Chapter Three: Chosen Journey

Worried and waiting, Bianca sat in a pallor chair as Doctor Johnson tended to the rescued mouse. He asked her to stay put until he called for her.

The young girl fidgets with her long braid as her eyes went to and fro from the grandfather clock, then towards the kitchen. She closed her eyes and decided to stop counting the minutes that seem to be taking forever to go by.

About an hour later, her Father comes into the room while drying his washed hands. He put down the dish cloth and gestured for his daughter to follow him. She looked up at him; and knowing what she was going to ask, the man responded by giving a small smile.

The relieved child quietly walked in the kitchen with her Father and viewed the large sleeping rodent lying on a fresh medical linen that Doctor Johnson placed over the table and its old cloth.

Doctor Johnson: It's a good thing Ms. Francis isn't present to witness a mouse on the table… (Chuckles) Could you imagine the look on her face if she marched right in and…

But Bianca didn't respond; she was too focused on how things went for both parties.

Doctor Johnson: (Stops chuckling and clears his throat) Yes… well, like I said, I did what I could. I had to administer a small amount of sleep medicine while I treated the mouse; which is just about stable.

Bianca: (Concerned) Just… about? What ever happened to him?

The Doctor was hesitant with explaining everything to the young girl, but she nodded to him with a mature, beyond-her-year's certainty.

Bianca: Please, tell me, Father.

Doctor Johnson: (Pauses) Alright... It appears that the mouse's chest was pierced by a sharp object, only some type of metal could have done that, perhaps a sharp broken pipe.

The girl put her hand over her own chest as her Father continued; both of their eyes were upon the resting animal.

Doctor Johnson: The mouse was actually fortunate. For whatever the impalement was, it just missed the heart. There was a fast infection caused by the weakened state from… blood loss … (Looks at Bianca) are you alright, Honeysuckle? I don't want to upset you.

Still with her hand on her chest, she walked near the mouse and placed her left hand on the table's rim.

Bianca: I'm fine, Father. Please go on.

Doctor Johnson: Well, because of the loss of… blood, that resulted in dehydration, unconsciousness and probably poor perception if conscience. And oddly enough, there was water trapped in the lungs. May I ask on where you found the mouse, Bianca?

The child did not want to go in about the mouse being in a dustbin; dead or not, she believed that was the wrong thing to do. That choice still distraught the girl but she wanted to stay calm for her Father.

Bianca: (Pauses) By the side of Aunt Ingrid and Uncle Carl's house.

Doctor Johnson: Hmm, that is a puzzler. The collected water could only have been from almost drowning. I'm shocked you did not find this animal dead.

Bianca: He was

Doctor Johnson: What?

Bianca: He… wasn't breathing. I pushed my fingers on his chest and then… he wasn't dead. Does that make any sense?

Doctor Johnson: (Shrugs) Bianca, I've just performed lifesaving medical aid to an oddly gigantic mouse on our kitchen table. So right now, anything else makes much more sense.

This time, the Father got a smile from his daughter. She observed the quiet rodent.

Bianca: His breathing is so much softer now.

Doctor Johnson: Yes, that's because I cleaned out the infection, removed the trapped water within the lungs and treated and sutured the wound. I took off the tattered cloth that he must have tangled himself in. As you can see, I dressed a bandaged around the chest to keep the injury clean; to promote a faster healing for him.

The proud daughter smiled warmly at her Father. He gave the mouse another chance at life but also because of something else.

Doctor Johnson: Something else on your mind?

Bianca: You referred the mouse as... 'he' and 'him.'

Doctor Johnson: (Winked) Yes, well... that would be bad bed side manners if I called a patient 'it.' Wouldn't it?

Bianca: (Giggled) Yes it would be, Father.

The pair both looked down at the unaware, mended rodent.

Bianca: So what needs to be done now?

Doctor Johnson: Well, he's resilient for making it this far; but despite his large size for being a mouse, the trauma has greatly taken its toll. He cannot be put out in such a weakened condition. The mouse needs constant care around the clock until recovery… Hmm, did I just say that out loud?

Bianca: (Smiles) Yes you did, Father.

Doctor Johnson: (Returns the smile) So I did… So, what do you propose we do with him?

Bianca: (Thinks for a moment) Couldn't you finish treating him, Father?

Doctor Johnson: No, Honeysuckle. I did what was needed to be done. I have other patients that require my attention. You know, the non-furry, tail-less ones.

Bianca: But how will the mouse fully recover without help?

The man put his hands on his child's shoulders.

Doctor Johnson: Who said he didn't have any help?

The Father smiled at his daughter who broke the silence.

Bianca: (Stammers) M... Me? Father... I'm not sure that I-

Doctor Johnson: (Interjects softly) Bianca, It was you, who found the animal. So it's up to you to use your holiday break from school to tend to him. Besides, you started his journey, I think it would be befitting if you finished it with him. I'll explain the mouse's needs to recover and you can count on your old Dr. Father if you have any questions or worries, alright?

Bianca: So… the mouse can stay… until he is well?

Doctor Johnson looked at both sides of the girl's head.

Doctor Johnson: (Smiles) Weren't you listening? I think this Honeysuckle has too much pollen in her ears, I better brush some out!

Bianca laughed as he gave her ears a quick tickle. The daughter put her arms around her understanding Father.

Bianca: No worries, Father. I won't let you down.

Doctor Johnson: (Hugs her back and whispers) I'm not the one you should be telling that to.

The Doctor's hazel eyes gently glanced at the mended mouse. Bianca went to the linen closet for a blanket and bundled the rodent as if he was a sleeping baby. She paused with some uncertainty.

Bianca: Father, I really don't want to let you down; (Looks at the mouse) him as well.

The tall man admired the concerned child as she cradled the resting rodent. His daughter's helpful heart never judged anyone.

Doctor Johnson: (Speaking softly) Honeysuckle, remember this mouse is at a very delicate state right now. You can only do what you can. But regardless, (Kneels in front of her) I am too proud for you to have doubts. And she… would be proud too. Remember…

The Father held the ribbon at the end of her braid.

Bianca: (Soft smile) Be at my best, I'll do what is best.

Doctor Johnson: (Looks at the mouse) You see? He's getting your best care. So if he has no need to worry, neither do you.

Lighter in spirit, the mouse's new caretaker carefully began to carry him out of the kitchen.

Bianca: (Turns to her Father) Should I take him to my room, Father?

Doctor Johnson: (Stands back up and rubs his chin) Normally, I would deny such a choice, but because of the issue, I will allow it.

Bianca knew what that 'issue' was or rather... who it was.

Doctor Johnson: (Pointing his finger) Not one word of this… to Ms. Francis.

The child nodded in unison with her Father; there was no needed consideration for that choice at all.

The man looked on as Bianca took the mouse to settle him in her bedroom. He wondered if other Doctors with children had situations like this.

Doctor Johnson: (Thinking) I must stop thinking about rhetorical questions.

The tired Doctor laughed to himself as he took care of the kitchen; before a certain 'issue' comes home tonight.