"Julie do you have a minute?" James asked.
"Sure dad."
"Honey, your mother and I have some unfortunate news." Jim said.
"What's the matter?"
"It's Dean."
Julie stopped dead in her tracks.
"What? What happened?"
"Well honey, I am sorry to say that he was a victim in a drunk driving accident."
"He's gonna be okay isn't he?"
Juile's mother just looked at the floor.
"No, I'm afraid not. He was killed."
Julie screamed and fell to the floor.
Her mother ran to her side, but felt no moving.
"Jim she's not breathing!!! Call 911 or something."
Jim ran to her side and put his head near her to hear her heart beat. He heard nothing.
Julie's mother ran to the phone, and Jim started CPR.
*****
"James and Rebecca Gaffney?" the doctor said.
"Yes?" Jim said.
"Julie is resting comfortably, but she does have a bit of a weak heart."
"She what?"
"Well, extreme trauma can cause a previously existing condition to manifest itself, and when she found out whatever she found out, it made her heart manifest this weakness."
"What does this mean?"
"Well she plays hockey right?"
"Yes."
"She cant anymore."
"What can she do?"
"Things that don't over exert her."
"Can she ride her horses?"
"Um…well test it out, as long as she doesn't to shows, or anything strenuous. Jumping and things like that, should be okay, but racing is out."
"Well she only rides for pleasure."
"That should be fine."
"Will it ever go back to normal?"
"Well, probably not."
"Can we see her?" Rebecca asked.
"Yes, but don't upset her, she has been through a lot."
"When can we take her home?"
"She should be able to go home tonight."
"Thank you doctor."