CHAPTER 26
The months had passed, and Jack and Bobby were still not home. It was now nearly the end of March, spring was upon them, although, old man winter wasn't quite ready to let go of his hold on the DC area. The snow began to sprinkle down from the Heavens, lightly covering the sidewalks and path ways of the park. Levi decided it was time for his evening walk. Sue's baby belly had grown quite a bit in the month since her parents visit. She was now visibly pregnant to everyone. The decision had been made to set up the new task force that Sue would head up after the baby was born. She continued to work within the team transcribing surveillance tapes, tracking down witnesses, and following up on leads other team members would bring in. She missed being out in the field, but accepted that she needed to take a step back for the welfare of her unborn child.
She was finding it difficult to put shoes on, her belly was getting in her way. Levi did what he could to help, but Sue was becoming discouraged by her ever growing size.
"Grrr… Levi! I wish you had hands! I can't imagine how big I'm going to be in 3 more months! If I can't get my boots on now, I'd better look into getting slip on flats for the spring! Something that I don't have to actually see to put on." Sue said, struggling with the boots. Finally getting them on, she grabbed her coat and hat, and went out to the park with Levi close behind. The two walked through the park in the early part of the evening. The days were staying light longer, making it easier to make her way around the park with Levi. After an hour or so, the two turned back for home. As they crossed the street, Sue put her foot on the curb, it slipped back off, turning her ankle. She managed to catch the light post, keeping herself from falling, but her ankle was in pain. She sat on the curb with Levi next to her. Sue was able to call Lucy up in their apartment for help.
"Oh my gosh, are you alright?" Lucy exclaimed as she ran down the stairs and out to her best friend sitting on the cold wet curb.
"I'm fine. My ankle is killing me though. I think it might be broken." Sue said with tears rolling down her face.
"Is the baby alright? Did you fall?" Lucy said nervously.
"No. I slipped as I was walking back. I didn't fall, the baby is ok." Sue said. "Luc, can you do me a favor? I can't reach it, can you take off my boot, and put some pressure on my ankle? It really hurts." Sue asked.
"I have a better idea. Why don't we head over to the emergency room, let them take a look at that ankle." Lucy suggested. Sue shook her head yes. Lucy got Sue up and into her car. Levi hopped into the back seat, and they headed to the hospital. After a quick x-ray, the doctor came back in with good news.
"The ankle is not broken. It is, however, badly sprained. It's going to hurt like crazy for a while. You're going to have to stay off of it, keep it elevated and iced. I'll give you some crutches, and Nurse Anna will show you how to use them." The doctor said. "Do you have any questions?" He asked.
"Can I take anything for the pain?" Sue asked.
"Unfortunately, only Tylenol. We can't give you anything stronger because of the baby." The doctor said. He told the nurse to get her release papers and instructions, and show her how to use the crutches.
"Are you feeling OK Ms. Thomas?" the nurse asked.
"Yes, just my ankle." Sue said, grimacing in pain.
"I'm sorry, but with the baby, we can't give you anything else." She said.
"I understand. Can you show Lucy how to wrap the ankle correctly? There's no way I'm ever going to be able to reach it!" Sue said laughing.
"Sure. How far along are you?" Anna asked.
"Six months. I feel like I have a beach ball tucked inside my shirt now, I can't imagine what it'll be like in 3 months!" Sue said.
"You'll get a bit bigger. You'll feel like a beached whale at some points. Don't get down because of it. It's worth it in the end." She smiled at Sue while she adjusted the crutches to her height.
"You have kids?"Sue asked.
"Yep, four. Two of each. They're a handful, but I wouldn't trade it for anything." Anna said. "That's why I work nights. So I can be there with them during the day, and I make a bit more money on the over night. I'm actually only in early tonight for an extra shift… I have a birthday coming up. The big 5!" She laughed, handing Sue the crutches.
"Your husband sits with the kids while you work?" Lucy asked.
"No, he and I aren't together anymore. My mom lives with me, she stays with them."Anna explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Lucy said.
"Oh, no worries, it's long over. Is this your first child?" Anna asked.
"Yes." Sue answered, smiling and rubbing her belly.
"Congratulations. It's worth the struggle." She said. She finished showing Lucy how to wrap the ankle for proper support, and Sue how to use the crutches.
Nurse Anna helped Sue off the gurney and onto the crutches. She tried them out some, making sure she could walk with them. The nurse came back with her discharge papers and instructions.
"Make sure you ice it for 20 minutes at a time, keep it elevated as much as possible. Stay off of it. I would make a follow up with your primary in a week or so. If you need pain control, you can use the Tylenol." Anna smiled and shook Sue's and Lucy's hands, and walked them to the door.
"Thank you." Sue said as she hobbled through the doors.
"You're welcome. Good Luck." She said as the two women left.