All the times Charity had been in the waiting room of the hospital, she had never noticed the heinous shade of blue that covered the furniture. Maybe it had changed since her mother had been ill, but staring at the awful blue she had the sudden urge to redecorate. She had snuck up to the room where interns and other doctors were allowed to observe surgeries. Her father had made sure she had no problem getting in. Nobody said anything. He went down to sit with Margaret.
Charity decided it was safe to leave the observation room when Elijah and Dr. Bailey began the application of the Spica cast. It would begin on the abdomen and extend beyond the hip down the entire left leg. It was necessary to immobilize her hip so the thighbone could heal. They had thought it was just a greenstick fracture but the fracture near the top of her femur caused Dr. Bailey to argue for a bigger cast.
So much for potty training and walking on her own. Charity would have to replenish the diaper supply and rely on the baby-jogger for a bit longer. A big-girl bed would have to wait, as Jamie would remain in her crib throughout her recovery. There was the possibility of some length discrepancy in her left leg but it was a minor inconvenience when compared to what might have happened. If Jamie had extensive nerve damage, she could have spent months and perhaps years enduring strenuous physical therapy. Never walking again was a real possibility. Charity closed her eyes and buried her head in her hands while she waited for Elijah to tell her when Jamie was moving to recovery.
“Hey, you.” Julie gently nudged her friend. “I came down as soon as I heard. I know Jamie’s in capable hands with Dr. Bailey and Elijah. How’re you?”
Charity forced a smile, happy to see her friend. They barely saw each other these days, now that Charity wasn’t at the hospital every day. “I’ve never been more scared in my life. I’m a doctor, Julie, and I’ve had patients die,” her voiced dropped down to a whisper. “I watched my mom die, I nearly lost my dad, but nothing comes close to this. It’s a gut check and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. The past twelve hours have been a blur and I don’t want to remember them.” She sniffed and wiped a tear that had slipped down her cheek. “I’m afraid to remember them, because I don’t want to think about the possibility of life without…without...” Charity raked her hands through her blonde hair and thought about what a mess she was.
“What can I do? Let me help you. Simon’s never around so I’m always at the hospital. I’ll dress up like a clown if you think it’ll put a smile of Jamie’s face. I can hang with her, check on her during my rounds, sleep with her at night. Anything.”
Charity smiled. “I appreciate it Juls. You’re a loyal friend. It’s too early to make plans, but when I figure things out I’ll let you know. My life’s been thrown off its axis and I need to assess the damage before I plan anything.”
“It doesn’t hurt to have people you can rely on. I’ll get some of the hospital staff to cook you guys some dinners. The less worry on food and things like that will make things easier. You don’t realize it now, but as Jamie’s healing, you’ll appreciate it. You can freeze the dinners and use ‘em as you need ‘em.” Julie made a note on her phone. “I won’t stop checking in and I promise not to take it personally if you tell me to go to hell. Elijah’s mom’s great help. It’ll be great having her here for the next while. She and Dr. Thompson must be a wreck.”
Charity looked around the waiting room with bloodshot eyes. “I have no idea where my dad and Margaret are. They drove us here to the hospital and I saw my dad earlier in the observation room. I don’t know where they went after.” She tried to remember if her dad had told her if they were heading home. She couldn’t imagine it.
Julie looked around the near empty waiting room. “I’m surprised they’re not close by. You were so focused on Jamie that you probably just missed them.”
“I guess.” Charity reached for her phone and then realized she didn’t have it on her. “Would you let them know what’s happening and where I am. Maybe they’re resting in my dad’s office. Can you page my father.” Charity tilted her head in confusion. She should have gone to Elijah’s office and waited there for Elijah instead of here in the waiting room. What if Elijah was looking for her?
“I’m on it,” Julie said. “I’ll go check with Maxine, Dr. Thompson’s leading lady here at the hospital. She knows everything that’s going on here.”
“I’ll come with you.” Charity decided she might as well check her dad’s office and also Elijah’s across the hall. She could message Elijah from his computer and tell him she was waiting there.
Julie smiled at Maxine as the two of them headed to the main switchboard of the hospital. “Hello Maxine! Crazy evening, or should I say morning now? I imagine Dr. Thompson has been running around like a chicken with his head cut-off. I’m trying to locate him so his daughter, Doctor Charity Thompson-Bennet doesn’t have to track him down. Is he in his office?” Julie asked politely.
“No and no,” Maxine said flatly.
Julie frowned. “I’m sorry. Do you mean no, I can’t see Dr. Thompson, or no, he’s not in his office?”
“No to both. You can make an appointment to see Dr. Thompson next week, although it will probably have to be rescheduled under the circumstances.” Maxine’s brisk voice held a tone of authority. She obviously didn’t care she was talking to one of the doctors of the hospital.
Charity cleared her throat and threw her hands on her hips as she stepped forward. “Look Maxine, my daughter came in with a serious injury and her father, Dr. Elijah Bennet is operating on her right now. My father, Dr. Scott Thompson drove his granddaughter here. WHERE’S MY FREAKIN’ FATHER?”
“I work directly for Dr. Thompson.” Maxine glared at Charity. “Given the circumstances I’ll excuse your rude behavior.”
“My rude behavior?” Charity was ready to tear down the shatterproof glass between miserable Maxine and her. She snorted and took a long deep breath. It wasn’t Maxine’s fault she was a bitch. Maybe she was just born that way. Maybe she had to deal with too many dickheads trying to get into places they shouldn’t. Charity had worked here for two years and didn’t remember ever meeting Maxine. Maybe she was new. It didn’t matter. “Please just page my father.”
“I can’t.” Maxine crossed her arms over her small chest.
“Excuse me?” Julie smacked the glass and Maxine jumped.
“I can’t because he’s in the CCU.”
Charity grabbed the counter, sure she was about to faint. “He had a heart attack, again?”
“He and Elijah’s mother didn’t want to bother Jamie Lynn’s parents.”
“What the hell?” Julie shouted, already moving towards the elevator.
Charity followed close behind. They skipped the elevator and went straight for the stairs, Charity taking two at a time. No way was she losing her father tonight.
On the cardiac floor, Julie grabbed an iPad off the nurse’s station desk and found his room. They ran down the hall and pulled up short when a doctor stepped out of the room that Julie had said was Dr. Thompson’s.
“What happened?” Charity barked. She didn’t recognize the doctor, but she was pretty sure he knew who she was.
Gesturing with his hands, he motioned for them to slow down. “Ladies, it’s after midnight here. Can you please keep it down?” He stepped closer to them and leaned against the railing in the hall. “Doctor Thompson had a heart event. A fib is common in a situation like his. He’s a heart patient who endured a great deal of stress when his granddaughter took a tumble.” He looked directly at Charity, his doctor face giving away nothing. “He was fully aware of the symptoms, as was his girlfriend. She must spend a great deal of time on WebMD because Margaret knows her stuff. She knows more than most residents.”
“Margaret’s Doctor Thompson’s girlfriend?” Julie shook her head.
Charity ignored Julie’s comment. “Is he going to be o.k.? I assume it’s paroxysmal?”
“Yes. I don’t think it’s a permanent, or even recurring event that he’ll have to worry about. Doctor Thompson’s resting comfortably and back to his normal self.” The doctor grinned. “He’s already barking orders at anyone who’ll listen. He was adamant that it be kept away from Charity and Elijah as long as possible.”
“So he’s okay?”
The doctor nodded. “He’s going to be fine.”
Charity sank back against the wall. “Is he resting now?”
“Margaret’s with him. They’re both lying on two hospital beds beside each other.” The doctor grinned. “Holding hands.”
“Really?” Charity smiled for the first time since arriving in the hospital. A real smile of joy.