Chapter 5
Laurie came to as water started to splash around her. Remembering where she was, she saw the light fading in the cave opening, then realized it must be late afternoon, the tide was coming back in. Realizing she only had minutes at most before the waves came crashing in, she shoved herself upright, then put both hands on her pendant and managed to turn it on. "Rick, Oscar, please, somebody hear me!", she pleaded. She closed her eyes, sending a message to both Steve and Rick. "Darling, where are you? Steve, answer me!"
At once she heard Rick's voice on her watch. "Laurie! Laurie! Where are you, sweetheart!" Almost hysterical, she answered him, "I'm in a cave, I'm stuck, help me, I'm scared!" At the same time Steve called to her, "Honey, where are you! I'm coming; I'll be landing in a few minutes! I'll send Oscar to you!"
Telling both Rick and Steve again she was in a cave, with water coming in, she felt both men's presence. Then Oscar's measured tone was on her transmitter, "Honey, it's Oscar, Rick'll be there in a moment, we know where you are. Just stay calm, we'll get you out!"
Her husband's thoughts came again, "tell me when you see my light, I'm coming in!"
Suddenly the water got higher around her, and she called, "Rick, the water's coming, be careful!"
"Laurie!" She heard his voice. For a moment Laurie thought she was hallucinating, then it sounded again, echoing against the cave walls.
Summoning the last of her voice, she screamed, "Rick! Please, I'm in here, please hurry!"
She heard a sloshing noise, then Rick's voice, louder. "Laurie, keep talking, I'm almost there!"
"Rick!" she rasped, her throat raw. Suddenly she saw a light, then started to cry. "Rick, oh darling, hurry, the water's ccccoming!"
At once he was there, shining a flashlight on her, "Oh my god, my Laurie, oh my angel!" he gasped, then he had his arms around her. "Rick, hurry, get me out of here, I can't move!" she wept.
"Don't cry, my love, please! I've got you; I'm never letting go! What hurts, dearest, I can't move you if I'm going to hurt you worse!" he told her, fear in his voice.
"My side, where I'm wedged in, and my hands, please, just lift me up, I don't have any more strength!" she begged. Placing his arms under her, Rick picked her straight up, then freed her from the rocks.
Practically running, he rushed with his wife out of the cave just a wave came crashing in. Almost swamped by the tide, he struggled to keep both of them upright as he tried to get to higher ground. Abruptly the noise of a jeep sounded, then crashing thru the water, Oscar and Rudy and A.J. drove up to them. "Over here, quick," the big man urged, as Rudy got out and helped the two brothers put Laurie in the back, pillowing her head in Rick's lap.
"It's ok, honey, you're safe, we'll get you to the hospital!" Rudy told her as he kissed her cheek. Trying to smile at her friend, she bit back a cry as the vehicle hit a bump.
"I'm sorry, baby!" Oscar looked back at his niece and saw the grimace of pain. He reached back and touched her face, then smiled when she grabbed his hand with her good one and held it next to her cheek. "You came, that's all that matters!" she told her uncle, then turned to Rudy. "How long have I been missing?"
"Over a day, honey, between the Coast Guard and all of us, we've been looking for you since yesterday afternoon." he told her gently. "I was in that cave, for a day, oh, my God!" she gasped. "Sweetheart, it's ok, nothing matters except that you came back to us!" Rick soothed her, then gently cradling her injured hand, told her about the dolphins who helped him make it.
Forgetting her pain for a moment, Laurie listened, then dazedly said, "that's what lifted me over that wave that hit us, darling. It wasn't a shark, it was a dolphin! Oh, Rick, it was a miracle that saved us!" Rick leaned down and kissed her, "Yes, my brave girl, we had help, all those wonderful dolphins! We'll come here again to see them!" At that moment they heard Robbie's voice calling, "Mama!" then as Oscar pulled up the ramp to the street level Coast Guard site, Laurie raised herself up with Rick's help and saw her son and daughter with Captain James.
"Robbie!" she cried, as her uncle stopped the jeep next to a waiting ambulance. Both Robbie and Robin came rushing up to them, and tearfully hugged her and Rick. "Mama, you made it!" her son told her, as his father and uncles carefully lifted her out of the jeep, then laid her on a gurney. "I never want to leave my children, or my family, ever!" she sniffed.
"Where's Laurie, where's my baby!" came Cecilia's voice, then she came to her daughter- in-law's side and tenderly brushed the hair from her bruised forehead. "Mom, remember when you read the book about the blue dolphins?"
Startled by the question, her mom nodded. "Yes, sweetie, I read it to you and the guys when you were in grade school." "They saved us, Mom, Rick and I, I'll always be grateful, they helped us get home to you!" she smiled, as A.J. grinned. Coming to her side, the Coast Guard Commander looked at her and teased, "Well, Mrs. Simon, I told Rick if you could survive being married to him, you could survive the ocean!" "Captain James, I can survive anything with this family to come back to!" she answered, beaming.
"Well, before you go home, we have to get you well, honey, we're going to the hospital now." A.J. told her, as the ambulance attendants loaded her in. Both Rudy and Rick climbed in with her, as Oscar promised to follow with the rest of the family.
On the way to Santa Barbara General, Rudy let Rick give Laurie some water as he gently probed her injured sides and legs. "Honey, do your legs feel heavy or tired?" he asked worriedly, seeing her wince at any movement. "Yes, Rudy, I can hardly lift them, let alone move them." she answered, the rush of adrenalin from her rescue wearing off.
Once the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Rudy took charge and had Laurie admitted immediately. Asking the help of the trauma team, he took her into a treatment room and started to get to the extent of her injuries.
Waiting out in the lobby, Rick greeted the rest of the family, then plopped down on a chair, exhausted but elated, saying "Rudy and the doctors are looking at her now. "
After getting a round of coffee and tea for their family, he waited for over an hour until a weary Rudy came out of the treatment room, then beckoned Rick and Oscar over.
"Well, it's going to take some time, but I think our girl's going to be all right. Rick, she's clear of any fluid in her lungs, so I think we may get lucky that she'll be spared pneumonia. She has two large lacerations on her right and left sides, they'll need stitches when she's stronger. She has a small bump on her head, but I don't think she's got a concussion. The most severe injury is the swollen nerve endings to her legs, that's why she can feel them but has trouble lifting or walking.
I think with some anti-inflamitories, the swelling will go down, but she's not to use a pair of crutches or canes until she's stronger." Rudy focused on Rick. "You and Oscar can both go in, Laurie's adamant that she's going to have one of us with her at all times. She's afraid she's going to wake up in that cave again. I already spoke to Dr. Sherman; he's cleared a family member to stay at night with her."
Rick shook his head. "My poor girl, what those monsters caused! Oscar, you'd better hope they put them somewhere I can't get to!" "Don't worry, son, Matthews' hired thugs will never touch either of you again!" his uncle assured him.
As her uncle and husband both entered the room, Laurie tried to wipe the tears from her eyes and smile at them. Rick wasn't fooled, he went right to her side and carefully avoiding the i.v.'s, took her in his arms. "Sweetheart, it's all right, you're going to be just fine. We're going to get you well and take you home."
She managed a real smile this time, "I'll be ok, you know me, darling, I hate being an invalid!" Her uncle sat next to her and took her good hand in his. "Honey, it's time you let someone else take care of you. You've always had to wait until I've had the time to spend with you, now I'm all yours!"
"Now I know I'm going to cry, you two are so dear!" she sniffed, then kissed Oscar and then Rick. "I'm just glad I'll have you around when I start walking, I'm not going to the Hospital dedication in a wheelchair, you just wait and see!"
Seeing the determination in his niece's eyes, Oscar squeezed her hand. "I'll be there, baby, nothing's going to keep you down." Just then there was a knock on the door, and Rudy was back. "I can't keep them back any longer, can you handle some more family?"
Seeing his wife try to sit straighter in anticipation tugged at Rick's heart, he kissed her cheek as she nodded, "Yes, Rudy, please!"
Laurie beamed as she saw her children and mom, then A.J. and Steve. Rudy had warned them not to tire her out, but he saw how she thrived on seeing her loved ones. Surprisingly, a nurse came to ask if they'd like to use a near-by family room while Laurie was a patient, so her family could stay near. Oscar thanked her, then had to laugh when he realized it was a subtle hint that visiting hours were over. "Rudy, I'm hungry, do you think I can have something to eat?" Laurie asked, then was startled when her friend hugged her.
"Now I know you're going to be all right, I'll get you some soup and crackers to start with!" he told her, blinking rapidly. "I've worn you out, haven't I, what would we do without you!" Laurie kissed him.
"Don't start me, missy, now why don't all of you go get some dinner, then come say good night!" Rudy gruffly told the others, tucking her blankets around her.
Left alone with her husband, Laurie snuggled against him as he gently stroked her face. "Better, my angel?" he whispered, kissing her. "Yes, oh, yes, Rick. I've missed this, you holding me. I kept trying to picture us, your arms around me. I was so afraid, darling." she told him, her voice breaking. "I know, I know, darlin'. I was scared I lost you, but I refuse to ever give you up." His voice shook, and at once Laurie put her arms around him. "Don't my love, please, I'm here, just hold me."
"Yes my dearest love, I'll always be there." he promised, kissing all the cuts and bruises and making it "better". "Mmm, that feels so good, Rick, I could almost go for my rain check!", she teased. Easing her back against the pillows, her husband promised her "the first night we're home!"
After they both had something to eat, Rudy gave Laurie her medication then let the others in to say good night. Temple and Towne were the last to leave, Laurie felt like weeping when she realized how many hours they had both put in to find her.
"Rick, I'll never take for granted how wonderful our friends are." she sighed, as he helped get her comfortable, then climbed into bed next to her.
"Neither will I, sweetheart. As soon as we're back home, I want to have everyone over for a barbeque, maybe after the hospital opens!" he told her, putting his arm around her.
'You think of the nicest things!" Laurie yawned, then giggled. "Darling, I think Rudy gave me something in my medication, I feel tipsy!"
"Remind me to thank your uncle, you're so cute when you're loopy!" Rick snickered, then yawned himself.
A voice from the doorway sounded, "You're welcome, now get some sleep!"
Two voices in the darkened room answered, "Yes Rudy!"
Laurie came to as water started to splash around her. Remembering where she was, she saw the light fading in the cave opening, then realized it must be late afternoon, the tide was coming back in. Realizing she only had minutes at most before the waves came crashing in, she shoved herself upright, then put both hands on her pendant and managed to turn it on. "Rick, Oscar, please, somebody hear me!", she pleaded. She closed her eyes, sending a message to both Steve and Rick. "Darling, where are you? Steve, answer me!"
At once she heard Rick's voice on her watch. "Laurie! Laurie! Where are you, sweetheart!" Almost hysterical, she answered him, "I'm in a cave, I'm stuck, help me, I'm scared!" At the same time Steve called to her, "Honey, where are you! I'm coming; I'll be landing in a few minutes! I'll send Oscar to you!"
Telling both Rick and Steve again she was in a cave, with water coming in, she felt both men's presence. Then Oscar's measured tone was on her transmitter, "Honey, it's Oscar, Rick'll be there in a moment, we know where you are. Just stay calm, we'll get you out!"
Her husband's thoughts came again, "tell me when you see my light, I'm coming in!"
Suddenly the water got higher around her, and she called, "Rick, the water's coming, be careful!"
"Laurie!" She heard his voice. For a moment Laurie thought she was hallucinating, then it sounded again, echoing against the cave walls.
Summoning the last of her voice, she screamed, "Rick! Please, I'm in here, please hurry!"
She heard a sloshing noise, then Rick's voice, louder. "Laurie, keep talking, I'm almost there!"
"Rick!" she rasped, her throat raw. Suddenly she saw a light, then started to cry. "Rick, oh darling, hurry, the water's ccccoming!"
At once he was there, shining a flashlight on her, "Oh my god, my Laurie, oh my angel!" he gasped, then he had his arms around her. "Rick, hurry, get me out of here, I can't move!" she wept.
"Don't cry, my love, please! I've got you; I'm never letting go! What hurts, dearest, I can't move you if I'm going to hurt you worse!" he told her, fear in his voice.
"My side, where I'm wedged in, and my hands, please, just lift me up, I don't have any more strength!" she begged. Placing his arms under her, Rick picked her straight up, then freed her from the rocks.
Practically running, he rushed with his wife out of the cave just a wave came crashing in. Almost swamped by the tide, he struggled to keep both of them upright as he tried to get to higher ground. Abruptly the noise of a jeep sounded, then crashing thru the water, Oscar and Rudy and A.J. drove up to them. "Over here, quick," the big man urged, as Rudy got out and helped the two brothers put Laurie in the back, pillowing her head in Rick's lap.
"It's ok, honey, you're safe, we'll get you to the hospital!" Rudy told her as he kissed her cheek. Trying to smile at her friend, she bit back a cry as the vehicle hit a bump.
"I'm sorry, baby!" Oscar looked back at his niece and saw the grimace of pain. He reached back and touched her face, then smiled when she grabbed his hand with her good one and held it next to her cheek. "You came, that's all that matters!" she told her uncle, then turned to Rudy. "How long have I been missing?"
"Over a day, honey, between the Coast Guard and all of us, we've been looking for you since yesterday afternoon." he told her gently. "I was in that cave, for a day, oh, my God!" she gasped. "Sweetheart, it's ok, nothing matters except that you came back to us!" Rick soothed her, then gently cradling her injured hand, told her about the dolphins who helped him make it.
Forgetting her pain for a moment, Laurie listened, then dazedly said, "that's what lifted me over that wave that hit us, darling. It wasn't a shark, it was a dolphin! Oh, Rick, it was a miracle that saved us!" Rick leaned down and kissed her, "Yes, my brave girl, we had help, all those wonderful dolphins! We'll come here again to see them!" At that moment they heard Robbie's voice calling, "Mama!" then as Oscar pulled up the ramp to the street level Coast Guard site, Laurie raised herself up with Rick's help and saw her son and daughter with Captain James.
"Robbie!" she cried, as her uncle stopped the jeep next to a waiting ambulance. Both Robbie and Robin came rushing up to them, and tearfully hugged her and Rick. "Mama, you made it!" her son told her, as his father and uncles carefully lifted her out of the jeep, then laid her on a gurney. "I never want to leave my children, or my family, ever!" she sniffed.
"Where's Laurie, where's my baby!" came Cecilia's voice, then she came to her daughter- in-law's side and tenderly brushed the hair from her bruised forehead. "Mom, remember when you read the book about the blue dolphins?"
Startled by the question, her mom nodded. "Yes, sweetie, I read it to you and the guys when you were in grade school." "They saved us, Mom, Rick and I, I'll always be grateful, they helped us get home to you!" she smiled, as A.J. grinned. Coming to her side, the Coast Guard Commander looked at her and teased, "Well, Mrs. Simon, I told Rick if you could survive being married to him, you could survive the ocean!" "Captain James, I can survive anything with this family to come back to!" she answered, beaming.
"Well, before you go home, we have to get you well, honey, we're going to the hospital now." A.J. told her, as the ambulance attendants loaded her in. Both Rudy and Rick climbed in with her, as Oscar promised to follow with the rest of the family.
On the way to Santa Barbara General, Rudy let Rick give Laurie some water as he gently probed her injured sides and legs. "Honey, do your legs feel heavy or tired?" he asked worriedly, seeing her wince at any movement. "Yes, Rudy, I can hardly lift them, let alone move them." she answered, the rush of adrenalin from her rescue wearing off.
Once the ambulance arrived at the hospital, Rudy took charge and had Laurie admitted immediately. Asking the help of the trauma team, he took her into a treatment room and started to get to the extent of her injuries.
Waiting out in the lobby, Rick greeted the rest of the family, then plopped down on a chair, exhausted but elated, saying "Rudy and the doctors are looking at her now. "
After getting a round of coffee and tea for their family, he waited for over an hour until a weary Rudy came out of the treatment room, then beckoned Rick and Oscar over.
"Well, it's going to take some time, but I think our girl's going to be all right. Rick, she's clear of any fluid in her lungs, so I think we may get lucky that she'll be spared pneumonia. She has two large lacerations on her right and left sides, they'll need stitches when she's stronger. She has a small bump on her head, but I don't think she's got a concussion. The most severe injury is the swollen nerve endings to her legs, that's why she can feel them but has trouble lifting or walking.
I think with some anti-inflamitories, the swelling will go down, but she's not to use a pair of crutches or canes until she's stronger." Rudy focused on Rick. "You and Oscar can both go in, Laurie's adamant that she's going to have one of us with her at all times. She's afraid she's going to wake up in that cave again. I already spoke to Dr. Sherman; he's cleared a family member to stay at night with her."
Rick shook his head. "My poor girl, what those monsters caused! Oscar, you'd better hope they put them somewhere I can't get to!" "Don't worry, son, Matthews' hired thugs will never touch either of you again!" his uncle assured him.
As her uncle and husband both entered the room, Laurie tried to wipe the tears from her eyes and smile at them. Rick wasn't fooled, he went right to her side and carefully avoiding the i.v.'s, took her in his arms. "Sweetheart, it's all right, you're going to be just fine. We're going to get you well and take you home."
She managed a real smile this time, "I'll be ok, you know me, darling, I hate being an invalid!" Her uncle sat next to her and took her good hand in his. "Honey, it's time you let someone else take care of you. You've always had to wait until I've had the time to spend with you, now I'm all yours!"
"Now I know I'm going to cry, you two are so dear!" she sniffed, then kissed Oscar and then Rick. "I'm just glad I'll have you around when I start walking, I'm not going to the Hospital dedication in a wheelchair, you just wait and see!"
Seeing the determination in his niece's eyes, Oscar squeezed her hand. "I'll be there, baby, nothing's going to keep you down." Just then there was a knock on the door, and Rudy was back. "I can't keep them back any longer, can you handle some more family?"
Seeing his wife try to sit straighter in anticipation tugged at Rick's heart, he kissed her cheek as she nodded, "Yes, Rudy, please!"
Laurie beamed as she saw her children and mom, then A.J. and Steve. Rudy had warned them not to tire her out, but he saw how she thrived on seeing her loved ones. Surprisingly, a nurse came to ask if they'd like to use a near-by family room while Laurie was a patient, so her family could stay near. Oscar thanked her, then had to laugh when he realized it was a subtle hint that visiting hours were over. "Rudy, I'm hungry, do you think I can have something to eat?" Laurie asked, then was startled when her friend hugged her.
"Now I know you're going to be all right, I'll get you some soup and crackers to start with!" he told her, blinking rapidly. "I've worn you out, haven't I, what would we do without you!" Laurie kissed him.
"Don't start me, missy, now why don't all of you go get some dinner, then come say good night!" Rudy gruffly told the others, tucking her blankets around her.
Left alone with her husband, Laurie snuggled against him as he gently stroked her face. "Better, my angel?" he whispered, kissing her. "Yes, oh, yes, Rick. I've missed this, you holding me. I kept trying to picture us, your arms around me. I was so afraid, darling." she told him, her voice breaking. "I know, I know, darlin'. I was scared I lost you, but I refuse to ever give you up." His voice shook, and at once Laurie put her arms around him. "Don't my love, please, I'm here, just hold me."
"Yes my dearest love, I'll always be there." he promised, kissing all the cuts and bruises and making it "better". "Mmm, that feels so good, Rick, I could almost go for my rain check!", she teased. Easing her back against the pillows, her husband promised her "the first night we're home!"
After they both had something to eat, Rudy gave Laurie her medication then let the others in to say good night. Temple and Towne were the last to leave, Laurie felt like weeping when she realized how many hours they had both put in to find her.
"Rick, I'll never take for granted how wonderful our friends are." she sighed, as he helped get her comfortable, then climbed into bed next to her.
"Neither will I, sweetheart. As soon as we're back home, I want to have everyone over for a barbeque, maybe after the hospital opens!" he told her, putting his arm around her.
'You think of the nicest things!" Laurie yawned, then giggled. "Darling, I think Rudy gave me something in my medication, I feel tipsy!"
"Remind me to thank your uncle, you're so cute when you're loopy!" Rick snickered, then yawned himself.
A voice from the doorway sounded, "You're welcome, now get some sleep!"
Two voices in the darkened room answered, "Yes Rudy!"