IF SHE WAITED ANY LONGER - CHAPTER 2 - WATCHING OVER ME
3 days later.......the day of Molly's surgery...........
Serena hears a frantic knocking on her front door, She opens the door and finds Melvin, out of breath, sweating heavily.
"Melvin, what is it?", asks Serena.
"It's Molly, Serena", exclaims Melvin, "she's in the hospital!"
"She's what??", shrieks Serena with eyes widened.
"They admitted her a few days ago", rants Melvin excitedly, "she turned all yellow, was in a lot of pain, and she.........."
"Alright, Melvin, just calm down", says Serena, "did they say what was wrong with her?"
"They said it was her gallbladder", answers Melvin, "they have to remove it".
"Why didn't anyone tell me about this??", wonders a flustered Serena, "how did you hear about it?"
"I asked her mom", answers Melvin.
At that point, Serena's mother walks in. "What's going on in here?"
"Molly's in the hospital, Mom", exclaims Serena, "no one told me about it".
"I did leave a note about Molly on your desk", says Mrs. Tsukino, "you probably got it buried underneath your other stuff".
"How typical of Serena", thinks Luna to herself, "only she could do something like that".
"Oh....I think....I did....", blushes Serena.
"Well, anyway", continues Melvin, "we gotta get to the hospital. She'll be so happy to see us".
"Alright, Melvin, but let's go to Darien's", says Serena, "he's got a car, he can drive us there".
"Ok, then let's go", says Melvin as he and Serena leave the house.
10 Minutes later...........................
Serena and Melvin arrive at Darien's place, as Serena rings the door bell. The door opens and Darien peeks out. "Oh, hey, guys. What is it?"
"Darien, it's Molly. She's in the hospital", exclaims Serena, "something about her gallbladder. We gotta get to the hospital. Can you drive us there?"
"Which hospital is she at?", asks Darien.
"She's at the Tokyo Prefecture Hospital", replies Melvin, "how about it, Darien, can you do it for us? And for Molly, too?"
"Sure thing. Let me get the car keys", replies Darien.
"Um, Darien?", asks Serena.
"What is it, Serena?", questions Darien.
"Can we stop at the Sanrio shop? I wanna pick Molly up a stuffed Hello Kitty", asks Serena.
Over a half hour later...........................
Serena, Darien, and Melvin arrive at the hospital as they enter the waiting room to be greeted by Mrs. Baker, Raye, Lita, Amy, Mina, Greg, Andrew, Ken, and Chad.
"Hey, guys", says Serena, "how's Molly doing?"
"She's in surgery right now", answers Amy.
"How long has she been in surgery?", asks Serena.
"It's been two hours now, Serena", answers Mina, "her mom had to close the shop for the day just to be with her".
"Poor Molly", whimpers Melvin, "I hope she'll be alright".
"Don't worry, Melvin", assures Darien as he places his hand on Melvin's shoulder, "I'm sure she's in very good hands".
"She is", answers Greg, "Dr. Mei Lin Jones is Tokyo's top laproscopic surgeon. Molly's got the best doctors taking care of her".
Serena walks over to Mrs. Baker, still clutching the stuffed Hello Kitty plush toy she bought for Molly. "I'm sorry to hear about Molly, Mrs. Baker", says Serena as she places the plush toy in front of her, "I hope she'll be alright. I got this Hello Kitty plushie for her on the way to the hospital. I wanted to make sure she gets it".
Mrs. Baker smiled and places her hands on Serena's shoulders. "Thank you so much for your concern about Molly. I'm sure she'll appreciate the gift. I'll make sure that you'll be the first person she sees when she wakes up, since you and Molly have been friends for as long as I can remember".
"That's very nice of you", smiles Serena.
"I didn't know about Molly until yesterday", says Raye, "Chad found out as he walked past the jewelry shop and wondered why it was closing early".
"All that the saleslady told me was that the owner's daughter was in the hospital", adds Chad, "but didn't specify what the condition was".
"Well, what's important now is that all of us are here for her", says Ken, "praying for a speedy and successful recovery".
"I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart", smiles Mrs. Baker.
"Molly's not only Serena's friend, but she's our friend as well", smiles Lita, "we would do the same for each other".
"Greg and Amy have been visiting Molly since she's been admitted, notes Andrew, "all of us has been seeing her as well, wishing her the best, sending her flowers and gifts".
"By the way, Serena", grins Raye, "what took you so long to get to see Molly? Did they leave you a message and somehow it got lost in your messy room?"
"Then tell me why it took YOU so long, since you didn't know about it until yesterday", sneers Serena as she sticks her tongue at Raye.
"Hey, you two", scolds Darien as he attempts to keep peace, "this isn't the time for that kind of nonsense. We should be thinking about Molly".
"Darien's right, you guys", agrees Mina.
"If you two are going to bicker, please take it outside of the hospital", adds Amy.
"Yeah, you're right", mumbles Serena, "I'm sorry".
"Yeah, I'm sorry, too", adds Raye, "I just hope Molly will be OK".
Over an hour later................................
"Is Molly going to be OK, Amy?", asks a worried Mina, "this surgery is really taking a long time".
"A surgery like this should never be rushed", replies Amy, "it's a safe but careful procedure. I'm sure she will be alright. She's got the best of the best in this hospital taking care of her".
Dr. Mei Lin Jones, wearing a surgical scrub suit, walked into the waiting room to meet Molly's mother and her friends.
"How did the surgery go, doctor?", asks a concerned Mrs. Baker.
"The surgery took a little longer than expected, Mrs. Baker", explains Dr. Jones, "there was still a bit of infection, but fortunately it wasn't life threatening. We kept the anti-biotics in her IV during the surgery. But as a precaution, we didn't want to rush the procedure due to that, so we had to take extra care".
"Thank God she made it through", sighed Mrs. Baker.
"Yes, she did fine, and the surgery was successful", assured the doctor, "she's in the Recovery Room right now, and she'll be back in her room momentarily. A nurse will let you know. For right now, only immediate family will be allowed inside the Recovery Room. When she is back in her room, all other visitors will be allowed. Did you want to come in and see her?"
Mrs. Baker looked at Serena, and then turned to the doctor, "I'd like to have my other daughter Serena come over to see her", she replies, "I want Molly to wake up and see her big sister looking over her".
Serena was in shock! Molly's mother is willing to let her see Molly first? "You really mean that?", wonders Serena.
Mrs. Baker just smiled and nodded.
"Very well, then", smiled Dr. Jones, "Serena, please come with me. I'll take you to the Recovery Room".
"Oh, uh, sure thing", smiles Serena as she clutches the Hello Kitty plush toy and follows the doctor.
"That was really sweet of you, Mrs. Baker", smiles Amy.
"It sure was", adds Lita, "but why did you want Serena to go rather than you?"
"Because she and Molly have been friends for so long", smiles Mrs. Baker, "it feels like they really are sisters".
Serena and Dr. Jones enter the Recovery Room. "Um, where's Molly at?", asks Serena.
Elysse, a young blonde nurse walks over to Serena. "Are you looking for Miss Molly Baker?", she asks.
"Yes, I am", replies Serena, "I'm her younger sister".
"Please, do follow me", smiles Elysse as she walks Serena to where Molly is recuperating, "you're allowed 15 minutes visiting, because we are taking her back to her room very shortly".
"Hey, no problem", nods Serena, "gotta follow hospital regulations, y'know".
"Well, enjoy", smiles Elysse as she turns to check on another patient.
"Hey, thanks", replies Serena. She turns to where Molly is resting and recuperating. She places the Hello Kitty plush toy next to Molly, and plants a kiss on her forehead.
"Hey, Molly, how's it going?", says Serena in a medium tone, "I'm sorry I didn't find out about your illness sooner. But, you know the klutzy girl that i am. Had it not been for Melvin, I still wouldn't have known. It's like a honest mistake, y'know. I didn't want you to think I did that intentionally. I would never forget you, or any of my friends", she strokes Molly's hair tenderly. "I still remember how much you loved Hello Kitty, so I got this nice plushie for you. I hope you like it. Everyone's asking about you, Hoping and praying for a speedy recovery". Serena places her hand on Molly's cheek as tears fill her eyes. "Your mom is so unselfish. she wanted me to be the first person for you to see when you wake up, saying that I was your big sister". Tears suddenly fall down Serena's face. "Come to think of it, we seem to be like sisters, being that we have known each other for a long time. I just...don't want....to lose you....."
Serena breaks down and weeps softly. Molly slowly comes out of her sleep and sees Serena crying.
Molly tenderly places her hand on Serena's tear-soaked cheek. "Serena.....", she whispers, "big.....sister....."
Serena rests her head carefully on Molly's shoulder as to not upset any monitors or IV's. "I'm so glad you're OK", she whispers tearfully, "how do you feel?"
"I do feel a little bit of pain", whispers Molly, "but having you next to me, watching over me, as if an angel is looking over me".
Serena wipes her tears with her fingertips. "Your mom could've came over instead of me, but she wanted me to go", she sits up, "That was so unselfish of her".
"That's my mother for you", Molly smiles, "thinking of others before herself, sort of like you in a way".
"Well, you know I could never turn my back on my friends", smiles Serena, "and I will never turn my back on you".
"I know you wouldn't", smiles Molly as she turns to the Hello Kitty plush toy next to her, "and thanks for Hello Kitty".
"I remembered how much you loved Hello Kitty", smiles Serena, "I made darien stop at the Sanrio place so I could get it for you".
Elysse walks over to Serena and Molly. "Hi, Molly", she smiles as she checks her blood pressure and temperature, "how are you feeling?"
"Much better now", grins Molly, "now that my big sister Serena is her with me".
"That's wonderful", smiles Elysse, "we're going to wheel you back over to your room, but we'll still monitor you".
"That's great", smiles Serena, then turns to Molly, "you hear that? You're going to go back to your room. Molly. You're going to have a lot of friends waiting to see you".
Molly smiles softly.
TO BE CONCLUDED.................................................