Return to Camelot
Part 5
John Ross dialed the telephone number for patient information at Dallas Memorial Hospital. He was tired of being patronized, and placated when he asked questions about his Mamma.
The PBX operator at the hospital said, "Dallas Memorial. How may I direct your call?"
John Ross cleared his throat and tried his best to sound older than his sixteen years, as he said, "Yes, I'd like the number for the Intensive Care Unit, please?"
The PBX operator said, "I'll put you through to the ICU, one moment, please?"
John Ross heard a 'clicking' noise, then a 'ringing' sound, just as a voice said, "Dallas Memorial, ICU. Nurses' station, this is Debbie."
John Ross said, "I'd like to speak with Mister John Ewing, Jr., please?"
Debbie asked, "Who may I tell him is calling?"
John Ross said, "Uh . . . his brother, Robert James Ewing."
Debbie said, "I'm going to have to put you on hold, while I go find Mr. Ewing."
John Ross muttered, "Finally," while he waited to speak with his Daddy.
J.R. said, "Bobby, what the hell do you want? Is this some kind of a joke?"
John Ross said, "It's me Daddy. I'm sorry I had to lie about who was callin', but Grandpa and Grandma Farlow made it sound like the hospital wouldn't even let me talk to you, just because I'm not eighteen."
J.R. laughed at John Ross' brutally honest complaint.
John Ross frantically asked, "How's Mamma feelin', Daddy? What happened to her? No one has told me anything."
J.R. lifted his fingers to the bridge of his nose, and said, "God, John Ross. I am so sorry. I've been so worried about your Mamma, I forgot that you probably have a million questions about her, too."
John Ross said, "Dad, I really want to come to the hospital and see Mamma."
J.R. sighed, and said, "I'm sorry, son. They have rules about havin' young visitors in the ICU."
John Ross started to cry, and said, "Please, Daddy, just this one time? What if Mamma dies before I get a chance to see her?"
J.R. said, "Okay, John Ross. Don't cry. We have to be strong for your Mamma, now. I'll talk with your Mamma's doctor, and see if we can arrange for you to come and see her. I'll call you back, as soon as I've had a chance to talk to Dr. Chamberlain."
John Ross stopped crying, and said, "I promise I won't do anything to upset Mamma, Daddy. I swear it."
J.R. said, "I know, son. I'll talk to you real soon. I love you."
John Ross said, "I love you, too, Daddy. Tell Mamma that I love her, too. Please?"
J.R. promised John Ross that he would tell Sue Ellen that their son sent his love. J.R. placed the telephone on its base, and thanked Debbie for letting him use the telephone.
John Ross placed the telephone handset on its base on the table in the foyer, next to the staircase at Southfork. John Ross turned around and walked into the den to find a telephone directory.
John Ross repeated the name 'Chamberlain' under his breath while he looked for the type of medical practice Dr. Chamberlain managed.
John Ross covered his mouth, as he found the only listing in the telephone directory for the name of Dr. Aaron Chamberlain. The listing read: 'Aaron Chamberlain; Fertility, Obstetrics and Gynecology.'
J.R. put his hands in the pockets of his jeans, as he walked back to Sue Ellen's room. A nurse had drawn the curtain on the observation window and door, and was giving Sue Ellen a sponge bath.
J.R. tapped on the glass door, and said, "Sue Ellen? It's just me."
Sue Ellen said, "It's okay, J.R. You can come on in."
J.R. opened the door, and went inside the room. He glanced at Sue Ellen's damp skin, as his breath caught in his throat. God, she looked incredible. J.R. mused, as he tried not to stare at the swell of her full breasts. The nurse finished sponging off Sue Ellen's skin, and briskly dried her skin with a towel.
Sue Ellen lifted her arms to place them through the sleeves of her clean hospital gown, and tilted her head to the side, to talk to J.R.
Sue Ellen said, "I have great news, Darlin'. Dr. Chamberlain said that when he gets the results of my blood tests back from the lab, that he's probably gonna upgrade my condition, and then they're gonna move me to a regular patient room."
J.R. smiled at Sue Ellen, and said, "That's wonderful news, Sugar."
The nurse walked out of the room, as J.R. approached Sue Ellen's bed.
J.R. sat down on the bed, next to Sue Ellen, and leaned forward to kiss her. Sue Ellen placed her hands on the sides of J.R.'s face, and hungrily returned his kiss.
J.R. pulled away, and said, "God, Sugar, not bein' able to make love to you for three or four weeks is gonna be the death of me."
Sue Ellen winked at J.R., and said, "I'm glad you brought up that subject, J.R. There are other ways of makin' love, you know."
J.R. laughed as he pulled Sue Ellen into his arms, and hugged her to his chest.
Sue Ellen pulled away from J.R., and asked, "What did Bobby want?"
J.R. suddenly remembered his conversation with John Ross, and said, "Oh, that wasn't Bobby, it was John Ross. He's been worried about you, Sugar. I guess nobody bothered tellin' him what had happened to you, or how you were feelin'."
Sue Ellen frowned, and said, "Oh, my poor baby. Well, at least he'll be able to come visit me once they move me to a regular patient room."
J.R. asked, "What do you think we should tell him about what happened, Sugar?"
Sue Ellen said, "John Ross is old enough now to be told the truth, J.R. Wouldn't you agree?"
J.R. smiled at Sue Ellen. He hoped that she was starting to heal emotionally, as well as she was healing physically. J.R. was equally as concerned about how he, and Sue Ellen would share the disconcerting challenge of explaining to John Ross what had happened to his Mamma.
John Ross closed the cover on the telephone directory, and muttered "Mamma's pregnant? No way."
John Ross reached into the pocket of his denim shorts, and pulled out his car keys, as he walked out of the den, through the kitchen, and out of the house. John Ross closed the patio door behind him, and quickly walked toward his car.
Dr. Chamberlain insisted that Sue Ellen try to walk under his close supervision, and the aid of a wheel chair. He was worried that Sue Ellen might develop a blood clot, and if it were to become dislodged, might cause her to have a stroke. Dr. Chamberlain lowered Sue Ellen's bed, while J.R helped her stand on the floor.
Dr. Chamberlain pulled a wheel chair in front of Sue Ellen's bed, and turned it around so she could hold on to the handles while she took her first step, after her surgery. Sue Ellen was stiff from lying in bed for two days, but the chance to stretch her legs was a welcome opportunity.
J.R. placed a hospital gown over Sue Ellen's shoulders in an effort to conceal what her other hospital gown didn't cover. Sue Ellen took her first tentative step, anticipating another jolt of stabbing pain. Sue Ellen felt like laughing when she wasn't sidelined with pain. J.R. held his hands around Sue Ellen's waist to keep her steady, while Dr. Chamberlain held on to her IV pole, and her catheter.
Sue Ellen stepped out of her room, and slowly started walking down the hallway of the Intensive Care Unit. J.R. repeatedly asked Sue Ellen if she was doing all right. Sue Ellen maintained that she was fine, and told J.R. that it felt surprisingly good to be able to move her legs.
Sue Ellen walked to the end of the ICU hallway, and turned around.
She smiled at J.R. and said, "I won't win any races, but it does feel good to be back among the livin'."
J.R. pulled Sue Ellen to his side, and kissed her cheek. Sue Ellen leaned into J.R.
J.R. offered to help Sue Ellen back into her bed, but Dr. Chamberlain instructed her to sit on the wheel chair, instead.
Sue Ellen glanced at Dr. Chamberlain, and asked, "Why? Where am I goin'?"
Dr. Chamberlain said, "We're putting you in a regular patient room on the Surgery Unit on the third floor."
Sue Ellen turned and looked at J.R.
J.R. grinned and said, "Hell, Doc, that's the best news we've heard all day!"
Little by little, Sue Ellen walked toward the bed in her upgraded hospital room. J.R. supported her while she sat on the side of the bed. J.R. lifted Sue Ellen's legs, and helped her climb into bed. Sue Ellen exhaled as she leaned back against the pillows on the bed.
She glanced around the hospital room. There were countless bouquets of dazzling floral arrangements, and get-well wishes. Sue Ellen smiled as she turned her head to ask J.R. if he needed anything. J.R. reached for Sue Ellen's hand.
His face was serious, as he said, "I just need you, Honey.
John Ross parked his car in the visitor's parking lot at Dallas Memorial Hospital. He walked through the parking lot,and into the entrance to the hospital. John Ross stopped at the information desk, and asked for the room number for Mrs. Sue Ellen Ewing.
The receptionist said, "Let me check my records, and I'll have that information for you in just a minute."
John Ross fidgeted with his car keys that were in the pocket of his shorts.
The receptionist said, "Mrs. Ewing has been moved to the Surgical Unit on the third floor. She's now staying in room three twenty-two."
John Ross thanked the receptionist, and walked toward the elevators. He pressed the call button that would deliver an elevator car to the hospital lobby, where he could take the elevator car to the third floor. John Ross leaned against the wall of the elevator car, anxiously tapping his feet on the floor.
The elevator stopped on the third floor, and the doors opened. John Ross glanced at the sign on the wall that read 'Patient Rooms.' He turned left, and started walking through the hallway toward room three twenty-two. He walked with his both hands in his pockets, jangling his keys with each step.
John Ross knocked on the closed door of room three twenty-two. He heard his Mamma's voice telling him to enter the room. Sue Ellen was shocked to see John Ross, as he peered around the door, into her room. John Ross' eyes filled with tears when he saw his Mamma lying on the bed, surrounded by heart monitor wires, and IV lines.
John Ross ran toward his Mamma, but J.R. intercepted him.
J.R. said, "Whoa, son. You've got to be gentle. Your Mamma has just had emergency surgery."
John Ross glared at his Daddy, and asked, "What happened to her, Dad?"
Sue Ellen lifted her arms to comfort John Ross. She patted the mattress, inviting John Ross to sit down by her side. John Ross slowly stepped toward Sue Ellen's bed, and sat down on the mattress. Sue Ellen pulled her son into her arms, and kissed the side of his head.
J.R. sat down on a chair, next to Sue Ellen's bed, while Sue Ellen started to explain to John Ross what had happened, and why she had to undergo emergency surgery.
Sue Ellen softly spoke, "John Ross, I want you to listen very closely to what I have to tell you. All right?"
John Ross nodded his head, 'yes.'
Sue Ellen continued, "I was pregnant, but the baby started to grow outside of my uterus, in one of my Fallopian tubes. The growing embryo grew too big for the Fallopian tube, causing the tube to rupture."
John Ross wiped at his eyes, and asked, "You were pregnant? Really?"
Sue Ellen cupped John Ross' chin with her hand, as she continued, "Yes. I was pregnant, but I started to bleed internally when my Fallopian tube ruptured, and I passed out at the Oil Baron's ball from the loss of blood."
John Ross tried to be brave, and asked, "Was it a boy or a girl?"
Sue Ellen started to cry, as she huskily whispered, "I don't know, Sweetheart."
J.R. leaned back in the chair, and turned his head away from John Ross and Sue Ellen. Tears streamed down his cheeks, as he listened to Sue Ellen's explanation to their son about the loss of their baby. J.R. didn't try to fight his frustration, or resentment. He finally let go of his emotions and yielded to his grief.
John Ross looked at his Mamma and tremulously asked, "Did you…were you and Dad trying to have another baby?"
Sue Ellen said, "No, Sweetheart. I didn't even know that I was pregnant."
John Ross said, "How could you not know about something like that, Mamma?"
Sue Ellen patiently said, "John Ross, when a woman gets older, her body undergoes certain physical changes. I honestly thought that I was in the middle of some of those changes."
John Ross' tears started spilling over his lower eyelashes, as he said, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mamma."
Sue Ellen pulled John Ross to her chest, and kissed his cheek. John Ross put his head on Sue Ellen's shoulder, as his body trembled from his emotions. Sue Ellen closed her eyes, as tears fell from her cheeks, onto her hospital gown. J.R. stood up from his chair, and joined Sue Ellen and John Ross…