|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 26, 2018 14:37:03 GMT -6
Some kids seem to choose their time to be born. My wife and I drove up to spend a week or so with our oldest daughter when her second child was due. We were there two or three days ahead of the expected date - but they woke us up very early the first morning to tell us they were on their way to the hospital. Seems the new arrival was just waiting for her grandparents to arrive ;-)
Considering the family she's a part of, Eliza may just be showing her streak of independence...
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jan 26, 2018 21:26:26 GMT -6
Thank you so much!
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 27, 2018 2:51:11 GMT -6
I couldn't bring myself to make you wait on this one. Please enjoy.
Chapter 71
(Dr. Debbie Wasserman OBGYN, Scrub room, Franklin hospital)
“Alright people, listen up! Our patient is a fifteen year old female, pregnant, week thirty-five, sudden onset of labor, contractions at fourteen minutes. Her name is Kit and her daughter’s name is Eliza. Failure is not an option. We either stop her labor, or deliver a live, healthy baby to a live, healthy mother. Everybody understand?”
Doctor, you know we can do everything right and they still could not make it.”
“You’re out! Somebody get me a decent nurse!”
“Doctor, I…”
“I said you’re out! If you think we might not succeed you have no place on my team. Get out! Anybody else?”
“Dr. Wasserman, may I join your team?”
“Dr. Michaels? Aaron?”
“Debbie, this girl is special to me. May I assist you, please?”
“I hope we don’t need you, but welcome to the team. Get scrubbed up. You, go get me a nurse with some sense.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
“We need an ultrasound and an incubator down here right now. Make it happen!”
“What are you thinking, Debbie?”
“I wish I knew. Her pregnancy has been textbook. The girl hasn’t even had most of the worst side effects. Aaron, this shouldn’t be happening!”
“Dr. Wasserman, this is Cathy Bates. Imaging says she’s the best.”
“That’s what I need. Scrub up, Cathy. We’ve got a fifteen year old mother at thirty-five weeks in labor with no explanation.”
“I brought both probes. I can get the pictures you want. Let’s make this a happy day for them.”
“People, that’s the attitude I want in there! This girl’s been through forty-seven kinds of hell and had the Devil himself punch her in the face. We have to win this one for her.”
“Doctor, they said you needed a surgical nurse. I’m Christine Chapel.”
“You heard what I just said?”
“Doctor, I almost lost my daughter like this. The brain damage left her blind. That doesn’t happen to this girl! Dawn, help me. We’re out of time.”
(ER entrance)
“We have her. Mack, Tim, OR 2, get a move on! Bobby come with me.”
“NO! Don’t leave me, Bobby!”
“Sweetie, we’re just getting him cleaned up to be in the OR with you. We’ll have him back to you soon.”
“I’ll be there, Kitty. Don’t worry. Let’s go!”
(OR 2)
“Kitty, it’s going to be alright. We’re going to take care of you.”
(As Bobby walks in.)
“Debbie, it doesn’t matter what happens to me. Save my baby!”
“We’re going to do everything we can. Cathy, I need those pictures. Find the problem!”
“Kit, I’m going to do a vaginal ultrasound first. You’ll feel some pressure…”
“I’ve had one! Just save Eliza!”
“No time for bedside manner, Cathy. Just get it done.”
“Bobby, hold my hand. Listen to me. No matter what happens to me, they have to save Eliza! Promise me!”
“You’re both going to be alright.”
“Promise me!”
“I...I promise, Kit.”
(Looking at the ultrasound images)
“Aaron, look. The umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck. It looks like the placenta is separating too. We have to get in there now!”
“Nurse, get us two pints of A-negative right now, and have them hold four more on standby in case we need it!”
“Kit, we’re going to have to do a C-section. I’m sorry, but this is going to hurt.”
“Let me go if you have to! Save Eliza! Bobby, tell her!”
(Bobby, in tears.) “Debbie, do...do as she says. Do what you have to do, to save Eliza.”
“Aaron, when I say ‘mark’, we have sixty seconds to get in and get the cord cut. Christine, give us a countdown at ten second intervals.”
“Ready.”
“Give her 20 units of fentanyl direct in the vein. (As the anesthesiologist inserts the needle, Debbie starts the incision.) Mark!”
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (As Kit screams, her eyes roll back in her head and her body starts spasming.)
“Hold her down!”
“Fifty seconds.”
(Kit stops screaming, stops moving, and faints)
“Kitty! Kitty, don’t leave me now! God, please no!”
“Bobby, she’s alive. She just fainted. She won’t feel any more pain from this and we can control her pain when it’s over. You can’t help her right now. You don’t need to see this. Go wait with your family.”
“I won’t leave Kit!”
“Bobby, go!”
“Forty seconds.”
(A nurse leads Bobby out)
“Thirty seconds.”
(Debbie gets hold of the umbilical cord with both hands and pinches it.)
“Twenty seconds!”
“Aaron, cut the cord!”
“Ten seconds, nine, eight, seven…”
“It’s cut!”
“Get the baby out! Christine, tie the cord off! Aaron, how’s Eliza!?!”
“Breathing shallow. Intubate her! Respirator and oxygen, 3 liters per minute. Get her in the incubator. We need to keep her warm. We can clean her up later.”
“Aaron, there’s damage to the uterus. We need to take it out.”
“I agree. You lead, I assist.”
(Waiting room)
“Bobby, what’s happening? How’s Kit and Eliza?”
(Bobby walks past them in a daze, not answering. He falls hard to his knees in front of the window, bows his head, and in a voice that sounds like a wounded animal, begins to pray.)
“God, please don’t take my girls. Please, God. If you have to have a life, take mine, but please don’t take my girls. Not my girls, God. Please not my girls…”
(Morgan, phone)
“How’s Kit?”
“Betty, have Erin call Larry and get up to the hospital, quick. You and Todd go get all of our kids and come up here. Hurry Betty.” (Click)
(Brian, phone)
“Brian…”
“Craig, we need you at the hospital. Hurry. It’s Kit and the baby.”
“I’m on my way.” (Click)
(Brian and Morgan kneel beside Bobby. They each put a hand on him and begin to pray with him. As more of the family arrive, they silently join in.)
(OR 2)
“That’s the last stitch. Debbie, you saved two lives today and made a family whole.”
“Aaron, that was old damage. I missed it. This shouldn’t have happened.”
“An ultrasound couldn’t pick that up. You know that. Debbie, you couldn’t have known about this. It wasn’t your fault. You saved them both today. I’m a good surgeon, but what you just did was magic. Why did you have the countdown?”
“I wanted the cord cut before the fentanyl could get into the baby’s system. I hope I had the time right. I was guessing.”
“It was a good guess. Eliza’s lungs are underdeveloped, but her vitals are good, considering. We’re going to have to run more tests, but my instinct tells me she suffered no permanent damage. Kit’s going to be fine too.”
“How can you say that? Aaron, because I screwed up, she can’t have children anymore!”
“Because of you, she has her daughter, her husband, and she’s alive. Debbie, take your victory where you find it. I am proud of what you accomplished here today.”
“I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I assisted; this was your show. I’ll attend to Kit. You go talk to the family.”
(Surgery waiting. Debbie stops short as she sees the whole family, Craig and Bridgette Greene, Pete and Leslie Frakes, a thin woman she doesn’t recognize, and a priest all kneeling and praying. She looks toward Heaven and mouths the words, “Thank you.” She walks in front of Bobby and kneels before him.)
“Bobby, they both made it. Your wife and daughter are alive and are both going to be ok.”
“P...Praise...God.”
“Bobby, there’s something you should know. Let’s talk in private.”
“We’re family. Anything you have to tell me, they can know.”
“Ok. Bobby, we had to do a partial hysterectomy. Kit’s uterus was damaged too badly to repair. She’ll heal and be healthy, but she will never be able to have any more children.”
“Yes she will. Almost all the kids in this room are adopted. It doesn’t matter if they’re adopted, they’ll still be ours. (Bobby takes Debbie in a hug and sobs out on her shoulder) You saved my girls. I can never repay you.”
“You already did. You gave Kit a husband and Eliza a Daddy, and you gave me back my faith. Kit’s going to be in recovery for a while. Why don’t all of you go down to the cafe and get something to eat. When we move her to a room, I’ll have you paged or come find you myself.”
“Thank you, Debbie. I won’t forget this.”
(Debbie looks around at everybody) “Neither will I. I need to go check on Eliza. Aaron is watching over Kit.”
“Ok. (Bobby looks around and notices everybody for the first time.) When did you all get here?”
“While you were praying. We’re your family.”
“Val?”
“Kit was one of ours. Your family taught me that we take care of our own, even after they grow up and move on.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Father Davis. I’m the Catholic priest on staff here.”
“We’re not Catholic.”
“God doesn’t care.”
(Bobby shakes his hand and pulls him into a hug.) “Thank you, Father.”
“Bubby, are Kit and Eliza going to be ok?”
“I think so, Tia. God’s watching over them.”
“Then they’ll be ok. Come on, Bubby. That doctor lady said you need to eat.”
(Recovery)
Kitty? Kitty?
Kat? I’m home now.
“No, Kitty. It’s not your time yet. I just came by in your dreams to tell you that God’s proud of you.
Why?
You offered your own life for Eliza’s. Bobby offered his for both of you. God’s got a real soft spot for children. You did good, Kitty. Daddy and I are proud of you too, so are Joanna and Mason and your grandparents. Kitty, I can’t stay long, but you’re going to be a good mother to Eliza and a good wife to Bobby. I won’t be able to come back and see you anymore, but I love you.
No Kat, I don’t want you to go.
I have to. God has other things He needs me to do. You have the whole family. You don’t need me and Daddy anymore. Our time will come to be together again. You’re alive Kitty, and you’re strong. Live for the living, not the dead. You’ll always carry us in your heart. I have to go, but I love you. We all love you, Kitty. Until we meet again, Sister.
Goodbye, Katherine.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Jan 27, 2018 6:50:00 GMT -6
Thank you for a beautiful chapter.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 27, 2018 12:45:55 GMT -6
I think people may find the pollen to be very bad today...
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Jan 27, 2018 14:37:45 GMT -6
Yes the pollen was bad this morning.
|
|
|
Post by catspaw65 on Jan 27, 2018 16:27:41 GMT -6
I had a similar experience. Not the early labor, but my oldest wouldn't budge after 26 hours of labor. I had a c-section and they found the cord wrapped around her neck and shoulder. Luckily there were no complications from it. She is 16 now and very smart. She has announced she plans to take over the world for their own good. She is tired of the world acting dumb.
|
|
|
Post by papaof2 on Jan 27, 2018 16:46:17 GMT -6
I had a similar experience. Not the early labor, but my oldest wouldn't budge after 26 hours of labor. I had a c-section and they found the cord wrapped around her neck and shoulder. Luckily there were no complications from it. She is 16 now and very smart. She has announced she plans to take over the world for their own good. She is tired of the world acting dumb. "tired of the world acting dumb" - I think I love this girl ;-)
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jan 27, 2018 20:57:16 GMT -6
Not sure what we did to deserve all you good writers on here, but I hope we keep doin' it.
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jan 27, 2018 21:46:36 GMT -6
Yep, pollen is really bad, even with snow on the ground!
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 28, 2018 10:43:33 GMT -6
We had the cliff, the fall, and the catch at the bottom. Here's the wind down and after action report. Please enjoy.
Chapter 72
(Monday, January 29, Franklin hospital, surgery waiting, 7 PM)
“Bobby, we’re moving Kit to a room in a few minutes.”
“What’s going on with Eliza? Nobody will tell us anything.”
“We’re trying to get that fixed. Your unique situation is causing some problems. We’ll get it, just give us some time. We have Eliza in ICU right now. We want to transfer her to Bowling Green. They have a dedicated pediatric ICU. Bobby, it’s best for her. They’re better equipped and trained to treat babies like her.”
“You said she’d be ok! What’s wrong with her? Was she hurt in the birth? Does she have brain damage?”
“Bobby, relax. She was born five weeks early. Her lungs aren’t fully developed. When we get her to Bowling Green, they’ll run more tests, but Aaron and I don’t think she has anything permanently wrong. Her lungs will continue to develop. Bobby, she’ll be ok. As her father, we need your permission to move her. This is what she needs, Bobby.”
“Do it. How will you transport her?”
“Ambulance. Do you want to ride along?”
“I can’t. I need to be here to explain it to Kitty. Mom, will you or Dad ride along with her?”
“I’ll go, Bobby. Brian can go back home and bring us anything we need. I know you won’t leave here until Kit goes home or she tells you to leave. I’ll stay at the hospital with Eliza.”
“You’re right, I won’t. Do y’all have a key to our place?”
“Yeah.”
“Our Bibles are on our nightstands. Kitty’s nightgowns are in the top, left drawer of our dresser. Our kits with our toothbrushes and stuff are on the middle shelf over the washer and dryer. There’s no hurry, but will you bring those to us when you get a chance? Maybe tomorrow?”
“I’ll bring them tonight when I come this way with your and Morgan’s things. Bobby, anything you need. Y’all agreed to live on our place so we can help you. We’ll do anything for you; you just have to tell us.”
“Thanks, Dad. Debbie, can I go see Kit?”
“We’re keeping her sedated tonight, but there’s a good recliner in the room. I already ordered extra blankets and pillows for you. Morgan, go to ICU. They’re expecting one of you to go with Eliza.”
“I’ll watch over her for you, Bobby.”
“Thanks, Mom. Safe travels.”
“I’ll head back home and get everybody’s things. What room is Kit in?”
“She’s in 202.”
“Be back as soon as I can.”
“Safe travels, Dad.”
(As they walk to Kit’s room.)
“Bobby, Kit’s body will heal well, but her mind is another thing. We had to do what we did, but many women have a lot of trouble with the fact that they cannot conceive children. Kit may become depressed. She went through a lot of trauma today. It may bring back memories of her rape. Bobby, no matter what happens, Kit’s going to need a lot of support. You’re going to have to watch her close. Don’t try to be a hero. Ask for help.”
“Debbie, I’m no hero, never have been.”
“That’s not how I hear it. Nobody who knows you that I’ve talked to, can say enough good about you. From what I heard, you took charge quick today and stayed calm. I hear you refused to leave Kit’s side. Kit adores you and her trust in you is absolute. I could see how much it hurt you when you told me to put Eliza before Kit, but you did it. That all sounds like a hero to me. Bobby, you did everything right today.”
“How long will Kit have to stay here?”
“I’m not sure yet. Maybe a few days, maybe a week. I want to send her home as soon as possible. Hospitals are full of sick people. That concentrates diseases and puts patients at some risk. As soon as we’re sure she won’t need quick response for any problems, she’s safer at home. She’ll need somebody with her for a week or two when she does come home.”
“Our family can handle that. What about Eliza? When will we be able to bring her home?”
“I don’t know. She’s on a respirator with supplemental oxygen right now because her lungs are having trouble keeping up. Her body can’t generate enough heat to keep her warm enough, so we have her in an incubator. When she’s able to breathe on her own and can maintain her own body temperature, she goes home.”
“Debbie, how am I going to explain this to Kit? She’s going to blame herself.”
“You tell her the truth. Bobby, she had existing damage to her uterus. I’m guessing it was from injuries when she was raped. I’m sorry Bobby, but none of the tests we did then could show us those injuries and she wasn’t presenting with any symptoms to tell us to look for them. If we had known, we could have anticipated this and done treatments to help Eliza mature faster. She still wouldn’t be able to have children anymore, but we could have counseled Kit to prepare her for it and today would have been planned, instead of an emergency surgery. If we could have known, it would have been easier and safer on both of them. (Debbie stops both of them.) Bobby, I won’t lie to you. They were both in real danger today. We could have lost Kit and Eliza. The way you handled it gave us a little more time, time that made a difference. That prayer group you had going in the waiting room certainly made a difference.”
“Debbie, I didn’t even know most of those people were there until after you came to tell us about Kit and Eliza.”
“Doesn’t matter. ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.’ All of you were there, so God was too. God worked three miracles here today. He said two or three, but He brought twenty together in that waiting room. I’ve been in churches who didn’t have that many at Sunday service. With that many voices, all of Heaven heard your prayer. That was the first miracle. The second was that Kit’s inability to have more children is the worst of the outcome. Your girls are alive and will be well. A child coming into this world is always a miracle.”
(Walking again) “That Kitty’s here at all is a miracle. This is the fourth time in less than a year that she’s faced death, and lived to tell about it. I’ll do all I can for her and get the help I need to do the rest. Kit’s going to ask. When will we be able to hold our daughter? When will Kit be able to start nursing her? Will she be able to nurse her?”
“It won’t be safe for Eliza until she can breathe on her own without a respirator or oxygen and her body regulates its own temperature. As far as nursing, I’ll order a breast pump so Kit can keep producing milk. There are some precautions we have to take, but that milk can be used to feed Eliza. Once she’s home, Kit can nurse her normally. It may take a few tries to get her to latch on, but with patience, it’ll happen. You ask a lot of good questions.”
“I’ve had a lot of help to know what to ask. Among other things, medical training is a big deal in Kit’s family. I thought it might come in handy someday, so I’m trying to learn.”
“Keep it up. That keeping cool under pressure is one of your best tools. Thinking of becoming a doctor?”
“With these hands? They’re too big for the delicate work you have to do. I’m an auto and equipment mechanic. I’m good at it and I love it. That’s what I’m going to do for a living.”
“Some people go their whole lives and never figure out they should do what they love. You’re making the right choice. I don’t know about those hands though. There’s always some girl talk during Kit’s appointments. She tells me you have a very gentle touch with her, light as a feather is what she said. Properly handling and caring for an infant is delicate work, and Kit tells me you’re good at it. I think those hands are capable of far more than you let on. We’re here. Bobby, we were being as careful as we could, but today was emergency surgery and we were racing the clock to save their lives. Kit has a lot of bruising and her incision is bigger and rougher than it would have been if we had been able to plan this surgery. Don’t panic, it will all heal.”
“She’s alive; we can live with everything else. Debbie, thank you for my girls, but I need to be with my wife now.”
“Bobby, I needed a win today as much as all of you did. I was glad to do it. Go be with your wife. If either of you need anything, just ask the nurses. Goodnight, my friend.”
“Goodnight, Debbie.” (Bobby goes into Kit’s room.)
(Marshall homestead, living room, 7 PM)
(Mark phone)
“Hey Mark.”
“You sound tired. How’s Kit and Eliza?”
“They’re transferring Eliza to Bowling Green. The hospital there has a pediatric ICU. Eliza’s lungs aren’t working well enough yet and she can’t keep herself warm. Debbie said she’s on a respirator and in an incubator. Kit’s in a room here. They’re keeping her asleep for now.”
“Any idea when they’ll get to come home?”
“None, for either one of them.”
“Anything we can do to help?”
“Brian’s bringing up some things for us and Morgan’s staying with Eliza. I can’t think of anything else we...Wait, yes I can. Call Sam. Leave the part about Kit’s hysterectomy out, but tell him everything else. We have all the same classes. Ask him to talk to our teachers and get our assignments for us. If any of them give us any trouble, we’ll get Brian and Morgan to talk to Mr. Martin. I don’t want to do that if I don’t have to, but I will. I don’t know how long we’ll be out of school.”
“I’ll take care of it. Bobby, if you need to talk, vent, anything, don’t think twice about calling me anytime.”
“I’m sorry I’m not there to help you with the farm work.”
“Screw it. You and the girls are much more important. I got it done before you came along; I can do it again until you can get back. Don’t worry about it. You just take care of our girl.”
“Thanks, Mark.”
“No problem. Let me get off here so I can call Sam, before it gets too late.”
“You bet. I’m going to kick back in this recliner and try to get some sleep. See ya’ when I see ya’.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow.” (Click)
(Second call)
“Mark, what’s going on with Kit and Eliza?”
“Eliza was born a little after one today. Sam, there were complications. Eliza’s in the pediatric ICU in Bowling Green and Kit’s in the hospital in Franklin.”
“Are they going to be ok!?!”
“As far as we can tell, yes. Eliza was born too early. Her lungs aren’t fully developed yet. They had to deliver her C-section, so Kit’s in the hospital.”
“What does that mean?”
“In simple terms, they had to cut Kit’s stomach open and take Eliza out. It’s done a lot, but they didn’t plan it with Kit, so she wasn’t sedated or anything when they started cutting.”
“Holy Hell! They couldn’t wait until they got her knocked out?”
“No. Eliza was going to die, and possibly Kit too, if they didn’t work quick. It was hell on Kit, but they both will make it. Bobby wanted me to ask you for a favor.”
“Anything I can do. What does he need?”
“For you to talk to y’all’s teachers and get the lesson plans and homework assignments for them. He didn’t say, but you’re probably going to have to talk to the office and get their books too.”
“I’ll take care of it. How long are they going to be out?”
“No idea. He said if the teachers give you any trouble, he’ll get the principal in on it.”
“I’ll get everything and bring it with me and get Mom to bring me over to get it to you, or I’ll ask her for us to run it by the hospital.”
“That’d be good. I’m sure they’d like to see you. Just don’t stay too long. Yesterday was really hard on Kit.”
“I’ll keep it short and sweet unless they want me to stay. They both have my phone number if they need to talk. Why didn’t Bobby just call and ask me?”
“I just got off the phone with him. He’s exhausted. He was about to try to get some sleep when we hung up.”
“I’ll bet. Shame you weren’t there to see him in action today. He reminded me of you at the middle school last year. He was stone cold and on it. He almost had Mr. Bauer being his bitch. Bauer doesn’t cut anybody any slack, but Bobby owned him.”
“You and everybody else in the crew knows how to do that, except the new kids. They’re learning fast. We all made each other that way. Every one of us can take charge and get it done. We all know how and when to take orders too.”
“We’re definitely scary good together. Mark, I need to finish my homework and tell Sherry about Kit and Eliza. I’ll leave the surgery part out so she doesn’t have nightmares. I’ll take care of that for Bobby and Kit tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
“Y’all would do it for me and Sky. Talk to you later.”
“Later.” (Click)
(Craig Green’s home, 8 PM)
(Knock)
“Father Davis! I didn’t expect to see you tonight. Has something happened?”
“I’ll say. Craig, I know it’s late, but can I talk to you?”
“Come in, Bernie. What’s troubling you?”
“Who is it, Honey? Oh, hi Bernie.”
“How are you, Bri?”
“I’m good. Want some coffee?”
“If it’s no trouble.”
“None at all. You boys sit down and I’ll get it.” (Bri heads to the kitchen.)
(As they sit down in the living room.)
“What’s on your mind, Bernie?”
“Craig, what was that today? I’ve seen people pray in the hospital before, but that was eerie.”
“That was the power of God. What you saw today was a family having church. I’ve never seen it before either, but I knew what it was as soon as I walked in the room. God was in that room with us today.”
“I know; I could feel it. Craig, how do I get my congregation to be like that?”
“You don’t. That kind of faith and power has to come from within. It can’t be taught. Most of the people in that room today are related by blood or marriage. They have faced trials, tribulations, and misery that I can’t fully imagine. Today was the fourth time in less than a year that young mother has come face to face with death. If I ever find a way to foster that kind of faith without the hardship, you’ll be the first person I tell.”
“I’m glad I happened to be in the right place at the right time today.”
“Bernie, did you ever think that might not have been by accident? I was asked to come. Maybe God’s trying to teach us something.”
“That’s a lesson I want to learn. Craig, it’s late. I better get going, but thank you for talking with me. Bri, thanks for the coffee.”
“You’re welcome anytime, Bernie.”
“Goodnight.”
|
|
|
Post by udwe on Jan 28, 2018 14:47:02 GMT -6
Damon pollen
|
|
|
Post by freebirde on Jan 28, 2018 15:56:20 GMT -6
Somebody put that onion and cutting board away!!!!!!
|
|
|
Post by biggkidd on Jan 28, 2018 16:06:59 GMT -6
Almost seems to get worse with every chapter lately...
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 28, 2018 16:21:31 GMT -6
That's because nuclear wars, pandemics, and economic collapse are abstract things in our minds. It's the little things we have to survive every day that get to us.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Jan 28, 2018 19:04:22 GMT -6
My second son(adopted) was born five weeks early. When I first held him they told me he was constipated. I cured him in a matter of seconds with a laying in of hands.
By the time he was twelve the AAU had him ranked as the fifty third best baseball player in the nation among twelve year olds. an injury his junior year in high school ended that. He is now working as an R N and studying to become a Physician Assistant.
Getting here a few weeks early is not often a disaster. it is sometimes a head start.
When he was ten at a baseball camp one of the instructors recognized him and told me that if a certain pro ball player's wife ever saw him she would brain him with a frying pan.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 28, 2018 19:08:04 GMT -6
That sounds like an interesting story. Hats off to your son! A good nurse is worth his weight in gold.
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Jan 28, 2018 19:11:43 GMT -6
A 220 pound nurse who knows his job is always in demand.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 28, 2018 19:39:18 GMT -6
Yes He Is!
|
|
|
Post by kaijafon on Jan 28, 2018 20:44:25 GMT -6
A 220 pound nurse who knows his job is always in demand. His name isn't Mark is it?
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Jan 28, 2018 22:39:33 GMT -6
No, his name is Tommy.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Jan 29, 2018 20:38:47 GMT -6
Please, enjoy.
Chapter 73
(Tuesday, January 30, Room 202, Franklin Hospital, 1 PM)
(With a weak voice) “Bobby?”
(Bobby leans over the bed and carefully lays his head on Kit’s shoulder with one hand behind her head.)
(With a trembling, quiet voice, full of emotion) “You’re awake. Kitty, I thought I’d lost you. I love you so much. I love you. Your voice is the sweetest sound…”
“I love you too, Bobby. I’m here. I’m alright. Look at me, Darlin’.”
(Bobby raises his head and looks into Kit’s eyes. She can see the anguish and relief fighting for control of her husband.) “Not Eliza, anything but that. Bobby, tell me Eliza’s ok.”
“She’s alive. She’s in the pediatric ICU in Bowling Green. They can take care of her better there. Our baby girl is going to live. Eliza’s going to be alright.”
(As her tears fall, Kit laughs softly.) We’re Mommy and Daddy. We’re a family now. We’ll have brothers and sisters for Eliza, and we’ll adopt and we’ll raise all of them as our own.”
“Kit, you...that sounds perfect.”
“What are you keeping from me?”
(Bobby sits back down and holds both of Kit’s hands.)
“Kitty, there were problems. It’ll be ok.”
“No secrets between us. Tell me.”
(Deep sigh) “Kitty, your uterus was damaged. Debbie had to do a partial hysterectomy to save you. You’re not able to have children anymore. I’m sorry, Kitty.”
“I can’t give you children of your own? Bobby, I’m so sorry.”
“You gave me a daughter! She’s mine! We’ll adopt like we talked about and they’ll be ours too. Do you think Brian and Morgan could possibly love you any more if you’d been born to them? Do you think they could possibly love me any more? Kitty, Eliza’s mine, she’s ours. We can deal with the rest, together.”
“You still want me?”
“Kitty, you can’t be serious! I want you and nobody but you! You are the only one I want! It’s you and me and Eliza, together! We got you through what Troy did to you, together! We fought the state for the right to marry, together! We became the parents of our precious daughter yesterday, together! Honey, we’ll get through this too, together.”
“Kiss me, Bobby.”
(His tender kiss shows Kit the truth of his words to her.)
“Together, Darlin’, the three of us.”
“Together.”
“You were willing to sacrifice me for Eliza. Thank you. I wasn’t sure you could.”
“We promised each other, our children before ourselves. I didn’t want to make that choice at all, but I had to. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice either one of you, but I made you a promise.”
“We made the same choice, the right choice. How soon will we get to take Eliza home?”
“When her lungs work the way they should. Debbie doesn’t know, but she says it’ll happen.”
“Have you seen her?”
“No.”
“Who’s with her? She can’t be alone.”
“Her grandmothers are supposed to be taking turns, but neither one will leave. She’s in good hands.”
“HAHA, Oh God That Hurts!”
“I’ll get the nurse!”
“No Darlin’, it’s ok. Note to self, don’t laugh. Ow!”
“Think you can stand to smile?”
“Yeah, smiling’s ok. I wanted to breastfeed Eliza.”
“You kinda’ are. They’ve been pumping your breast milk every three hours. Brian’s going to transport it this afternoon and they’re going to feed Eliza with it as soon as they can take her off the respirator, as long as it doesn’t test positive for the sedative they’ve been using to keep you asleep.”
“Why’s she on a respirator?”
“Her lungs need the help right now. She just has to grow a little more. She’ll grow and be alright. We’ll bring her home soon.”
“I wish we could see her.”
“Hold on.”
(phone)
“Hi, Bobby. Is Kit still asleep?”
“Hi Mom. Bobby has you on speaker.”
“How you feeling, Precious?”
“I’ve felt better, but I’m alive.”
“Morgan, will you do us a favor, if you can?”
“Whatcha’ need?”
“If they’ll let you, take a picture of our daughter and send it to us. Neither one of us have seen her. We’d like to see what our daughter looks like.”
“We’ll make that happen. Hang on, let me put you on speaker. Your Mom wants to talk to you.”
“Bobby? Kitty?”
“Hi,Mom.”
“Hi, Mama. Did you read with Tia last night?”
“No, she was a little busy asking questions about you and Eliza. I wanted to tell you both congratulations. You gave me a beautiful little granddaughter. I like that she’s named after me too. It was a nice surprise.”
“We thought you’d like that. We actually named her after you, Mom, and Stacy.”
“That’s ok. I don’t mind sharing. Is there anything we can do for you kids?”
“I’m good. How about you, Honey?”
“Who’s driving the bus today?”
“I am. I’m leaving here in about an hour to start my rounds.”
“If they want to, would you bring the crew by? The way I feel, I can probably only stand company for a few minutes, but I’d like to see them.”
“Then we’ll stop by. Hang on...We need to hang up. Morgan needs her phone so the nurse can go get some pictures of Eliza for us.”
“Tell the nurse thank you. Talk to you later. (click)
“I didn’t even think about your Mom’s name being Elizabeth. It just never clicked with me that Betty is short for Elizabeth.”
“I didn’t think about it either. Oh well, what she doesn’t know, won’t hurt us. No sense telling her. That was one smooth recovery though.”
“You’re awful.”
“I’m awful? You’re the one who lied like a dog and played it off like we planned it that way.”
“I have my moments. Bobby, I’m really thirsty.”
“What do you want?”
“I’m dying for a cup of coffee, but I bet they won’t let me have it. I guess a Sprite if you can.”
“Oh, I can. You want anything else?”
“You don’t happen to have a deck of cards, do you?”
“As soon as I get down to the gift shop, I do. What do you want to play?”
“Strip poker. Maybe I can lose enough that you’ll take these stitches off me and we can go home.”
“Don’t think it works that way. Do you really want to play cards?”
“Yeah, the other was just wishful thinking.”
“Back shortly.”
(Nurses’ station)
“Ma’am, I’m with Kit Jones in 202. She said she’s craving coffee. Can she have some?”
“Let me see...No restrictions against it, but it says she’s nursing. The coffee might change the taste of her milk enough to make her baby not want it.”
“Never mind then. Can she have Sprite?”
“Oh yeah, Sprite’s fine. I’ll get her one.”
“Thanks. I’m going to the gift shop for a deck of cards, then I’ll be back.”
“Shouldn’t you be in school?”
“Probably, but my wife needs me here more.”
“So you’re the one! Dr. Wasserman told us about you! Mr. Jones, I don’t know what you did, but Dr. Wasserman told us to get you whatever you need. She’s really impressed with you. Have you eaten today?”
“No. Kit wasn’t awake to put a breakfast order in. She just woke up a little while ago. Is it too late to put in an order for her supper?”
“Not at all! I’ll drop off two meal order cards when I take her Sprite to her. You two pick out what each of you want and dinner will be served about 6:30. Just bring them up here or give them to me when I do my next round. Would you like me to have something sent up for you now?”
“Would a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches be too much trouble?”
“Not at all. Do you want some chips?”
“No, just the sandwiches will be fine. Thank you.”
“No problem. We can probably scare up a deck of cards, save you the trip.”
“Nah, I’ll just go buy a deck, be a nice souvenir. I’ll be back shortly.”
“Ok. It shouldn’t take the kitchen too long to send those up.”
“Thanks.”
(Franklin high school office, end of school day.)
“May I help you?”
“My name’s Sam Wright. Kit and Bobby Jones asked me to get their books and assignments for them. Would you please let me into their lockers, so I can get their books from their morning classes?”
“It’s against school policy to allow students to have access to other students’ personal property.”
“Then you get their books out and give them to me so I can take them to them, or let me talk to Mr. Martin.”
“Mr. Wright, Bobby called me this morning and asked that I send their books and assignments with you. I assume you had no trouble gathering their assignments from the teachers?”
“Did you already talk to the teachers, Mr. Martin? All of them gave me the assignments for the whole week and said they’d have next week’s ready for me on Monday, if I needed it.”
“No, I didn’t. Your friends are well thought of among the staff. Mr. Jones reputations, both old and new, have preceded him. He has succeeded at something of a miraculous turnaround in his life. If I may say so, your reputation was similar, with similar improvements.”
“Mr. Martin, it’s amazing what a good woman can do for straightening a guy out.”
“Isn’t that the truth! Let me get my passkey, then we will go get your friends’ books.”
“Thanks, Mr. Martin.”
(Franklin Hospital, Room 202, 3:15 PM)
“Hi Jen! Hi Alan! Jessica!?!”
“I slipped into Alan’s car when nobody was looking and hid under a blanket in the back seat so he wouldn’t get a ticket for too many people in his car. I wanted to see you too.”
“You guys shouldn’t have done that! Alan, they could take your license for this!”
“Special occasion and you’re worth the risk.”
“Well, don’t do it again! Jess, you stay here until Bobby’s Mom gets here with the rest of our crew. She’ll give you a ride home from here. I am glad to see all of you.”
“How do you feel?”
“My stomach feels like somebody punched me in it...about a hundred times. I’m really sore and I really want to see Eliza in person. Mom sent pictures though, wanna’ see?”
“She’s adorable, but she’s a little bitty thing, isn’t she?”
“Four pounds eleven ounces and just a tick over seventeen inches long. She was a little short and light for how far along she was, but not enough to be dangerous. Troy was only an inch taller than me, so she might end up being petite anyway.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s at the hospital in Bowling Green. They have a PICU there.”
“A what?”
“Pediatric intensive care. Sorry, Ruby did a job there last year and we just call it PICU.”
“Why is she in intensive care?”
“Her lungs aren’t fully developed and she can’t generate enough body heat yet to keep herself warm. I was pretty freaked until Debbie came by today and told me those were common and treatable problems for preemies. Debbie expects us to be able to take her home in a week or two.”
“I hope so, poor thing. When do you get out?”
“Maybe a few days. I hope to be back at school by the end of next week.”
“So, when are you two going to have another one?”
(Kit tears up and starts silently crying)
“It’s ok Honey. They don’t know. Jen, Kit can’t have children anymore. Our parents know and so does the family. We’re going to tell the crew, but we don’t want everybody and their brother to know. The inhuman shit Troy did to her caused damage that nobody knew about. Debbie had to remove her uterus to save my Kitty. Eliza will get brothers and sisters after we turn 21 and can adopt them. They will be just as much ours as Eliza is, without her having to go through nine months of pregnancy and labor.”
“Kitty, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”
“It makes me less of a wife and woman.”
“How can that be true? You gave birth to a daughter. You adore Bobby, would do anything for him. Bobby just said you two intend to adopt more children, children who desperately want parents. If anything, you’re more of a wife and woman than most. If Alan and I stay together and he told me he wanted to adopt a kid, I’d have to think long and hard about it. Right now, I don’t know if I could agree to it.”
“Then think long and hard about it right now. Have your answer before he asks the question.”
“I guess I should, being as I hang with this bunch.”
“You really don’t think less of me?”
“No way! You kept Eliza and you beat your fears to marry Bobby. I still can’t believe I have a friend like you.”
“I’m thankful to know you too. You have helped Jen in ways I couldn’t.”
“You didn’t hate me over what happened with Troy. You forgave me.”
“You didn’t know what he was doing, to either one of us.”
“But you still didn’t hold it against me. Very few women would have treated me like you have.”
“Jess, you’re my friend, and you’re a survivor too. Troy lied to us both, and we both believed him. I couldn’t treat you any other way.”
“Hey! How’s our girl today?”
“Come on in everybody. I’m having kind of a rough day, but I’m still here.”
“Have you heard anything about Eliza?”
(Bobby hands Stacy his phone) “Mom sent us some pictures. Pass it around. She’s still in the fight. Debbie said they might be able to take her off the respirator tomorrow.”
“I can’t wait to hold her!”
“Neither can we. I’m really looking forward to her first crew camping trip. You misfits are going to spoil her rotten.”
“Yes sir we will, and then some. Congratulations, Mom and Dad.”
“Thanks, Sky. I’m not going to be able to last much longer, but would it be alright with everybody if we had a prayer?”
“Wouldn’t miss it. Let’s do it. Who’s going to say it?”
“Daddy, would you?”
“Gladly. Lord God, we thank You for our precious little Eliza. We ask You to heal her and make her grow healthy and strong and faithful. We ask Your healing hand on her mother. We pray Lord that You will share with all of us, Your wisdom, that all of us here will be able to nurture and bless Eliza with all that we are. Kitty and I are thankful to You for the crew who love us and our daughter so very much. We are grateful that they are a part of our lives and will be a part of hers. We ask Your forgiveness of our sins and Your blessings of wisdom and care on all of us. We are especially thankful for Debbie and Aaron, who together saved our precious girls. In Christ’s name, Amen.”
(All) “Amen”
“We’ll come by tomorrow if you want, but I think I’m going to take my bunch home so you can get some rest.”
“We’ll go too.”
“Thanks everybody for coming to see me and Bobby. Mama, would you please take Jess home, so Alan doesn’t get in trouble for having too many passengers in his car?”
“Be glad to. Call me if you need me. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye, everybody.”
(As they crew leaves)
“What are…”
“Not now, Alan. I’ll explain later.”
(knock) “Do you feel up to one more visitor?”
“Mr. Bauer? Of course. Come in.”
“How are you feeling, Mrs. Jones?”
(Kit, smiling) “That sounds funny. I’m so used to you calling me Miss Marshall.”
“I still could, but it would be inaccurate and insulting. How are you?”
“I’m very tired and very sore, but I’m alive. Mr. Bauer, part of the credit for that belongs to you. You called the ambulance for me and made sure the paramedics could get to me quickly. Come closer, please.”
(Mr. Bauer steps to the side of Kit’s bed and leans his head close to hers, thinking she is weak and is straining to be heard.)
“This is for luck...This is for love...And this is for you.”
(Bobby smiles in amusement as a shocked Mr. Bauer realizes that his student’s kisses on cheeks and lips puts him in a compromising position.)
“That was highly inappropriate, Mrs. Jones!”
“It wasn’t inappropriate at all. I wished you good fortune. I wished your life to be filled with love and hope. I offered my thanks and affection to you. I sealed each of those gifts with a kiss. What I just did was not born of passion or lust, but of trust, great respect, and deep, heartfelt thanks. I once told you that I choose who I call a man with great care. It takes a great man and leader to obey the orders of one much younger and subordinate to him. Even through my fear, I saw you accept my husband’s command of the situation. You obeyed his orders, and helped save my and my daughter’s lives. When she’s older, Eliza will know your name and the part you played in bringing her safely into this world. I will never forget the respect you showed my husband. I am grateful. I’m also grateful you think enough of me to come visit me in the hospital.”
(Mr. Bauer relaxes visibly.) “You are an exceptional student, one of the best I have ever taught. You carry yourself with a grace and poise far beyond your years. More to the point, I cannot stop reflecting on one of our conversations. I told you I originally thought you should have had an abortion, and that I had come to think I was mistaken. You did not respond like I have come to expect a Christian to respond. You defended your daughter and your beliefs, but you did not attack or judge me. You made it clear that you think we are both intelligent individuals with divergent beliefs. You never once told me I was wrong. You stated what you know of my position and put your own beside it for me to compare. When you spoke of how you came to be pregnant and involved with Bobby, you spoke plainly and honestly of your choices and actions. You didn’t try to spin things in your favor. You took responsibility for your own actions. You spoke with passion and conviction of your respect for your friends and Bobby. I still don’t believe in any god, but I’ll admit to being curious to hear more about this god you talk about. He’s not like the god I hear most supposed Christians talk about.”
“Don’t be fooled. Our God will let you fall on your face. He will let you march yourself straight to your own destruction, if you so choose. I paid a heavy price for not listening to the warnings God sent me through the people I love. I had to suffer the pain, terror, and humiliation of being raped. I have been marked for life, all over my body, for my foolishness. I could have the scars mostly removed through plastic surgery, but I have chosen not to. I have chosen to make my career working with rape victims. My marks may be what I need to help one of them. Eliza is the only child I will ever be able to bear. Injuries Troy inflicted on me, caused my premature labor. The doctors had to perform a partial hysterectomy to save my life. In all of that, God gave me gifts. I have been led to a career that will allow me to use my hurt to help others. My suffering isn’t wasted. I do have my daughter and my husband. The events of the day of my rape have bound me and my four closest friends together in a way that those bonds can never be broken. I have the love of my life at my side. Bobby is arguably the greatest man I have ever known. Our daughter has a Daddy who will cherish her for his entire life. Bobby and I had intended to have more children after we graduated and to adopt at least one child after we turned 21 and are permitted to. I can no longer conceive, so we can adopt more instead. Those children will be just as much ours as Eliza or any other child we could conceive together. The God we serve has a habit of turning curse into blessing, if we let Him.”
“I’ll think about it. You truly are an incredible woman. I misspoke earlier. You offered me gifts of friendship and I criticized you out of misunderstanding. I ask your forgiveness and thank you for those gifts.”
“Nothing to forgive. We all make mistakes. At least yours was well intentioned. You were trying to protect my reputation, and yours.”
“I’ll go now, so you can rest. I look forward to having you both back in my class. I also look forward to talking with you again, Kit.”
“So do I. Goodnight Mr. Bauer, and thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome. Goodnight.” (Mr. Bauer leaves.)
“What was that?”
“I don’t know, but I think it was a good thing.”
“So do I, but I still don’t know what.”
“Doesn’t matter. Maybe he’ll think his way into Heaven.”
“Doesn’t work like that.”
“Doesn’t it? It’s what you did.”
“I guess I did. Rest, Kitty. You’ve worked enough today.”
(With a tiny, contented smile, the same smile she shared with her twin sister.) “I love you, Bobby.”
|
|
|
Post by 9idrr on Jan 29, 2018 21:02:55 GMT -6
Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by cutter on Feb 1, 2018 22:43:15 GMT -6
Chapter 74
(Friday, February 2, Franklin Middle, 11:45 AM)
(Mark’s phone vibrates. He slips it out of his pocket and checks it under his desk.)
(Text message)
It’s kit. 2 much 2 text. Call me. 911
(Under his breath) “Shit!”
(Stacy hears and mouths “What?” at him. Mark shakes his head.)
“Mrs. Greer?”
“Yes, Mark?”
“May I go to the restroom please?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.” (Mark leaves the classroom and goes to the restroom.)
(Cell phone)
“That was quick!”
“You said it was an emergency! What’s wrong, Kit?”
“I’m sorry, Mark. I meant to call me back as soon as you could. Nothing’s wrong. In fact, nothing could be more right if it wanted to be right now!”
“Just tell me what’s so important that I lied to my teacher so I could call you from a bathroom stall!”
“We’re all coming home tomorrow! Debbie just told us! Eliza’s doing great and I’m well enough to come home! Debbie said we could pick Eliza up from Bowling Green as soon as I get released! Bobby and I are going to get to bring Eliza home with us!”
“That’s great! Kit, I’m so happy for all of you, and us too for that matter. It’s going to be so good to have y’all home. I have two requests.”
“Name ‘em.”
I would like to hold Eliza, even if it’s only for a minute or two, and I would like to give her mother a welcome home kiss.”
“You are welcome to hold her for as long as you can fight everybody else off. As for that kiss, you’re more than welcome to that too. I owe you one anyway.”
“Kit, we’ll talk about this tonight. I have to get back in class before Mrs. Greer sends out the hounds.”
“Go, before you get in trouble. I just wanted to give you the good news. Tell Stacy and Sky.”
I will. See you after school. Bye.” (Click)
(Back in the classroom.)
“Are you quite alright, Mark?”
“Sorry, Mrs. Greer. Fell in, I had to dry my hair.”
“Pfft! You’re always good for a laugh. Get back to work.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
(Stacy whispering as Mark sits down.) “What is it?”
“After class.”
(Bell rings five minutes later)
“Ok Mark, enough! What’s going on!?!”
“Kit and Eliza are both coming home tomorrow, both of them!”
“That’s great! I can’t wait!”
“You’re going to have to.”
“You know what I mean!”
“Yeah. Hey, let’s get the crew together and throw a party.”
“Better not; she’s still not going to be well and they may both be tired. They’ll want to spend a lot of time with Eliza too. Mark, she’s four days old and neither one of them have been able to hold her yet. Let’s wait and see how they feel. Maybe next weekend?”
“You’re right. What say you and me go do the laundry and clean their place up for them tonight? Maybe even make a few things they only have to heat up to eat?”
“Now that sounds like a great idea. We need to ask Betty to stop by Walmart on the way home. I need to pick up a few things. I’m almost out of some of my spices and I need some more cloth and batting.”
“Huh?”
“I’m making a couple of dresses and blankets for Eliza.”
“Dresses? The kid’s four days old! She’s not going on a date anytime soon!”
“Not dresses like that! It’s cold out. I’m making her a couple of dresses that have batting in them like a comforter and I’m lining them with flannel to keep her warm. I’m putting a drawstring in the hem so Kit can close it up like a bag to keep her little feet warm. Oh, and I made her some little flannel lined booties too!”
“This I gotta’ see.”
“I have one done already. I’ll show you tonight.”
“Cool. What did we bring for lunch?”
“WE, didn’t bring anything. I brought hot wings with bleu cheese to dip ‘em in for us and brownies.”
“Well YOU, are my favorite girl right now.”
“I better be your only girl, if you know what’s good for you.”
“I know what’s good for me. If they don’t need us this weekend, would you like to go to our special place and stay Saturday night?”
“Can we?”
“I don’t think anybody would have a problem with it.”
“Can we stay warm enough?”
“It’s us; I think we can manage.”
“I’d love to. We need to start moving stuff back in there anyway.”
“Then let’s go tonight after we get done at Bobby and Kit’s place. We can come back in to see the guys tomorrow.”
(Waterfall cave, 9 PM)
“I’m beat! At least I got the water wheel back up and the generator hooked up to the battery. I’m glad I got that charge controller for it. That’s going to be much better than just letting a light burn.”
“Why did you put up a tent inside here?”
“We can use this propane heater to keep it warmer. Heating this whole room would take way too much fuel, even assuming we could do it.”
“Isn’t it dangerous to have that thing burning in the tent?”
“It’s made for it. If it gets tipped over, it goes out immediately. There’s no floor in this tent anyway, except the plywood I put down, and it’s big enough that we can leave room around the heater clear. I need to run a cord back here for some light.”
“We’ll manage without it tonight. We’re done working for the night. Come have supper.”
“What are we having?”
“The packages say chicken alfredo. I never had them before, so I fixed a couple of those Mountain House meals.”
Your cooking is better, but they’re not bad.”
“I wonder if I can make something like them.”
“We don’t have a freeze dryer and those things are damn expensive. You might could do some stuff with the dehydrator.”
“I may play around with it and see what I can come up with. Let’s eat.”
“Lantern burning low, supper on a blanket, the two of us all alone; this is pretty romantic.”
“That’s what I was going for. I didn’t figure we would just have an R&R weekend like you said the last time we were here, but I’m going for all I can.”
“I don’t know about rest, but I’ll see what I can do to relax you tonight.”
“I was going for that too.”
“Your birthday’s coming up, what do you want?”
“You.”
“No, really.”
“Really, I want you. I want you and me together right here for a whole weekend, alone.”
“Your folks will probably throw you a birthday party the weekend before.”
“So we wait till the weekend after. Mark, this past year has been one freaky wild ride. I’ve been going crazy just trying to keep up. I need you and I need some peace and quiet for a little while. I want us to come here and relax. I want to have more of these romantic suppers. I want to watch the sun rise through the waterfall. I want to play some soft music and dance with you. I want to feel your skin against mine and wake up in your arms. I want it to just be the two of us. I want to be able to lose myself in the fantasy for a while.”
“What fantasy?”
“How can you be so smart and still be so dense sometimes? I’ve been daydreaming about when we’re married nonstop, ever since you gave me this ring. Don’t get me wrong, I want to wait; but it’s driving me nuts! That massage you gave me at the campout when we poured the shelter was the most incredible thing I ever felt! You didn’t play with me at all, but you touched me everywhere else. I want that again. I can’t seem to get the chance when you aren’t stupid exhausted, but I want to do the same to you. I really want to see if it does the same thing to you as it did to me.”
“You don’t have to wait for your birthday for that. We’re here tonight. I have some music we like on my phone and I can charge it from the battery. School was school, but I’m not as tired as I let on.”
“I’m going to take you up on that, count on it. I still want to do it again for my birthday. Mark, I can’t marry you yet, but I can pretend.”
“There’s no pretending. We are what we are. There’s a lot of married couples who would give anything to be us, just like we are right now.”
“I know. I just wish we were Kit and Bobby.”
“Don’t rush it. Let’s just enjoy the trip.”
“I plan to...Lover.”
“So do I...Lover.”
“Did you bring your bag?”
“You’re kidding, right? Of course I did. It doesn’t matter; we won’t need them.”
“I was just making sure, in case we’re wrong.”
(Tent in the cave, Midnight)
“Stop, Stacy! God, please stop, NOW! I can’t take it anymore! If you don’t stop now, I won’t! Please!”
(Stacy stops, but can’t keep from giggling.) I guess I got my answer. That gets you all hot and bothered just like it did me.”
“I didn’t do THAT to you! All I used was my hands!”
(Stacy grins mischievously.) “I wanted dessert. I just nibbled a little.”
“A little, my ass! Holy Shit! You stay over there and keep your hands to yourself for a while, your lips too! Damn!”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Enjoyed it!?! We passed enjoyed it about an hour ago! I’m coming out of my skin here!”
“I guess we can fix that.”
“NO! There’s only one way to fix that and we can’t do that yet!”
“Nobody would know.”
“Lover, we’d know.
“How the hell long do we have to wait!?! Mark, we’re going to get married and have kids together! God willing, we’re going to grow old together! What does it matter if we make love tonight or wait till later!?! We love each other!”
“We do love each other and we are going to get married. The day I turn sixteen, you’re going to get the presents. Lover, on my sixteenth birthday, I’m going to officially propose to you. If you say yes, I’m going to put a ring on your finger and we’re going to uphold the family tradition like nobody in the family has before. I promise you, we’re going to make your folks and Brian and Morgan look like amateurs. Our engagement will be short. We will convince Brian, Morgan, Larry, and Erin to consent to our marriage and we will get married. We will spend our wedding night together in our own bed, in our own home. We have about three years to manage to come up with the money to buy at least five acres of the Overstreet tract from the farm trust, put in the utilities, and either build a house or buy a trailer to live in. Bobby and Kit aren’t living under either of their parents’ roofs and we’re not going to either! Those are my conditions. If you agree to them, I will put a ring on your finger on April 26. 2021 and I will make love with you that night until one or both of us drop. Assuming your folks and my brother and sister go along with it, we will be married before Christmas of that year. We are both going to finish high school at least, and we have until our wedding day to build up our cattle and horse business enough to support us. If we can’t or don’t do that, we will not get married until we have jobs that will support us, without our parents or anybody else’s help! Either way, I will use condoms or you will go on the pill. We are NOT going to have a baby until we graduate. Kit didn’t have a choice; we do. I love you and I love it when we play, but I don’t want to make love to you until we are at least engaged. If we’re going to go all the way, I want a commitment!”
“That’s not what you said the day Bobby and Kit got married! You wanted me then and I said no! Mark, I love you, but make up your damn mind what the hell you want! You have a commitment! I’M YOURS, PERIOD!”
“I want you, all of you! I want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my whole life! I want you to be my wife! I want you to have our children! I want you to be by my side until the day I die! I want you to always know how much I love you! I know you’re mine! I DON’T WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU RIGHT NOW BECAUSE YOU’RE MY WHOLE WORLD! YOU MEAN MORE TO ME THAN MY OWN FAMILY! YOU MEAN MORE TO ME THAN BRIAN, MORE THAN JACOB, MORE THAN TODD, MORE THAN OUR BOYS! I LOVE YOU AND YOU DESERVE BETTER THAN THAT!”
(Stacy sits wide eyed and stunned in the soft glow of the battery lantern on the table in the tent. She sits like that for several minutes before she can even find her voice to reply.)
“M-Mark?”
“WHAT?”
“M-Mark you can’t m-mean that. They’re your brothers!”
“I do mean it. You’re adopted in, but you’re my family too. If you were blood kin, we wouldn’t be here having this argument right now.”
“But, but you grew up with your brothers!”
“Yeah, and you saved my life twice. You are the reason I fought so hard to walk again. I live to hear your voice, to see your face. I live for the touch of your hand and your kiss. The love you show me every day is more addictive than any drug. When you hold your baby brother and sister, I don’t see Al and Roni. I see you holding my son, my daughter. Right here, right now, if I close my eyes, this is our bedroom in our house, our bed. I’ve tried because that’s just how I am, but I can’t see a future for me that doesn’t have you in it. I know who I am. I know that when we finally do make love together, every day after is going to kill me until we are actually married. I know that every day after we get engaged that we don’t have a date set is going to piss me off. That’s what drove Sarah and Todd apart for so long and I know just how much I’m like my brothers. It will drive me bat shit crazy to wait for our wedding day, but it will make me furious until I know when that day will be! I usually have a lot of patience, but not when it comes to you. So help me, I would take you to Craig’s house and roll his happy preacher ass out of bed right now to marry us tonight if I could. I can’t. We really are too young. It isn’t safe for you to get pregnant. Anastasia, having a baby really could kill you both. I can’t support us. At our age, we can’t even get a judge’s permission to get married if you were pregnant with my baby! We love each other and neither one of us are going anywhere, but I can’t take this step without having a ring on your finger first. I can’t handle the guilt of that. I can’t propose to you because we can’t do anything about it until we’re both at least 16 and then only if we have our parent’s consent. I’ll tell you right now, I will propose to you on my sixteenth birthday and I will be faithful to you and wait if either one of us doesn’t have consent. I don’t think your folks or Brian will deny us, but if they do, you and I will go get our marriage license on my eighteenth birthday. That will be our gift to me. If it goes down like that, you and I will get married on April 27, 2023, the day after I turn eighteen. I’m sorry Anastasia, that’s the best I can do.”
(Stacy just sits staring at Mark in shock. She has always known he loves her, but what he just said to her rocks her to her core. A part of her doesn’t what to believe that he loves her more than his own brothers because it’s just too frightening to mean that much to him. She has always known that the devotion Mark and his brothers feel for each other is total. She long ago came to understand just what they mean when they say family is everything. She remembers what she told him once about how every time she thought she knew how much he loved her, he did something that blew everything she thought she knew away. She never dreamed the next thing would be this. She just found out she’s someplace she never thought she could be. She just found out that with Mark, she’s second only to God. She stays quiet for a long time because she doesn’t know what to say.)
“What are you thinking?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’ve been sitting there staring right through me for the last half hour. I’ve either pissed you off or scared you off. Which is it?”
“Mark, you didn’t do either one of those things. Do you realize what you’re saying?”
“Yes, and I meant every last word of it. Everything I just told you is true. I’ve screwed up a few times, but I don’t think I’ve ever lied to you. I’m not lying now, either. I meant what I said. I have some really special people in my life, a lot of them, but the only one I love more than you is God.”
“Mark, I can’t live up to that standard. Sooner or later, I’ll mess this up and everything will come crashing down around us.”
“You’ve had plenty of chances and you haven’t yet. It doesn’t matter. Part of being where you are with me is that there’s nothing you can do, short of walking away, that can make me feel any different. Nothing you can do can break us bad enough that we can’t fix it. It might be hard, but we can do it. Anastasia, I want to make love to you and I’d do it in a minute, but you were right. You told me I’d hate myself afterward and you are right. Morgan is the only woman Brian has ever been with. Sarah and Todd have never been with anybody except each other. Erin is the only woman Larry has ever been with. Hell, Erin was the first girl Larry ever kissed! From the stories I’ve heard, Eric was a whore in high school, but Kris has never been with another man. I want that for both of us. I really believe you and I will be together for life. If I’m right, it’s only a matter of time. I can wait for you because you’re worth the wait. I can love you as much as I do because whether you’ll admit it or not, you love me just as much.”
“Mark, lie down so you can hold me. Hold me tight all night, don’t let go.”
(Mark stretches out) “Come here, my Love. Everything’s going to be alright.”
(Stacy lays her head on Mark’s shoulder. When he wraps his arms around her, she takes the one she’s lying on and pulls it a little tighter around her.) I know it will. Now I know. I love you.”
“I love you too. Let’s try to get some rest.”
|
|
|
Post by headlesshorseman on Feb 2, 2018 8:39:53 GMT -6
Thank you. I want an invitation to the wedding of their grand daughter.
|
|