CHAPTER 12
Of course don't own them, but fun to use the imagination with. On a different computer, so hope converts over the same. If not will have to fix when I get my lap back from the shop.
Hope you all had a happy May Day! We had snow – totally ruining my garden plans. Oh well things can only get better. J
On to the story.
Alan opened his eyes slowly as the bright light was quiet irritating. He felt more awake, and though he had a dull ache in his head, for the first time did not feel like he would be emptying his stomach the wrong way. Glancing about the room he soon remembered where he was. He remembered Mr Winters garden center and how broken it had been, then the sudden pain in his head. Mr. Winters! Had he been injured? Alan did not remember seeing him anywhere. He had to find out. Quickly he sat up throwing his feet over the side. Big mistake as a sharp pain suddenly shot through his head and nausea made him very happy he had not eaten in a while. His eyes were going in and out of focus and for a moment he thought he would fall over and pass out. Someone grabbed his shoulders.
"Whoa Alan, Take it easy. Where you trying to go in such a hurry. Slow down and get your bearings. Good thing I was here to catch you." Alan felt his face being wiped with a cool cloth. His head stopped spinning and he once again risked opening
his eyes and looked to see who had kept him from falling on his face.
"Uncle Jack? Aunt MJ?" A small smile forming.
"That would be correct. You know it would be nice just to visit once in a while without you being hurt."
"I-I'm sorry. The smile left a lot quicker than it had appeared.
"Oh Jack quit," admonished Aunt MJ. "Now Alan, it is going to be okay. We are always happy to see you."
Alan glanced up, again the smile tried to return. He had not seen his 'aunt and uncle' since he had 'borrowed' the family jet and flown it into his then unknown uncle's airport. Uncle Jack and Aunt MJ (Mary Jean) had been very close to his parents since before he had been born. Aunt MJ, like grandma was one of the few people who could take on his father and win. John had told him it was because she and his mother had been best friends. When his mother had died his father had withdrawn into himself and now was still trying to make amends for letting friendships fall to the wayside. The rekindle with Jack and Mary Jean had been good for Jeff as well as the rest of the family. Now when they would come to the island for a visit the whole atmosphere would brighten. Aunt MJ would never pry or force, but if one of the brothers ever wanted to talk about their mother she would always listen and reassure. Though Alan really like her, especially her soft sugar cookies, he still didn't feel completely comfortable asking questions about someone he barely remembered.
"Alan, where were you trying to get to in such a hurry." Aunt MJ asked quietly.
Alan again glanced about, "I need to know if Mr Winters is okay. They ruined his garden center! I need to know if they hurt him." Alan's voice betrayed the panic he was starting to experience again.
This time it was Uncle Jack who intervened. "He is fine Alan. I talked to him this morning when he called to check on you. Between him and John, I pretty well have the picture of what happened. He wanted to come over, but they told him only family can visit the pediatric ward. So he said to tell you he will stop by the dorm when you come back. What about you? Do you remember what happened?"
Before Alan could answer aunt MJ spoke up. "Now this conversation can just wait for a little while. Alan you now know Mr Winters is unharmed, so I want you back in that bed and covered." With that she pushed him back into the pillows and then raised the head of the bed. "There now you rest and I'll see if you are allowed to have any breakfast yet." She reached over and pushed the call button.
A male nurse came in, "May I help you?" He smiled at MJ, the two of them had very quickly come to an understanding about who would be allowed in Alan's room last night.
"Alan is still nauseated, would you bring his prescribed medicine and then contact the physician and let him know that he is fully awake. Then check to see if a diet has been ordered.
"I'd be happy to.'' He quickly checked Alans vital signs and then asked after seeing Alan wince when the pen light had been shown in his eyes, "How about a light pain med also?'' seeing that Alan was going to deny needed anything, he quickly added, "just something light, it will not make you sleepy... It is a lot easier to stay on top of pain then to play catch up once pain takes hold."
Alan glanced at Aunt MJ who gave him a reassuring smile, "I think that would be a good idea. Don't you Alan?"
Alan gave the affirmative with a nod, but was then sorry as a sharp twinge shot through his head. "Y-Yes that would be good."
It was not long after the medicine had been brought in that Dr Sherman appeared. "Well Mr Tracy you look much better this morning. How is your head and stomach feeling?"
"It's better." Alan then settled back for another neuro check he knew would be forthcoming.
After finishing Dr Sherman asked, ''the police would like to talk to you if you feel up to it. I told them it would have to be after breakfast at the earliest. Don't fret if you are not able to immediately remember everything. With head injuries sometimes it takes time. Don't try to force yourself or you are liable to start the headache again."
"Okay. Thanks."
"Now I will have them bring you some breakfast, though I warn you it is just going to be clear liquids for now. If you handle that okay we will see about getting something a little more substantial for lunch."
Alan frowned obviously not impressed. This made the adults in the room to smile.
"Don't worry Alan the day will get better. I will be back to check on you this afternoon."
"What are your thoughts on dismissal Dr Sherman?" asked uncle Jack.
"A lot will depend on how he is feeling after his interview with the police and whether or not you will be taking him to the school infirmary or his own dorm room.
"Dorm room!"
"I don't know Alan if that would be in your best interest," said aunt MJ.
This definitely brought on a frown.
"Well the earliest would be early evening and actually I would prefer that he stay right here until tomorrow."
Uncle Jack quickly cut in. "Alan I agree with Dr Sherman. Stay here tonight and then we can get you settled back in your own room tomorrow." At Alans continued frown, Jack added, "it's either that or the school infirmary tonight."
It did not take Alan long to decide to stay at the hospital. All the boys knew once the PA got a hold of you getting dismissed back to the dorm was like pulling teeth as several boys who had come down with relatively mild ailments could attest too. A concussion! Alan would be stuck there until Christmas vacation!
"I'll stay here as long as I get to go back to my own room tomorrow."
"Agreed. Plus it will give us time to make sure you are able to eat and keep everything where it should be. Okay, I will place the orders on your chart, to increase your diet as tolerated."
Mark his RN for the day brought in the tray of clear liquids Alan looked at it in dismay. Everyone laughed.
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It was mid morning when the police arrived. Alan felt a little apprehensive. "Uncle Jack and Aunt MJ you guys are going to get to stay? Right?"
"If they want to talk with you then they will have to allow it."
This made Alan feel a lot better. So when Captain Murray came in Uncle Jack put the head of the bed up, so Alan would be able to see everyone better.
"Good morning Alan. My name is Captain Murray, I am in charge of the investigation of what happened at the campus garden center. You look like you feel a lot better than you did yesterday."
"Yes sir I do. This is my Uncle Jack and Aunt Mary Jean."
"Glad to meet you." He shook hands with them both. "Now Alan I just want you to relax. I just need to finish my report by getting your side of everything, ok?"
Alan nodded.
"Lets start with the beginning of your day."
Alan pushed himself into the pillows as he began, "Well the guys and I went to breakfast. Then I headed to the center like I've been doing for the last two months. Mr winters and I usually talk about how things went over the week, as we check his plants. He and my dad's friend Kyrano met when we came back from Thanksgiving vacation, they both like working with plants and are teaching me the basics. When I arrived I saw the side door was open; which, was unusual in that we usually come and go through the back. I just figured Mr Winters used this door for some reason. I went in and called his name, didn't get and answer, I heard a noise from the back area, so I headed that way. The only lights were the blue lights for the plants. That is when I started to see the damage, tables and plants had been turned over. I was afraid Mr Winters was sick or was hurt somehow. Then I saw the plant that Kyrano had just given him. I bent down to pick it up and heard another noise. I started to call Mr Winters' name, when something hit me in the back of my head. I know I fell forward onto my knees. I looked up and saw two people in ski masks. One of them said something about disrespect and teach his betters, I can't remember exactly. Then they must have hit me again cuz I felt another sharp pain... and then just nothing."
"Was there anything familiar with them?"
"Well I've been thinking and the...voice...I'm not sure it,... it seemed like I've heard it before,...but I-I just can't remember for sure."
It was obvious that Alan was stressing over his lack of memory.
"That is alright Alan. If you should remember or even think you remember, I want you to call me." Captain Murray handed his card to Alan.
"Under NO circumstances are you to try and confront anyone on your own. Understood?"
"Yes sir, but why was Mr Winters late? I mean it was a good thing or they may have hurt him too."
"Well that is the other thing we are checking. We think that this was just a random act of vandalism right now, but it is a little suspicious, that someone would slice all four of his tires on this particular day, then vandalize his shop."
"But why would anyone want to hurt Mr Winters? He's a great guy. He'd never do anything to hurt anyone," said Alan.
"Who knows why some people do the things they do. We are just grateful neither of you were hurt worse." said Aunt MJ as she moved over closer to Alan and pushed the hair off his forehead.
"Okay I think that pretty well wraps things up for now. Again Alan if you remember anything else...call. Nice meeting you folks." He again shook hands with everyone including Alan as he left.
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Now that they were alone Alan was able to ask about his father and brothers. Apparently they were still working an ongoing mission. A stalled tropical system continued to dump heavy amounts of rain causing more and more landslides.
"Everybody is okay though, right?"
"As far as I know, Alan. Believe me if there was anyway they could have come they would have. Your aunt and I are pleased that they asked us to stand in for them. Though it would be nice to get together just for fun and not injuries."
"I agree with you there Uncle Jack." Alan yawned.
"Jack I think we should let Alan rest a bit. We can go and give John an update. I don't think Jeff is going to be very happy, with the PD's conclusions.''
"I agree. John and I have our work cut out to keep Jeff and the boys from wanting to come and find the vandals themselves. Who ever did this, really doesn't know how lucky they are that their identities are unknown." He glanced back at Alan when he didn't get any more input for his comments. Smiling he looked over at Mary Jean. Alan was sound asleep.
"I think this is our cue to get while the getting is good." They slipped from the room. MJ made sure staff had phone numbers, should there be any change.
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"Your sure he will be alright, Jack." Jeff asked during a much needed break at the rescue scene.
"Yes Jeff. Dr Sherman expects a full recovery. Dr Sherman did recommend; however, that Alan be excused from gym and other strenuous activity until after Christmas vacation. He should be pretty well done with headaches by then, but he just said no sense pushing and risking a setback."
"I agree with that. AndAlan? How is he coping with our not being there?"
"Well you know I'd be lying if I said he was fine with it, but he is coping alright and of course he is worried about all of you. Mary Jean is talking with Ruth and your mom has been able to talk with him on the cell, but I think they will both be happier once we are able to get him on the vid phone once we are able to take him back to the dorm tomorrow."
"I cannot thank you enough for going over to be with him."
"You know it's not a problem Jeff. We love seeing the boys anytime, but like I told Alan we really should get together just for fun sometime."
"You got it Jack. Well I'd better get back to work. We are hoping to wrap things up by this evening and then head back."
"Alan will be glad to hear that Jeff. Did you think anymore about hiring a private investigator? I must say I trust Captain Murray to do his best, but the circumstances do concern me. Everything just seems a little to coincidental."
"I totally agree with you. I'm going to contact Jim Malsom and have him get one of his people going on it."
"Sounds like a plan Jeff. Stay in touch."
"I will, and again, Jack tell Mary Jean thank you for standing in for me."
"Anytime Jeff. Later."
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Uncle Jack and Aunt MJ took Alan back to the dorm, the following afternoon. Picking up the prescriptions and verbalizing understanding of the dismissal instructions from Dr Sherman. The PA at the school should take the sutures in Alan's head out in five days. Dr Sherman told them to have the PA call him if there were any problems. Alan was instructed to rest as much as much as possible in his room the rest of the week then could start back to class the following week. His teachers would be sending 'home work' that he would be expected to work on. The quiet "whoopee" from Alan over this prospect caused a lot of laughter.
After hugs were exchanged and Alan assured Aunt MJ and Uncle Jack several times that he understood his restrictions and how he was to take his medicines, Uncle Jack and Aunt MJ left to head back home.
Alan finally found himself on his own in his dorm room. His friends were still in afternoon classes. Now may be he would have time to think things through and come to terms over everything that had happened this week. He was so grateful that Mr Winters had not been physically hurt. He found himself day dreaming. He again thought about the voice and the words he had heard. He was sure he knew that voice. He thought about his family. He berated himself for feeling scared and alone. He kept telling his mind that his family was doing important work and even though they could not be with him, they had made sure someone came as soon as possible. He was grateful for his extended family, but he really wanted to see his dad and brothers so he would know they were safe.
Towards evening he talked with John and his grandmother. Actually being able to see each other, though not perfect helped all to feel more at ease. Both assured him that his father would contact him as soon as possible on his return.
"Grandma, I'm fine. Dad and the guys will be exhausted. Please tell them to rest first."
''I will try Alan, but I think they will need to actually see you for themselves before they will truly be able to rest."
Alan sighed. He knew his grandmother was right, and actually that made him feel good. "Well grandma I'll be right here."
He too would feel better once he too could see that his dad and brothers were back home safe on their island.
As Alan lay down to rest he once again found himself thinking about the voice and words he had heard..."this will teach him to disrespect his betters."
He knew that voice and those words..."disrespect his betters"..."his betters"..."his". His throat seemed to close and he felt himself start to hyperventilate, as suddenly realized they had been talking about him! This had been a planned attack! The ramifications left him scared and worried. He had to place that voice!
