Chapter 10

November 18, 1994

The next morning, Mrs. Garrett found Tad in the kitchen.

"Good Morning," Tad said.

"Hi Tad, did you have a nice trip?" Mrs. Garrett asked.

"It was quiet, Blair slept the whole time," Tad said. "Is she still sleeping?"

"Yes, I came down and saw her sleeping on the couch," Mrs. Garrett said. "Did the doctors tell you how bad she was injured?"

"She had broken most of her bones, her face was burnt, she had some head trauma, and was still unconscious when she got there," Tad said. "She went into a coma afterwards; they told me they almost lost her a few times."

Tears streamed down Tad's face, as he told Mrs. Garrett what he'd found out. "They called her the miracle patient, because people with injuries like hers usually die."

"But she hung on all this time," Mrs. Garrett said.

"They gave me an envelope with her things in it," Tad said. "Blair doesn't want to open it, so I'm going to let you."

Tad gave Mrs. Garrett the envelope. Mrs. Garrett dumped the contents on the table. There was only one thing.

"It's her locket," Mrs. Garrett said. "With Kelsey's picture in it."

"Her wedding ring is missing," Tad observed. "I wonder what happened to it."

"You can get her a new one," Mrs. Garrett said.

"I know, but I wish she still had it," Tad said. "I have to go back to work today; do you think you could stay with Blair?"

"I'd love to," Mrs. Garrett said. "But you should probably let her know, before you leave."

"I will," Tad said. "I'm going to pick up Kelsey from school today and tell her about her mother."

Tad got ready for work and woke up Blair.

"I have to go to work today. Mrs. Garrett's going to stay with you, OK. You'll like her," Tad said. "Go back to sleep."

"I can stay if…"

"No go, she'll be fine," Mrs. Garrett interrupted.

"Call me, if you have any problems," Tad said.

"I will, don't worry," Mrs. Garrett said.

A few minutes later, Tad left for work. Mrs. Garrett peeked in at Blair who had gone back to sleep, she was so glad she had all of her girls back.

Mrs. Garrett was sitting in the living room reading a book, when Blair woke up. Mrs. Garrett didn't notice, until Blair sat up.

"Well good morning," Mrs. Garrett said. "Do you know who I am?"

Blair shook her head. "I'm Mrs. Garrett." Mrs. Garrett said.

Mrs. Garrett saw tears well up in Blair's eyes. Blair needed something and couldn't tell her, it was very frustrating for both of them.

"The bathroom is upstairs, if that's what you need," Mrs. Garrett said.

Blair grabbed her walker and headed for the stairs. Mrs. Garrett asked if she needed any help. Blair shook her head.

Mrs. Garrett watched Blair struggle to get up the stairs. Mrs. Garrett got up from her seat and headed for the stairs.

"Let me help you," Mrs. Garrett said.

Mrs. Garrett helped Blair up the stairs and into the bathroom. When Blair came out, Mrs. Garrett helped her back down the stairs and onto the couch.

Mrs. Garrett took the old photo album out and sat on the couch next to Blair. Mrs. Garrett opened the album and started showing pictures to Blair.

"This is you, me, Natalie, Tootie, and Jo," Mrs. Garrett explained. "You girls got into some trouble and ended up living with me."

Blair nodded.

"They are at work right now," Mrs. Garrett said. "But you will see them tonight at dinner."

"Tad is picking up your daughter from school, so you'll see her too," Mrs. Garrett said.

"Are you hungry?" Mrs. Garrett asked. "You missed breakfast, but I can make you some lunch."

Blair nodded and slowly followed Mrs. Garrett into the kitchen. Mrs. Garrett made Blair a sandwich. Blair was a little messy and most of the sandwich ended up on her face. Mrs. Garrett gave Blair a napkin and she wiped her face.

Fifteen minutes later, Blair didn't feel well. Mrs. Garrett knew Blair would never make it to the bathroom in time and gave her the wastebasket.

Mrs. Garrett became worried, none of the girls had ever rejected a sandwich like that before. Mrs. Garrett got Blair back on the couch to lie down and then went back in the kitchen to call Tad.

"Hey Mrs. Garrett, is everything OK?" Tad asked.

"Blair didn't keep her lunch down," Mrs. Garrett said.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you, Blair has reflux that's why she threw up," Tad explained. "It will go away, but it will take some time."

"How is she supposed to eat?" Mrs. Garrett asked.

"She has a feeding tube in her stomach," Tad said. "I'll show you how to feed her, when I get home."

"She seems to know how to feed herself," Mrs. Garrett said.

"The doctor's said she can eat with her hands, but not with utensils," Tad said. "She also has trouble swallowing her food."

"It looks like she has poor coordination, most of her food ended up on her face," Mrs. Garrett said.

"She is going to therapy tomorrow, they will teach her how to feed herself," Tad said. "It's OK that you gave her something to eat, the doctors want her to try eating normally at least once a day."

"Ok, I better go check on her," Mrs. Garrett said. "Oh, I forgot to ask you if you could get Sammy from the vet's office?"

"Sure, I'll get him after I get Kelsey," Tad said.

Tad stood outside Kelsey's classroom waiting for school to let out. He had been waiting for only five minutes when the bell rang and students started coming out of their classrooms.

"Daddy!" Kelsey exclaimed as she ran into her father's arms. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Tad said.

"Hey Uncle Tad, what are you doing here?" Jamie asked.

"I came to pick up Kelsey, because I have to talk to her," Tad said. "And I want you, Annie, and Tisha to ride the bus like you always do."

"OK," Jamie said. "See ya later."

Ten minutes later, Tad and Kelsey were driving towards the vet's office.

"Daddy, this isn't the way home," Kelsey said.

"I know, we have to get Sammy from the vet," Tad said.

"Why is he at the vet, is he sick?" Kelsey asked.

"No, Grandma wanted him to spend the night there," Tad said.

"Why?" Kelsey asked as they arrived at the vet's office.

"Grandma didn't want Sammy to be there when I got home last night," Tad said. "I brought your Mommy home last night."

"Mommy's home!" Kelsey exclaimed.

"Yes, but Mommy is very sick right now and she doesn't remember anything," Tad said.

"Why doesn't she remember?" Kelsey asked.

"Mommy has a big boo-boo on her brain and we have to be very patient with her while it heals," Tad said. "You're a big girl now, so I need you to help Grandma and me take care of Mommy. Can you do that?"

"Yes," Kelsey answered. "Can we go get Sammy now?"

"Yes, we can go get Sammy," Tad answered. "Let's go"

Ten minutes later, Kelsey and Tad came out of the vet's office with Sammy. Sammy was Blair's four-year-old Golden Retriever.