IF SHE WAITED ANY LONGER - CHAPTER 3 - "RETURNING HOME"
Two days later.........................
Andrew and Mina enter Molly's hospital room to find Amy and Greg already inside, visiting her. "How's it going, Molly?", Mina asks.
"I'm doing good, Mina", smiles Molly, "they put me on solid liquids yesterday, and this morning I enjoyed a full breakfast. It was good to be back on solid foods again, considering they put me on nothing but clear liquids in the beginning".
"She's doing really well", adds Greg, "her recuperation is coming along very nicely".
Dr. Jones enters Molly's room. "Hello, everyone", she greets.
"Hello, Doctor", replies Amy, "did you want us to leave if you were planning to check Molly over?"
"It wouldn't be necessary", replies Dr. Jones, "I came here with some very good news for your friend", she turns to Molly, "how would you like to go home?"
"Really?", exclaims Molly, "do you mean that?"
"Yes, I do, Molly", smiles Dr. Jones, "but I do want you to stop in next week for a check over. I want to follow up on your progress. You may want to take it easy for a couple weeks. No heavy lifting or anything strenuous". She hands Molly two slips of paper, "here are two prescriptions for you. One is an anti-biotic and the other is for pain and discomfort".
"Thank you, Doctor", smiles Molly.
"Do you have means of transportation to take you home?", asks Dr. Jones, "or would you like me to call your mother to pick you up?"
"I'll take her home, Doctor", answers Andrew, "I was the one that drove her to the hospital in the beginning".
"Very well, then", smiles Dr. Jones, "there are a few more things I have to do before I can release you".
"What's that, Doctor?", wonders Molly.
"First, I'll remove the IV from your arm", answers Dr. Jones as she carefully removes the IV from Molly's arm and places a bandage where the needle was. "Then, I will remove the drainage tube from you. There may be some discomfort during the removal, so you may want to take a deep breath, alright?"
"Here, Molly, hold my hand", offers Amy as she extends her hand to Molly, "if the pain is too much, just hold it as tight as you want to. Don't look at the drainage tube, just look at me".
"Ok, Amy", replies Molly as she takes a hold of Amy's hand.
Dr. Jones carefully removes the drainage tube while Molly holds Amy's hand tightly. The doctor places a guaze bandage over the area where the tube was.
"You may want to keep that area covered for a few days", instructs Dr. Jones, "especially when you bathe".
"I will do that, Doctor", nods Molly.
"I will be back with the release forms and other paperwork you will need to sign", says Dr. Jones, "in the meantime, you may want to get dressed. The nurse will be here shortly with a wheelchair to take you to your friend's car".
Molly smiles as Dr. Jones leaves the room. She takes her duffle bag and walks in the bathroom to change.
"I think we better let her mom know she's being released", notes Mina.
"I'll do that. I got a phone card. I'll call from here", says Amy as she pulls out a phone card from her purse and uses the phone.
"Isn't modern medicine great?", wonders Mina.
"It sure is", smiles Greg, "nowadays people don't stay in the hospital too long either because modern medical technology is so advanced".
"Hi, Mrs. Baker? This is Amy. Listen, I got great news........Molly is being released from the hospital today......she looks great, and she's really excited about going home....oh, Andrew is driving her home.....want me to stop by the shop so you can see her before we take her home?....we'll do that, Mrs. Baker.......you wanted to talk to Mina and I also?......it's no problem, we'll see you in a few moments.....alright, bye bye". Amy hangs up the phone and turns to her friends, "well, I let her know about Molly's release and she's happy about it. We're going to stop by the jewelry shop so she can see Molly. But for some reason, she wanted to talk to Mina and I when we get there, but she didn't specify the reason".
"Maybe she wanted to thank us for being there for Molly during these past few days", says Mina.
"Well, we shall find out when we get there", says Amy.
Greg and Andrew collects all the get well gifts Molly received, including the Hello Kitty plush toy from Serena, a plush elephant from Raye, and two homemade CD's Chad made for her. Molly steps out of the bathroom wearing a white and pink tank top and blue skirt. Elysse, the young blonde nurse, enters the room pushing a wheelchair.
"I know you feel you may not need it", says Elysse, "but it's hospital procedure. We have to wheel you out for safety precautions".
"Oh, it's no problem", smiles molly as she sits in the wheelchair, "I understand".
Dr. Jones enters the room carrying some forms on a clipboard. "All you need to do is to sign your name on the designated areas and you're home free", she says as she signs the forms, "do you have any questions for me?"
"None that I can think of, Doctor", answers Molly.
"Great, so I will see you next week", smiles Dr. Jones, "good luck, and have a safe trip home".
"Thank you, Doctor", smiles Molly and the doctor leaves the room.
"She's a really cool doctor", says Mina.
"She's the best laproscopic doctor in the Tokyo area", says Amy, "and very good with her patients".
"So, Miss Molly, are you ready to go home?", smiles Elysse.
"I sure am", smiles Molly.
"That's wonderful", nods Elysse, "it was a pleasure meeting you, and the best of luck to you". She wheels Molly out of the room with Amy, Greg, Mina, and Andrew behind them.
20 minutes later.........at the jewelry shop......................
Andrew pulls in front of the jewelry shop, where Mrs. Baker awaits Molly's return home from the hospital. Amy is the first to get out of the car. Molly slowly follows, as Amy assists her. Mina gets out to offer assistance.
Mrs. Baker steps out of the shop to greet her daughter. "I'm so glad you're alright", she smiles as she gives her daughter a hug", how do you feel?"
"Just a little sore, but I do feel better", smiles Molly, "I'm glad to be back home".
"I bet you're hungry for real food", smiles Mrs. Baker, "Lita stopped by my house this morning and dropped off a homemade cherry pie for you, as well as a dish of your favorite food, fried shrimp, just the way you like them cooked".
"It's great to have real fodo for a change", smiles Molly, "especially if it's prepared by Lita", she turns to Mina, "thanks for you and Andrew for taking me to the hospital and taking me home today".
"It's no problem at all", smiles Mina, "anything for a friend".
"We thought you would like to see Molly before we take her home", smiles Amy.
"That's wonderful, Amy", smiles Mrs. Baker, "there is one thing I would like to ask you and Mina".
"What would that be, Mrs. Baker?", asks Amy.
"Do you think the both of you can stay with Molly for a few days?", asks Mrs. Baker.
"That would be so awesome", grins Mina, "Amy and I can play nurse, making sure Molly gains her strength back. Just think, Nurse Mina and Nurse Amy. Now all we need is to get a couple of nurse's uniforms. Sure, Mrs. Baker, I'll be glad to do it!"
"That's really kind of you to ask", wonders Amy, "but why the both of us?"
"You and Mina visited my daughter every day since she was admitted to the hospital", explains Mrs. Baker, "it was you and Greg that noticed how seriously ill Molly was and urged her to go to the hospital", turning to Mina, "it was you and Andrew that drove her to the hospital, and took her home when she was discharged. So the both of you are the perfetc choices".
"I am very flattered that you asked, Mrs. Baker", wonders Amy, "but do you really need the both of......"
Mina slaps Amy on the stomach. "Come on, Amy. You heard Mrs. Baker", she retorts, "we are Molly's friends aren't we? Of couse, she needs us".
"Yes, that's true", agrees Amy.
"Also, Mrs. baker has a business to run", continues Mina, "and she isn't going to always be home to watch over Molly, right? Someone has to be there for Molly".
"Well, I do see your point, Mina", says Amy, turning to Mrs. Baker, "sure, Mina and I will stay with Molly for as long as you want me to. She shouldn't be alone while recuperating".
"That's so wonderful of the both of you", smiles Mrs. Baker, and then turns to Molly, "how do you like that, Molly? Your friends will be keeping you company wile you recover."
"That's really great, Mom", smiles Molly, "I deeply appreciate this".
"I'm sure both your parents wouldn't mind", says Mrs. Baker.
"My mom's cool about it", grins Mina, "at least it gets me out of the house for a few days".
"I would be honored", smiles Amy in agreement, "I'm sure my mother would be in full agreement".
"I greatly thank the both of you for this", smiles Mrs. Baker, "It's only until Molly gets back to full strength. It's one of those precautionary things".
"I truly understand", nods Amy, "well, we're going to drop Molly off at home, and I'll get a few things at home and be at Molly's in a few".
"Same here", grins Mina, "this is going to be fun".
Mrs. Baker turns to her daughter. "Well, I got to get back to work. I'll see you later tonight. You go home and get some rest. Amy and Mina will be with you in a few moments".
"I will do that, mom", smiles Molly as she gives her mother a hug, "I'll see you later", then turns to Amy and Mina, "well, shall we go?"
"Yes!", Amy and Mina reply in unison.