Chapter 2
Scrooge arrived with the boys and Drake told everyone what was going on. Everyone was just as disappointed as Drake when they heard the news.
"Why wouldn't they know if Gosalyn's heart was strong or not?" Huey asked.
"I know one thing. I'm not paying a penny of this bill. I want them to pay for it" said Drake.
"But what if they don't?" Louie asked.
Drake couldn't answer.
"These people nearly took all the money I sent you, plus the money your raised to pay for the last operation" Scrooge said.
"That's what I'm so mad about, and if I don't do something soon, my only daughter is going to die" said Drake.
"Don't talk like that. Gos is a fighter, she'll get through this" said Launchpad.
A beeping sound filled the room. Gosalyn's blood pressure had dropped to 71.
Drake let out a frustrated sigh. How was he going to raise the money to pay for the surgery that might save his only daughter now?
Scrooge and the boys had left to get Gosalyn a 'Get Well' card, Launchpad had went to get something from the gift shop, and Drake had stayed with his daughter. Her blood pressure had dropped down to 70 and it wasn't getting any better. Just the sight of it brought tears to Drake's eyes.
Norman quietly entered the room. "Mr. Mallard?" he said quietly.
Drake looked up.
"Can we talk for a few minutes?" Norman said, his voice still quiet.
Drake looked at his lifeless daughter. "Gosalyn?" he said softly.
Gosalyn's eyes opened, though they didn't open too wide. She lifted her droopy eyelids to where she was looking at her father.
"Daddy's going to be right in the hall talking to the doctor, OK?" Drake said, almost in a whisper.
Gosalyn's eyes closed.
Drake gave his daughter a gentle kiss on the forehead and gently brushed her bangs back. Then he followed Norman out of the room and into the hall.
Norman and Drake spoke in low voices, just in case other patients or visitors in the hospital were sleeping.
"Look, unless you're telling me that you're going to pay for the surgery, I'm not even trying to hear what you have to say" Drake said.
"Mr. Mallard, we understand you're upset, but surgery cost money" said Norman.
"Oh, I understand that surgery costs money, but this is my only daughter who had gotten a heart that barely worked" said Drake.
Norman couldn't say anything.
"Why didn't you people tell me that this heart didn't work?" Drake asked with his arms crossed.
"Look, when we found out, you had gone home" said Norman.
"There's always the phone" Drake said. "Why didn't you call?"
Once again, Norman couldn't answer.
"Listen Mr. Cardiologist, I've told you once and I'm going to tell you again. I refuse to let my daughter die. And you aren't going to send her home until she gets a healthy new heart that works right" said Drake.
"Mr. Mallard we're doing all that we can" said Norman.
"Well then keep going" Drake said and walked away.
Drake returned to the room. Gosalyn's blood pressure had dropped to 68. Drake took a seat on Gosalyn's bed. As he gently stroked her hair, he sighed. "What am I going to do? They're refusing to pay for the surgery again" he said.
Nobody knew how to answer.
"Gosalyn doesn't deserve this" Drake said as a tear slid down his face.
"No child ever does" Scrooge said, trying to comfort him.
Drake wiped his face and let out a deep breath.
Gosalyn's blood pressure dropped to 67.
"Be strong, sweetie. You got through this before" Drake said softly.
The only answer from Gosalyn was slow, soft breathing.
"What can we do?" Huey asked.
"I think the only thing we can do is sit and wait" said Launchpad.
Drake stood up. "I'm not going to sit here and wait" he said.
"What else is there to do?" Louie asked.
Drake looked at Gosalyn again. She looked so lifeless just lying there like that. He sighed. "What else can I do? I'll have to raise the money again. It's the only way to save my daughter" he said.
Nobody said anything for a while.
Then Scrooge spoke up. "I'll run to one of my banks and get about $6,000. Will that help?" he asked.
Drake smiled. "Thanks. That'll help me out a lot" he said.
Launchpad stayed with Gosalyn while Drake and Scrooge went out to collect some money. Scrooge went to one of his banks and withdrawled about $6,000. SHUSH was also glad to help and this time they were able to send Drake $7,000. The boys had about $10.00 each in their piggy banks. They were saving it for a video game they wanted but the video game could wait. Gosalyn's life was more important.
Everyone met up back at the hospital. Drake counted up the money an came to a total of $13,030.
"We're still $61,970 short" Drake was getting worried.
"Don't worry, Mr. Mallard. We'll raise the rest" said Scrooge.
"How?' Drake asked.
No one knew how to answer.
A beeping sound filled the room. Gosalyn's blood pressure was now at 58.
Drake let out a frustrated sigh.
"We'll find a way to raise the money somehow" said Scrooge.
"Do you have an idea?" Drake asked.
Scrooge thought for a minute. "As a matter of fact I do" he said. He picked up the phone and dialed the number to his news station.
