Chapter Nine

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Tuesday September 16th

Doctor Herbert greets the patiently waiting group, Alex is pacing and Bobby is trying his best to keep Rachel's spirits up. "The operation was a success; however as I have discussed with Jackie the recovery from this will not be easy. I removed the tumor," a sigh of relief is heard from all. The doctor smiles, "Also I removed her gallbladder, part of her pancreas, small intestine, and part of her stomach. She is in recovery now, resting. Later today she will be moved to I.C.U."

Wednesday, September 17th

Jackie wakes to the sound of beeping; she turns her head to the right and sees her daughter and Alex. She smiles at the sight, "Hey guys," she says in a raspy voice.

"Hey yourself, everything went well." Alex says speaking softly, trying her best to reassure her friend. Jackie lies motionless, Alex continues, "The doctor said that if you continue to do well, within a day or two you will be moved to a regular room."

Rachel stands next to Alex holding her hand squeezing it tightly, "Hi Mom," she squeaks out the words.

"Hi Honey," she says softly, Jackie tries to lift her hand but she is unable, she closes her eyes and sleep comes instantly.

"She needs a great deal of rest," says the nurse who stands next to the bed, injecting some clear liquid into the injection tube.

Garden Grove Rehab Center

"You're very quiet this afternoon Charlie, something you want to share with the group?"

"No," he fidgets in his chair, participate, tell them what they want to hear, make up something, "Yes I do, I was thinking about my daughter and how I have neglected her. I realize that I have done many selfish things."

The group therapist, Peter Akins, offers a smile, "You still have time, all of you, to regain that connection with your family."

The session continues with all the members sharing their feelings. What a bunch of losers, he thinks. I'm her father that is all that matters and I will do everything and anything I can to get her back, get them both back. I will show my mother that I am and always will be able to take care of my family. He sits back in the chair crossing his arms as a smug expression appears on his face.

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Thursday, September 18

Alex and Rachel pass Nurse Hartman in the hall, after the nurse emerges from Jackie's room. "Afternoon," Alex says.

"Good afternoon to you," she lowers her voice. "She's a little grumpy and uncomfortable, today."

They enter the room, trying their best to smile; she is still connected to many devices. "Hey Jackie," Alex says with a cheery tone.

"Yeah whatever," She turns her head away, "I'm….I'm sorry," she faces her friend. "It's the beeping and blinking of these fuckin' machines, it is making me crazy." Rachel steps back, not familiar with her mother using such language.

"My, aren't we in a mood," Alex says.

Jackie has to smile, "I'm sorry," Jackie notices Rachel's distance and the sad look on her face. "Rachel, I'm sorry, I just…." Rachel steps forward taking her mother's hand. "It's ok; I think they would make anyone a little grumpy."

"Oh guess what I had for breakfast this morning?" Alex and Rachel frown, "The nurse placed a damp sponge to wet my lips. But maybe tomorrow I can get a thimble sized amount of water." Alex and Rachel remain silent, "Oh, it's ok to smile," she chuckles softly, "Doctor Hyon and Doctor Herbert were here this morning and they are very pleased with my progress, I may even move out of ICU."

Alex leans down whispering in her friends' ear, "Bitch," both women laugh. "What's so funny?" Rachel says very seriously. "She's lying there with all these tubes sticking out of her and you're making jokes."

Alex calls to her, "Rachel." Jackie interjects, "Rachel stop it, what do you think I want her to do, sit there and moan and groan. If she ever did she wouldn't be Alex and I would kick her out." Tears start to well up in the young girls' eyes. Jackie holds out her arm, Rachel takes her mother's hand and with all the energy Jackie can muster she pulls her daughter closer. Rachel leans down and they embrace. Alex leaves the room, unnoticed by both.

Friday, September 19

When they enter the hospital this day they are informed that Jackie has been moved to a ward. "She is doing very well today; she is up and moving around." Nurse Tucker informs them. When they enter the room they are surprised but enlightened at the sight of her sitting up in bed. "Hey," she says excitedly. "I was mobile today."

"Cool," Alex says.

"The doctor said he wanted me to get up today." She holds up two fingers, "Two times already I've taken a stroll." She cannot hide her enthusiasm, "Doctor Hyon said that he is extremely pleased with my recovery. And," she smirks. "I might not have to stay here as long as we thought."

Rachel leans down and kisses her mother on the cheek, "That's great Mom."

"Alright, enough about me. How is the new school? Tell me about the kids." Alex nods and offers a small wave at her friends as she slowly and quietly leaves the room.

Garden Grove Re-Hab Center

Charlie lies on his bed with his hands behind his head, he smiles at his cleverness, what a bunch of losers soaking up all that crap I told them. He turns his head toward the door when he hears a knock, "Come in."

"Charlie," Adam Weller says as he walks into the room, "In the mood for a game of chess?"

Charlie nods, "Sure."

His mind seems to be elsewhere this afternoon and he loses his second game. "What is with you?" Adam asks. Charlie checks his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. Why isn't she here? He thinks to himself.

"Charlie, another game?"

"Yeah sure, what time do you have?"

"A little after 4, why?"

"It's just that my Mother was to come for a visit this afternoon and she's late, I hope nothing's happened to her."

"Spangler?"

He turns his head at the sound of his name. "Yes what is it?"

"You have a phone call; you can take it in the office if you want."

"Be right back Adam."

"Line one," Kelly Harper, the receptionist says.

He flashes a faint smile, "Thank you," he pushes down on the blinking button, "Hello," he says tentatively.

"Charles is that you? Speak up."

"Yes Mother it is me, why aren't you here?"

"That places depresses me so, I need to get away for awhile. I'm flying to Martinique this evening. I'll be gone a week maybe ten days. So behave yourself and I'll see you when I get back."

She's leaving me, she's leaving me now. "Oh, okay Mother."

"You sound like a mouse sometimes. Speak up I can't hear you."

He stands up straight, "I said okay see you." He hangs up the phone softly, then picks it up and slams it down, startling the receptionist.

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Saturday September 20

"How was Jackie this afternoon," Bobby asks as he flips the burgers on the grill.

"She is looking and feeling much better. She was so excited when they washed her hair. She got up at least four times today. Something as simple as that….well lets just say it has definitely improved her mood."

"That's great," he begins to open up the individual cheese slices. He calls out. "Everyone want cheese on their burger?"

Yeses are heard, "Bobby put an onion on mine," John Eames says as he pats his son-in-law on the back.

Bobby frowns, "An onion?"

John exhales, "Yeah," he leans in closer, "After forty years of marriage, who cares."

"It takes forty years?"

"About that," he laughs.

All the sadness about her friend is temporarily put on hold as she watches her father and husband, enjoying a laugh, about what she is curious but…. "Alex, Alex," her mother calls to her.

"Yes Mom."

"Is the baby going to have a burger?"

"Yes he is, he loves them."

Sunday September 21

"I'm going to take Robby with me today to see Mom," Bobby says flatly.

"Good, I think that's a good idea."

"How about tonight," he touches her shoulder she turns ever so slowly to face him, "We go out for dinner, just the two of us." She smiles, "A little wine and," he raises his eyebrows up and down.

"It hasn't been that long Bobby."

"Wanna bet?"

She steps out from under his hold, "Men, you do nothing but exaggerate."

"We do not," he flashes a smile that make his eyes sparkle.

She reaches up and kisses him on the lips, "It's a date."

Later That Afternoon

"It was so good to see some of the monitoring devices removed." Alex says as she and Rachel enter the hospital parking lot.

"She looked really good today, didn't she Alex?"

Alex grabs her hand, "Yes she did Rachel, she should be home, I think sooner then expected."

"That would be great. I really miss her. Not that you and Bobby aren't…."

"It's alright honey, believe me I understand."

"How come Bobby always visits his Mom and she never comes here?"

"Has Bobby told you anything about his Mom?"

The young girl hesitates at first then says, "Yes."

"Rachel," Alex says sternly.

"No."

"If you want to know about Bobby's Mom, you ask Bobby." She hits the button on the keyless entry and the doors unlock.

"Sorry," Rachel says, her head down.

"Don't be, Bobby is a very private person but if you ask him he will talk to you."

Brooklyn

Outside the Goren Home

Sunday

He stands across the street, watching and waiting. The driveway is empty of cars. Soon he spies a late model Dodge Charger turning into the driveway; she exits the vehicle on the driver's side, Rachel on the passenger side. My family, he cannot have my family, never. He watches them as they enter the house, moments later he dashes across the street, he hears the door open and he ducks down at the back of the car. "I'll be right back Rachel; I left my cell phone in the car." He hears her open the driver's side door, "Damn where the hell is that thing?"

She feels a sudden pain and darkness occurs. He places her gently in the back seat of the car. She left the front door to the house open, he smiles. He slowly opens the door wider; she has her back to him. He grabs her around the waist covering her mouth with one motion, "SHHHH, Rachel it's me, come on. Mom's in the car, I am taking you where you belong, with me." She struggles, he drags her from the house, kicking but unable to scream. He raises his hand and strikes her causing her to fall limp in his arms. He places her in the back seat. "You lay here next to your mother."

He quickly finds the car keys; placing the key into the ignition he backs the car up, then suddenly stops. What if they wake up before we get home, he switches the car gears from R to D and moves forward. Searching the garage he finds what he needs, rope and duck tape. He smiles at his cleverness. As he thought, they awaken before he reaches his destination. The sounds of crickets fill the air, and the darkness hides his captives from nosy eyes.

She struggles when he attempts to pull her from the car, "Jackie stop fighting me." Once again a sharp pain and darkness occurs.

Garden Grove Rehab Center

"He's gone," Helen Butler says.

"What do you mean he's gone?"

"We've paged him, checked the grounds, Charles Spangler is gone."

"Who are you calling?

"The police," Peter Atkins says.

Within fifteen minutes two uniformed officers arrive. "When was the last time anyone saw him?"

"Last night before dinner," Helen states. "He complained about not feeling well and went back to his room."

"What time was that?"

"Around five o'clock."

"He's been missing for over 15 hours." Officer Nichols says.

His partner Lou Martini nods his head, "He could be anywhere."

Somewhere in Upstate New York

"Alex, wake up, please wake up." She feels a hand on her arm. Sobbing the voice repeats, pleading, "Alex please," She wakes and her head is throbbing, slowly she opens her eyes, "Oh my head," she whispers. She hears her name, "Alex, are you alright?"

Her vision comes into focus, "Rachel?" she sits up slowly. "Where? What?"

The little girl links her arm in Alex's, "My father, he hit you on the head and he's locked us in here."

"Where are we?" Alex asks.

"I don't know but he's acting weird, he keeps calling you Jackie."

TBC