End?
Dempsey stared at the young ER doctor as he explained what had happened to Harry. He felt sick, certain that half of the words he was hearing he couldn't understand but none of them sounded good.
He felt rather than heard his mother usher him towards a plastic chair in the corner of the 'family room.'
"Her father is in England." Anita answered confidently. "She's engaged to James; you can talk to us."
The doctor nodded, clearly trying to select her words appropriately. The younger man looked shell shocked - as if his world was about to end. Nodding once she sat in the chair opposite Dempsey.
"When the ambulance brought Harriet in."
"Harry." Dempsey corrected. "Only her father calls her Harriet."
"Harry." The Doctor smiled slightly. "Was in a very serious condition. She has a head wound which was initially very concerning. It's been sutured and we've sent her for a CAT scan of her brain and spine. Being thrown out of a crashed car is a serious physiological insult."
"I guessed it was bad." For the first time since he could remember he had no sharp sarcastic come back. He just stared at the doctor, hoping and praying that he would tell them Harry was alive and would be fine.
"The brain scan will tell us if there is any real damage or bleed within the brain. The scan of her neck and chest will tell us if she has any serious injuries that need addressing. Until then she will be kept asleep with a collar around her neck to stop any movement and hopefully prevent paralysis."
"She's not dead."
"No, at this very moment she isn't dead."
Anita made the sign of the cross, thanking God she was still with them. Dempsey slumped forward catching his face in his hands. The doctor tapped his shoulder before leaving the room. Anita got to her feet, crossing the short space between her and her son before hugging him tightly.
"Hush, hush. It's ok." She let him fall apart in her arms, knowing there was no way he would let anyone else see how he was falling apart.
Xxxxxx
A/N very short chapter sorry - please review. More soon
