Life Goes On–Part 4
By Nancy F. Thysell (The Nifty Lady)
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Roy entered Chris’ hospital room as the reality hit home that Chris didn’t recognize Johnny. Johnny turned to look at Brackett, confusion written on his face. Roy stepped unobtrusively to the back of the room.
"Doc?" Johnny couldn’t bring himself to ask more. Chris’ blue eyes darted back and forth between the two men, fearfully. Still there was something familiar about the uniform he was wearing but what? She wasn’t certain.
"It’s too early to know for sure," he stated simply. Johnny pulled Chris’ hand to his chest with both hands, lowering his head and resting his forehead momentarily on her fingers. Chris shuddered at the touch. I should know who he is. Why don’t I know who he is?
Johnny turned his eyes to Chris and smiled. "Don’t worry sweetie. We’ll get through this together," he vowed. Chris watched him for a moment then her face contorted in pain.
"Doc!" Johnny yelled. Kel turned back to bed and watched as Chris went into a seizure.
"Roy get the nurse!" Kel barked. "Johnny help me get her vitals!" Quickly the men went into action, dealing with the sudden change in Chris’ status. The nurse responded to the summons and assisted Dr. Brackett as they worked to stabilize Chris’ vitals. Brackett instructed the nurse to secure an operating room. In a matter of minutes Chris was being wheeled off to surgery. Brackett’s best guess was that it was a blood clot.
Johnny and Roy accompanied the gurney to the elevator and watched helplessly as the team swept Chris off to the surgical floor. Roy took one look at his stricken partner and guided him back to the empty hospital room. He called the station and informed their captain as to what had happened. Hank said he’d take the two paramedics out of service. There was only a couple of hours left on their shift anyway. Roy informed him that he’d return with the squad while Johnny waited at the hospital.
Johnny sat on the chair that just moments earlier was positioned next to Chris’ bed. He couldn’t remember ever feeling this lost before. Roy told him something about the squad and leaving. He couldn’t concentrate. He wrung his hands with worry. Chris had to survive! She just had to be okay. Johnny suddenly found himself alone in the empty hospital room. He put his head in his hands and wept.
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Dawn was breaking as Chris was wheeled back into her hospital room. Her entire head was encased in white bandages now. Johnny rose to his feet as they entered the room.
"How is she?" he asked cautiously. The orderly pushed the bed into its place.
"The doctor should be here soon," was all he’d say before he left the room. Johnny stood by Chris’ bed and held her hand. A nurse entered and busied herself setting up a new IV and taking Chris’ vitals.
"She’ll be okay Mr. Gage," the young woman said encouragingly as she worked around Johnny. "Dr. Brackett said she came through the surgery fine!"
"Did she wake up at all?" he asked, never taking his eyes off her face.
"I believe so. She’s heavily sedated now. She’s going to be asleep for quite a while. I hope you plan to go home to get some rest," the nurse chattered on.
"Thank you," Johnny whispered.
Dr. Brackett walked into the room followed by Roy, now dressed in his civvies. He carried two Styrofoam cups of coffee. Silently he handed one of the cups to Johnny and then stepped back, out of the way.
"Hey Johnny. How are you holding up?" Brackett inquired as he joined him beside Chris’ bed. He picked up Chris’ chart and looked over the most recent vitals.
"I’m okay. I’m more interested in how Chris is doing," Johnny replied. He looked down at the cup in his hand, almost wondering how it got there. He looked back up at Brackett as he spoke.
"Much better, I think. She had a small blood clot in this area here," Dr. Brackett informed Johnny, indicating the area of where the clot had been removed. "Hopefully, that will clear up any other problems she’s been having."
"Other problems? Like what?" Johnny asked concerned.
"Like dizziness. She complained of feeling dizzy to the paramedics the other night."
"She didn’t mention anything like that to me," he assured Brackett. Kel nodded as he replaced the chart on the end of the bed.
"Well, I’m hopeful that her memory will be restored. Johnny, you look beat. Perhaps you need to go get some rest. If she’s doing better, I hope I can release her so you can take her home."
"Today?" he asked hopefully. Brackett shook his head.
"Probably not today. Maybe tomorrow. Look, John, she’s not going to wake up for a good six to eight hours. I want you to go home and get some rest. If she wakes up before then, I’ll have the nurse call you. Okay?"
"Okay," Johnny agreed reluctantly. He leaned over and kissed Chris gently. Quietly the men left the room.
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Roy drove Johnny back to the station to retrieve the Land Rover. Johnny had been uncharacteristically quiet on the ride from the hospital. He was worried as he watched his partner drive away from the station. He knew how upset Johnny was. Roy was even beginning to feel guilty because he didn’t have to bear this burden. But then, he’d been married for a long time. He and JoAnne had had their share of trials, the ups and downs, the good times and bad. It was a part of marriage. Regrettably, Johnny was getting an early introduction to one of these trials. Roy turned his car around and pulled into the driveway that led back to the main street in front of the station. He was really looking forward to getting home. He felt an urgent need to spend time with his wife.
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Johnny hurried home and forced himself to take care of his chores. Then he found he couldn’t stop. He kept looking for things to do. He became driven in his efforts to keep busy. He vacuumed and did several loads of laundry. He took each of the horses out for rides which ended in complete rubdowns of both animals. Johnny was sweating by the time he ran out of things to clean. He checked his watch. It had been six hours. He headed back to the house to shower and change. Maybe Chris would be awake by the time he returned to the hospital.
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Johnny stopped at a flower shop on his way back to the hospital and bought a dozen yellow roses arranged in a vase with babies breath. The florist included a ribbon and bow that had "Get Well Soon" written in glitter on it. Johnny was sure that this would bring a smile to Chris’ face. He grinned as he left the store.
Soon he was on his way to Chris’ room. Several of the nurses he passed commented on the bouquet. He rapped lightly on her door before he opened it. His smile faded slightly when he realized she was still asleep. But then Brackett had said she might be out for a long time. He was disappointed. He needed to know she was okay. He placed the roses on the bedside table and arranged them so that she’d be sure to see them. Then he took her hand in his.
"Chris? Sweetie? It’s Johnny. Come on sweetie. Let me see those big blue eyes of yours," he coaxed. But Chris didn’t stir. Discouraged, Johnny dropped her hand and went over to pull the chair next to the bed. He sat down and recaptured Chris’ hand in his and waited. He was still waiting when visiting hours ended and the night nurse chased him out. Angry he tried to locate Brackett but discovered that Kel had already left the hospital. Frustrated, he sought out Dixie in the ER.
"Johnny, you know the rules," Dixie reiterated for him. "And I’m sure if Kel was here, he’d concur. You look exhausted John. Go home and get some rest. Obviously, if Chris hasn’t awakened yet, there’s nothing for you to do."
Gage rolled his eyes in frustration. "But, Dix! I don’t want her to be alone. I don’t want her waking up alone."
"I understand, Johnny. But you look dead on your feet. When’s your next shift?"
"Tomorrow."
"If I know you like I think I do, I think you’d rather stay busy. Am I right?" the head nurse asked.
"Yeah. I suppose."
"Then go home and get some sleep. You know we’ll call you as soon as there’s a change in her condition. We’ll take good care of her," Dixie assured him. Johnny nodded and reluctantly agreed to go home.
Once at home, he was so restless. He laid down on the bed but he ached to hold Chris in his arms. He tossed and turned and somewhere in the wee hours of the morning, he fell into a fitful sleep. Morning found him still restless. Wearily he arose and took care of the horses before preparing for his shift. As if on autopilot, he drove to the fire station and changed into his uniform.
"Hey Junior," Roy greeted as he entered the locker room. "How’s Chris doing?"
Johnny shook his head. "No change."
"Are you sure you want to be here and not at the hospital?" Roy wondered. Johnny sighed heavily.
"I don’t have the time available," he stated flatly. "At least this way, I can stay busy."
Johnny sat down on the bench as Roy dressed. "I’m really worried about her, Roy."
"I know, partner. I know. I’ll ask the Cap if we can work out of Rampart today."
Johnny’s demeanor brightened slightly. "That’d be great. Thanks, Roy."
"Well, let’s see what the Cap says first, okay."
"Okay. I think I’ll grab some coffee," Johnny commented as Roy followed him out of the locker room. Johnny headed for the day room while Roy went in search of Captain Stanley. Hank didn’t have a problem with them hanging out at Rampart as long as they stayed available and had their chores finished at the station. So as soon as roll-call was over and the assignments made, both paramedics got busy and took care of their chores. Soon they were on their way to Rampart.
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"Hi Roy. Johnny. What brings you over so early today?" Dixie asked as the two paramedics approached the base station.
"Supplies and ..." Roy stated and glanced over at his partner. "...And to check on one wife."
Dixie smiled wanly and turned to Johnny. "Have you talked to Kel today?"
Johnny shook his head. "No. Not yet. Is he around?"
"He’s on rounds now. Why don’t you go on up to Chris’ room? He’ll probably be by," Dixie surmised.
"I’m on my way," he said and headed for the elevator.
"Stay where I can find ya in case we get a run," Roy requested as his partner disappeared on the elevator. Johnny waved an acknowledgment as the doors closed. Roy turned to Dixie, worried.
"Do you know how Chris is doing Dix?"
Dixie sighed. "I didn’t want to say anything in front of Johnny. Kel’s really worried about what kind of damage that blood clot did. Chris still hasn’t regained consciousness," she said sadly.
"Dix, JoAnne mentioned to me last night that Chris had complained to her about being dizzy a couple of times but didn’t want to worry Johnny."
"When was this?" the nurse wanted to know.
"A couple of days ago, I think. I’m not sure," Roy admitted.
"I’ll be sure to let Kel know. Thanks Roy."
"Anytime Dix. I’m going to go find my partner," he announced and pushed himself away from the desk and headed for the elevator. Dixie was distracted by the base station tones and hurried into the booth.
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Roy rapped on Chris’ door and entered. Johnny was sitting quietly by her side, just holding her hand. Roy was startled at how drained his partner seemed. He was about to say something when the handi-talkie signaled him.
"Squad 51? What is your status?" the dispatcher intoned. Roy held the HT to his mouth and responded.
"LA. Squad 51 available from Rampart Emergency."
"Standby Squad 51 for response."
Johnny looked up and they both listened as the tones went out over the air.
"Engine 51. Squad 51. Engine 36. Truck 110. Structure fire. 1103 Stanford Way. One-one-zero-three Stanford Way. Cross street Hillhurst. Time out 09:34."
"LA. Squad 51. 10-4" Roy acknowledged as he headed for the door. Johnny gave Chris a lingering glance and hurried to follow Roy to the squad with a heavy heart.
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The structure turned out to be a three-story warehouse about the size of a football field. Captain Bob Richmond from Station 36 had been first on the scene and took command as the other crews arrived. Teams of fire fighters were dispatched to attack the various fronts of the fire. Gage and DeSoto were assigned to do a sweep of the building for possible victims. Being a warehouse, chances were there would be few people in the building. Roy and Johnny began down a wide corridor stacked from the floor to the ceiling with pallets of merchandise. Water from the hoses rained down on them as they searched the man-made halls. Smoke mixed with water created a mist that was difficult to penetrate. Finally they reached a wall. Johnny moved to the left while Roy went right. A moment later, Roy discovered a forklift and a worker trapped between it and the wall.
"Johnny!" he yelled out over the rush of his air mask. Johnny turned in the direction that he’d heard Roy’s voice. He was breathing harder than he should. He was going to run out of oxygen soon. He struggled to reach Roy’s side. Roy was trying to figure out if they could safely move the forklift without injuring the worker more.
"Cap!" he called into the HT. "We need more manpower in here. We’ve got a trapped man," he yelled into the device.
"Okay Roy! Where are you?" Hank replied.
Roy gave him the general area where they had found the worker. "We’re going to need a backboard, the stokes, and maybe the port-a-power."
"You got it pal. I’m sending you Chet and Marco," Hank responded. He ordered the two firefighters into assist his paramedics. Then he requested an ambulance.
"Johnny! See if you can move...Johnny? Johnny!" Roy shouted when he realized Johnny seemed to be distracted. "Are you okay?"
Johnny looked up in confusion. "What?"
"Are you okay?" Roy shouted again. Johnny nodded and tried not to take a deep breath.
"I need you to see if you can get down on the side there and check his legs."
"Yeah. Right." Johnny moved around the forklift and maneuvered himself down beside the equipment to reach the man’s legs. Suddenly the warning bell on his tank started ringing. Roy grabbed the HT.
"Cap! Send in a fresh tank for Johnny. He’s out of air," Roy requested.
"10-4 Roy." Hank turned to Marco and instructed him to carry a spare air tank in with them. Chet and Marco disappeared into the fire with the equipment stashed in the stokes.
A couple of minutes later they located the paramedics. Johnny had emerged from behind the forklift and had begun coughing on the smoke since his air was depleted. Marco quickly helped him on with the fresh tank. Then the four men began to extricate the victim. Chet got in the driver’s seat and at Roy’s signal, moved the forklift a few inches. Then using the port-a-power for leverage they were able to move the debris so that it was sufficient to free the man’s legs. They strapped him to the back board and placed him in the stokes. Marco and Chet followed the paramedics out with the equipment as they carried out their victim in the stokes.
Once outside they set about treating the man. Roy gave his partner an annoyed look. Johnny’s concentration wasn’t what it should be. He’d have to have a talk with him about that. He assumed that Johnny was preoccupied about Chris but he couldn’t allow that to interfere with the job. He decided that he’d better ride in the victim and let Johnny bring in the squad.
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Roy exited the treatment room and looked for his partner. He found Dixie at the base station.
"Hiya Dix."
"Hey Roy," she responded barely glancing up from the paper work in her hands.
"Have you seen Johnny?" he asked trying to hide his annoyance. Dixie looked up at the tone of Roy’s voice, a little surprised. Roy rarely showed that kind of emotion.
"Uh, yeah. He said to tell you he was going up to Chris’ room." She watched Roy nod tersely. "Problem?"
"What?" Her question seemed to startle him.
"Is there a problem, Roy?" she reiterated. Roy shook his head in frustration.
"I dunno Dix. It’s Johnny. Maybe he’s too preoccupied to be working," he finally said.
"What do you mean?"
"He’s not himself. I know. I know. He’s worried about Chris. I understand that. It’s just that I’m not sure if I can count on him."
"Did something go wrong on that last rescue?" Dixie asked with concern.
"No. Not really. His concentration is off. I dunno. Maybe I’m blowing this out of proportion," Roy reasoned.
"Well, perhaps you should have a talk with him. He’ll listen to you," Dixie said kindly. Roy gave her a half smile.
"Thanks Dixie. I think I will." He tapped the desk with the HT and headed down the hall to the elevator as he informed dispatch that Squad 51 was available.
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Johnny had taken a wash cloth from the bathroom and ran it under warm water. He’d already washed off the grime from his own face and hands.
"I gotta stop coming in here so dirty," he thought to himself as he looked into the mirror. He returned to Chris’ bedside and gently washed her exposed face with the cloth. Her face wasn’t dirty but he felt the need to do something for her. Her skin color had improved a lot. There was more color in her cheeks but Johnny thought her skin felt hot. The door opened and Roy entered the room. Johnny looked up from the bed.
"Hey Roy," he said softly.
"How is she?" Roy asked as came in and stood across the bed from Johnny.
"She still hasn’t awakened. She feels warm to me Roy."
Roy reached over and felt Chris’ cheek.
"She feels warm to me too. Maybe you’d better call the nurse."
Johnny pushed the call button. A moment later a nurse appeared.
"Yes Mr. Gage?"
"I think my wife is developing a fever. Would you check it for me?" he asked her.
"Of course. Excuse me," she said to Roy and stepped in to check Chris’ vitals. Both paramedics watched intently as the nurse did her job. The handi-talkie broke the silence in the room sending the paramedics on another run. Johnny hesitated wanted to know the nurse’s findings.
"Come on Johnny! We have to go!" Roy ordered tersely when he realized Johnny wasn’t following him.
"Wait a sec," Johnny implored his partner. The nurse looked up and removed the thermometer from Chris’ mouth.
"It’s 100.2, Mr. Gage. I’ll notify Dr. Brackett," she assured him. Johnny gave her, then Chris, a worried look but turned as Roy tugged on his arm and he followed his partner out. He really hated leaving her like this but he didn’t have a choice.
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Roy flipped on the lights and sirens as they sped away from the emergency entrance to the hospital. He needed to talk to his partner but over the noise of the siren, he wouldn’t be able to. He’d sit him down as soon as he could.
They reached the traffic accident five minutes later. Two vehicles had collided in the middle of an intersection. Engine 51 arrived right behind them and Captain Stanley had Chet take a reel line to hose down the fuel while he sent Marco to disconnect the batteries. Roy headed for one car and Johnny turned to the other.
Thirty minutes later, all the victims had been extricated, stabilized and were being transported to the hospital. They had to utilize two ambulances so both paramedics rode in with the victims. Hank directed Chet to follow them in with the squad.
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As soon as he was released, Roy went in search of his partner. They nearly collided as Johnny left the treatment room where his victims were being treated.
"Roy, I’m going up to see Chris," he started to inform his partner.
"Wait a sec, Johnny. I think we need to have a talk," Roy informed him. Johnny gave him a confused look.
"Can it wait until..."
"No! We need to talk now," Roy said somewhat tersely as he grabbed Johnny’s arm to steer him toward the lounge. Johnny jerked his arm away from Roy angrily.
"I don’t think so! I’m going to see my wife!" he replied through clenched teeth. He wasn’t sure what Roy’s problem was but whatever it was, it was going to wait until he had seen Chris.
"Johnny. I’m serious. I don’t want to order you," Roy said, his voice rising. Johnny looked at him incredulously.
"You’re pulling rank on me?"
"Don’t make me," Roy said evenly. Johnny rolled his eyes, turned away from Roy and then back to him.
"I don’t believe you man! What’s so damn important that it can’t wait until I check on Chris?" he asked in exasperation. Chet had entered the corridor but kept discrete distance as he watched the two paramedics in confusion.
"Johnny, we need to talk about that run this morning."
"What? You’re crazy. I’m not going to talk about that now!" He punched his finger into Roy’s chest. "If you want to talk, you can just wait until after I’ve seen Chris. Period! End of sentence!"
Johnny turned angrily and stepped onto the elevator, leaving Roy feeling angry and guilty. Chet approached Roy quietly.
"What’s going on Roy?" he inquired. Roy turned embarrassed that Chet had witnessed that exchange.
"Don’t worry about it Chet."
"But..."
"I said ‘Don’t worry about it’. Leave it alone. You got the keys to the squad?" Roy asked as he held out his hand.
"Yeah. You’ll need to fuel up soon. Is Johnny okay?" the stocky fire fighter asked with concern. If he hadn’t known the two men so well, he would have sworn one of them was about to take a swing at the other.
"What do you think Chet? His wife is unconscious and in the hospital!" Roy snapped. He found himself taking his anger out on Chet instead. Chet stepped back out of reach of the paramedic. He tossed the keys to Roy.
"Sorry," he apologized as he moved further away.
"I’m sorry, too, Chet," Roy apologized, his voice softening. "We’ll see you back at the station."
Chet nodded and headed back out to the parking lot to wait on the engine. That seemed safer. Roy turned in frustration and headed toward Chris’ room. He didn’t want to fight with Chet or Johnny but he needed to get all this anger off his chest.
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Chris was aware of the pain in her head. For some reason it really hurt. She tried to open her eyelids but they weighed a ton. She felt someone take her hand.
"Chris sweetie?" she heard Johnny’s voice. She tried to smile. Her lips felt parched.
"Come on sweetie! It’s time to wake up," Johnny’s voice urged.
"I’m trying Johnny. Really I am!" she tried to say but she only heard her voice in her head. She could feel Johnny caressing her hand. She suddenly had the urge to have him hold her. She felt so helpless. She could still feel his hand on her hers. Desperately she tried to move her hand so she could let Johnny know that she heard him. Finally she felt two of her fingers jump. Johnny felt it too.
"Chris! Did you move your fingers? If you can hear me, do it again!" he urged excitedly. Chris concentrated hard on her hand and got the fingers to move again.
"Yes!" she heard Johnny’s joyful exclamation.
"Open your eyes, Chris. Come on. Let me see those beautiful blue eyes!" he continued to coax. Then she heard him say, "Roy, would you go find Brackett?"
"Oh, good. Roy’s here too. I’m going to have an audience!" Chris told herself. She struggled with her eyelids. She wanted to wake up but it was as if she had no energy. She felt Johnny’s hand on her cheek.
"Wake up Chris. Please wake up," he begged. Her eyelids fluttered a bit. Johnny held his breath as he watched.
The door to the room opened and Brackett, followed by Roy entered.
"Johnny?" Brackett asked he stepped up to the bed.
"I think she’s coming around, Doc," he stated excitedly. Brackett watched Chris a moment and saw her eyelids flutter again.
"Chris? It’s Doctor Brackett. Can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?" he asked professionally.
Chris forced her eyelids open. The room was so blurry. She could make out a white form on her left and a blue one on her right. She turned toward the blue.
"Johnny!" she croaked out in a whisper. Her throat felt so dry.
"Yeah sweetie. It’s me," he assured her.
"Thirsty," she mumbled. Dr. Brackett took the pitcher from the bedside stand and found it empty. He turned and handed it to Roy, who took it and left to get it filled.
"Hang on baby. We’re getting you some water," Johnny assured her. He was so happy especially since she hadn’t seemed to recognize him the last time she was awake. Roy returned with the water and a cup of ice chips. He handed the cup and a spoon to Johnny and the pitcher to Brackett. Kel nodded his approval at Johnny’s silent question if he could give Chris some ice.
"Chris, I’m going to give you some ice chips. Let them just melt in your mouth, okay?" he said as he placed them in Chris’ mouth. The chips felt so cool and soothing as she felt them slide down her throat. She licked her parched lips.
"More?" she asked softly. Johnny grinned and spooned more ice into her mouth. Brackett then handed Johnny the cup with a bent straw.
"Here sweetie. Take a sip now," he instructed as he placed the straw in her mouth. Chris took a sip and would have greedily drunk the cup dry except that Johnny pulled the straw from her mouth.
"Whoa girl! You drink that too fast you’re going to get sick. One sip at a time," he cautioned as he returned the straw to her. Obediently, Chris complied.
"That’s enough for now," Brackett instructed and took the cup from Johnny. "Chris, I need to examine you now. You two, hose jockeys, out!"
"But doc, she’s my..."
"I know who she is Gage. Right now, she’s MY patient. And I want the two of you out of here. Aren’t you supposed to be working anyway?" he inquired in his typical gruff manner. Roy pulled on Johnny’s arm.
"Yeah we are Doc. We’ll see ya later. Come on Junior, let the man take care of your wife."
"But...but...I’ll be back later sweetie! I love you!" he cried out as Roy forced him out the door. The nurse entered as they exited and crossed over to assist the doctor with his exam. Brackett was chuckling to himself. He rather enjoyed pulling rank on his paramedics. Chris lay quietly as he removed the bandages so he could inspect the wound.
"Chris. You’ve been running a fever and I’m going to be giving you some antibiotics. Hopefully that will take care of any infection. How are you feeling?"
"My head hurts and everything is really blurry. But I am hungry."
"I see. Well, I’ll see what we can do about getting you a lunch tray. You may have to wait for dinner," he said as he finished his exam. The nurse began to re-bandage her head.
"When do I get to go home?" she asked plaintively.
"We’ll see how you’re doing in the morning. I’m not sending you home unless your vision improves."
"Okay. Whatever you say. You’re the doctor." Chris settled back into the bed when the nurse finished. "Is Johnny coming back soon?"
"I don’t know. He is working today but I’m sure if they have to come by the ER, he’ll be up to see you," Brackett stated confidently.
"Thanks doctor," she said with a yawn.
"Get some rest. I’ll see you later," Kel said as Chris’ eyelids closed and she drifted off to sleep.
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END PART 4--TO BE CONTINUED IN PART 5
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