Chapter 3: The Gift
The next few hours went by in a swirling whirlwind of activity and chaos. I faintly heard Dean scream to Sam, "Go! Quickly! Get dad!" The next thing that I heard was dad yelling, "Dean, how could you have let this happen? Baby, it's going to be ok; be very still." I was vaguely aware of being put into the Impala and being driven at a break-neck speed to the nearest emergency room. Lights glared into my eyes; doctors and nurses scrambled quickly around the curtain enclosed room. I seemed to be fading in and out of consciousness, but in the background I kept hearing dad say, "Baby! It's ok. You're going to be fine. It's alright! Honey, I'm sorry; I'm so sorry."
Eventually, the doctors came back into the room and explained things to my dad. I had a compound fracture that would require surgery to repair. I would have a steel rod with several pins put into my arm to hold the bone immobile while it healed. With a nod of his head, he signed the paperwork to authorize the surgery. Nurses then began the arduous job of preparing me for the upcoming event. I was given an IV and some medication to help calm any nerves that I might experience. I was changed into a hospital gown and given a nice thermal blanket to help keep me warm. I was becoming very sleepy, but I could hear daddy as I closed my eyes, "Doctor, Take care of my baby!"
My eyes suddenly opened, and I looked around the room. However, it did not look anything like I expected; there were no bright lights or doctors and nurses milling around. It was actually rather dark, and then I noticed the cross in the front of the room and the benches in a row from the front to the back. As the room became more focused and brighter, I noticed someone sitting near the front of the room. As I examined him closer, it suddenly dawned upon me that I was looking at my brother Dean. He was hunched slightly forward with his hands clasped in his lap, and as I moved closer to him, I could hear that he was muttering to himself. No, it seemed that he was talking to someone, but no one else was present in the room. Making my way closer to Dean, I began to hear the words that he was saying. "Oh God, I know I don't come to you often enough, but I hope that you will hear me. It's my sister, Kellie, and she's hurt really bad. God, she has to have surgery on her broken arm, and I'm so scared for her. She's my responsibility, Lord. I'm supposed to keep her safe, and I did a lousy job of it. I know that Dad probably hates me right now, and I don't really blame him. Lord, if at possible, please be with Kellie and help her arm to heal right. Oh God, why couldn't it have been me instead of Kellie?" As I watched Dean pray to God, I saw one lonely tear trickle out of his right eye and slide down his scruffy cheek. I was moving toward Dean to give him a hug and let him know that I was going to be ok, when the room began to darken once again, and before I could reach Dean, I must have fallen asleep.
My eyes opened again, and like last time, my surroundings seemed unfocused and dim. However, the longer that I stood within the room, the lighter and clearer the room became. I looked around, and it seemed that I was in a waiting room of some kind. There were several chairs occupying the wall space; a flat screen television, that had been muted, hung on the adjacent wall, and there was a desk that stood in the corner with a telephone on it. There were several people sitting in the chairs; some were in conversation while others seemed to be trying to get some sleep. It was then I saw my dad sitting over in a corner alone. He looked so forlorn, weary, and distraught. I just wanted to go and comfort him in some way, but I wasn't sure how to do that. Then he began to move toward the desk, and I heard the telephone as the ring disrupted the relative quiet of the sanctuary.
"Hello", he said, "this is John Winchester. Yes. I've been waiting for your call. Well, I'm glad to hear that she appears strong. Good, Good. Thank you. Yes. I'll be here waiting for your next update. Thank you once again."
My father's shoulders showed some sign of relief as he talked to the voice on the other end of the connection. I could only assume that it was a nurse giving him an update on my condition during the surgery. I wish that I could help him relax some more, but I knew that he would be tense and anxious until I was back home where I belonged. I was watching him return to his seat in the corner, when the vision began to fade once again.
Slowly, I began to awake from my sleep-induced state, and once again, my surroundings seemed very unfamiliar. I was beginning to get used to the immediate blur and slowly lightening scenery, but this time it seemed very different. First of all, it was very loud in my new location and it was extremely crowded. My nose was assaulted by a myriad of odors, most were extremely appetizing, but one smell seemed to overpower all of the rest. It took me just a moment to realize it was a smell with which I was very accustomed. The delicious smell of grilled hamburgers and French fries with ketchup assaulted my senses, and I felt my stomach begin to rumble with hunger. I remembered that I had not had any breakfast that morning, and it probably was well past lunchtime. I wished that I could indulge myself into enjoying a juicy ground beef burger, but I knew that was not what I was here to do.
As before, I looked around the large cafeteria until I saw the person that I knew would be waiting here. Sam sat at a round table eating a salad and a yogurt while drinking a large mineral water. There were times that it was hard to believe that Sam was Dean and my brother; his eating habits and other idiosyncrasies were so different from ours. However, under all of his mop of unruly hair and his genius-like demeanor, he was 100% Winchester, and because of that, his facial expression was one of sincere concern. Not one to let his emotions get the best of him, Sam was serenely reading the latest research on his laptop. I unobtrusively glanced over his shoulder to see what was displayed on the screen. I was surprised to see that he was conducting a search on compound fractures, treatment, rehabilitation, and likely outcomes. I should have known that Sam would handle his uncertainty about my situation through academic measures; he would inquire and read every bit of information that could be provided to him until he was confident that he knew everything that would be most beneficial to my recovery. Sam's diligence and preparation filled me with a sense of serenity and tranquility.
Not really understanding how, I was certain that my surgery was nearing its end. Somehow, I had been given a gift; instead of lying helplessly on an operating table while my arm was repaired, I had been allowed to visit with my precious family. I saw for myself how very loved I was; I was able to feel the strength being showered upon me by the men in my life. Each member of my family handled difficult situations in very different ways, yet, each one showed compassion, strength of character, and courage. Dean, shouldering the responsibility of one much older, would stay by my side; selflessly bearing the burden of my care. Sam would use his intellect to provide me with the best knowledge of the latest and best methods of recuperation. Finally, my father would resiliently see that I gained full recovery and use of my arm through his sheer determination and grit. I was a very fortunate girl. Many would laugh at such a statement because of our family's lack of finances, our loss of my mother, and the instability of my home-life; but no greater legacy could be given to a child than for the absolute security that comes from being loved. Yes, the days ahead would be difficult and exhausting, but I can venture forth with pride and confidence knowing that my family will be by my side.
"Kellie! Wake up, Kellie! You're out of surgery!"
Please review. This is my first fanfiction, and it really encourages me when you tell me what you think about my writing.
