Chapter Two

Rudy and Michael, both on their fourth cup of coffee, were hunched over Rudy's desk, deep in concentration as they studied the schematic drawings and medical charts Rudy had drawn up for Jaime's proposed surgery.

"It's pretty clear what needs to be done for her injured hip," Rudy pointed out. "No problems there. Now, on the healthy side..." Suddenly, Rudy's face blanched and he pushed his chair away from the desk, rising abruptly to his feet and pacing across the tiny office. Michael stared after him, waiting for the older man to say what was so obviously troubling him.

"My God, Michael, what are we doing?" Rudy agonized.

"The same thing we've always done," Michael answered carefully, not sure where this was going, "helping our patient."

"We're talking about removing healthy bone and tissue here! Not replacing damaged or missing limbs, but good, strong tissue! That's mutilation. I...I can't do it," Rudy finished, sinking wearily back into his chair.

"We have to do it that way, to allow Jaime to stay balanced, so she can run, jump and do everything she's used to doing."

Rudy was silent for a very long time, deep in thought. Michael tried not to intrude and busied himself with further study of the schematics. Rudy stared once again at the smiling, happy picture of Jaime, and it brought tears to his eyes. "There is another way," he finally said in a very quiet voice.

"What do you mean?"

"If we replaced just the damaged portion of her injured hip, it could – maybe – get Jaime up and walking again."

Michael shook his head. "Walking, maybe, but that's about all. She'd never be able to run, And she'd certainly never be bionic -"

"We'd have to turn her legs down to normal physical strength, yes," Rudy agreed. "But that would get her walking, and keep her under the fifty-percent mark she's having so much trouble with."

"Is that really enough?"

"Maybe not, but I do think we have to present the option to Jaime, and let her decide."

"I think it would be the wrong decision," Michael argued gently. "Besides, she's beginning to come around."

"Because she has no other choice but that wheelchair. Here is another choice. Michael, I have to tell her about it."

Michael saw the steely look in his friend's eyes and the firm set of his chin, and knew the discussion had ended.

- - - - - -

Steve learned about the new option at the same time Jaime did, and he forced himself to remain silent, knowing that the reaction here needed to be Jaime's.

"I would definitely be able to walk?" she asked cautiously.

"I can't guarantee it, Honey," Rudy admitted, "but the odds are very good."

"On my own?"
"That's our hope."

Steve was a little confused. "You said before that you needed to work on both hips for Jaime to keep her equilibrium. Would she be solidly on her feet, or shaky?"

"My hope is that she'd be perfectly fine, walking at a slow, steady pace," Rudy explained, "but I'm not recommending one procedure over the other; I just wanted you to be aware of another possibility." He looked closely at Jaime, lying in the bed. She appeared to be hanging on his every word, and he didn't want to deceive her. "Honey, you would still have a great deal of limitation. We'd have to tune your legs down to normal, average strength, and walking would be as fast as you'd go."

"But I would walk?" Jaime queried.

"I believe so," Rudy affirmed.

"If it didn't work, would you still be able to...um...do the other surgery?"

Rudy nodded. "Yes, but we'd be looking at a second round of drastic, major surgery. You'd need time for the first procedure to heal, for your body to adjust to the shock. And any form of surgery always entails certain risks. If you think you'd be more comfortable, in the long run, with replacing both hips, then I'd recommend going that route right away, instead of making it your second choice. The less stress we have to put your body through, the better."

Jaime looked questioningly at Steve. "What do you think?"

He leaned over her bed, brushing the hair from Jaime's face and kissing her forehead. "I think you're the only one who knows what you're going to be comfortable with," he answered, "but I don't think you'll be happy long-term with the limitations Rudy mentioned. Especially when you could be completely normal...whatever that is."

"A perfectly normal robot-freak," Jaime whispered. "Do I have to give you the answer now?" she asked Rudy.

"Take all the time you need," the doctor replied. "I do think that the sooner we can get you up and around again, the better you'll feel, though."

"Yeah...I just need to think awhile." Jaime looked up into Steve's eyes, wishing the answer was there.

"I'll leave you two to talk," Rudy said, heading out the door, "but if you have any more questions or if you need anything at all..." He had to leave them before his own voice broke. Help her, Steve, the kindly doctor pleaded in his head. Please help her.

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