Malibu Nights—Part 4
By Nancy F. Thysell (the Nifty Lady)
This story follows immediately after Malibu Nights—Part 3
###
Wednesday, 8:40 p.m.—Outside Chris Martin’s apartment building
John Gage swung happily on his crutches as he made his way from Chris’ apartment back to the DeSoto’s station wagon. Roy was waiting patiently for his partner and friend.
"Hey Pally," Johnny greeted as he opened the car door. He started to place the crutches in the back seat when he stopped.
"Damn!"
Roy turned with a look of concern. "What?"
"Chris’ forgot the brownie pan. I’d better take it back up there." A sly smile crept across Johnny’s face.
"Oh no you don’t," Roy ordered.
"What?" Johnny stared at his partner and frowned. Why couldn’t he?
"I’ll take it. If you do it, it’ll be a half hour before you come back down," Roy responded with a grin, reaching over the seat to take the pan. Johnny stuck his tongue out at his friend, knowing that he was probably right. He settled into the passenger seat as Roy got out and entered the apartment building.
In a moment, Roy had reached the second floor and made his way down the hall to Chris’ apartment. As he reached for the bell, it was then that he noticed that the door was slightly ajar. Worried, he pushed on the door and let it swing wide into the darkened room.
"Chris?" Roy called cautiously. "Chris, it’s Roy. Are you here?"
He set the pan down on the table by the door. Fear gripped his stomach. He flipped the switch and frowned when the light failed to turn on.
"Chris!" Roy called loudly. He started to head into the room when he heard a disconcerting sound from the stairwell down the hall. It sounded like a scream and something falling. He sprinted for the stairwell.
Roy jerked open the door and looked over rail toward the sounds below.
"Chris!" he yelled. A dirty looking man, with thinning hair looked back up at him and scowled.
"Go away!" the man screamed and waved a gun at Roy. Roy instinctively pulled back. He heard a commotion beneath the stairs, followed by the opening and closing of a door. Roy peered cautiously over the railing again. This time the man was gone but Roy could tell that a person was still there, lying on the floor. Chris! Someone opening the stairwell door behind him startled him. It was another tenant that had heard the noise, too. Roy turned briefly to the man.
"Call the police and the fire department. Tell them we have a woman down with unknown injuries. We need the paramedics! Go! Now!" he ordered as he hurried down the stairs.
###
Wednesday, 9:00 p.m.—Outside Chris’ apartment building
Johnny began to shift restlessly in his seat. Roy had been gone for nearly twenty minutes. Talk about me taking a long time. He looked toward the entrance again, wondering what was taking Roy so long. He finally decided that he’d better go check on his friend. Just as he was struggling to get out the crutches, he heard the approaching sirens. An uneasy feeling formed as he looked up to see a police car and a squad pulling into the parking lot. He looked sharply at the building and began to make his way to the door.
One of the two officers from the patrol car stopped him from going any further as the other advanced, with his gun drawn, into the building.
"What’s going on?" Johnny demanded but received no answer. He watched helplessly as Jeff Daniels and Jim Anderson, the paramedics from Squad 16 hauled their equipment into the building. And where is Roy? Damn, what’s happening?
###
When Roy reached the bottom of the stairs he found Chris lying unconscious in a heap. Quickly he began to assess her injuries. He didn’t like what he saw and he knew that she could not be moved until paramedics and equipment arrived. He wished he could let Johnny know what was happening but he couldn’t. All he could do for the moment was to stay with Chris.
After what felt like an eternity, a police officer with his gun still drawn, slammed through the door beside Roy.
"Police! Freeze!"
"Careful!" Roy yelled as the door swung within inches of Chris’ head.
"What happened here?" the young officer demanded, eyeing the blonde man beside the injured girl suspiciously.
"I’m Roy DeSoto. I’m a Firefighter/Paramedic with LA County," he explained quickly. "There was a man down here. He had a gun!"
"Is she alive?" the officer asked as he lowered his weapon but still wary.
"So far. Are the paramedics on the way?"
"They were pulling in right behind us. Can you tell me anything about the gunman?"
"Not much. He was white, dirty and had thin hair. Maybe forty? I only saw him for a moment."
Jeff Daniels, came up behind the officer and peered around him, recognizing Roy.
"Hey Roy, what do we have?" he asked as he tried to move into the confined space. The police officer moved out after determining the paramedics didn’t need him. He found his partner and they began to search for the perpetrator.
"Jeff. I’m not sure if she fell or was pushed down the stairs," Roy told his fellow paramedic with concern. Jeff’s partner Jim Anderson entered as the officer left. He nodded to Roy and began to set up the biophone.
Their exam confirmed Roy’s worse concerns. It was apparent that Chris could have suffered a spinal injury. Her left arm and her right leg were broken. She had a severe gash on her forehead and a bloody nose. Within a short period of time they had her injuries immobilized in splints and had secured her to a backboard. IVs were in place. The ambulance attendants arrived with the stretcher. Johnny had managed to follow the attendants into the building. Fearfully he watched from the hall with the tenants that had gathered from their apartments. He could hear Roy’s voice from time to time. From his vantage point, he couldn’t see much and he felt antsy. Finally Roy made his way out into the hall so that Jeff and Jim would have more room to work in the stairwell.
"Roy?" Johnny called to get his attention.
Roy looked around quickly at the sound of his name and found his partner’s worried face. He shoved his hands in his pockets and walked over slowly.
"Johnny, it’s Chris," he reported sadly.
Johnny stared back at him in bewilderment. "Chris? What happened?"
"I’m not sure. Some man. I think he must have forced her down the stairs."
Johnny looked up sharply into Roy’s eyes and saw the pain in there.
"Bad?" Johnny began to feel as though he was suffocating as Roy nodded.
The ambulance attendants were moving Chris out on the stretcher with both paramedics in tow. Johnny stared as they rushed past. Chris looked so small. So pale. So lifeless. He heard a strangled cry before he realized it came from himself. Roy was at Johnny’s side in an instant as his knees buckled.
###
Wednesday, 9:40 p.m.—En route to St. Joseph's
The silent ride to St. Joseph’s hospital seemed to take forever, considering that Roy and Johnny were in the station wagon and without the benefit of lights and sirens. Johnny’s face was drawn and pale as he stared out the window. He was silently berating himself for not having seen Chris into her apartment. For not being positive that she was safe. So far the police officers had not been able to locate the man with the gun. Johnny was certain that it had to be the same man that had robbed them on Saturday night.
Roy found a parking space near the emergency entrance and both he and Johnny were relieved to see Squad 16 parked nearby. At least they could get answers from their fellow paramedics. It seemed strange to be going into another hospital, not really knowing the staff. They made their way down the corridor to the base station.
###
Meanwhile—
Chris felt like she was floating. It was dark. So very, very dark. She couldn’t remember where she was or how she had gotten there. Music? Yes, it was definitely music playing but where was it coming from? The dark abyss beckoned her deeper and she felt herself falling. It was so peaceful there. She felt safe and warm.
###
Wednesday, 10:00 p.m.—St. Joseph’s Emergency Room
The ER nurse, Belinda Bishop, looked up from her paperwork at the approach of the two intense young men. She thought the dark-haired man on the crutches looked familiar.
"May I help you gentlemen," she asked politely.
"Yes ma’am," Roy responded. "We’re looking for the paramedics from Squad 16."
"Chris! What about Chris?" Johnny interjected anxiously.
"Easy, Johnny," Roy cautioned in a calming tone. He was beginning to worry that Johnny was going to loose it. He turned his attention back to Belinda Bishop.
"We’re both paramedics out of Station Fifty-one. Sixteens just brought in a young woman. Chris Martin. She’s a friend of ours," he quickly explained. Belinda nodded.
"Of course. I believe they’re down in the doctor’s lounge." She pointed down the corridor to her left. "Just follow the blue line on the floor."
"Can you tell us anything about our friend?" Roy asked, keeping an eye on Johnny. His partner looked so pale. Belinda had become concerned about the young man as well.
"No. But I’ll find out for you. Why don’t you go on down to the lounge? I’ll come find you as soon as I know anything," she said as she moved around the counter, kindly guiding the two off-duty paramedics toward the lounge.
"Thank you Miss¼" Roy searched for her nametag.
"Bishop. Belinda Bishop. And you are?"
"Oh, I’m sorry. I’m Roy DeSoto and this is John Gage."
"Yes, of course, Gage. You were that ‘John Doe’ that Squad 88 brought in last Sunday!" She knew he looked familiar. John turned pain-filled eyes in her direction, not really comprehending what she was talking about.
"Come on, Johnny. Let’s go." Roy suggested gently as he guided his friend down the hall. Johnny followed as if on "auto pilot" saying nothing.
Roy pushed the door to the lounge open and held it for Johnny. Jeff and Jim were seated at the small round table in the corner. They both looked up at Roy and Johnny’s entrance.
"Hi Johnny. Roy," Jeff greeted. Jim got up and pulled out a chair for Johnny. Gage lowered himself heavily onto the chair and just stared into space.
"Hey Jeff. Can you tell us anything more about Chris’ condition?" Roy asked as he took the chair next to Johnny.
Jeff looked nervously over at Johnny and then back to Roy and shook his head.
"She didn’t regain consciousness. Doc’s worried about a skull fracture."
Jeff noted that Johnny winced at that. Roy just nodded and began to wring his hands. Johnny seemed to slump down in his chair a little.
"Uh, Johnny, I’d better go call JoAnne and let her know what’s happening," he told his partner. Johnny nodded slightly in acknowledgment. Roy stood up.
"Which way to the pay phones?" he asked the other paramedics.
"Down the hall to the right," Jeff informed him. Roy gave them a look that asked them to keep an eye on Johnny for him while he was gone. The look that Jim returned assured Roy that they would stay.
"How about some coffee?" Jeff asked Johnny. He got no response from the stricken paramedic. "Johnny?" Slowly, Johnny looked in Jeff’s direction.
"You okay, Gage?" Jeff asked with concern.
"It’s all my fault," Johnny whispered. Jeff placed a comforting hand on Johnny’s shoulder.
"It’s not your fault. It’s the fault of that sick bastard..."
"No! You don’t understand!" Johnny slashed out in anguish. "If I hadn’t taken her to that restaurant¼none of this¼NONE of it would have happened to her! Don’t you see? IT IS MY FAULT!"
Jeff became alarmed at Johnny’s increased agitation. "Easy, Johnny. Take it easy."
Jim slipped quietly out of the lounge to get Roy as Johnny hung his head, struggling to gain control. If only I had made sure she was safely inside her apartment. If I had only ignored her on the pier in the first place. Why didn't I take the Stoker’s up on their offer to stay for dinner. Dammit! It's all my fault!
Roy rushed back into the lounge, followed by Jim, and hurried to Johnny’s side as the younger man slammed his fist into the tabletop. Roy grabbed Johnny’s wrist before he could repeat the movement.
"Johnny! Stop it!" Roy ordered sharply. Johnny turned his pain-filled eyes to Roy’s, his guilt consuming him.
"It’s my fault, Roy! All my fault. I¼I should have¼" Johnny stammered. Roy put his arm around Johnny’s shoulders, not really sure what to do as sobs racked his friend’s slender frame. Jim and Jeff retreated from the room, discretely. Roy didn’t move his arm, giving support to his grieving friend.
"It’s not your fault, Junior," Roy whispered, trying to comfort until Johnny had cried himself out. As he felt his friend regaining his composure, Roy got up and grabbed a couple of paper towels from the dispenser by the sink. He handed them to Gage. Johnny took the papers and blew his nose on one before wiping his eyes with the other.
"I’m sorry, Roy," Johnny mumbled. He drew in a deep breath. "I wish they would tell us something."
"I know. Hopefully it won’t be long." Roy couldn’t help but worry.
Anger flashed across Johnny’s face as he focused his memory of the gunman. "Dammit, how could he do that to her?"
"I don’t know, Johnny. I just don’t know," he responded honestly. Just then the door to the lounge opened and Belinda Bishop led Dr. Mark O’Dell into the room. Both men turned to look at the doctor and nurse.
"Doctor O’Dell, these are the paramedics I told you about. Roy DeSoto and John Gage. They’re both friends of Miss Martin," she said in way of an introduction and then she made her exit.
"Gentlemen," Dr. O’Dell addressed them. Roy and Johnny waited for him to continue. Dr. O’Dell cleared his throat, his countenance grim.
"Besides the arm and leg fractures, Miss Martin has sustained a skull fracture of the temporal bone. My concern is that this type of skull fracture often results in an epidural hemorrhage. Being paramedics I’m sure you’re aware that an epidural hemorrhage is a rapidly expanding space occupying lesion and death may occur 2-12 hours after injury."
Johnny felt as though the doctor had slapped him across the face.
"Quite often the patient remains unconscious and progresses into a coma. I’m afraid I’m not hopeful for Miss Martin’s recovery. I’m terribly sorry. We’ll be moving her to a bed into ICU in a few minutes. Do you have any questions for me?
Roy looked at Johnny and shook his head.
"No, thank you Doctor. How soon can we see her?" Roy asked softly.
"I’d say in about a half hour. The ICU is on the fifth floor. Check with the floor nurse when you go up there. If she gives you any grief about not being family, just have her contact me. Okay? Again, I’m very sorry."
The doctor turned to leave and stopped at the door.
"Do either of you know how to reach her family?" he asked solemnly.
"I’m not sure," Roy admitted. "We’ll see what we can find out."
Dr. O’Dell nodded and left the room.
"This just can’t be happening Roy! She can’t die. She can’t!" Johnny moaned.
"Don’t give up hope, Johnny," the older paramedic said with more conviction than he felt. "She’s still alive. That’s something."
Johnny nodded miserably.
"You have any idea how to reach her folks?" Roy was hopeful that doing something useful would help them pass the time.
"I know she mentioned something about Kansas, I think. The hospital should have something in her file. You know, from Sunday. I know they made me fill out a mountain of paperwork."
"Well, let’s go see what we can find out. I’m sure her parents would want to be here."
"Yeah. Man! Roy, this is so unfair!" Johnny groused.
"I know, Johnny. Believe me, I know."
The two paramedics exited the lounge and headed for the information desk.
###
Wednesday, 11:30 p.m.—Outside Chris’ ICU room
Roy exited Chris’ room with a small smile on his face. Johnny had not only he charmed the floor nurse into letting him stay in Chris’ room but she had had a cot brought into the room so he could elevate his ankle. Roy knew Johnny wouldn’t have left Chris’ side, no matter what. At least this way, maybe, he would get some rest.
Roy had only moved a few feet down the corridor when he was approached by two uniformed police officers.
"Are you Roy DeSoto," the older of the pair asked. Roy nodded his head.
"I'm Officer Jenkins and this is my partner Officer Connors. I'd like to ask you a few questions, if I may, about the incident at Miss Martin's apartment."
"Of course. There's a waiting room down the hall here," Roy suggested.
"Good idea." Jenkins turned to his partner. "Bill, why don't you keep an eye on Miss Martin's room."
Connors just grunted and headed over to stand by Chris' room. Roy wanted to ask "Why?" but thought he would wait until they reached the waiting room.
The two men made their way to the waiting room. Thankfully because of the hour the room was unoccupied. They took seats at the far side of the room. Jenkins took out a pad and pen to take notes.
"Mr. DeSoto, I'd like you to tell me what happened this evening."
Roy related, "Well, Johnny had walked Chris to her apartment. Then upon returning to the car, he noticed Chris had forgotten a baking dish. Because of Johnny's injury, I decided it would be quicker if I returned the dish.
"When I reached her apartment, I noticed the door was ajar. I pushed it open and called for Chris. When I didn't get an answer, I tried to turn on a lamp. It didn't work. Just then I heard a noise coming from the stairwell."
"A noise. What kind of noise?" Jenkins interrupted.
Roy rubbed his hands together. He felt weary. "It sounded like a scream and then it sounded like something falling."
"And what did you do then?" the officer prodded.
"I ran for the stairwell, shouting for Chris. When I peered over the railing, I saw the man. He had a gun so I ducked back."
"What did he look like?"
"I didn't get a real good look at him. He was white, dirty and had thin hair. Maybe forty? I couldn't tell how big he was. He was waving that gun around. He looked scared."
"Uh-huh. What happened next?"
"I heard the door open and close. Then I looked down there again and I could see Chris was down. Another tenant came into the stairwell and I ordered him to call the police and get the paramedics. Then I went down and stayed with Chris until they arrived."
"Did she gain consciousness at all?"
Roy shook his head sadly. "No, she suffered a skull fracture."
Jenkins noted this in the notebook.
"Why would anyone do this to her? She's such a nice girl." Roy felt at a loss for an explanation.
"Well, from what we've been able to determine, it's the same man that robbed her and," he checked his notes again, "Mr. Gage. The fingerprints match. His name is Jimmy Chandler. His rap sheet is a mile long. He's been in trouble since he was a teenager. Mostly penny ante stuff. Some robberies, purse snatching, dui, a few burglaries, peeping, obscene phone calls. It seems he's becoming more daring the older he gets."
Roy nodded as he took in the information. "Well, how did he get in Chris' apartment? Her landlady had a new dead bolt put on the door. Johnny told me Chris had to unlock it to get into the apartment herself."
"Chandler has a knack for breaking into apartments, however, this time he didn't have to," the officer said ruefully.
"Why? What do you mean?" Roy asked sharply.
"I mean that Mrs. Randall's handyman, Harry¼excuse me, but he's not the brightest bulb in the hallway¼did install a new deadbolt. However, he had it keyed to match the door handle lock¼"
Realization sunk in to Roy. "Which Harry didn't replace?" He was incredulous. Jenkins nodded in the affirmative.
"We're beginning to suspect that Chandler has a fixation with Miss Martin."
"How so?" Roy wanted to know.
"One, because he returned her crutch to the apartment and evidently didn't take anything. Two, he returned her pickup truck. And three, he tried to kidnap her," the officer explained.
"Is that why you left your partner outside Chris' room?"
Jenkins nodded. "Yeah, we're going to have to provide protection for Miss Martin until we catch this guy."
"You really don't think he'll come here, do you?" The thought worried Roy.
"I hope not but we don't know how obsessed he's become. He could try just about anything."
"Well, he may not have to do anything," Roy admitted sadly. Jenkins looked up at the blonde man before him, piercingly.
"What do you mean, Mr. DeSoto?"
Roy glanced at his wristwatch and sighed heavily.
"I mean, Chris might not make it. She has a skull fracture and the doctor says the next eight to ten hours are critical. It'll be touch and go."
"I see. I'm very sorry. Well thank you for your cooperation," Jenkins stated as he rose to his feet and offered his hand to Roy. Roy also rose and shook the officer's hand. Jenkins handed him a business card.
"If you think of anything else, you can contact me at this number. Now, do you know where I might find Mr. Gage?"
"Yeah, he's in Chris' room. They put a cot in there for him," Roy informed the officer, who seemed surprised.
"I didn't realize that they were that close," he commented.
"Well, I think with all that's happened to them in the past few days, they've formed a pretty strong bond," Roy said with a smile as he opened to the waiting room door. They headed back down the hall to Chris' room. Connors had swiped a chair from somewhere and was sitting next to her door. He sat up straighter as Roy and Jenkins approached.
"I'll go in and get Johnny for you," Roy told the officer as he pushed the door to Chris' room open. Chris seemed smaller than she was with all the equipment attached to her petite frame. But she appeared peaceful despite the noise surrounding her. Roy noted that her arm and leg were still only splinted, surmising that they were probably waiting to see if she survived the night before plastering. He looked over at his partner. Johnny was asleep in his typical fashion, on his back with his left arm flung across his eyes. Roy bent down and shook him gently.
"Johnny, you need to wake up," he whispered. Gage groaned in protest as he struggled from sleep to open his eyes.
"Wha¼what? Is it Chris?" He eyes opened wide. Roy shook his head.
"No. Not Chris. There's an officer here to get your statement," the older paramedic spoke softly. "It won't take long. I'll stay with Chris. Come on, partner."
At Roy's urging Johnny sat up and ran a hand through his dark hair. "Man, how long have I been asleep?"
Roy checked his watch. "Not long. Look I just got done with my statement. You'll be back here soon."
Johnny rubbed his face and then rolled his neck to get the chinks out. Roy handed him his crutches and they went out to meet the officers. A moment later, Roy was back in the darkened hospital room, watching over Johnny's girlfriend.
###
Thursday, 8:30 a.m.— Chris’ ICU room
The nurse entered Chris room and began taking her vitals. Johnny was snoring softly on the cot. When she completed her task, the nurse crossed over to Johnny and shook him lightly.
"Mr. Gage?" she called quietly. Johnny's eyes flew open in alarm. "Shhhh, everything's okay. I just wanted you to know that Miss Martin has passed the critical stage."
Johnny quickly sat up so he could listen more carefully.
"What¼what do you mean?" he stammered.
"She's passed the first hurdle. It's been almost twelve hours and she's still with us. That's a good sign. Hopefully, we'll start to see signs of her coming out of the coma. I just wanted you to know that they'll be taking her down to orthopedics to set her arm and leg soon."
Johnny rubbed his face and smiled at the nurse. "Thank you. I appreciate you waking me up to tell me that."
"I'd suggest that you go get something to eat. She'll be downstairs for awhile."
"No, I'd better go with her."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gage, but you won't be able to. But don't worry, the officer outside will stay with her. Okay?"
"Okay," Johnny finally agreed. He didn't want to leave Chris' side, especially after learning that Jimmy Chandler was still on the loose and may be trying to get to Chris. But he knew that the police were there to protect her, so he finally conceded to go and get something to eat.
###
Thursday, 9:00 a.m.— St. Joseph's Hospital Cafeteria
Johnny made his way over to a table, followed by a cute, young candy stripper, who carried his tray for him. He put his crutches under the table and lowered himself into the chair.
"Is there anything else I can do for you?" the young girl offered, hopefully. Johnny rewarded her with his infamous grin.
"No, darling, you've been really helpful. Thank you."
"Well, I could stay and keep you company?" Again hopefully. Johnny smiled at her. What was she? Fifteen? Sixteen?
"No, no. I'm sure you have other duties you need to attend to. Besides, I have some things to take care of," he told her kindly. He could tell she was disappointed.
"Okay. Well, you let me know if there's anything¼anything at all that I can do for you. My name is Debbie. Just ask for me and I'll take care of it, okay?"
"Okay, Debbie. I'll let you know," Johnny promised with a warm laugh. She smiled as she moved away from the table. At the entrance/exit door she stopped, turned and waved shyly to him. Johnny had a mouthful of scrambled eggs in his mouth by then, and he returned the wave with lopsided grin and a wave of his fork. Finally, Debbie was gone and he could get down to the business of eating.
On his way back to Chris' room, Johnny stopped at the payphone to call Roy at the station. He knew his partner was probably pretty tired from being up so late but that he still would have gone in for his shift.
On the fourth ring, Marco answered the phone. "LA County Firestation Fifty-one, Marco Lopez speaking."
"Hi ya Marco. It's Johnny. Is Roy around?" He was hopeful that he hadn't caught them on a run.
"Hey Johnny! How are you? Hang on. I'll go find Roy for you."
"Thanks, man." He waited about a minute before he heard the handset being picked up.
"Johnny?" Roy's voice sounded worried.
"Yeah, it's me. Chris made it through the night!" he announced happily. "She's still not out of the woods but they're more hopeful."
"That's great news!" Roy agreed. "What about her folks? Did they arrive yet?"
"Dunno. I haven't seen anybody yet. Chris is down having her arm and leg set right now. So I went and ate some breakfast. You know, I hate to admit this, but I like the food at Rampart better."
Roy had to laugh. "Wait 'til I tell Dixie." He teased.
"Wait a minute. I said I liked the food at Rampart better. I didn't say the food was better!"
Roy had to smile. It sounded like Johnny was feeling better today as well. Just then the klaxon sounded.
"Well, they're playing my song, Junior. I'll talk to ya later."
"Okay. Later," Johnny said as the dial tone went dead. A part of him wished he were rushing off to whatever the emergency was. He turned and made his way to the bank of elevators.
###
Thursday, 9:00 a.m.—Outside Chris’ ICU room
Johnny came off the elevator and headed toward Chris' room when he noticed a couple arguing with the police officer on duty there.
"I'm sorry. I can't let you go in there," he heard the officer say.
"What's going on?" Johnny demanded when he reached the trio. The couple turned and looked at Johnny. They were obviously upset.
"This policeman won't let us in to see our daughter!" the older man exclaimed, his anger turning his face red.
"Are you Mr. Martin?" Johnny inquired and the man nodded. Johnny put forth his hand.
"I'm pleased to meet you¼both. I'm John Gage. I'm the one who telephoned you last night," he explained. He turned to the officer.
"These people are Miss Martin's parents. It's okay to let them in."
"If you say so, Mr. Gage. I was just following orders."
"I know. And we appreciate that. Is Miss Martin back in her room?"
"Yes sir. Just a few minutes ago."
"Thank you. This way Mrs. Martin," Johnny moved over to the door to Chris' room and pushed it open. Mr. and Mrs. Martin followed him into their daughter's room. Mrs. Martin broke down in tears as she saw Chris' still form, lying on the bed. She rushed to her bedside and tenderly took her hand. Mr. Martin followed haltingly behind his wife. The scene was too emotional for him and he turned his head in pain. Johnny guided him to a chair and then made his way over to the cot. His ankle was beginning to throb and he knew he had to get off of it for a spell. He rolled on his side so that he faced the wall. He wished that there were a curtain that he could draw to afford the family more privacy. He could hear the sweet, soft voice of Chris' mother as she whispered words of comfort. Her voice reminded him of Chris' voice. He felt a tear travel down his cheek as he tried to separate himself from the scene taking place behind him. He felt bad that her parents had to be here but he was happy that they had been able to reach them in time. Now he prayed that Chris would quickly recover.
###
END PART 4
NOTICE: The layout and graphics on this page are the property of Two Chickies Fan Fiction. They may NOT be used on any other fan fiction site and any such use consitutes HTML theft. We urge you not to support any site that engages in such tactics, and to report any such usage to Marcia or Tangee.