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Post by kaijafon on Sept 21, 2017 21:05:34 GMT -6
Thanks so much!! another one hooked here
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 23, 2017 20:37:24 GMT -6
Chapter 29 - Night Rider
Dirt bike on the road? Did one of the kids forget something? Nope. Coming fron the wrong direction. What's Wanda doing here at this hour?
"Heard you coming, Wanda. You don't look happy."
"About as angry as I've ever been! Arthur Yates called me into his office about posting 'dangerous information' because I was telling people to use 'that dirty water in the pipes'. I used scissors to cut the paragraph from a page I printed long ago from the ready.gov site - even had the link on that part of the page. And he was writing up charges of insubordination because I'm still riding the dirt bike and 'burning fuel needed for the Trauma Center's generator'. I told him he could find another nurse, slammed my keys and key card down on his desk and left. In my mirror, I saw his assistant running across the parking lot after me but I just twisted the throttle and showered him with gravel."
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
"What's that for Carla?"
"Arthur and Liam have both needed to be cut down to size for a long time. Arthur just proved his ignorance about the water supply and hospital operations. We know the water in the house piping is fine and he should know what fuel their backup generator uses. I think we need to have a meeting of the Trauma Center's Citizen Review Board."
"You're on that Board, aren't you?"
"At the Governor's request: 'A mature citizen with hands-on medical experience, knowledge of hospital operations and knowledge of field and combat medicine.'"
"And the guts to face down any administrator. How will you contact all of them?"
"The Sheriffs in Scott County and Wilkins County and their links to the State Patrol. When they have contact far enough to the east, they can use the phones."
"How many on the Board?"
"Twenty one. Needed an odd number to avoid tie votes. Not sure how many might be available with half the state dark. We did vote in some reasonable working rules - eleven is a quorum - so we can get things done if everyone can't be there."
"The question now is where I will find work."
"How much orthopedic rehab have you done, Wanda?"
"Why, Paul?"
"Darren Thatcher will be released from the military hospital on Monday. Without general power availability, the nearest place for rehab or prosthetics would be the state capital. If you could do the PT leading up to getting a prosthetic leg, Amos needs to know. He will have a CB up some time tomorrow so you could talk with him then."
"I can do part of it generically but I need to know details of the leg and whether/how the knee and ankle move to work on specifics."
"You need to speak with Amos now and Darren when he gets here. I have something Amos wanted to get today or tomorrow. Let me see if he wants to come by now."
'Scott 121 to Scott 201.'
'201.'
'Wanda Jeffers will be available to work on Darren's PT. She's here now and needs info I don't have. You want to come by to speak with her and pick up the item we discussed earlier?'
'Be there in 20 minutes.'
'121 out.'
'201 out.'
"It seems you may have work in the near future."
"Thanks, Paul."
"You're probably hot from dealing with Arthur and taking it out on the dirt bike on your way here. There's cold water in the fridge."
"Fridge, Carla?"
"Remember that we're Arthur's 'bad example of unnecessary consumption with those ugly solar panels whose manufacture impacts the carbon footprint'. I'd guess that he's missing his 'carbon footprint' - if he ever goes home."
"He hasn't, except for one trip to get more clothes and the 'proper eco-friendly' detergent which didn't work in the commercial washers they use for bedding, towels and scrubs at the Trauma Center. The maintenance crew spent hours cleaning out the mess and then everything had to be rewashed with the correct detergent. I think Arthur was still mad about his 'proper eco-friendly' detergent not working."
"That's good to know. He failed to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintaining the warranty on the machinery and he's the one charged with ensuring others do that. One more nail in his coffin."
"You already have his replacement in mind?"
"I can think of one or two people who could do much better than he does but it would be premature of me to say anything until after the Board meets."
"Spoken like a true politician."
"Wanda, what did I ever do to you to deserve an insult like that?"
"You need to practice that 'insulted' look so it doesn't dissolve in laughter next time. You had me going for all of ten seconds."
---
"A car with flashing lights?"
"Probably Amos keeping others alert as he zips down the road after dark. And it's turning in."
"Come on in, Amos. We saw you coming a mile away."
"Just trying to warn the walkers and horse riders as we have a lot of foot and hoof traffic with the fuel rationing."
"Here's the charge controller. Put it in your pocket so you don't forget it."
"Paul, this thing is tiny!"
"It has a small microprocessor and a few other active devices on a double-sided circuit board. Just don't connect more than 90 watts of solar panels to it - it will lose its magic smoke and stop working."
"I only have the one 45 watt system so that won't be a problem. Carla, I read a request in your face."
"I need to call a meeting of the Trauma Center's Citizen Review Board. I'll let Wanda explain what happened."
---
"Carla, if you'll contact the few who have CB radios I'll get with Joe Tanner to contact the others in our Counties and pass this copy of the list to the State Patrol. They will contact the others. You have a date and time planned?"
"Three options on the bottom of the list, Amos. Have each person list their preferences in 1 - 2 - 3 order and we'll go with what works for the most people. Suggest that they carpool or wagonpool to cut down on commuting costs. If needed, we could find lodging for one or two nights for those coming from the far corners of the state. You and Wanda also need to talk."
"So we do."
---
"I noticed Alex holding hands with Bobby. Also Kasey with Matt. Your matchmaking seems to be working, Mrs. Williams."
"Your creating 'leftovers' to order also makes you also a party to that, Mr. Williams."
"So it does. They both look much happier and none of them flinch as much from sudden noises. I expected the noise response to last much longer."
"Perhaps they inherited some of your iron constitution?"
"As they inherited your beauty."
"Mr. Williams, you do know how to flatter a girl."
"Not just 'a' girl. One very special girl. My wife."
"Keep talking. Just don't wake the younger girls."
---
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Post by kaijafon on Sept 24, 2017 18:00:43 GMT -6
love the banter between the Mrs. and Mr. Thanks! I'm still suspicious that she was the shooter and he the spotter... or both being both.
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 24, 2017 18:23:36 GMT -6
love the banter between the Mrs. and Mr. Thanks! I'm still suspicious that she was the shooter and he the spotter... or both being both. Her choice of rifle is a .338. His is a .50. If you're not familiar with the .338, see what this vendor has to offer www.eurooptic.com/rifles/338-lapua-sniper-rifles.aspxI'd like to have one in each configuration ;-)
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Post by kaijafon on Sept 24, 2017 20:15:52 GMT -6
OH MY POCKET BOOK! those things are expensive!!!! that's more money than I make in a month of Sundays! whew! I will have to still with what I got!
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Post by freebirde on Sept 24, 2017 20:42:38 GMT -6
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 25, 2017 21:02:50 GMT -6
Chapter 30 - Picnic Sunday
"Good morning, Nana. Good morning, Gramps."
"Good morning to you, Alex. You're up before the alarm today."
"We're too excited to sleep! Kase is working on breakfast so I came to wake y'all and Momma. Everything will be ready in a few minutes."
"I could learn to like being awakened by a call to breakfast."
"Don't get accustomed to it, Mr. Williams. Even our bubbly teenagers aren't up early enough for this except under special circumstances."
"I hope the day stays 'special' for them. They deserve some time to be kids and have fun. And I should get them into firearms training. Maybe later today? I'll look through our weapons and pick out things appropriate for protection in the woods. We've not seen any coyotes since I shot the last couple of them but I'd expect them to be getting brave enough to be back on the property today or tomorrow."
"Talk to them about coyotes and firearms at breakfast and start covering the rules. We have the range out behind the barn when they're ready for that. Sarah knows it all but probably needs some polishing of her skills."
"I'll do that."
---
The dishes are being washed and I'd expect the boys to get here soo…
There's a dirt bike coming but it's going like a bat out of hell. Neither boy rides like that.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Yes, Bo…"
"Come quick! Some coyotes got to Sally when she was collecting eggs! I shot the one that had her down and the others ran away. Matt and Mom are doing first aid but said they needed more help!"
"Paul, I'll take the EMT bag and the SUV so we can transport Sally and family if needed. I'll call you on the CB and report the level of injuries and needed response. Three minutes."
"I'll check with Scott County on availability of an ambulance and air evac."
'121 to Scott County.'
'County.'
'We have an eight year old girl mauled by coyotes. My wife's a nurse and has gone to provide first aid and evaluate the injuries. Is air evac available if needed?'
'No air evac. Chopper is waiting for a replacement rotor as it's a few hours away from end-of-life.'
'This is the National Guard. Mr. Williams, we don't have a Medevac but do have a helicopter and medics. What is the location?'
'Less than a half mile from me. Green house with metal roof.'
'Have your coordinates. Be there in five minutes.'
'121 out.'
'We will notify the Trauma Center. Scott County out.'
'Guard out.'
'Miss Kitty from Marshal Dillon.'
'She's busy. This is Bobby.'
'Bobby, there's a green or tan military helicopter on its way. Tell Mrs. Williams five minutes or less and that the Trauma Center is being notified. Then go stand in the road where there are no fences on either side. Wave your hands high over your head when you see the chopper.'
'Yes, sir.'
'Dillon out.'
'Bobby out.'
"I guess that means the picnic is off."
"Alex, the picnic at the lake behind Bobby's house is off. Everyone will want to be at the Trauma Center and none of them will be thinking about food for a while. We'll quickly heat some things in the microwave oven and put them in good insulated chests and put the cold things in a separate cooler with some freezer blocks. Add some beverages, plates, forks, napkins and blankets and we have a portable picnic that can be loaded in the back of the SUV in less than two minutes. Sally, her mother and your Nana will likely go on the helicopter. We'll all walk to their house and take the coolers with us so we can load and leave from there. I brought one of the good CB handi-talkies up from the basement so we can keep in touch if Carla calls while we're on our way."
"We can picnic at the hospital?"
"There's a small park with trees, picnic tables and paved walking paths. Not as nice or as private as the lake but you asked for a picnic and I said 'yes'. I keep my promises."
"And the hug is because?"
"Because you do find a way to keep your promises, Gramps! And there's enough food for everyone, not just the original four. And you're making Bobby and his Mom feel like they have a lot of family when they need that."
"I need to lock up and set the alarm."
---
'Marshal Dillon from Miss Kitty.'
'Dillon here.'
'Mostly scratches and some surface bleeding but a couple of nasty looking deep bites with some possible torn muscles in her left leg. Air evac would be ideal as there's only one IV in this kit that isn't expired. Need to check the other kit when we get back home.'
'Guard chopper on its way. We're on the way there on foot. I expect Sally, her mother and you will be in the chopper. We'll load up the others in the SUV and head that way. You'll get there 45 minutes before we do.'
'That'll work. We'd only be a little crowded if everyone rode back in the SUV. I hear a chopper. Someone is directing?'
'I told Bobby to stand in the road where there are no fences and wave his arms over his head. It's also the only green house with a metal roof within five miles of us.'
'They're landing. Kitty out.'
'We're at the driveway. Dillon out.'
---
"Ma'am, how'd you get so much done so quickly?"
"I'm a nurse with combat experience. You learn to work fast or you don't get to finish."
"Understood. We have coordinates for the Trauma Center. We can take the girl, you and one other."
"Annie, get in. Paul will be driving the SUV and he'll get Bobby and any others there."
"I'm in. Where do I hold on?"
"Ma'am, strap in here."
"OK."
"Wind it up, Skipper. We're running short of IVs back here."
"Hold on."
---
"That was quick!"
"Matt, think about the scenarios they practice for."
"They'd be doing this under fire?"
"In their planning. No wasted motions. Every motion the correct one. Maybe a little easier when not under fire. Definitely a lot harder emotionally when it's an injured child. Everyone load up in the SUV and we'll head for the Trauma Center. They'll be there in less than 15 minutes. We'll be about an hour."
---
"You made very good time, Paul."
"We had a little help, Love. Amos heard the exchange and had Cliff Andrews divert to provide us with lights and siren escort to the County line. Sheriff Tanner himself picked us up there. He's Annie's cousin so he was taking care of family. Sally's status?"
"Most of the blood on her clothes was from superficial cuts and scratches. The deep bites on her left leg did muscle damage and she's in surgery for that. While Sally's sedated, some of the facial injuries and a few others will get the attention of a plastic surgeon. Had we had more IV solution, she could have come in the SUV. However, the crew of the chopper was glad to 'get real world experience on something worth doing'."
"Time estimate for surgery?"
"Two to three hours."
"Can you pry Annie out of the surgery waiting room to go eat lunch? Sarah, Alex and Kasey helped get everything ready for a much larger picnic. There are multiple tables in the park."
"So that's why the wagon is strapped into the roof carrier! I love your planning, Mr. Williams. I'll check with the duty nurse about a pager."
---
"A tablet, Love?"
"Hospital tablet on the internal network. The surgery patient status board - the screen Annie is glued to - is on an internal web page. Sally is patient number 127. The information is updated every five minutes and they can put a message in the crawl line at any time if Annie is needed."
"Even better than a pager."
---
"Carla, how did you know you'd need food for this many people away from home today?"
"Didn't know that, Annie. The kids wanted to have a picnic at the lake and we had enough leftovers from the cookout yesterday to feed four hungry teenagers today. You're benefitting from that."
"But what about their picnic?"
"It's not the lake, but do they seem to be having fun at the far table?"
"Yes. Some of the laughter is even contagious. I see they're moving Sally to recovery. I should go in now."
"At least ten minutes to get her moved, the monitors set up and a couple of chairs in place by her bed. You'll get a notification when Momma can come and hover over her. Finish your second burger. Nurse's orders."
"Yes, Nurse Carla. I see why Bobby was excited about the burgers. These are good! Can I get the recipe?"
"I'll copy the recipe for you but you'll have to shoot your own elk."
"Elk? I would've guessed better venison than I've ever had before. Don't think I'll be getting one of those this year."
"We probably won't be doing that again soon but it was an interesting trip and we brought back a lot of meat. If you need some elk to keep Bobby eating at home, let me know."
"I doubt that these burgers have greater attraction for him than Alex does - they do seem to light up when they're together. You're not playing matchmaker, are you?"
"Only enough for the girls to have someone close enough to their ages to provide a bit of 'normal' in their lives."
"Knowing what I know of recent events, you've managed to provide a *lot* of 'normal' for them to be where they are now. There's the '127 in Recovery' notice in the crawl line. Thanks for everything. I must go see about Sally. Will they let Bobby in?"
"I think it's 14 and up. Tap the 'Visitation Rules' menu."
"Max of two visitors at a time. Ages 12 and up. All of them are covered."
"Go tell Bobby. Remember that Sally may be out of it for quite a while from the anesthesia and that she'll be on some potent painkiller for several days. I'd expect a pain pump or maybe a nerve block pump for an adult but I'm not sure what they do for kids after surgery like this."
"We'll find out soon. You come with us. I'm sure Sally will want to see 'Aunt Carla' when she's sufficiently awake."
"You and Bobby head on in. I'll be ten minutes behind you."
"Bring Alex. Bobby took it hard that he couldn't prevent harm to Sally."
"Will do."
"Bobby?"
"Yes, Mom?"
"They're moving Sally to Recovery. Max of two visitors at a time and ages 12 and up so you and I will go first. Expect Sally to be dopey or unconscious from the anesthetic but she'll be coming around. Mrs. Williams and Alex will come in after us."
"On my way, Mom. You will come later, Alex?"
"Yes, Bobby. As soon as they'll let us."
---
"Paul, Annie asked me to come in and bring Alex as support for Bobby. While you wait, here's my sketch for expanding the garden and for the PVC pipe plus plastic film greenhouses we discussed. If you use the tractor to turn the soil in the additional garden space then mount the roto-tiller to break it up, Rob can supervise the greenhouse work while you're on the tractor as he has helped with similar greenhouses in the past."
"Using all the greenhouse space for veggies and not roses?"
"The roses of my well fed granddaughters' cheeks are much better than roses that wilt as soon as they leave the greenhouse. So, yes. Just veggies."
"I'll review your ideas and add any questions I have."
"Plan on coming in to see Sally. You know she'll want at least a hug if not some lap time from her 'Uncle Paul'."
"Lap time may be awkward depending on her IVs and any surgical drains but I did remember to bring these."
"A little pack of M&M's! Her all-time favorite candy. Today I won't call it spoiling, just adding a bit of 'normal' to a scared little girl's day."
"I'll give it to her but with you there to control consumption, Nurse Williams."
"As usual, Mr. Williams. That reminds me, I want to check whether they've checked Sally's blood sugar. All the adrenaline would have driven the level crazy. I'll be back in a few minutes."
---
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Post by kaijafon on Sept 26, 2017 0:19:40 GMT -6
and the coyote is ..............................where??
someone is gonna hunt it down and take it out, right?
I wonder if they are like some meat eaters, once they taste human flesh, it becomes a favorite. I guess I'll know if they ask for fava beans (?)
<snicker>
thanks!
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 26, 2017 3:50:30 GMT -6
One coyote is dead - Bobby wouldn't have missed that shot. The others ran away. As Paul said, it might be time to have an 'animal drive' and shoot the ones that aren't useful.
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Post by headlesshorseman on Sept 26, 2017 17:39:58 GMT -6
Thank you Papa, Good chapter.
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Post by kaijafon on Sept 26, 2017 18:17:11 GMT -6
got it! sorry I forgot. lol! I remember reading that. I hear coyote fur is warm.... hahaha! but buggy!
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 26, 2017 19:33:07 GMT -6
Most fur is warm. Sometimes it depends on the condition of the animal. "We Interrupt This Program" is about a space rock landing in the south Atlantic and how it affects the lives of a family in Florida. They collect "decent" pelts from the animals they shoot for use as needed in the future. You should expect the debris thrown up by an asteroid strike to trigger volcanoes and long-term rain (days, weeks). The smoke, ash and clouds would make things much colder for a while (read the story to get the details). They do an 'animal drive' when the number of released pets becomes a hazard to people: no power, no fuel, no food, no dog food so people turn the dogs loose instead of putting them down quickly. PDF available here: sf.arpnic.net/We%20Interrupt%20This%20Program....pdfStart reading when you have plenty of time or can miss some sleep as it's 132,000 words or two average novels.
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Post by 9idrr on Sept 26, 2017 20:30:21 GMT -6
JAV is comin' along great, but you had to go and get me re-readin' WITP again. How am I supposed to find time to go to work and get stuff done on the honey-do list? :^) Thanks for the update.
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 26, 2017 21:32:27 GMT -6
"We Interrupt" is worth a second (or third or maybe fourth) read. All your spare time this week has been claimed.
Take care of the honey-do list first. "Honey" is usually closer than work and has greater access to sharp objects ;-)
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Post by papaof2 on Sept 27, 2017 18:49:59 GMT -6
Enjoy while my muse is active. I have notes for a couple of chapters but nothing beyond that. I can see this story going on "forever" - they don't have power back yet, no one has mentioned deliveries other than limited fuel and we know that Sally will need more insulin in the near future.
Chapter 31 - An Afternoon at the Trauma Center
"Carla, she's still unconscious."
"She will be for a while, Annie. Remember when Bobby broke his leg and they put it back together with all that external hardware?"
"It was more than an hour before he was able to carry on a conversation."
"Don't expect Sally to wake up any faster than he did. They allow parents in with children much sooner than they allow adults to have visitors because your voice and your touch have a much more calming effect on a child than a typical person's presence has on an adult. You do better because you can see and touch her. She does better because she's at least vaguely aware that you are near."
"The Biblical 'laying on of hands', Carla?"
"Perhaps, but I don't have any documented verification of that. I do know that Nazi research showed that babies die without human contact and I know from experience that children do better after surgery when they have family contact. Talk to her. Push her hair back out of her face as you do so often that she starts pushing you away…"
"I guess I overdo that."
"Sometimes. She'll decide to either have that hair cut or go back to using barrettes when she tires of pushing it back while reading. Kiss her forehead or her nose. All the little 'good morning' and 'goodnight' and 'just because' rituals that are mostly contact of some kind."
"Even me tickling her feet?"
"Not on the leg in the cast, Bobby, but just enough on the other foot for her to know that you will still treat her as you always have. They're finished with the monitor connections. You two go on in and speak to her, hold her hands and kiss her. And do you know if they've been checking her blood sugar level?"
"I forgot to mention her diabetes! But it should have been in the records from when she broke her arm and got a concussion while trying to ride one of the goats when she was five. Is she gonna die?"
"I don't think it's that serious yet. Let me check with the floor nurse."
"Hurry!"
"Hazel, does Sally Thompson's chart list that she's a diabetic?"
"What?"
"She's a Type 1 and has been on insulin since he was three. She was here for a concussion and a broken arm when she was five, so there should be records."
"Spell her last name?"
"T-h-o-m-p-s-o-n."
"They entered it as 'T-h-o-m-s-o-n' and without a Social. Getting either of those correct would have gotten the correct records. We've been getting some very poor temporary help as the employees who live further out stop coming in because they can't get fuel. I'll write the correct spelling and the diabetes on the paper chart in red and check her sugar before I worry about the computer record. You come with me in case she's even a little bit awake - she'd rather have a familiar face doing the stab of her finger."
"Here's the lancet, the strips and the meter. That's one of the few things that hasn't been moved here at the nurses' station."
"Probably helps that we have a doctor and a couple of nurses who are diabetic. They all want that kit where it's easy to find. Let's do it."
---
"The level's just a little high. Considering her day so far, that's actually reassuring - the glucose IVs have offset the energy burned by the high levels of adrenaline. I'll note on paper and computer that checks should be hourly until the level is correct and then back to whatever her normal test schedule is."
"Annie, what's 'normal'?"
"Carla, it's usually morning, mid-afternoon unless she takes a nap and evening."
"Annie, do you have adequate testing supplies?"
"Yes, Hazel. The strips have a 'Use by' date that's over a year out. I used the bonus for the exclusive video about Sarah, Kasey and Alex to buy up a year's worth of strips and extra batteries for the meter."
"Good. I don't think that we're that well supplied here at the Trauma Center."
---
"Momma?"
"I'm right here, Sally? Why are you waving your arms?"
"There's two of you. Wanna find the real one."
"Better if I hold your hands?"
"Un huh."
"She's asleep again?"
"Yes, Bobby."
"She's gonna be like this for a while?"
"Yes. Now that she's sort-of having a conversation, she'll probably be in and out for 20 minutes to an hour. Then she might even remember that we were here, that she spoke with us and she'll probably be awake enough to remember the next finger stick."
"She didn't even frown on the last one."
"The pain killer she's on to control the pain in her leg also blocks pain messages from other body parts. Add in the continuing effects of the anesthesia and you're right - she didn't even frown. She has gotten much better with managing the discomfort of the finger stick. I don't think she's quite ready to be doing her own injections but she's been a trooper about learning how to do a proper stick. Learning to use the strip and the meter were minor things once she got past 'I'm gonna make me bleed?'."
"Mom, I don't think that smile is from a dream. Let's check this foot…"
"Not my foot!"
"So you are awake, Squirt."
"Kinda. I see two of you and it makes me dizzy."
"My favorite little dizzy blonde."
"Bobby! I'm not a dizzy blonde!"
"Is you hair still blonde?"
"Yes."
"Did you just tell me you were dizzy?"
"But I wouldn't be if you'd stand still!"
"Squirt, I'm not standing. I'm sitting on the bed. There's a lot more to the bed than there is to you. You end about here…"
"Not my foot!"
knock. knock.
"Dr. Hogan, come in."
"I came to check on Sally but the conversation she's having with Bobby tells me the fog of anesthesia is clearing nicely." "There's all kind of bandages and stuff on my leg but it doesn't hurt like it did when we got here."
"Two things make that so, Sally. First, we were able to fix most of the damage to your leg so it's back closer to what it was when you went out to collect eggs. Second, this little bag with a shoulder strap isn't a new purse. It's a pain pump…"
"It puts pain in me?"
"Sorry, 'pain pump' is our shorthand way of referring to the pump that provides the medicine that makes the pain go away."
"I guess 'pain pump' is shorter. What's it do?"
"If you follow this tube from the pump, it comes to this IV port. Every so often, the pump puts a small dose of painkiller into the IV port and that gets it into your body where it helps make the pain go away. If you're hurting enough for tears, you can press this button to speed up when you get the next dose. It won't pump more in every time you hit the button. Think what might happen if you were asleep and rolled over on the pump. If it pumped every time the button was pressed, you might not wake up for days."
"And I might not wake up to go to the bathroom. Momma, I need to go now!"
"Mom, I'll be in the hall."
"OK, Bobby."
"Mrs. Thompson, there's a bed pan in this cabinet. I'll let you help Sally with it. It will be…"
"It's COLD!"
---
"She's asleep, Mom?"
"Just sleeping now, Bobby. The effects of the anesthesia have mostly dissipated. Now she's tired from being scared, from the intial pain and the invasion of surgery. She'll probably sleep much of the day."
"I need to be outside for a while. Alex said she'd walk with me."
"Check back in an hour or so. Sally will miss your teasing if you're not here part of the time."
"I will."
---
"But Alex, it was all my fault! I didn't watch when Sally went to get the eggs!"
"Bobby, you hadn't seen a coyote in several days. Your mother hadn't seen one and she didn't think to watch either. What were you doing when Sally screamed?"
"Putting my rifle on the bike."
"How long did it take you to run around the house?"
"Maybe five seconds."
"On a normal day, where is your rifle?"
"On the rack over the back door. Too high for Sally to reach."
"Locked?"
"Trigger lock."
"Where's the key?"
"Hanging beside the rack."
"How long to get the rifle down, get the key and unlock the guard?"
"Less than a minute."
"But more than five seconds?"
"Maybe 20 seconds."
"So you were there with the rifle four times faster than if you'd been in the house and just looking out the window?"
"Well, yeah, I guess."
"And you killed the coyote with the first shot?"
"Yes! He was shaking her leg like it was a rat or something!"
"Then you did the best you could under the circumstances. When Momma and Granny G were shot, Kase and I ran for help because we were afraid Daddy would shoot us. The best we could do was find a safe place and someone who could get help for them."
"You think I did OK?"
"I think you did great! And I think you need a hug."
---
"Sorry for blubbering on you like that. I feel like such a baby."
"Bobby, you needed someone to talk to. I think it's great that you love your little sister that much. I see a heart that big as a very manly thing."
"You do?"
"Yes. You need to spend more time with Sally. When we go back in, detour by the men's room and wash your face with cold water. You'll feel better and your eyes will look better."
"You're nice."
"You are, too. And I might like you just a little bit."
"Yeah, you too."
"Go wash. Maybe the cold water will get some of the red out of your face."
---
"Hi, Bobby!"
"Hi, Squirt. You sound like you're feeling better."
"I had a nap in Uncle Paul's lap and then Aunt Carla brought me some milk to go with the M & M's he brought! But I only get three at a time so Momma is holding them for me."
"You also look and sound better, son."
"I had a long talk with Alex. She kinda knows how I felt when Sally got hurt."
"I'm sure she does. If you can let go of her hand long enough, I also have a hug for you."
"You saw…"
"I see the concern on her face as she looks at you. I expect that led to the hug you needed while the two of you were talking. You are very much like your father and I remember what he was like at your age. Even though you'd done your best in caring for someone else, you needed reassurance from someone who wasn't family - at least not yet."
"Mom!"
"What are you laughing about, Alex?"
"You getting so worked up when your mother teases you about a girl. Someone might think you like me."
"You are kinda nice to talk to."
"Bobby, you even sound like your father! 'Kinda nice to talk to' were his exact words when he first described me to his mother."
"Alex, I'm sorry! I didn't know! It's not a proposal or anything!"
"Bobby, it's OK. I have a lot of living and learning to do before I'll be interested in a proposal. If you're that much like your father, I can see why your Mom married him. Mrs. Thompson, tell Bobby that it wasn't his fault that no one was watching Sally."
"She's right, Bobby. We'd all been lulled to a sense of security because we hadn't seen coyotes in several days. I don't think you jumped over the house, but one second Sally started screaming and the next second you were there with your rifle. Maybe you should go out for track when school starts back?"
"I don't think I could run that fast again unless someone was in trouble."
---
"Momma?"
"Yes, Sally?"
"What did the doctor mean when he said they'd fixed 'most of the damage'? Didn't they fix it all?"
"There are some limits on what types of damage can be fixed. Let me show you with this piece of paper and some tape."
"So you tore it in pieces and they're all wonky. Some of the little pieces are in the floor."
"What happens when we treat this like a jigsaw puzzle and try to put it back together?"
"The big pieces are easy but the little ones are hard to match and there's holes where the pieces fell on the floor."
"So we can tape it back almost like it was but everything doesn't fit as it should?"
"Yeah. The holes make it wonky."
"These are the pieces from the floor. Can you tell where they go?"
"There might be enough to fill the holes but they don't line up on the edges - and there's still some holes."
"Do you think maybe the muscles and things in your leg got like the paper? That every bite meant a little piece was crunched and lost?"
"So I have holes in my leg?"
"You have holes in your muscles and a tendon that had to be sewn back together. The cast is to keep the leg straight so you don't stretch those things before they have time to grow back together. When the doctor tthinks the growing back is strong enough, you'll be in physical therapy to help you stretch enough that you can do all the things you did before - even put your foot behind your head."
"Will it hurt?"
"Probably some. Your leg will be stiff from being held in one position for a long time and you won't like the stretching."
"But I gotta do it anyway?"
"Do you want to ride your bicycle or drive the go-kart?"
"Un huh!"
"You must be able to move both legs to do those things."
"Then I gotta do it."
"Yes, you 'gotta' do it. Remember that Bobby had PT after the surgery on his leg. You're doing OK with the finger stick. I think my big girl will be able to manage physical therapy."
"Maybe."
---
"Love, where are Matt and Kasey?"
"When everyone started back inside, they cleared all the tables and packed things back in the SUV - except for one burger they brought in for Sally. She only ate half of it but Dr. Hogan said that her having that much appetite was very good progress - and asked if we would invite him the next time we cook anything that smells so good. The last I looked, Kasey and Matt were in serious conversation on one of the benches."
"Does Annie plan to stay with Sally tonight?"
"I expect so. Annie and I are close enough in size that she could wear what's in my GHB and have any other things she might need. Could you bring it in for me?"
"Yes, Love."
---
"What's that, Carla?"
"My GHB but it's now your overnight bag as I'm assuming you'll stay the night."
"Dr. Hogan said two nights here, then Scott General or having a qualified nurse on site. He agrees that you're more than qualified and with the CB radios you're just a few minutes away even on foot. Bobby, you want to stay or go back to the house?"
"Mom, I need to go home and take care of things. My bike is still in the front yard and the animals need attention. I can ride here tomorrow after morning chores. I have about ten gallons of gas in the shed so we're good for a while."
"Thank you, son."
"All of you hug and kiss me 'bye' before you leave!"
"Yes, Sally."
---
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Post by pbbrown0 on Sept 27, 2017 19:32:30 GMT -6
Great chapter, Papaof2!
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Post by 9idrr on Sept 27, 2017 20:15:48 GMT -6
"We Interrupt" is worth a second (or third or maybe fourth) read. All your spare time this week has been claimed. Take care of the honey-do list first. "Honey" is usually closer than work and has greater access to sharp objects ;-) This'll be at least the third time for WITP.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 1, 2017 16:06:54 GMT -6
Chapter 32 - Going Home
"Mrs. Williams?"
"Yes, Bobby?"
"My Mom mentioned me going out for track when school starts. Will we even have school this fall?"
"Until we have power and fuel the County schools won't start back. There's no way for all the kids or the teachers to get there and no power for cooling or heating or cooking lunch."
"So we just wait and lose a year or whatever?"
"I still have the home schooling materials I used for Sarah, Mandy and Paul Junior. The materials are at least 20 years out of date - the history books won't have a reference to 9/11 - but the basics of math and grammar don't change over time. We could start a small school using the space in the family room. The kids could either bring their lunch or we could work out something with each family for us to provide lunch."
"That sounds good."
"Be careful, Bobby. She's more strict as a teacher than my Dad is."
"He's definitly strict about the the sharp tools, the power tools and moving the tractor or other machinery."
"You have experience to warn you."
---
knock. knock.
"Come in, Dr. Hogan."
"Thank you, Mrs. Thompson. I wanted to check the incisions on Sally's leg. Sally, I'll peel back the bandages but you can look at your mother instead of your leg."
"Will it look like Bobby's leg did when he had all the stuff on the outside?"
"Similar."
"Then I wanna see it."
"Mrs. Thompson?"
"She saw what she could of it before the EMTs arrived so I think she'll be OK with this. Sally, I'll hold your hand."
"OK, Momma."
"This looks very good for this soon after surgery, Sally. You being young, active and eating a proper diet all help with that."
"Is this and this and this gonna be scars like Bobby has?"
"Yes, the places with sutures will all have some level of scarring."
"Then my scars'll be bigger than his scars?"
"Yes."
"Great! I'm still the little sister but I have bigger scars to tell about - and they weren't my fault like him breaking his leg being stupid on his dirt bike."
"Sally, I think your outlook will also aid in your healing."
"I may never hear the end of this bit of sibling rivalry."
"You will, Ma'am. When Sally starts being concerned about how she looks in a swimsuit, she'll not be happy about the scars."
"Well, maybe a couple of years before that happens."
---
"Thanks for the ride home. I gotta get chores done before dark."
"You're welcome, Bobby, but I think we can find you some help with the chores and then you can come back here for supper. I'm certain you won't cook tonight."
"You're right, Mrs. Williams. I do OK with cooking breakfast but I'd just be getting the biscuits and bacon left from breakfast if I ate at home."
"I'll help!"
"Thanks, Alex."
"Me. too."
"Thanks, Kasey."
"Count me in, but then I gotta get home. Mom said she'd fix something for supper that will hold if I wasn't back before dark but I have chores too."
"Thanks, Matt."
"When we finish at Bobby's we can help you, Matt."
"Thanks, Kasey."
"Is that OK, Momma?"
"Yes, Alex. I'd very pleased that all of you want to pitch in where needed. You and Kasey will have lights to get your chores done when you get back."
"Yes, Momma."
---
"You're getting gloves on, Sarah?"
"Dad, if the girls are willing to do their evening chores after helping at two other places, I'm willing to help them."
"I'll get my pistol and I'll be right behind you."
"I should get in some target practice. It's been a while."
"Late tomorrow afternoon, maybe?"
"Yes."
---
"Mrs. Williams? You tapped your stash of instant pudding?"
"The last of the instant chocolate pudding, Mr. Williams. But it was worth it for the smiles it generated."
"Very much so. The three of them sounded almost normal which is a very good thing after today's events."
"Can we do anything about the coyotes?"
"I'll ask Amos when he's here tomorrow. We have some mobile communications with enough solar powered CB base stations to provide relay for the handheld CBs. That would help in getting beaters and shooters in place as needed for an animal drive. Wonder if any of the folks with hogs would want the carcasses for feed? I'll get out some county maps and some clear plastic overlays so we can draw and erase as many times as needed - both for the coyote drive and for the mounted patrol paths. If we come up with something concrete, I can scan the overlay section of the map and print copies as needed."
"Paul, I'll take Dave in to see the Judge tomorrow so you can get the additional garden space plowed and tilled. Do you have a preference for which late crops you'd like more of?"
"Love, as long as you're cooking it I don't have a preference - except for zero turnip greens and kale."
"Then you'd be OK with this list of things to plant? I did check that we have enough seed for the size patch of each thing."
"Looks good to me. You want things planted in these positions with the intermixed companion plants?"
"Just like the diagram."
"Then we should have few pests to deal with - other than the kind with two legs."
"You think we'll have people stealing from the garden?"
"If not our garden then someone's garden. Amos mentioned the other day that the community garden plots in Wilkinsville had all been cleaned out in one night. I still have the motion sensor LED lights active and each of them triggers a location alert when it turns on. I don't plan to send a load of 12 gauge buckshot out randomly, but I do have some shells loaded with rock salt. It doesn't penetrate very far but it hurts, it stings and it burns for a long time. Anyone who sees that person in the next couple of days will know they are in pain."
"You are mean, Mr. Willaims."
"No, Mrs. Williams. If someone in need comes to my door during the day and asks for food, I'll offer food in exchange for work. I won't give it away nor will I allow it to be stolen."
"Even Sally?"
"She could feed the chickens even if she's on crutches. I doubt that you could stop her from 'doing something'."
"You're probably correct about that."
---
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 1, 2017 16:44:06 GMT -6
Were you folks waiting on me? 5 likes in 30 minutes certainly make it seem that way ;-)
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Post by pbbrown0 on Oct 1, 2017 18:56:08 GMT -6
It's official. Sally is my favorite character!
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Post by 9idrr on Oct 1, 2017 20:42:19 GMT -6
Were you folks waiting on me? 5 likes in 30 minutes certainly make it seem that way ;-) Sir, I'll wait years for your stuff, but I'd prefer it only be minutes. You rank right up there with Machinist as my favorites. Hey, not that I'm dissin' any of our other authors here, but I get a feelin' that I'm not the only one who thinks you're right there at the top.
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 1, 2017 20:50:04 GMT -6
Were you folks waiting on me? 5 likes in 30 minutes certainly make it seem that way ;-) Sir, I'll wait years for your stuff, but I'd prefer it only be minutes. You rank right up there with Machinist as my favorites. Hey, not that I'm dissin' any of our other authors here, but I get a feelin' that I'm not the only one who thinks you're right there at the top. That's very high praise. Thank you.
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Post by udwe on Oct 1, 2017 21:40:58 GMT -6
More, please! Love this story!
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Post by motherhen on Oct 4, 2017 0:44:36 GMT -6
Papa, I was so excited to see more of this story! Well done. Maybe you need to tickle your muse :-)
ETA-is the Mother Hen character just a coincidence?
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 4, 2017 2:51:53 GMT -6
"Mother Hen" and "Ugly Duckling" are both playing with some of the unit designators the military comes up with for various missions. In "An Accidental Family" there was a comment about "dart names" where the names appeared to be taken from dictionary pages someone had thrown a dart at - as in words near the dart and on the other side of the target page. So just a coincidence.
My muse responds to days that I get good sleep and don't deal with much pain. On my best days, I can get a chapter completed, another chapter roughed out and notes for the next chapter or two. At one point in this story I was four chapters ahead of what was being posted but that's the exception. I've been dealing with what seems to be a recurrence of the trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) I dealt with several years ago. I'll see the doctor in the next week for his opinion and probably a prescription for meds that have some unpleasant side effects but can be managed if I take the main dose before going to sleep. Getting old isn't for sissies :-(
TGN - the trigenial nerve comes out to your cheek through a hole in your skull. If the hole is undersized or the nerve is irritated, you can get pressure on the nerve which gives pain anywhere from the cheek pinch your great-aunt doled out to children to something that covers from lower jaw to temple and it can last for hours. TGN can be triggered by pressure on the nerve area (please don't pat my cheek when you walk by - even having your cheek on a pillow can trigger it - there's an art to sleeping with your head on a pillow only from the eye socket up), exposure to cold (being outside in temps below 40F) and even stress (my sad drunk neighbor needing a shoulder to cry on - fortunately, that's rare).
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