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Pat felt panic begin to seize her again and she willed it away. It wasn't good for the baby for her to be in such an emotional state.
It seemed an eternity to Pat since she had opened her eyes to see the very worried faces of her husband and friends. In fact, it had only been yesterday. She related to them what Dad had told her and Rae simply crumpled in her husband's arms. Pat and Hilary had gone home to Wind Song immediately where Pat had begun to pack.
Her decision to leave had almost started an argument, but Hilary had seen that he was being overprotective quickly. He had helped her pack and then made all the arrangements for immediate travel. Rae was not so lucky. Leslie was too young to be without her mother for long and the doctor advised against such a tiny baby traveling such a long distance in the cold weather. Pat had promised to call her as soon as she arrived at the Bay Shore farm.
The only comfort to Pat was that Hilary and Beth would join her in a few days. Hilary couldn't leave right away, but he promised her that he would be in Silverbridge as soon as possible.
She felt as if the train was moving unbelievably slow and had the urge to take control of the engine herself. What ridiculous thoughts popped into one's mind when one was upset. Try as she might, Pat could not take her mind off the situation that awaited her on the Island. Even now, Dad's words echoed in her mind like a broken record.
".road was icy. Sid never saw the other car until it was too late. ..both in the hospital..serious condition .come as soon as you can."
Pat's mind latched onto the one good thing about this whole tragic event. Victoria had not been in the car with Sid and May. She had stayed at the Bay Shore farm with her grandparents while her parents had gone back to their house for some forgotten packages.
Forgotten packages! Pat could not help giving a bitter laugh, not caring what the other people in the car thought. Because of forgotten packages, her brother and his wife were now lying in the hospital in Silverbridge. No one knew if they would live. Both were unconscious. All because of forgotten packages.
In spite of her morose thoughts, Pat found, to her surprise, that she was able to sleep a little. When she disembarked from the train, her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten anything since that morning. In point of fact, she had skipped lunch altogether. This made her feel even worse. What kind of mother was she? This little unborn child of hers was being neglected terribly. Pat found a little diner and ate a rather satisfactory meal, then trudged along to catch the ferry to the Island. On a normal trip, she would have stayed overnight somewhere along the way, but she felt a horrible rush to get to Sid.
Fred met her when she got off the ferry and they went the rest of the way by car. Dad and Mother hadn't left the hospital since the accident, he informed her. Winnie was at the Bay Shore farm. She and Enid were taking turns watching each other's children. Pat took all this in, feeling as if she must be dreaming. Sid in the hospital! May in the hospital. Nothing made sense to her.
When she realized Fred was taking her to the Bay Shore farm, she protested vehemently. Fred tried to point out that she would only be able to stay in the hospital waiting room with her parents. It was too late to see Sid or May. But Pat was having none of it. Fred, being married to Winnie, understood the determination and stubbornness of the Gardiner women and so gave in. He dropped Pat off at the hospital with the promise to phone both Hilary and Rae when he got back to the Bay Shore farm.
Pat entered the hospital, not even realizing what a sight she was. Her dress was wrinkled, her hair mussed, and her makeup smudged here and there from the times she had wiped away tears, determined not to cry. She must be strong. For Mother's sake.
She was directed to the waiting room. Several people were there, but not all for Sid and May. In her search for her parents, Pat nearly missed seeing Mrs. Binnie, who's shoulders were shaking with sobs as she sat in her corner. Trix, May's younger sister, sat next to her, trying desperately to calm her mother. Pat walked past them, continuing in her quest. There would be time for talks with Mrs. Binnie later.
Dad and Mother were sitting in the opposite corner. Dad held Mother's hand, absently stroking it. His eyes were red and rather puffy. Mother looked serene and calm. But then, Mother always looked like that. If Pat had not been an observant person, she would have missed the fear and panic that were hidden behind Mother's eyes. She hurried to them, determined not to cry. They needed her strength.
"I came as soon as I could," she heard herself say. Was that her voice? It sounded so strange, so distant.
Long Alec looked up in amazement at his daughter. He hadn't expected her to come right to the hospital. But, then again, he probably should have. Mother managed a weak smile that nearly broke Pat's heart.
"I'm glad you came, Pat," she said in a small voice. Pat took the chair on the other side of her mother and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Is there any change?" she asked, her voice still containing that same strange tone. Long Alec shook his head.
"We can't get a word out of anyone," he said. "The last doctor we talked to was in here almost six hours ago. The nurses won't say a thing and the doctors are all to busy to stop for thirty seconds and tell us what's happening with our son."
Pat was surprised at the ferocity in her father's voice. But it made her angry, too, to know that her parents and the Binnies had been waiting so long without a word of how Sid and May were doing. Finally, she had a purpose. She stood back up, smoothed out her skirt and messed with her hair a little.
"I'll be right back," she told her parents. Mother nodded, Dad said nothing. He just stared straight ahead with unseeing blue eyes. Pat made her way back towards the door of the waiting room, but she was stopped by Trix.
"Pat! Oh, Pat, isn't it awful? Poor Ma is nearly beside herself. How can the doctors ignore us like this? Why can't they tell us what's going on?"
Pat thought for a moment she would have to keep Trix from going into hysterics, but the young woman managed to calm herself down. Despite her dislike for the Binnie clan in general, Pat felt it her duty to reassure Trix. She must, after all, love May just as much as Pat loved Sid.
"I promise, Trix, I will find out what's going on with Sid and May. I won't show myself in this room again until I have some answers. Go sit with your mother. She needs you right now."
Ordinarily, Trix would've been angered by Pat telling her what to do. But she went meekly, leaving Pat to find a doctor, or a nurse. Anyone who would tell her what was going on. She began at the front desk. The receptionist was friendly enough, but in a haughty sort of way that Pat found extremely irritating. She looked bedraggled Pat up and down appraisingly, then finally spoke.
"May I help you?"
"Yes. My brother and his wife were brought in yesterday morning. Sid and May Gardiner."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but visiting hours are over. You're welcome to stay in our waiting room. I believe there are some family members in there."
"I've been in the waiting room already. I want to know what the situation is with my brother and his wife."
"I'm afraid I don't have any information like that. You'll have to speak with one of the nurses."
Before Pat could protest, the woman picked up her phone and called one of the nurses out to the front desk. The nurse appeared in fairly short order and looked at Pat in the same manner as the receptionist.
"May I help you?"
"I need information concerning my brother and his wife. Sid and May Gardiner? They were brought in yesterday morning after an accident and my family has had no word on their condition for some time now."
"I'm afraid I don't know too much about them. You see, they're not in my area of the hospital. I have heard about the accident, though."
"Who's area of the hospital are they in?" asked Pat, her patience wearing very, very thin. Any moment, she knew, she would snap.
"Nancy's area. But she's helping Dr. Allan right now with another patient. And her junior nurses are all busy as well."
"Who's the doctor in charge of my brother and his wife?"
"Dr. Lawrence. But he's not here right now. His shift is over. Dr. Stanley has helped him with the case, though."
"Dr. Stanley, you say? He'll do just fine. I'd like to speak with him."
"I'm sorry, but Dr. Stanley is very busy. If you'll just return to the waiting room, I'll tell him that you need to see him."
"No. I am standing right here until Dr. Stanley comes to speak with me. You will go get him, please."
The nurse was offended by Pat's imperious tone, but something in those amber eyes made her believe that her life would be made much easier if she just went to get Dr. Stanley. She said not a word, but simply nodded and walked away. Pat concentrated her stare on the receptionist, who had been listening to the conversation with a great deal of interest, but now looked away quickly.
Pat didn't wait for long. The nurse returned with a doctor who seemed to be about Pat's age. He was obviously irritated that he had been disturbed, but he spoke politely.
"May I help you?"
Never in her life had Pat grown so tired of four words. Her patience was gone. She was tired, she was hungry, and she was worried. Her only thoughts were of her brother and she could not keep back the sharp retort.
"I'm sure you may," she replied. "The real question is WILL you help me? If it's not too much trouble, I would like to know what the situation is with Sid and May Gardiner."
At Pat's tone, Dr. Stanley immediately lost his condescending manner. This was a woman who meant business.
"I'm afraid there has been no change, Miss."
"It's Mrs. Gordon. And no change means?"
"They're both still in serious condition. Neither have shown signs of coming out of the comas they are in. Mr. Gardiner is a bit more stable than his wife, but, other than that, things are the same as when they were brought in yesterday."
"I'm curious, Dr. Stanley. How long did it take you to say that?"
Dr. Stanley was taken aback by the odd question. What was this woman trying to say? He shrugged as he answered.
"About twenty or thirty seconds, I suppose."
"Are you married?"
"Yes."
"Any children?"
"Yes, two."
"Humor me, Dr. Stanley, and use your imagination for a moment. Imagine that one of your children was injured and you took them to the hospital. For six hours, you didn't hear a word about your child. No one told you anything. For six hours, you were left to your own devices, assuming the worst, praying for the best. Tell me, Dr. Stanley, does this thought appeal to you?"
"No, Mrs. Gordon, it doesn't."
"It doesn't appeal to my parents, either. Nor does it appeal to May's family. The next time you have a case like this, Dr. Stanley, I hope you remember our little chat and treat the family of that patient better than you have treated mine. Now, I expect updates every hour on the hour, without fail. I don't care if the situation hasn't changed. Families have a right to know even when there's been no change. At least it spares them the agony of wondering. If you're too busy, have the decency to send someone with the word. Your patients are not the only ones affected by your actions."
Pat did not wait for a reply, but returned to the waiting room with the news Dr. Stanley had given her. It did little to soothe the two families, but, as Pat had said, at least they knew something. Dr. Stanley did what was asked of him and kept the Gardiners and Binnies updated. Mother convinced Pat to go back to the Bay Shore and get some sleep.
Her sleep was fitful, but it rested her a little, at least. As soon as she awoke, Pat called Rae and Hilary. She stayed with the children while Winnie and Enid went to the hospital. It was the next night before she was able to get back to the hospital and her parents. She took them some food and fresh clothes. Arriving just before visiting hours were over, Pat was able to sneak a few minutes with Sid. She really said nothing, just held his hand, trying to will strength into his body. Mother and Dad came in and Pat left Sid's room. She started to pass the room May was in, but thought better of it and went in. No one was in there. Trix and Olive had managed to get their mother home for some rest.
Pat approached the bed quietly. She felt guilty, but didn't know why. It was no secret to anyone that Pat and May had never gotten along. But never, never had Pat wished this upon her. She took May's hand and stood silently until Dr. Stanley arrived. He cautiously informed her that visiting hours had ended. In spite of herself, Pat couldn't keep back the smile. The poor man was afraid of her. In truth, she was rather ashamed of some of the things she had said to him the night before. He was surprised when she left the room meekly and returned to the waiting room.
She returned to find that Dad had finally been able to convince Mother to go home and get some real sleep. Trix was trying to convince Mrs. Binnie to do the same. Pat, though there was no love lost between her and Mrs. Binnie, tried to help Trix with her mother. But everyone froze when Dr. Stanley came into the room. He had just been in there, so there was obviously a change in either Sid or May to warrant another visit so soon.
Later on, Pat reflected that it must be terrible to be a doctor sometimes. She never forgot the look in the young man's eyes as he spoke the words that he would probably say several more times in his career, only with a few minor changes.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Binnie."
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A/N: Okay, that's it for now. As you can see, I found my disk. Yay! I hope to write more soon and I do apologize for keeping all of you waiting for so long. The muses are fickle creatures.
Pat felt panic begin to seize her again and she willed it away. It wasn't good for the baby for her to be in such an emotional state.
It seemed an eternity to Pat since she had opened her eyes to see the very worried faces of her husband and friends. In fact, it had only been yesterday. She related to them what Dad had told her and Rae simply crumpled in her husband's arms. Pat and Hilary had gone home to Wind Song immediately where Pat had begun to pack.
Her decision to leave had almost started an argument, but Hilary had seen that he was being overprotective quickly. He had helped her pack and then made all the arrangements for immediate travel. Rae was not so lucky. Leslie was too young to be without her mother for long and the doctor advised against such a tiny baby traveling such a long distance in the cold weather. Pat had promised to call her as soon as she arrived at the Bay Shore farm.
The only comfort to Pat was that Hilary and Beth would join her in a few days. Hilary couldn't leave right away, but he promised her that he would be in Silverbridge as soon as possible.
She felt as if the train was moving unbelievably slow and had the urge to take control of the engine herself. What ridiculous thoughts popped into one's mind when one was upset. Try as she might, Pat could not take her mind off the situation that awaited her on the Island. Even now, Dad's words echoed in her mind like a broken record.
".road was icy. Sid never saw the other car until it was too late. ..both in the hospital..serious condition .come as soon as you can."
Pat's mind latched onto the one good thing about this whole tragic event. Victoria had not been in the car with Sid and May. She had stayed at the Bay Shore farm with her grandparents while her parents had gone back to their house for some forgotten packages.
Forgotten packages! Pat could not help giving a bitter laugh, not caring what the other people in the car thought. Because of forgotten packages, her brother and his wife were now lying in the hospital in Silverbridge. No one knew if they would live. Both were unconscious. All because of forgotten packages.
In spite of her morose thoughts, Pat found, to her surprise, that she was able to sleep a little. When she disembarked from the train, her stomach reminded her that she hadn't eaten anything since that morning. In point of fact, she had skipped lunch altogether. This made her feel even worse. What kind of mother was she? This little unborn child of hers was being neglected terribly. Pat found a little diner and ate a rather satisfactory meal, then trudged along to catch the ferry to the Island. On a normal trip, she would have stayed overnight somewhere along the way, but she felt a horrible rush to get to Sid.
Fred met her when she got off the ferry and they went the rest of the way by car. Dad and Mother hadn't left the hospital since the accident, he informed her. Winnie was at the Bay Shore farm. She and Enid were taking turns watching each other's children. Pat took all this in, feeling as if she must be dreaming. Sid in the hospital! May in the hospital. Nothing made sense to her.
When she realized Fred was taking her to the Bay Shore farm, she protested vehemently. Fred tried to point out that she would only be able to stay in the hospital waiting room with her parents. It was too late to see Sid or May. But Pat was having none of it. Fred, being married to Winnie, understood the determination and stubbornness of the Gardiner women and so gave in. He dropped Pat off at the hospital with the promise to phone both Hilary and Rae when he got back to the Bay Shore farm.
Pat entered the hospital, not even realizing what a sight she was. Her dress was wrinkled, her hair mussed, and her makeup smudged here and there from the times she had wiped away tears, determined not to cry. She must be strong. For Mother's sake.
She was directed to the waiting room. Several people were there, but not all for Sid and May. In her search for her parents, Pat nearly missed seeing Mrs. Binnie, who's shoulders were shaking with sobs as she sat in her corner. Trix, May's younger sister, sat next to her, trying desperately to calm her mother. Pat walked past them, continuing in her quest. There would be time for talks with Mrs. Binnie later.
Dad and Mother were sitting in the opposite corner. Dad held Mother's hand, absently stroking it. His eyes were red and rather puffy. Mother looked serene and calm. But then, Mother always looked like that. If Pat had not been an observant person, she would have missed the fear and panic that were hidden behind Mother's eyes. She hurried to them, determined not to cry. They needed her strength.
"I came as soon as I could," she heard herself say. Was that her voice? It sounded so strange, so distant.
Long Alec looked up in amazement at his daughter. He hadn't expected her to come right to the hospital. But, then again, he probably should have. Mother managed a weak smile that nearly broke Pat's heart.
"I'm glad you came, Pat," she said in a small voice. Pat took the chair on the other side of her mother and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Is there any change?" she asked, her voice still containing that same strange tone. Long Alec shook his head.
"We can't get a word out of anyone," he said. "The last doctor we talked to was in here almost six hours ago. The nurses won't say a thing and the doctors are all to busy to stop for thirty seconds and tell us what's happening with our son."
Pat was surprised at the ferocity in her father's voice. But it made her angry, too, to know that her parents and the Binnies had been waiting so long without a word of how Sid and May were doing. Finally, she had a purpose. She stood back up, smoothed out her skirt and messed with her hair a little.
"I'll be right back," she told her parents. Mother nodded, Dad said nothing. He just stared straight ahead with unseeing blue eyes. Pat made her way back towards the door of the waiting room, but she was stopped by Trix.
"Pat! Oh, Pat, isn't it awful? Poor Ma is nearly beside herself. How can the doctors ignore us like this? Why can't they tell us what's going on?"
Pat thought for a moment she would have to keep Trix from going into hysterics, but the young woman managed to calm herself down. Despite her dislike for the Binnie clan in general, Pat felt it her duty to reassure Trix. She must, after all, love May just as much as Pat loved Sid.
"I promise, Trix, I will find out what's going on with Sid and May. I won't show myself in this room again until I have some answers. Go sit with your mother. She needs you right now."
Ordinarily, Trix would've been angered by Pat telling her what to do. But she went meekly, leaving Pat to find a doctor, or a nurse. Anyone who would tell her what was going on. She began at the front desk. The receptionist was friendly enough, but in a haughty sort of way that Pat found extremely irritating. She looked bedraggled Pat up and down appraisingly, then finally spoke.
"May I help you?"
"Yes. My brother and his wife were brought in yesterday morning. Sid and May Gardiner."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but visiting hours are over. You're welcome to stay in our waiting room. I believe there are some family members in there."
"I've been in the waiting room already. I want to know what the situation is with my brother and his wife."
"I'm afraid I don't have any information like that. You'll have to speak with one of the nurses."
Before Pat could protest, the woman picked up her phone and called one of the nurses out to the front desk. The nurse appeared in fairly short order and looked at Pat in the same manner as the receptionist.
"May I help you?"
"I need information concerning my brother and his wife. Sid and May Gardiner? They were brought in yesterday morning after an accident and my family has had no word on their condition for some time now."
"I'm afraid I don't know too much about them. You see, they're not in my area of the hospital. I have heard about the accident, though."
"Who's area of the hospital are they in?" asked Pat, her patience wearing very, very thin. Any moment, she knew, she would snap.
"Nancy's area. But she's helping Dr. Allan right now with another patient. And her junior nurses are all busy as well."
"Who's the doctor in charge of my brother and his wife?"
"Dr. Lawrence. But he's not here right now. His shift is over. Dr. Stanley has helped him with the case, though."
"Dr. Stanley, you say? He'll do just fine. I'd like to speak with him."
"I'm sorry, but Dr. Stanley is very busy. If you'll just return to the waiting room, I'll tell him that you need to see him."
"No. I am standing right here until Dr. Stanley comes to speak with me. You will go get him, please."
The nurse was offended by Pat's imperious tone, but something in those amber eyes made her believe that her life would be made much easier if she just went to get Dr. Stanley. She said not a word, but simply nodded and walked away. Pat concentrated her stare on the receptionist, who had been listening to the conversation with a great deal of interest, but now looked away quickly.
Pat didn't wait for long. The nurse returned with a doctor who seemed to be about Pat's age. He was obviously irritated that he had been disturbed, but he spoke politely.
"May I help you?"
Never in her life had Pat grown so tired of four words. Her patience was gone. She was tired, she was hungry, and she was worried. Her only thoughts were of her brother and she could not keep back the sharp retort.
"I'm sure you may," she replied. "The real question is WILL you help me? If it's not too much trouble, I would like to know what the situation is with Sid and May Gardiner."
At Pat's tone, Dr. Stanley immediately lost his condescending manner. This was a woman who meant business.
"I'm afraid there has been no change, Miss."
"It's Mrs. Gordon. And no change means?"
"They're both still in serious condition. Neither have shown signs of coming out of the comas they are in. Mr. Gardiner is a bit more stable than his wife, but, other than that, things are the same as when they were brought in yesterday."
"I'm curious, Dr. Stanley. How long did it take you to say that?"
Dr. Stanley was taken aback by the odd question. What was this woman trying to say? He shrugged as he answered.
"About twenty or thirty seconds, I suppose."
"Are you married?"
"Yes."
"Any children?"
"Yes, two."
"Humor me, Dr. Stanley, and use your imagination for a moment. Imagine that one of your children was injured and you took them to the hospital. For six hours, you didn't hear a word about your child. No one told you anything. For six hours, you were left to your own devices, assuming the worst, praying for the best. Tell me, Dr. Stanley, does this thought appeal to you?"
"No, Mrs. Gordon, it doesn't."
"It doesn't appeal to my parents, either. Nor does it appeal to May's family. The next time you have a case like this, Dr. Stanley, I hope you remember our little chat and treat the family of that patient better than you have treated mine. Now, I expect updates every hour on the hour, without fail. I don't care if the situation hasn't changed. Families have a right to know even when there's been no change. At least it spares them the agony of wondering. If you're too busy, have the decency to send someone with the word. Your patients are not the only ones affected by your actions."
Pat did not wait for a reply, but returned to the waiting room with the news Dr. Stanley had given her. It did little to soothe the two families, but, as Pat had said, at least they knew something. Dr. Stanley did what was asked of him and kept the Gardiners and Binnies updated. Mother convinced Pat to go back to the Bay Shore and get some sleep.
Her sleep was fitful, but it rested her a little, at least. As soon as she awoke, Pat called Rae and Hilary. She stayed with the children while Winnie and Enid went to the hospital. It was the next night before she was able to get back to the hospital and her parents. She took them some food and fresh clothes. Arriving just before visiting hours were over, Pat was able to sneak a few minutes with Sid. She really said nothing, just held his hand, trying to will strength into his body. Mother and Dad came in and Pat left Sid's room. She started to pass the room May was in, but thought better of it and went in. No one was in there. Trix and Olive had managed to get their mother home for some rest.
Pat approached the bed quietly. She felt guilty, but didn't know why. It was no secret to anyone that Pat and May had never gotten along. But never, never had Pat wished this upon her. She took May's hand and stood silently until Dr. Stanley arrived. He cautiously informed her that visiting hours had ended. In spite of herself, Pat couldn't keep back the smile. The poor man was afraid of her. In truth, she was rather ashamed of some of the things she had said to him the night before. He was surprised when she left the room meekly and returned to the waiting room.
She returned to find that Dad had finally been able to convince Mother to go home and get some real sleep. Trix was trying to convince Mrs. Binnie to do the same. Pat, though there was no love lost between her and Mrs. Binnie, tried to help Trix with her mother. But everyone froze when Dr. Stanley came into the room. He had just been in there, so there was obviously a change in either Sid or May to warrant another visit so soon.
Later on, Pat reflected that it must be terrible to be a doctor sometimes. She never forgot the look in the young man's eyes as he spoke the words that he would probably say several more times in his career, only with a few minor changes.
"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Binnie."
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A/N: Okay, that's it for now. As you can see, I found my disk. Yay! I hope to write more soon and I do apologize for keeping all of you waiting for so long. The muses are fickle creatures.