Chapter 28
Slowly Rain Massenet settled down into a fitful sleep with a slight smile on her face. No sedative was needed. Her doctor sat at the nurses' station typing in his notes. What had happened? Was what appeared as brain trauma-induced parasomnia, or something else? Pierre Sherman didn't seem surprised at his call, but rather more relieved. Often doctors and nurses talked among themselves at the more bizarre things they saw. Perhaps this was another of those medical mysteries.
At Trenton's Capital hospital, Cowboy sat on his father's lap. Under normal circumstances, an eight-year-old sitting on his father's lap may be infantile, but Cowboy had endured trauma. He didn't have his mother's comforting arms but needed his father's. For his ordeal, he came away with bruises, minor cuts, and a few scratches. None were as painful as his first-degree frostbitten ears and cold nipped hands. His ears burned and his hands tingled. He related how he tried to keep his hands pulled up into the sleeves but he wanted to hold onto the tree. To keep his feet from getting numb, he tried to wiggle his toes and feet without falling. Bobby and Tank listened with smiles on their faces. "Cowboy you did everything right. Your ears will be painful for a while and may slough skin. They will heal quickly. In the future, your ears will be cold-sensitive, so always have a hat handy."
As the two men sat with the boy, a stranger appeared. He was not in medical garb, but civilian clothes that looked like they might have been fresh yesterday. A police badge hung on his belt and an ID tag hung around his neck. "I'm detective Clyde Donaldson, Mercer County Sheriff. I would like to ask young Mr. Massenet a few questions. I would expect his father to remain with him, of course."
Tank nodded silently, of course. Bobby spoke up. "I'm Dr. Robert Brown, the boy's physician. I want to remain as well."
Tank sat stoically next to his son's hospital bed as the sheriff's investigator asked questions. Everyone clenched when Cowboy described being shocked so badly when first kidnapped, he went to sleep. Stun guns normally don't render the victim unconscious, just disoriented for a moment. Using the gun on the smaller boy could have caused serious damage.
Cowboy cried as he described the room he was held and being restrained to the wall. His wrists bore testament to his trial. They were wrapped in bandages that Bobby assured him would need for a few days. Snuggling into his father's chest, he relayed how cold he was in the room. Without thinking, Tank reached over and pulled the blanket off the bed to wrap his son. If asked why he couldn't answer. It was a parental reaction, something he never expected to develop.
The detective asked if he was abused, Cowboy looked lost. "What do you mean?"
"Did they hit you or hurt other than the stun gun?"
"No, they yelled a lot and the man put his handgun against my chest telling me to behave." Tank's muscles tensed and Bobby's jaw ground, but neither made a sound.
"That must have been scary," the detective said soothingly.
Cowboy shut his eyes and nodded as a tear escaped, "I was really scared. He told me not to make a sound. Then he pointed to a bucket and he told me that is where I had to go to the bathroom. I didn't want to use it, but I had to."
"Did they give you anything to eat or drink?"
"The tall woman brought me water and a candy bar."
"Did she hurt you?"
"No, she said I was a gold mine. That's all."
It was time to move on to Lula's part in the kidnapping. The detective asked, "Did you see anyone else?"
"Not until the big woman came into my room at night."
"Had you seen her before?"
Cowboy grabbed his father tightly and nodded yes. Tank urged him quietly, "Go ahead Cowboy, she can't hurt you."
Cowboy started slowly, "She was at the hospital."
The detective didn't know about what happened months before. Neither Tank nor Bobby had seen Lula's actions, only Cowboy. He looked at his father asking with his eyes what to say. "Just tell him what you remember. Bobby can fill in a little more."
Looking back and forth between Bobby and the boy, the detective waiting for someone to start.
"Dad was in the hospital and Mama and I were in the waiting room. The big woman can in and started crying and saying crazy things. Mama was tense but didn't say anything. I asked her why the woman was acting crazy and the woman heard me. She came over and started yelling a Mama. Then Mama told me to get my stuff, we were leaving. She picked me up and started running to the door when there was gunfire. We got in the car and drove to Dad's house. That's when I noticed Mama's arm was bloody."
The detective knew he's have to investigate this further, but took the boy back to the farmhouse. "Cowboy, when the big woman came into your room, was she carrying a weapon?"
"She looked at me and started crying saying she was sorry, she was wrong. Then she took a big knife from her purse. I thought she was going to kill me, but she cut the plastic around my hands and feet. As I got untangled, she went to the window and used her knife to open it. When she saw I only had on my underpants, she started giving me her clothes and her boots. The sweater was real big, like a dress. The boots were too big but they were warm. She then gave me her scarf and wrapped it around my head and neck. She was still crying saying to tell Mama she was sorry. When she helped me out the window, she told me to keep running until I found help. When I was free I ran from the house. I remembered Dad saying to run straight I needed to find a point and run toward it. I looked up and saw the North Star so ran towards it.
The detective realized the boy was talkative and didn't want him to stop.
"Go on Cowboy," he urged.
"I didn't want to leave footprints in the snow so I ran on bare areas. They were squishy, but not muddy. I kept running, sometimes I'd fall because the boots were big. The sky was getting lighter and I knew I had to hide. There were trees, but no caves."
"What made you decided to climb a tree?"
Cowboy looked uncertain what to say. Would they believe him? "I thought I heard Mama say, 'Climb up." So I looked for a way to climb a tall tree and hide up high where people don't look."
The detective looked at Tank who held up a single finger to indicate there would be more information later. He wasn't sure the detective would believe him or if he thought Cowboy has hallucinating.
"Do you often climb trees?" the detective asked.
"Not trees but I like to climb on rocks. The guys at Rangeman take me wall climbing in Hamilton. They put me in a harness in the beginning and would clip me to holds on the wall. Now I don't get clipped, but I still have the harness."
Tank knew about the climbing and gave his approval, but had yet to see his son in action. He glanced at Bobby, raising his chin a bit, thanking him and the men for caring for his son.
Bobby reached over and ruffled Cowboy's short hair, "What is it Hector calls you when you climb?"
"Monkey."
The detective thanks the boy for answering his questions then asked Tank if he could speak to him, privately. No doubt he wanted to clear up Cowboy hearing voices.
"Son, can Bobby hold you for a while?" The boy nodded yes.
Tank walked with the detective out to a private alcove. There he and the detective discussed Tank's previous relationship with Lula learning they had been over a little less than a year before the incident. Never had Tank said they were engaged, but rather all Lula plan to trap him into marriage.
"Do you think she was trying it again?"
"I think she was trying to influence the hospital staff to let her into my room so she could try to get me to propose while drugged. After I recovered a bit and she was out on bail from the hospital shooting, I went to her apartment and told her we were never engaged and we never would be. Afterward, I went to Germany where Cowboy and Rain were stationed."
"Do you believe he heard his mother's voice?"
"Before we found him, I received a telephone call from Rain's doctor in Albuquerque. She was calling out to her son in her sleep telling him to climb. I do believe there was some connection but I can't explain how it happened."
When the sheriff's detective left, Tank returned to the room, looked at his cell phone for the time. Subtracting two, he knew Rain would be awake. The call went through. Remembering Cowboy's painful ears, Tank put the phone on speaker.
"Tan, aw's Co-boy?"
"Mama!"
Overcome with relief, the woman could only break down and cry.
Looking at his father confused, Cowboy said, "She's crying."
Tank smiled, "Happy tears. Let me talk to her." As Tank talked to Rain, the boy and Bobby listened. "Rain, he's Ok, truly Ok." When Rain was down to a whimper, Tank explained the boy was safe, in the hospital under observation but otherwise unhurt. He would be released either later today or tomorrow. "Now let me ask you, my love. Are you ready to come home?" Tank asked gently. After a pause, Tank answered, "Is tomorrow too soon?"
A steady stream of Rangemen was in and out of Cowboy's room causing older nurses great consternation, but younger nurses were enjoying the parade. A phone number or two was exchanged. Tank had no idea his son meant so much to the men. Like Stephanie, the men adopted an outsider. Perhaps they needed the connection to the world beyond the military and Rangeman.
-0-
Stephanie woke the day after Lula's death feeling like she had been run over by a Mack truck. Looking around she noted she was in Ranger's bed, not her own. She glanced at the light in the room but the shadows were all wrong. The time read 4:00. The sun doesn't rise at 4:00 in the winter, but yet it seemed like the dim light indicated dawn was at hand. She was confused first of all and second, she needed to relieve herself. Once in the bathroom, a shower might clear her mind. Once dressed, she looked at the room's residual light and realized it was getting darker, not lighter. Oh my god, it was 4:00 pm. She had slept a day away. Glancing at her phone she wondered why she had so many messages and voice mails. Then she remembered, Lula. The enormity of the loss explained why her mind and body were lagging. She went to the kitchen to make coffee but could get no further than the counter stool. She sat and stared at nothing.
Ranger entered the apartment and went to stand in front of Stephanie. "Babe," he called quietly several times before reaching over and touching her face. She reacted with a jerk, "How long have you been here?"
"Not long, maybe 5 minutes. Your mind was in neutral."
"How long did I sleep?"
"Over 12 hours, maybe 14. I don't know when you got up." He opened the refrigerator and brought out water bottles and a covered fruit bowl. Dishing up the colorful chucks into a smaller bowl, he placed it in front of Stephanie. "Eat what you can."
"Is this dinner?"
"Not yet, but you need something.
She didn't argue nor did she admire the colorful array as her mind wasn't seeing color, just greys. The mango chuck, usually so sweet, was almost bland but it was wet. Her body was demanding moisture.
"I'm overwhelmed…" she whispered.
"It is expected and I didn't help matters by dumping a load on you as well. Last night was not the right time for my confessions. I'm sorry."
She was trying to remember what he said, but right now all she remembered was words, millions of words. "I don't remember what you said."
Realizing she was still in shock, he could only offer physical contact but knew his Babe was going to need to talk to a counselor and soon.
-0-
A very tired Bobby Brown entered Rain's hospital room after a near 1800 mile overnight flight. A nurse followed behind pushing a wheelchair. "Your chariot awaits," Bobby smiled. It had been several weeks since he last saw Rain, but was impressed at her appearance. Yes, her head had been shaved and regrowth was less than 1/4 inch, not yet covering but surgical scar, but the fuzzy look suited her. Her eyes sparkled in anticipation and the grin was not lopsided.
Rain was dressed in a loose snap-front fleece jacket and loose shorts. The metal supports on her legs were gone, replaced with nonwalking casts to mid thigh. Her toes were covered with blue toe caps which matched her jacket. It was cold outside. When Bobby made a move to move her to her wheelchair, she held him off. Scooting to the bed edge, she indicated where the chair needed to be and the brakes set. Scooting, leaning and supporting herself with her arms, she transferred to the wheelchair giving Bobby a big grin.
"You've been practicing," he beamed. He noted the cloth bag hanging from her waist. He didn't think it was a Scottish sporran.
Rain saw his look and said, "PP b-bag."
The nurse finished Rain's explanation, "For traveling purposes. She has full bladder function, but maneuvering on an aircraft would be impossible. We covered the catheter and bag it in cloth for her modesty."
"May I?" Bobby asked indicating he wanted to examine it further. Normally the urine bag hung down the leg, but with her legs' apparatus, it might snag. The front flap was held with Velcro. Once undone the bag and tube were evident. Bobby smiled, "Clever." Turning back to Rain he said, "All you need is a kilt and we could call you MacMassenet."
Rain scowled, "oooo."
Bobby noted she was reluctant to speak. He wasn't sure if she could not form longer sentences or uncertainty with her speech. Speech therapy would continue.
MedJet allowed only one passenger to accompany the patient. Tank and Bobby discussed who best should be the Plus One and Bobby's argument won. Plus he wanted more information from her doctors that what was included in the reports. Hunches, observations didn't always transcribe well to paper or electronics.
The expediated flight to Trenton Mercer Airport took slightly more than 3 hours. MedJets were designed to fly higher and faster than others, outside of military aircraft, but Bobby didn't realize how much faster. Rangeman was looking at upgrading to the faster Gulfstream. Bobby would be talking to the Core Team. "Are you happy to be going home?" he asked her.
"Yes, ooo."
"Cowboy and Tank are excited to see you again. Why are you not excited?"
"Af-afrad."
"Where is that tough Warrant Officer? Nothing stopped you before."
"What if….af-frad, dreams…changes…mix up." she said touching her abdomen.
Was she afraid of the pregnancy? "Rain, life will be different for a while. You can adapt, you've been doing it all your life. Right now your goals are to mend and protect those babies in your womb."
"What if…?"
"No, you know better than to be asking that. You deal with the present, not the future."
She nodded and looked off as a tear cascaded down her cheek. Bobby took out a handkerchief and dabbed her face. "You have two men waiting for you, two men who love you. They don't want to see tears, they want smiles. Concentrate on them and the joy they will feel seeing you again."
Looking back at Bobby, she had a motherly concern on her face. "C-cowboy well?"
Good, she was thinking about someone other than herself. "Physically he is fine. Hector and Tank needed rope and harness to reach him. Hector called him a monkey for figuring out how to get up the tree. I was thankful the only physical damages were cuts and scrapes and slightly frost-bitten ears. Nothing more than a boy who played outside not first remembering to take his hat would receive. I got pretty good cold damage myself when I had to walk home because I spent my bus money on comic books."
"His….mind."
"I've already set up appointments with our psychologist to help Cowboy work through any mental trauma. If this had happened to a younger child, the anxiety could be worse. He was gone less than 24 hours and did a great deal to save himself. Throw in the interaction with Tank plus the guys at Rangeman, emotionally he's a remarkable young man. You have built a remarkably tough child.."
"Anybody hurt?"
"Yes, but I think Tank is the best person to tell you."
Mercer County airport was fully compliant with ADA regulations, but access to the aircraft was on an open ramp. Bobby took off his Rangeman jacket and put it over Rain's body. There was a knit cap in one of the pockets he pulled out and offered her. She took it with a smile and put it on. "c-c-cooold," she grinned.
"No, I don't want you getting frost-bitten ears too. You wore your hair short on the side before. This is not much different."
Rain scowled, "Liar. 'oook like Ta-ank."
"No, you don't glisten as he does."
Rain thought a minute and smiled, "C-c-car wax?"
Bobby broke into open laughter. A bit of the mischievous Rain was peeking through. Everything will be fine.
Once the MedJet attendant pushed Rain into the small terminal, her care was transferred to Bobby Brown. He took her to a private room where she could safely reunite with Tank and Cowboy without other people interfering and possibly bumping into her legs. Two big Rangemen guarded the door, opening it when Bobby and Rain approached.
"Mama!" The young boy called out and rushed to the chairside, having been instructed not to approach her from the front. The boy wanted to straddle her lap, but Bobby caught him, "Can't do that yet," explaining the urine bag might rupture.
"Sorry, I didn't know," the boy looked downcast but immediately threw his arms around her neck relishing in the parent he knew since birth.
"C-cowboy….."Rain cooed. "Ah you hurt?"
Though released from the hospital this morning, his injuries were minor. His forehead was scuffed from the tree, his ears were still tender, and his legs still covered in scratches, he shook his head no. Though still a young boy, being around the Rangeman was toughing up his psyche. He wasn't pulling away from his mother, but he was growing up.
Rain held his chin and examined his forehead, "Boo Boo?"
"Small one," he replied shyly. "I scraped myself on the tree." Pausing he whispered, "I think I heard you in my head."
Rain couldn't explain what she felt, so she nodded and put her hand's base on her forehead extending her fingers to touch Cowboy's head. "We are con-neh-tad."
Tank took his turn in greeting Rain. He got on the other side, down on his knees, and threw his long, massive arms around Rain and Cowboy. "We are together again." Placing his hand on her abdomen, he didn't say a word but looked at Rain with love in his eyes.
Soon it was time to leave. Instead of going into the main terminal area, they were lead by airport security to a private entrance where a medical transport van waited. In front and behind were two black SUVs, their security detail. Tank pushed on onto the lift and once inside, the transport attendant secured the wheelchair to the lockdowns. Bobby got into the passenger seat. Tank, Cowboy and the Rangemen disbursed to their waiting vehicles.
"Where?" Rain asked.
"It's too early to go home. You will be in a private rehab facility in Ewing to be evaluated," Bobby started. Since the hardware is off, your next step will be walking casts. Once you are up and walking, so to speak, we will decide if you will go home or to Rangeman."
"Rain' man?
"You will continue physical and speech therapy. We have the equipment. A speech therapist will be hired."
She placed her hand on her abdomen. "Big walk?"
Bobby looked confused. Walk? Did she mean talk? Was she commenting on having a baby bump and how it would affect her walking? "Did you mean walk or talk?"
Rain wiggled her fingers mimicking walking.
"That's another reason I want you near. You are going to have trouble balancing between your legs and abdomen. You may be using a walker longer than you want," Bobby answered.
After a moment or two looking out the window, she asked, "Luis OK?"
"His walking cast comes off next week. I don't know who is happier, Ella or he."
Arrival at rehab hospital was a lot of waiting while Bobby and Tank completed the paperwork. Cowboy stood beside his mother, touching her and, she, in turn, kept a hand on him. They have always been in a touchy-feeling relationship. It would take time for each to be assured the other is OK.
Bobby began, "Tomorrow rehab starts, but first you have an appointment with a Urologist at 10 am to have the catheter removed."
"Gggood."
Bobby continued, "Then right after you have an appointment with an OBGYN. They are in the same building only on different floors. All your records have been transferred."
Rain nodded and put her hand out for Tank. "Nervous."
Tank nodded, "Your last exam didn't find a problem. Stay positive."
Cowboy had stayed back listening and the adults forget he was there. "What's an OBG-something?"
Three adult heads swung to the boy. Whose job was it to answer? Tank and Rain looked to the medical expert, Bobby. He wasn't sure he should be the one to spill the news. "It stands for obstetrics and gynecology. It is a doctor that handles women's issues like pregnancy and…"
"Is Mama going to have a baby?"
Rain took over, "Yes, I am."
Sudden fear crossed his face, "Was the baby hurt in the accident?"
"They are OK."
The boy paused and replayed what his mother just said. "They? That's more than one."
Tank's turn, "Two of them." It was hard for Tank to say, twins. For a man who never thought he'd be a father, twins were surreal. But then his life has been surreal for the last nineteen months.
The boy's face exploded in joy as he jumped to his feet. "I'm going to have a brother and sister?"
"We don't know yet. It might be two brothers or two sisters," his father replied.
"You don't know?"
"We won't know for a few more weeks."
"How do you know? Is there a test?"
Rain could explain it, but may not have the words. "S-S-sound wafs bounce off babies inside me."
The boy thought back to what his mother taught him about satellites and said, "Like making a 3-D map?"
Rain smiled and nodded yes. Bobby took over, "The sound waves are mapping what the babies look like, looking for problems and if the babies are positioned correctly, the doctor may see little penises."
Cowboy thought a minute, "Girls don't have penises." After thinking about what Bobby said, he asked, "Why type of problem can they see?"
"Developmental problems. Sometimes the parts are forming up incorrectly. For example maybe a portion of the spine is outside of the body, or the heart isn't beating correctly.
"Have you had the tests, Mama?"
Tank answered. "Yes, son, and so far everything looks good. As for determining the sex, the babies have to be at least 18 weeks old."
"How old are they now?"
"Thirteen weeks."
"How long does it take to grow a baby?
"Two hundred and eighty days or 40 weeks," Bobby answered.
"That long?"
Tank smiled, "End of summer the stork should arrive."
"Huh, what does a bird have to do with babies?"
Rain laughed, "F-f-fra-e tale."
"Fairy tale, Mama?"
A knock came on the door and Bobby opened it. In stepped three ladies. Rain recognized Ella who rushed over and gave her a big hug, "Welcome home Rain."
Then Ella introduced the women about Rain's age. "These are my nieces Cassie and Alexa. Cassie is a nurse here at the rehab center. When you leave here to home or Rangeman, Alexa, will be your nurse."
Rain thought a minute and said, "Big family."
Ella hugged her, "Yes, and always growing. Not bad for a woman who never had children of her own."
"How many nieces do you have, Abuela Ella?" Cowboy asked.
The older lady stopped suddenly and started counting on her fingers. "I think twelve. Right Cassie?
The nurse smiled, "Thirteen nieces and seventeen nephews."
"Wow, that's a lot of birthdays to remember," Cowboy replied.
Bobby and the women excused themselves leaving Tank and Cowboy time with Rain. Bobby handed Tank keys to a Rangeman truck. When she or Cowboy gets tired, transportation is outside. Medivan will take her to her appointments. You should ride with the escorts."
-0-
Five days after Lula's death, she was buried. Stephanie was right, Lula had very little money. Ranger and Tank made all the arrangements with Stephanie's and Connie's input.
As far as anyone could determine, Lula had never been baptized or attended a church. She talked about joining when she was with Tank, but never went forward. Her funeral service was held at Campbell Funeral Home on Calhoun Street. The Reverend Jerimiah Jenkins conducted most of the area's funerals.
Lula was an icon to many of the older working girls on Stark. Though she had been born on the streets and worked there for ten years, she had moved on. Though no longer a working 'ho, she had retained friendship born through abusive johns and pimps, aching feet, feezing, or sweating from long hours for little pay. Her staunch anti-drug policy did not make her popular with pushers but the envy of those who did succumb.
Most knew about her efforts to get girls off the streets, especially those just starting. With Lula's guidance, many sidestepped the streets going on to take training and earning a respectable job. Lula's flashy persona needed frequent upkeep allowing her to flit between hairdressers and nail care professionals, checking on "her girls," those she had helped. Few knew Lula admired the girls for their ability to work in society. She preferred her current semi-employment, blackmailing Vinnie for his misdeeds and "helping" Stephanie.
The funeral home was packed. Most ignored the preferred somber dress for flashy colors beloved by Lula. Hookers, pimps, gangbangers sat together with former hookers, pimps, and gang bangers. The men of Rangeman showed up in civilian clothes. Stephanie had clued them in to the colorful shirt campaign asking them to avoid white, black or grey shirts. Several wear body hugging t-shirts in jaunty colors with sports jackets over the top, no tie. Ranger opted for an emerald green silk shirt. It was as colorful as he could allow himself. Tank, though, opted for plain white shirt and tie with the darker jacket.
Connie was there as was Vinnie, most likely to assure himself the thorn in his side was gone. Stephanie and her grandmother sat in the front row with Connie and Vinnie. Tank and Ranger sat next to Stephanie. The mood and sermon were upbeat with tales of Lula's funnier adventures and how she helped many move on to a better life. After the ceremony, Stephanie, Connie, Tank, and other Rangemen hosted a picnic of sorts at the Stark Street neutral area. The menu was simple, fried chicken. Cluck in the Bucket was supplemented with the city's other chicken eateries. As Stephanie wiped her fingers she spoke to Connie, "It is going to be hard to eat fried chicken again without thinking of Lula."
Connie delicately peeled off a chunk of meat from a breast and replied, "Knowing how bad this is for my body, I'm thinking this might have to be my last piece. In the future, I might have a piece per year on this day."
"Just a piece?" Stephanie looked shocked.
"The last time Lula went to Cluck in the Bucket, she brought back a family bucket and at it all along with the side orders. Watching her eat made me ill."
"She could put it away," Stephanie agreed. "I don't know why she wasn't 400 pounds."
"I doubt she ate any other time during the day. Mostly it was from lack of money. Did you notice she mooched from us near the end of the month?"
"And she was more interested in helping me with my bonds then too. It was because she could get me to buy lunch. I should have realized with her off-handed comment about not having a family to feed her when she needed it."
"It was a shame about her and Tank. They were cute together," Connie said to move the conversation in a new direction. "He, a giant man and her, a tiny Lula."
Stephanie snorted. "Short, not tiny. She was a big, beautiful, black woman, remember?"
"Yeah, she really was. What she was missing in height, she made up for it in attitude. She would have ruled Tank."
"I'm going to miss her."
"Yeah, me too."