Before, During and After 7
Author's note: This takes place during and after my favorite episode of season 1, The Vanishing. Hope you like it!
Melinda stopped her car in surprise when the family of ghosts appeared in front of her. She stepped out and was sidetracked by a ghost wearing a green football jersey. She tried to follow him to figure out who it was. After she barely caught her breath, she started after him and suddenly she tripped on something. Her head came in contact with the rock and before she knew it , everything turned black.
A local cop making his rounds found Melinda's car and found her lying on the ground. She clearly had a head injury. Grandview was a small town. As he called for an ambulance, he sensed she was a local. One of the EMTS was Bobby.
" Jerry this is Melinda, Jim Clancy's wife. He works with us. Good thing you were making rounds," Bobby declared.
They got her ready for transport.
Meanwhile Jim was waiting up for Melinda. He knew she would be a bit late because she was going to a poetry reading with Andrea. However he wasn't expecting the call that came next.
" Hello this is Jim," he stated.
"Mr. Clancy, we found your wife's car on the side of the cemetery. Do you have someone who can drive to Mercy Hospital?," the caller inquired.
" What happened to Melinda?," Jim demanded, his heart now racing.
" There is no apparent damage to the car. We aren't sure what caused her condition. She was found unconscious," the caller stated.
" I'll be there soon, thanks for the call," Jim stammered before he clamored to get his coat and keys.
He went outside and hopped into his truck. He called Beth and Andrea as he headed to the hospital.
While Melinda lay unconscious and had her strange vision, Jim was trying to stay calm and console Beth and Andrea.
The doctor came into the waiting area.
He looked gravely at the three people waiting to hear the news. He explained that she was in a light coma and the next 12 hours were critical.
Beth encouraged him to be realistic with them as she was a nurse and Jim was a paramedic.
He admitted it looked bad because of the impact of the injury.
Andrea started to cry.
" I should have had her come with me then this would have never happened!"
" No it's not your fault," Jim assured her.
Beth was taking in the reality of things and felt regret that she and Melinda barely communicated the past few years.
Later Jim came over to Melinda's bed side. He held her hand and whispered and pleaded with her not to leave him.
Meanwhile Melinda saw herself in a red nightgown. She called out for Jim and Andrea and her mother. Then she saw her grandmother.
"It's time dear," she stated.
Melinda was happy to see her grandmother but she looked down to see Jim holding her and pleading with her.
"It will be all right dear," her grandmother assured her.
"No, not yet," Melinda stated as she pulled back her hand.
Mary Ann smiled.
" All in good time dear," she whispered.
Melinda opened her eyes slowly. She reached over and ran her fingers through Jim's hair. He looked over at her startled yet relieved.
" I saw the light," she muttered.
Jim simply began to kiss her all over her face.
"Thank God," he stammered.
- It was after her checkup that Melinda realized that she had not lost her gift after all. She had cried before in the fear she could not help someone communicate with their loved one. Now she knew she could complete the task. Beth was astonished that Melinda told Jim everything or generally about her encounters with ghosts.
Later that night after the ghost had crossed over, Melinda sat leaning against Jim on their front porch. He had some wine but she decided not to in case her headaches acted up. After she finished telling him the events she got to witness, they both got up go back inside.
She felt her head pounding a bit.
She began to sway a bit and bumped into her husband's chest lightly.
" Look like you are the one that was drinking," he joked as he patted her back.
"No it's just my head is throbbing a bit," she muttered.
Jim reached over to steady her, as he did, his glass fell and shattered on the ground. He carried her over to the couch and kept saying her name, trying to keep her awake.
He quickly placed a pillow behind her head.
She opened her eyes again.
He sighed with relief.
" Do you feel nauseated? I think we need to go back to the hospital," Jim stammered.
"No Jim please not back there. Just get me some aspirin," she implored
Jim gave her a firm look.
" I am going to look you over and give you the aspirin. If you throw up or the pain gets worse I am taking you to the hospital."
Melinda nodded her understanding.
An hour later her pain was less and her blood pressure was down to her baseline. Jim double checked and kept asking her if she was all right.
" I'll be ok Jim, just try to sleep. You have a double tomorrow," she insisted.
" Ok honey, but wake me up if you feel any worse," he said earnestly.
" I will. You always wake up when I have bad dreams anyway," she added.
Jim smiled at her and leaned over and kissed her forehead.
Melinda laid back against her pillow and recalled how Jim had consoled her the day before. He would always love her. She sighed with contentment before she began to fall into dreamland.
