kicked the horse gently and urged him into a trot.
It all happened so quickly then. With the kick, the horse seemed to erupt like a volcano. He leaped into the air like a rodeo bronco.
“Oh, shit!” Robert stood and ran toward the paddock.
He heard Maggie come out the kitchen door behind him murmuring “Madre Dios.”
Susan clung to the saddle like a rodeo star, the horse leaping and shaking beneath her.
“Susan!” Robert heard himself shout. He had no clue what she should do, but he was certain no good could come of this.
Just as he got to the gate the horse gave a tremendous leap and Susan flew through the air. She landed in a heap and the horse turned around and kicked. Robert heard the crunch of bone. Susan tried to roll away, but the horse leaped up in the air, turned all the way around and kicked out again. Robert saw the glint of steel just before the horse shoe hit her head.
“Susan!” he shouted again. “Maggie, call 9-1-1!” He screamed. Maggie turned and ran back to the house.
Miguel vaulted over the fence. He was a head shorter than Robert but he dashed up to the big horse and grabbed the reins. Muscles straining, he twisted the reins, yanked the horse’s head to the side, then twisted the horse to the ground.
“Get her away, Senor Robert!” Miguel shouted, sitting on the horse’s neck.
Robert didn’t hesitate. He would rather have had a backboard and a neck brace before moving her, but she would still be in danger here. There was blood all over the ground and mingled with her blonde hair. He scooped up her impossibly small body and got her out of the pen.
Maggie was standing on the patio, phone in hand, tears streaming down her cheeks, speaking rapidly in a confusing mixture of Spanish and English.
“Maggie! Tell them to order a med-flight from Austin! Get it here now, on my authority!”
“Si, Senor Robert! A helicopter. He wants a helicopter. El es Doctor!”
Robert passed her and headed straight for his father-in-law’s old examination room. He used the filing cabinets for his own files now, but the examination table was still in the middle of the room as well as much of the equipment. Robert wasn’t a trauma doctor! He was a research scientist! At the moment he’d give anything to redo his life—be what Susan needed.
Sirens were already coming up the driveway as he lay Susan gently on the table. There was a trail of blood from the head wound and through her ripped blouse he could see her side beginning to bruise.
“Sheriff Duncan is here.”
“Is the helicopter on the way?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Get Peter in here. Then find me some clean bandages.”
“Si, Senor Robert. Oh, Susan…” Maggie wailed.
“Not now Maggie! I need your help here.”
“I’ll let the sheriff in,” Maggie replied, swallowing her screams.
Robert didn’t acknowledge. Susan was unresponsive and in a bad way.
Peter Duncan had some paramedic training, and a radio to urge more help to respond to the emergency. The helicopter was on its way and the paramedics were there within a few minutes.
Robert headed upstairs to grab a bag as the paramedic team took over, instantly following his orders and doing their best to stabilize her.
Maggie was standing at the steps when he came back down. Susan was strapped to a gurney and ready for transport, oxygen mask strapped to her face.
“Call Helena,” Robert instructed. “Tell her to meet us at St. David’s Hospital in Austin. Tell her to get the rest of the family and come right away.”
“Oh, Senor Robert…”
“Maggie,” He took Maggie’s elbow and spoke softly. “Tell them it’s bad. Very bad. She may not make it.” He turned and walked away from her, not wanting her sympathy.
The helicopter could be heard in the distance and he headed out the door. At the porch he turned and added. “Have Miguel shoot that horse. Have him do it tonight. I don’t want to ever see it again.”
Maggie nodded silently, tears running down her face.
“I think you’re arm will be fine.” Helena Koenig told the young woman as she examined the long slender cut that ran the length of her patient’s forearm.
“Dr. Koenig, Paging Dr. Helena Koenig. Please dial Four one eight,” the female voice called over the hospital public address system.
Helena smiled at the young girl sitting on the exam table. Asking the nurse to stitch up the cut, Helena eased from the exam bay and headed toward the nurses station. When she reached the nurses’ station, she saw Cindy Jones, the nurse assigned to her.
“Cindy, did you page?’
“No, ma’am. It must be an outside call.” Cindy reached across the desk and handed Helena the nearest hospital phone.
Helena picked up the phone with a shrug and entered the number. The cool voice of the hospital operator came on the line. “Dr. Koenig, I have a call for you and I can barely make out what the caller’s saying because she is very upset. I’ve tried three times to understand her and all I can get is Dr. Helena Koenig. Do you want to take the call?”
Helena hesitated. It wasn’t every day that emergency room doctors took outside telephone calls. It was something they tried to avoid all together.
“Doctor? Are you there?” The operator asked.
Helena glanced at the clock. Her shift was almost over. “Would you try one more time to find out what this caller wants?”
“Okay. Would you stay on the phone?”
“Certainly.” Helena answered with a soft smile.
Several minutes went by before the operator came back on the line. “I’m sorry, Doctor. All I can get is her name and a state. She says her name is Maggie and she’s in Texas.”
A cold chill passed over Helena as she absorbed the words of the operator. “Put her on, please.” Helena held her breath.
“Hola? Dr. Helena?” The panicked voice practically screamed.
“Maggie?” Helena replied cautiously.
“Oh! Dr. Helena! You must come to Texas. Miss Susan’s been hurt. You must come. Mr. Robert said for you to come….” Maggie rattled loudly.
Helena’s heart stopped beating. “What do you mean Mother’s hurt? What happened?”
“Big horse, …threw Miss Susan…kicked her in the head. Mr. Robert said call you and call family to Texas now. They fly Miss Susan to Hospital in Austin. Mr. Robert say you come NOW!” Maggie was crying.
“Mother was thown?!” Helena ‘s voice began to quake. Cindy stood from her seat and came around to stand next to Helena. She motioned from another doctor to come over.
“Come now! Mr. Robert said to call him…” Maggie wailed.
“Okay, I’ll call him now.” Helena said quickly. With shaking fingers, Helena dialed her father’s cell phone.
“Helena!” Robert sounded breathless.
“Dad! What happened?” Helena held on to the top of the nurses station for balance.
“It’s Mom, Cake. She’s bad…really bad. We’ve just arrived at the trauma unit in Austin.. Helena could hear commotion in the background. She heard her father telling the trauma doctors about Susan’s injuries. Then the background noise grew quiet.
“Dad?”
On the other end of the phone she heard a choked cry, “Baby, it’s bad. The horse threw her a good 20 feet then turned on her and kicked her twice. From what I could tell she’s going to have some internal injuries, but that’s not what has me most worried…”
Helena held the phone tightly and waited for her father to collect himself. Through his sobbing, she heard him quietly tell her about the head injuries.
“It’s bad, Baby. Get your sister and come right away. I’m not sure she’s going to make it.”
“Okay. I’ll take care of everything, Dad. We’ll be there before dinner time.”
“Helena, this is going to be a blow to your sister. You’ve had the training.
You’ve seen this before. She hasn’t. She’s going to be a mess. You have to
be strong for her. You know that don’t you?” Robert had pulled himself together
and has assumed his doctor tone.
Helena took a deep breath. She had been through things like this. Having been on Alpha, she’d seen things that not even the best of the best of earth had experienced. Steeling herself, she shifted into medical mode.
“Yes, Daddy. I’ll take care of it.” She said strongly.
“I know you will…that’s my girl.” Robert’s voice wavered. “If something happens to your mother, I’m not sure I can go on….”
“Nothing it going to happen to her. I promise.” Helena declared.
“She’s my life, Cupcake.”
“I know. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Helena placed the telephone back in the receiver. When she looked up, she found Cindy and Dr. Henry Blackmon. “My mother’s had an accident. I have to go to Texas.” She said to them.
“I’ll handle things here.”’ Blackmon reached out and squeezed her arm.
“If there’s anything we can do…” Cindy began.
“Thank you.” Helena cut her off. She looked from Cindy to Blackmon and without word turned and left. By the time she made it to the car, she was on her cell phone making arrangements for the all the children. As she pulled into the parking lot of CKI she had contracted both her housekeeper and her sister’s and instructed them to pack bags for everyone.
With a swift move, she was out of the car and headed into the building. Checking with Carla, John’s assistant she found her husband, sister and brother in law sitting at the conference room table in Melissa’s Office. They were obviously having a working lunch as Styrofoam containers bearing sandwiches sat in front of each of them.
“Helena.” Melissa called cheerfully. “We weren’t expecting to see you.”
John rose from his seat but stopped when he noticed her expression. His blood ran cold when he looked into her eyes. She had pulled her armor around her like a thick winter cloak. Something was wrong…terribly wrong.
Alan turned slowly and exchanged a glance with John. They both knew this look.
Helena stood in front of the table and tilted her head up. Her jaw was tight and she spoke in a clinical tone.
“Father called. There’s been an accident. Mother’s been hurt. It’s bad. Father asked that we all come to Texas immediately. I’ve made all the arrangements for our children and asked our housekeepers to prepare our baggage. I think you should all make whatever arrangements that need to be made for your jobs immediately. I have made arrangements at mine. Father is very distressed.”
Melissa was gasping for air…”Mother! Mother’s hurt! What happened?” Alan rose from his seat moving toward his wife. John sat watching his.
“She was thrown from a horse. She has sustained internal injuries and a severe head trauma. Father asked that we all prepare ourselves to travel to Texas.” Helena said automatically.
“Could she…could she die?” Melissa sobbed.
Helena gripped John’s hand tightly and looked at her sister. “Dad said it was bad. He needs us there.”
Alan squeezed Mel’s shoulder. “I’ll call the airport and have the plane readied. We should be able to leave in about an hour.”
“The kids—“ Mel said.
“I’ve already talked to both housekeepers,” Helena said. She and John were already starting to pick up the forgotten lunch. “They’ll both stay with the kids as long as we need them to.”
Melissa looked around, lost. Alan prompted her. “Tell your assistant to handle everything this afternoon. We’ll call her when we have a better idea of what’s going on.”
Mel nodded and headed for her desk. Alan pulled his cel phone from his belt and was already calling the airport. He looked at Helena and John and said, “I’ll get her there. Meet you in an hour.”
The Koenigs nodded and left quickly. Helena couldn’t get there fast enough.
They were on the plane in short order. Melissa was pale, her eyes red. She held tightly to Alan until he had to head to the cockpit.
“How can you be so calm?” she asked Helena as she slid into the seat next to her sister and buckled her belt.
“Mel, at this point there’s nothing we can do.” Helena sat back in her chair and consciously willed herself to relax. Preflight check was over and the engines revved to pull them out onto the runway. She closed her eyes.
“How can you nap at a time like this!” Melissa was sitting as far forward as she could with the belt on. Like John, her instinct was to do something, pace, if nothing else.
“Mel, there’s nothing we can do right now. You need to calm down.”
“Calm down! Mother may be dying and you want me to calm down?”
Helena sighed and leaned toward her sister. “Yes, I do. We have a three hour flight and there is nothing we can do. So, CALM DOWN.”
“Isn’t there even someone you can call?”
“As soon as we’re in the air, I intend to call David Levin. He’s the chief of surgery at St. David's. I’ve known him for years. I’ve done training at this hospital and Mother couldn’t be in better hands.” Helena paused, considering whether or not to continue. “But, Mel, you need to be prepared for the worst.”
Melissa’s eyes opened wide. The she folded her arms and turned away. “No. That can’t happen.” She said it as if her will alone could keep her mother alive.
“Melissa, be realistic,” Helena said gently. “If there’s severe brain damage—“
“We don’t know that yet!” Melissa practically shouted.
They were off the ground now. With two hotshot pilots at the controls and in a hurry, the jet had practically leaped into the air. Helena and Melissa had all but ignored their nearly vertical ascent. Melissa burst into tears and the cockpit door opened up.
Alan moved back to kneel by Melissa. With a glance at Helena and a toss of his head she took the hint and headed up front. Maybe Alan could deal with her sister better.
John gave her a welcoming smile and took her hand before she sat down. “You okay?” he asked with concern.
Helena nodded. “I will be. I have to admit I was more than glad to turn her over to Alan. John, she’s not being realistic about this.”
John turned and looked at her. “Don’t try to fool me, Dr. Russell. I’ve known you too long.”
Helena smiled at her old name. She stared at the clouds ahead of them. “Yes, I am upset,” she admitted calmly. “But Mel doesn’t understand and isn’t listening. Daddy said she’s been kicked in the head. John, there could be a lot of brain damage.” She shook her head. “I just can’t imaging my vibrant, active, intelligent mother coping with permanent disability. She might never regain consciousness, and… John, that might be a blessing.”
Susan Thompson was all those things that Helena said. John could only agree. He reached over and took her hand. “Mel is a bit spoiled.”
“A bit!” Helena gave a short laugh. “She always gets her way. And when one method doesn’t work, she just tried another. But this isn’t in her hands. She can’t buy this off or call in a favor from an old friend.”
“I don’t suppose you have a tranquilizer or anything. She’s going to make your father crazy.”
“You’re right. He’s having a hard enough time dealing with this himself. He’ll have no patience with her, and that will only make matters worse.” Helena thought a moment. “I don’t have anything stronger on board than aspirin. Even the motion sickness patches I have are the non-drowsy type.”
“Can you write a prescription when we get to Austin?”
Helena nodded. “I may do that. John, we’ll all need to go to the hospital at first, but, there could be a lot of waiting. Maybe we should try to get a suite at a hotel nearby. Then Alan could take her away for a while and get her mind off it.”
The way Helena spoke the last sentence implied more than just getting Melissa to sleep. John had to laugh. Helena knew her sister well. “I expect that’s the method Alan is using right now to keep her from getting out and pushing.”
Helena laughed. “I expect you’re right.” She shook her head. “My sister is something else.”
John smiled. “I remember more than one occasion on Alpha where we used the same technique to escape the tension.”
“Melissa’s cure for whatever ails you. Yes, I suppose we did.”
John reached over for her hand and kissed it softly. “I suppose we can also use that hotel suite to let you unwind a little bit. I know you’re going to be the family’s rock through all this, but my shoulder is there for you to cry on when the opportunity arises.”
Helena looked him in the eyes, her own eyes brimming with tears she had no intention of shedding any time soon. “I do love you so.”
John winked at her and turned to respond to the radio, they were crossing from one flight control tower to another.
Once in Austin, Alan rented a car as John finished securing the plane. Melissa paced the tarmac until Alan arrived. Helena was already on her phone with the hospital talking to her friend. The short ride from airport to hospital was unusually long this time.
At the hospital, Helena led the way, knowing exactly where they were going since she was familiar with the hospital. Her friend, Dr. Levin, was standing with Robert in the waiting room outside the surgery area. Both were wearing scrubs. Melissa rushed to her father’s arms and he pulled her closer. Robert held out his hand to Helena and she squeezed it before turning to Dr. Levin and shaking his hand.
“David, thank you so much for being here,” she said without preamble.
“I wish I could say it was my pleasure, Helena. Under the circumstances, it was the least I could do. She was already in surgery when I got here, but your father and I have been observing. My best team is taking care of her.”
“How is she?” Alan asked. Alan and John flanked Helena like avenging angels, ready to do her will. In the tense mood all were in, they looked more than a bit imposing, more like body guards than family members.
“David, let me introduce you to the family. This is my sister Melissa and her husband Alan Carter, and my husband, John Koenig.”
Dr. Levin nodded to all of them and said, “Condition is serious, Mr. Carter.” Before continuing he ushered them toward a door just down the hallway. “Let’s discuss it in the conference room here.”
The conference room was a well appointed conference and training room. One end of the room was curtained off. Both Robert and Helena glanced in the direction of the curtain. Father and daughter exchanged impassive looks that confirmed Helena’s suspicions. Her mother was in the most sophisticated operating theatre in the hospital, just on the other side of that window. Helena seated herself near the head of the table with John next to her. Robert chose the chair across from her. He hadn’t spoken since they had arrived, merely held tightly to Melissa. Mel sat between her father and Alan. She was deathly pale and holding tightly to both husband and father. David Levin sat at the head of the table.
“David?” Helena prompted, bringing this horrible meeting to order.
“She’s lucky to be alive at all. If Robert hadn’t gotten to her immediately, she would not have survived.”
Helena saw her father shiver.
Robert spoke next. “The horse threw her, then kicked her twice. Once in the side, then again in the head.”
David nodded. “She landed well from the fall, but broke a wrist. In a woman of her age, that is pretty amazing. But, she’s in extremely good health. Evidently she takes good care of herself. Her bones show very little calcium loss.”
“Osteoporosis had never run in our family, but we all take calcium supplements,” Helena explained. From the amount of time she had spent in space, and the fact that Melissa was now working part time on the Rock, she had been adamant about keeping their bones in good shape. Susan had been the easiest to convince.
David continued. “The kick in the side fractured three ribs and punctured a lung. She wasn’t breathing by the time Robert got her to the house, partially from the damage to the lung, partially due to having the wind kicked out of her. Fortunately, Robert was able to get her breathing again without causing a lot of damage to the punctured lung, but there was some internal bleeding. Our best thoracic man is working on that right now.” Dr. Levin paused and looked around the table. “The most serious injury is the head injury. The hoof missed her eye socket by about an inch, which is a good thing. But, she was turned in such a way that the horseshoe caught her ear and ripped it nearly off, then broke her cheekbone. There’s also a fracture from behind her ear to her temple that was placing tremendous pressure on the brain.”
Helena swallowed hard. Melissa leaned forward. “Well, that’s good, right? I mean, she won’t lose the eye, and the ear and the cheek bone can be, set or something, right?”
Robert spoke for the first time. “It’s that fracture line, honey. It’s putting pressure on her speech center and the area that stores memory.”
Melissa looked around the table. “So, she might have amnesia?”
“We don’t know, Mrs. Carter.” Dr. Levin leaned forward. “Best case scenario is there will be some hearing loss and that’s all.”
“And worse case?”
No one wanted to speak. Robert finally said, “She’s not out of the woods yet, Jelly Bean. She may not wake up at all.” His voice broke as he said the last.
David nodded reluctantly. “I’m afraid Dr. Thompson is right. We’re doing everything we can to prevent that. But the possibility still exists.”
Dr. Levin’s cel phone beeped quietly and he stood. “She’ll be in surgery for a while longer. You are welcome to stay here as long as she’s in surgery. Someone will be in to let you know when she’s taken to recovery.
Robert stood and held out his hand. “Thank you David, for everything.”
David shook the older man’s hand, then took Helena’s hands. “Helena. I’m sorry we have to meet again in such trying circumstances. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
Helena gave him a small smile and David nodded to the others and headed out the door.
The five looked at each other for a moment in silence. John looked around the table and spoke first. “Robert, any idea how much longer she’ll be in surgery?”
He shrugged. “Probably a couple of hours at least. She’ll be in intensive care after recovery, I’m sure of that.”
John looked at Alan and Melissa. “Why don’t you two find us some place to stay. If you can get a suite with three bedrooms and a high speed data connection, Alan and I can still work as time permits.”
“I’ll be staying here,” Robert said. “You won’t need a place for me.”
“Daddy,” Helena said gently. “Let us help. You could get some sleep, or a shower there even if you stay the nights here.”
Robert nodded reluctantly.
“You rode here with her in the helicopter?” Alan asked.
Robert nodded again.
“Mel, we’ll get your dad the things he needs while staying here. A change of clothes…”
Melissa nodded, grateful to have something to do. “We’ll take care of it, Daddy.” She leaned over and gave him a kiss.
“When was the last time you ate?” Helena asked.
“Um..” Robert had to think. “We had breakfast on the patio this morning, just before she went down to the barn.” It seemed like a hundred years ago. He turned and stared at the curtain as if he could see through it.
Helena had no intention of opening that curtain until Melissa was out of here. She wouldn’t be able to handle that.
“I’ll go down to the cafeteria and get us something. It’s past supper time now,” John said. He stood and so did Alan and Melissa.
Melissa leaned down and kissed her father again. “We’ll be back soon.”
Alan took her arm and they headed out the door. He exchanged a look with John, knowing John would call him if they were needed back here.
John leaned down and kissed the top of Helena’s head. He felt her relax for just a moment, acknowledging his affection silently. Then he followed the Carters out the door.
As soon as the door closed, Robert was up and opening the curtains. Susan was in the other room even though it was almost impossible to see her. The surgery team crowded around the table and sheets covered her completely. Helena came to stand beside her father and he put his arms around her. Helena lay her head against his shoulder and together they just watched and waited.
The family played the waiting game. Susan was moved to intensive care for two days, then to a private room with a private nurse that Robert and Helena hired. Susan remained stable and unresponsive. Helena tried to explain to her sister that this wasn’t all bad news. Their mother would be in much pain if she awoke now. Better that her body concentrate on healing while she was unconscious.
The first time Melissa went in to see her, she stayed much less than the five minutes allowed in intensive care. She returned looking very green. Fast reflexes coming in handy, Alan quickly maneuvered her into the closest bathroom. It was labeled “Men” and John quickly stepped in front of it to allow Melissa a little privacy while she lost her lunch. Robert and Helena had tried to prepare her for the way Susan looked, with massive bruises and her skin swollen she was barely recognizable.
They divided the day into three hours shifts; from six in the morning until nine at night, someone was with Susan. Robert insisted on staying at night, and there was a bed in the room for him. Helena was certain he didn’t sleep during the night, or if he did, he slept lightly to hear the slightest change in Susan’s condition. Helena and Melissa took consecutive turns from nine a.m. until three p.m. and John or Alan would take Robert back to the hotel for a shower and some sleep. Helena and Melissa made certain their father ate regularly. The sisters applied different tactics toward that end, and the combination seemed effective. Helena bullied and insisted. Melissa wheedled, using every tactic that had ever been effective in buttering their father up and getting her way.
Two weeks after the accident Helena returned to the hotel at six p.m. Melissa and Alan would be at the hospital until nine. Her father had eaten dinner and fallen asleep here at the hotel. John was on the phone with the children. He handed the phone to Helena and she talked to Sam, then to Tori.
Sam asked when she was coming home. He had a note from his teacher about an upcoming party and he had told his class that his mommy made the best cookies in the world. Helena promised that she would find a way to get the cookies made. Tori asked about her Grammy and when she would get better. That was even harder to take than wondering how she was going to bake Sam’s favorite cookies for the class party. Tori also asked her mother about Halloween costumes. Helena realized that the party was a Halloween party and the children would want costumes and trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. These were not things that could be easily managed by long distance. By the time Tori said good night and blew kisses to her, Helena was practically in tears.
John hung up the phone and they settled on the sofa together. Helena buried her face against John’s shoulder with a sigh. “What are we going to do?”
“Maybe I should go home. I can buy Halloween costumes. I can’t bake the cookies, but I bet if we called Maggie at the ranch she’d happily bake them for Sam. It’s her recipe anyway.”
Helena nodded. “Hers and mother’s.” She put her arms around her husband. “I know the children need… at least one of us there. But, I need you here.”
“We don’t have to decide right away,” John said, stroking her blonde hair. “I think my prescription for you right now is a hot bath, dinner from room service, and early to bed.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll make sure you get my special relaxation massage before you go to sleep.”
Helena had to smile. “If I remember correctly, that would be the one that relaxes both of us?”
John kissed her neck just below the ear. “That’s the one.”
“Order me a very light supper. I think I want to turn in very early.”
Melissa arrived at the hospital at noon the next day. She had spent the morning on the phone with her office and catching up on some work. When she got off the elevator at the floor where her mother’s room was, she saw Helena and their father coming out of an office with one of Susan’s doctors.
Robert shook the man’s hand and the other doctor hurried away. Robert looked old and haggard and worried. Helena had her hand on his arm, as if helping him to stand up under the pressure.
“What’s going on?” Melissa asked, coming up beside him.
The other two exchanged a look and Helena said, “ Dad, we have to tell her.”
Robert nodded and said, “Let’s go back in here.”
He led them into the office. It was little more than a bare room with a desk and several chairs, a place for a doctor to fill out paperwork before heading to other patients on other floors. He motioned for Melissa to sit down and then he and Helena sat on either side of her.
“You two are beginning to scare me.”
Robert took his daughter’s hand. “Missy, your mother is losing weight. She’s healing slowly and just isn’t getting enough nourishment from the IV drip.”
Melissa nodded. She still had no idea where this was headed. Robert didn’t want to go on. It was up to Helena.
“Mel, the doctors are recommending we entubate.” At Melissa’s puzzled look Helena explained. “They want to put a tube down her throat to feed her.”
“Okay, that will help her gain some weight, right?”
“It could,” Helena said cautiously. “It’s a very invasive procedure.”
“Honey, your mother signed a living will. It expressly forbids this type of treatment.” Robert said bluntly.
“You mean, Mom signed a paper saying she’d rather die than do this? You can’t mean that!”
“Missy, it’s your mother’s choice. She wouldn’t want to hang on indefinitely with no hope…”
Melissa interrupted. “No! You’re talking about her like she’s already dead! Can’t we just do it and not tell her? Or get some kind of court ruling to say it’s okay?”
Helena looked miserable. Their father looked worse, but determined. “Missy, I know what Mama wants. We’ve talked about it. It would betray her trust if I allowed them to do this. It would only prolong…” He couldn’t go on.
“Well, I know she wants to see her grandchildren again. This can’t be right. She’s going to get well.”
“Mel, I’ve told you all along…”
“Shut up! Just shut up, both of you!” Melissa stood and dashed out of the room.
“Missy—“ Robert stood up, ready to follow her.
“No, Dad.” Helena put a hand on his arm. “Let her go. More talk is only going to lead her to say things she’ll regret. Let her have some time to herself.”
Melissa headed down the hall to her mother’s room. The room was decorated in soft but cheery colors, and could have been a hotel room except for the bank of monitors over the bed. There was also a window in one wall to a nurse’s station for constant monitoring. The day nurse would be there now, keeping an eye on Susan’s bodily functions and ready to sound an alarm or administer medication as needed.
During the last two weeks, Melissa had spent a lot of time here. She sat by her mother’s bed and talked or read aloud to her, just to be near her and let her know that someone was close by. Today she knelt by her mother’s bed and took her hand.
“Mama, you’ve got to get well. You’ve just got to wake up and come back to us.” She continued to talk on about the grandchildren and the ranch and upcoming holidays and the menu for Thanksgiving dinner. As she wound down she concluded, “And what about Daddy? What’s he going to do without you? He’d be lost without you around to tell him what to do. You have him so spoiled, he won’t even know how to get dressed in the morning on his own.”
She lay her head down on the bed with her eyes closed, tears dripping onto the sheets that smelled of antiseptic, not like the line dried sheets from Miller’s Bluff. “Please Mama, please wake up,” she murmured, exhausted and upset.
She might have fallen asleep. She had no idea how long she had been there when she felt a hand brush lightly against her hair. “Don’t cry any more, Missy,” a familiar voice said weakly.
Melissa lifted up her head. “Mama?”
“Mmm, I’m here Sweetheart.” Speaking wasn’t easy for her. Her head had been immobilized. “And I think you should know, I left the care and feeding of Daddy to you in my will.”
Melissa gasped and had to let out a little laugh. “That has got to be a joke.”
Susan tried to smile, but with the mass of bruises, now fading to blues and greens, smiling wasn’t a good idea. “It was.”
“I’ll call the others.”
“Wait…”
“What, Mama?”
“Missy, you’ve got to remember. Into each life, some rain must fall. It wasn’t my time to go just yet, but someday it will be.” Susan reached out to squeeze her daughter’s hand. “When that time comes, you’re going to have to accept it and handle it.”
Melissa hesitated, feeling about ten years old. “Yes, Mama. But not for a long time, okay?”
“I’ll try, honey. Now, go find your Daddy. I’m sure he’s hovering around here somewhere.”
“He’s close by,” Mel sniffled and wiped at her eyes. “I’ll be right back with him.”
She headed to the door. Their family was whole once again.
