In the meantime, Clint was busy trying to find Nancy Nichol; a nurse and very good friend of his. She was a friend that he had special feelings for. Not that he had ever told that to anyone, but he knew in his heart that she was special to him and that maybe, just maybe, they could someday become more than good friends.
He finally spotted her. She was talking to Oliver Crane; an obnoxious, self-righteous, doctor who worked at Westbury.
"Nurse Nichol," Clint could hear Dr. Crane saying, "I can assure you that Ms. Kensington has been well treated. After all, I treated her didn't I? Now, good day, Nurse Nichol." With that, the arrogant man headed in his own direction.
Chuckling, Clint walked over to Nancy. "Havin' a nice little chat with Dr. Crane again, I see," Clint said smiling, "What'd he want?"
"Oh, he, ah, just forget it," Nancy replied, "It's nothing. He was just being 'Dr. Crane' again. Is there something you wanted to talk to me about?"
"Actually, there is," Clint nodded, "It's about Gary Hobson."
"You mean the unconscious man who was just brought in?" Nancy asked.
"Yeah," Clint nodded, "The thing is, he's got a little girl."
"Oh, no." Nancy gasped.
"And that's not all," Clint added, "Her mother died when she was only a baby. Her grandparents are on a cruise and there's nobody to take care of her. She's here all the way from Chicago and we can't send her home without her dad. She wants to be here for him and frankly, I think it's a good idea. It might be good for him to see someone he knows when he wakes up."
"Well, what are you going to do?" Nancy asked, concerned.
"Well," Clint said hopefully, "I was hopin' you'd take her."
"Oh, I can't, Clint," Nancy said, regretfully, "But, I've already got company at home. My apartment's already full to the max. Sorry."
"Well, what do ya think I should do then?" Clint asked desperately.
Nancy smiled and Clint had a feeling he knew what her plan was. He wasn't sure Arianna would go for it though.
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"How's the patient doin'?"
Arianna turned her head around. Dr. Cassidy was standing in the doorway.
"He's the same, Dr. Cassidy," Arianna shrugged, "He hasn't changed a bit. But he'll be okay," She added positively, "He has to be."
"I'm sure he will be," Clint encouraged the girl. He put his hand on her shoulder and she turned to look at him, "I need to ask you something, Arianna."
"What is it?" Arianna asked, instantly worried.
"It's alright. Nothings wrong," He reassured her, "I was just wondering if you had thought about where you would sleep tonight. You certainly can't go back to that hotel and stay by yourself."
Arianna thought about that for a minute. "I don't know. I haven't really thought about it." She finally said. Where was she going to sleep?
"Well, I've been thinkin'," He spoke up, "How would you like stayin' with me? Would ya mind?" There. He did it.
Arianna frowned. She'd definitely have to think about it. After all, she hardly knew this guy. He seemed sincere and nice enough, but she still wasn't sure. And besides, she wasn't sure she wanted to leave her father all night. Somebody had to keep an eye on him.
"Trust me," The doctor continued, seeing the look on the girls face, "Ya don't have to come if ya don't want to. Do ya wanna think about it for awhile?"
"Do, do you mind?" She asked hesitantly.
"Of course not," Clint replied, understandingly, "You think about it. If ya decide that you'd like to come and stay with me, just let me know. I'll be leavin' around 5. Just let me know when ya make up your mind."
"I will." Arianna promised, "And doctor?"
"Yeah?" He stopped at the doorway.
"Thanks... for everything, I mean."
Clint just smiled and left the room. She was a sweet child and very polite. He couldn't help but wonder what her father was like. If he was anything like his daughter, he was probably a pleasant man; Clint was sure.
Clint sighed at the trouble on his hands and then went to check on his other patients.
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Arianna glanced at the clock on the wall. It was nearing 5 o'clock and Arianna still wasn't quite sure of whether she was going to stay with Clint Cassidy while Gary was sick, or not.
"What do you think, daddy?" She whispered to her father, knowing she wouldn't get a reply, "Should I go, or not? I mean, I could stay here with you. I don't want you to be alone."
Arianna knew Gary so well. And she knew that if she had told him that when he wasn't unconscious, he would have protested… a lot. He would worry about her not getting enough rest if she stayed with him.
With that, Arianna made her decision. She would go stay with Dr. Cassidy.
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It was just past 5 o'clock and Arianna and Clint were at the Stafford Inn. They were getting Gary and Arianna's things and from there they would go to Clint's apartment. Gary and Arianna and each only brought two bags, so there wasn't much too carry.
They were downstairs in the lobby, heading for the door, when Arianna heard somebody call her name. Arianna turned around to find Rose Parker hurrying towards her. Arianna really didn't feel like putting up with Rose's attitude, but she stopped anyway.
"Oh, Arianna," She said, "I heard about what happened. I'm very sorry."
"Thanks."
Suddenly, Rose's mother walked up behind her daughter. "Arianna," She offered, "Why don't you stay with Rose and me? That way you can still enjoy your trip. It'll take your mind off of your father."
Now, Arianna was boiling. Didn't they understand? Didn't anybody understand? She didn't want to take her mind off of Gary. And she didn't want to go to the other museums with her class. She wanted to stay at the hospital, so she could be there when Gary woke up. But, she managed a polite reply anyway.
"Thank you, Mrs. Parker," Arianna replied, courteously, "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not going to be with the group anymore. My, my father's unconscious and I want to be there when he wakes up."
"Arianna, where will you stay? You can't stay here alone." Mrs. Parker informed her.
"Thanks for your concern, Mrs. Parker," Arianna said, "But, I'm going to stay with Dr. Cassidy."
It was only then did the Parkers first notice Clint standing there, holding Gary's bag. He had remained silent throughout the entire conversation, but now added his piece.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Parker," He said, "I'll take good care of Arianna. She can stay with me and during the day we'll be at the clinic. If ya ever feel the need to stop by, we'll be at Westbury Clinic." He scribbled his name and the clinic's name onto a piece of paper and handed it to the woman.
As Mrs. Parker accepted the paper, she eyed Clint's appearance. "Well, he's certainly not worried about keeping up in style," She told herself, noticing the man's jeans, boots, and black cowboy hat, "But, he seems like a polite man."
"Very well," Mrs. Parker finally said, "We will certainly miss you, Arianna. I hope your father gets well."
"Thank you, Mrs. Parker."
"We'll stop by and visit sometime, darling." And with that, mother and daughter went their own way.
"Great," Arianna said sarcastically, "I… can't wait."
"Friends of yours?" Clint asked, as they headed out the door.
"No, not really," Arianna shrugged, truthfully, "I just met them yesterday. They're kinda like snobs."
Clint laughed. "I can see how ya might say that, Arianna," He replied, "But, I'm sure they have their good sides. Everybody does; even Dr. Crane."
"Who's Dr. Crane?" Arianna asked, curiously.
"A doctor at Westbury," Clint partially explained, "Don't worry. You'll meet him eventually."
"Is he mean?" Arianna asked.
"No, no, you'll see." He said.
"Arianna Hobson! Is that you?"
Arianna and Clint both spun around. What in the…? That's when Arianna saw Chuck Fishman come running down the sidewalk from behind them.
"Chuck!" Arianna exclaimed, giving the man a hug, "What're you doing here?"
"I've been checking out some locations for some movie projects; leaving tomorrow," He said, "What are you doing here… and who's the cowboy?" He asked, eyeing Clint.
"Oh, Dr. Cassidy, this is my father's best friend; Chuck Fishman." She began to introduce the pair.
"Clint Cassidy," Clint held out his hand and Chuck shook it, "Pleased to meet ya."
"Dr. Cassidy, well, h-he's taking care of daddy." Arianna said softly, not quite looking into Chuck's eyes.
"Taking care of Gary?" Chuck looked startled, "What's wrong with Gary?"
"He, he had an ac-accident, Chuck," Arianna's voice broke, but she fought the tears, "He fell over a, a banister a-and he's hurt."
Chuck immediately held the girl close and as he did, he looked over her head and into Clint's eyes, "How is he, Doc?"
"He's got some badly bruised ribs…" Clint said first.
"And..?" Chuck asked expectantly.
"And he's in a coma." Clint finished, not wanting to be the bearer of such bad news.
Chuck couldn't think of anything to say. Finally, he asked, "Is he gonna be okay?"
"I think he will be," Clint said truthfully, shifting the hat on his head, "He seems to be in good shape and he didn't get hit too hard. Yeah, I think he'll pull through."
"I sure hope so. Gare's got too much to live for… and a lot of responsibilities." Chuck gave Arianna a "look" that only the two of them knew what it meant. What they didn't realize is that Clint saw the whole thing; he knew they had a secret of some kind.
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"Arianna, you can't stay at the hotel by yourself." Chuck commented a few moments later after he learned why she was in NYC in the first place. By this time, the trio had moved form the sidewalk into a warm, little coffee shop. They were sitting in a booth next to a window where Arianna could see all the hustle and bustle going on outside.
Quickly, Clint and Arianna filled him in on their plans. After some persuading from both of them, Chuck was finally convinced to let her stay with a "perfect stranger". But, Chuck trusted the doctor. He really did seem sincere when he'd said that he wanted to do all he could do to help.
"Now, Arianna," Chuck said, "Since your gonna be staying with a doctor, I think there's a little piece of advice you should have. It would be unfair not to tell you."
"What?" Arianna asked with half a smile.
"First, I gotta tell you a little story. And just remember; I'm giving you this advice from my own past experience;
"I was at the hospital, waiting to see one of my friends. Well, it was late; like, 2:00 AM. I went up to go to the restroom and when I came back, my seat was taken. The guy in it refused to move, believe it or not. Now, like I said; it was later, er, early, I guess. I tried standing for a while, but eventually I just got so tired, I collapsed onto the floor."
Arianna started giggling. It sounded like something Chuck would do. Clint smiled too. He was starting to wonder about Gary Hobson's personality again.
"Hey, listen, I'm not done," Chuck said, "Now, when you collapse on the floor of a major hospital in LA, people come from everywhere; doctors, nurses, spectators. Another thing; never let them do that THUMP! thing to ya. That hurts like fire!"
Clint and Arianna both began to laugh out loud, earning them the undetected stares and strange glances from the people around them.
"And the moral of this story is...?" Clint asked, his laughing ceased.
"I was getting to that," Chuck said, then looked Arianna in the eye, "Arianna, if you're ever lying down, and you hear someone yell 'clear'… stand up!"
A few minutes later, after everyone was done laughing, they stood up to go.
"Listen, Arianna," Chuck said, as the three walked out the door and into the cold February air, "I'll come by the hospital and see you tomorrow before I leave, alright?"
"Alright," Arianna replied.
Then, after Chuck and Clint shook hands, Chuck went one way and Arianna and Clint went another.
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"Peanut Butter?" Arianna asked, surprised. It was about 8 o'clock that night and Arianna was sitting on the couch in Clint's apartment. He had suggested that they make s'mores in the fireplace and Arianna had readily agreed. Except, she was very surprised to see him bring out peanut butter, instead of chocolate.
"Yeah," Clint nodded sitting down on the couch, "Back home in Montana, we don't use chocolate; we use peanut butter. Here; why don't you try some?"
Arianna accepted the offer, and watched as Clint showed her how to put the roasted marshmallow onto the peanut butter-covered graham cracker. As soon as she took her bite of the treat, all doubts vanished. It was delicious!
"This is good!" She announced.
"Now, what'd I tell ya?" Clint smiled, spreading some peanut butter onto another cracker, "So, Arianna… tell me about yourself."
Arianna looked up in surprise, then began to do as he had asked.
"Well," She began slowly, not being quite sure of what he wanted to hear, "My mother had to have an emergency c-section when I was born. She got an infection and died 2 days later."
"I'm sorry." Clint gave her an apologetic look.
"Don't be," She told him, "I mean, I appreciate it and all, but I'm actually better off than a lot of kids I know. There's this kid at school; his parents are divorced. His mom lives in Denver and his dad lives in Florida. He has to switch around all the time. Its terrible. With daddy, we get to spend time together. We're, we're v-very close," Arianna's eyes filled with the tears she had been holding back all day, "We're really a-all each o-other has." That did it; the tears that she had been holding back all day, spilled over her cheeks in what was at first, a small whimper turned into a chocked sob.
Clint put his arm around the girl as the tears streamed down her face. As she cried on his shoulder, he wished that there was something more he could do. He wished that he could heal Gary Hobson, but inside he knew that the only one who could do that is God. God was the only one who could truly heal the man. All the doctors in the world wouldn't be able to heal this man or any other person, no matter what the circumstances were. Sure, they could do their part, but the real healing process was up to the Lord.
Clint glanced down at the girl beside him. She was so young; she still needed a father more than anything. With that in mind, the doctor sent up a small prayer;
"Lord," He prayed silently, "Please heal Gary Hobson."
Clint noticed that Arianna's crying had ceased and he glanced down at her. He was surprised to see that she was asleep. He eased himself off the couch and gently slid a pillow underneath the girl's head. Then after laying a soft blanket over top of her, he switched off the lamp and went to bed.
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"Meow!" Thump!
Arianna groaned and rolled over, thinking that Gary would be getting the Paper. That's when she remembered where she was.
Wearily, she rolled off the couch and headed towards the front door, glancing at the clock as she walked; 6:30 AM, like usual. When she opened the door, the cat tried to run in as he always did, but Arianna stopped him.
"Not here and not today," He told him, picking him up, "This is Clint's house and I don't want to have to try to explain you." She picked up the Paper, put the cat outside in the hallway and shut the door. Glancing down at the newspaper, she noticed that it was again the 'New York Times' with, of course, the next day's date on it.
Turning around, she was suddenly aware that Clint was standing in the doorway of his room, dressed in jeans, boots, and a checked shirt.
Quickly, Arianna hid the Paper behind her back, "Uh, g-good morning, C-Clint." She said nervously.
"Good mornin', Arianna," He replied, pretending not to notice her secretive actions, "Ya sleep good last night?"
"Y-yes, and um, thanks for the blanket and everything." She said.
"No problem," He replied, "Hey, listen, you remember Nate and Raul from yesterday?"
Arianna nodded.
"Well, we're goin' to their place for breakfast this mornin'." Clint told her, "How soon can ya be ready to go?"
"Ten minutes?" Arianna asked.
"Sure."
Quickly, Arianna grabbed her duffel bag and went into the bathroom. Sitting down on the edge of the bathtub, she began to read the Paper. She couldn't seem to find hardly anything that needed her attention; except for a few minor things, that is. The first incident didn't even happen for 2 hours. She had plenty of time.
Setting the newspaper aside, Arianna pulled on a clean pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled to her elbows. She quickly braided her hair and brushed her teeth. Sticking the Paper in her back pocket, she was ready to go.
They didn't have to walk very far to reach Nate and Raul's place. They lived in the same building, Arianna learned.
Clint knocked on their door, and a pretty woman with black hair opened it. "Hi, Clint," She said, smiling, "And you must be Arianna Hobson," She said to Arianna, "I'm Beverly Jackson. Come on in, you two."
Arianna walked into the apartment and looked around. Just then, she saw Raul walk into the room from another room.
"Hi, Clint, Arianna," He greeted the two.
"Hey, Raul," Clint said, patting him on the back, "how're you doin' this mornin'?"
"Okay, I guess," Raul said, sitting down at the table, "I've got to turn in a report at school on everything we saw at the museum yesterday."
"That should be interesting." Clint commented, also sitting down at the table.
"Yeah," Nate joined in, who was sitting at the table, holding a baby, "Especially, since he didn't see the whole museum yesterday."
Clint just smiled.
"All right," Beverly announced, carrying a plate of pancakes to the table, "Breakfast is served; everybody sit down."
Gladly, everybody sat down to eat. The food was good and Arianna had a large glass of milk to go with it. A little while later, when everyone was done, it was time to go. Raul grabbed his backpack and Nate grabbed his jacket. Clint and Arianna followed them out the door.
"Thank you for the meal," Arianna paused at the door and said, "And it was nice to meet you, Beverly."
"Nice to meet you to, Arianna," She smiled, "Come by anytime you like, alright?"
Arianna nodded and followed Clint down the hall. She was eager to get to the clinic. She wanted to see her father. She wanted to see how he was doing. As they walked, Arianna kept an eye out for Kichron Street. That was where the first save in the Paper that day was. A man was going to be hit by a car because he wasn't watching where he was going; in about an hour.
A few minutes later, they got to Westbury. As soon as they got there, Arianna went to go check on Gary. Slowly, she walked into his room. He still lay there, like he had been lying there the day before.
"Daddy, I'm back." She said softly, sitting down next to him. She took his hand in hers; hands that had pulled people out of the way of speeding cars; the same hands that had held her and comforted her with when she was sad or afraid.
Just then, Clint walked in. "How is he?" He asked quietly.
"The same, I guess," Arianna replied, "Clint, he's going to wake up. I know he will."
"You know, Arianna," Clint said, "I think you're right. I think he's gonna wake up."
"You do?"
"Yeah," He nodded, "For one thing, he's in a coma, but not very deep. I think he'll pull out of it. And another thing; it's not his time to go, yet. He's still got a lot of things to do."
After checking Gary out a bit more, Clint left the room. As he left the room, he shook his head in amazement. That girl was pretty sure of herself and of her father. But, Clint was sure that Arianna and Chuck Fishman were hiding something from him; from everyone. He just didn't know what. He was starting to wonder if Gary was going to be the same way. Was he going to act mysterious and strange, too? Well, strange, probably 'yes'. After all, wouldn't you act strange after waking up from days of unconsciousness?
"How's he doing?" Nancy walked into Clint's office asked. Clint was sitting at his desk, going over some paper work.
"Well, he's about the same, but I think he's gonna pull through." Clint answered her, pulling her out a chair.
"That's great, Clint. You know, 11-years-old is too young to be without a father." Nancy told him, sitting down.
"Yeah, ya know, that little girl has got more faith than a lot of adults I know. She insists that her father's gonna be alright and ya know; I agree with her."
"Wow," Nancy replied, "That's amazing. I know if I were her I'd be scared to death."
"Oh, she's scared," Clint assured the nurse, "Trust me; she's scared and she needs her dad right now more than anything. The only problem is this is the time when he can't be there for her. She tries to act brave, but I know that deep down she's scared; real scared. Ya should've seen her cry last night. I just wish there was somethin' I could do for her."
"You're already doing something for her, Clint," Nancy told him softly, "You took her in when the only place she had to go was a chair by her dad's hospital bed. You opened up your home to her. You've been giving her the reassurance she needed and courage she didn't even know she had. You hardly know the girl, Clint, but you've been there for her. You've been there for her when her father can't be. And whether you realize it today or tomorrow, you've done so much for her already. And I'm sure she realizes it."
Clint looked Nancy in the eye and nodded slowly. She was right. "Thanks." He told her.
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Arianna pulled the Paper from her back pocket and read that very first article for 63rd time that day.
Man Paralyzed in Hit & Run on Kichron
The girl gave an exasperated sigh. What was she supposed to do? She was in an unfamiliar city and had top handle tomorrow's news on her own. She didn't even know where Kichron Street was, for Pete's sake! She glanced at her watch. The save was in twenty minutes. It might take her that long to find the street. She quickly stuffed the Paper back in her pocket. Softly, she brushed a kiss across her father's forehead.
"I'll be back, daddy," She whispered, "I've got a few 'errands' to run, but I'll be back soon."
Slipping into her jacket, Arianna left the room. Walking up to Tippy, the receptionist, Arianna asked her where Kichron Street was.
"Um, Kichron Street," She said, "That's just a few blocks from here. Why do ask?"
"I, I have s-some er-errands to run. I'll be back soon though." Arianna explained, "You can just tell Dr. Cassidy I'll b back soon."
"Tell me what?" A voice asked. Arianna turned around. Clint was just walking to the desk from an examining room.
"Um, I was just telling Tippy that I was going to Kichron Street. But, I'll be right back." Arianna added hurriedly.
"Well, isn't that a coincidence?" Clint said, slipping off his white doctor's jacket, "I was just plannin' on goin' over there. You and I can go together."
Arianna smiled weakly, "Y-yeah, th-that'd be g-great."
Clint put on his jacket and the two walked out the door. As they walked, Arianna pulled the Paper out from her back pocket and read the article again, as if somehow that would make it disappear.
Clint glanced over at her, "You really like that newspaper, don't ya, Arianna?"
"Well, I, I like to s-stay ahead." Arianna mumbled, barely glancing up from the Paper.
"And how does that work?" Clint chuckled at the preoccupied girl.
"It, it doesn't really, i-it does, doesn't," Arianna mumbled, then realized that they were on Kichron, "Um, I, I've got to go."
Sticking the Paper in her pocket, Arianna dashed off towards the 55-year-old man who would be paralyzed by the car he wouldn't see.
"Um, mister," Arianna stopped him, out of breath from running, "Could you please tell me what time it is?" She was careful to hide her watch that was strapped across her right wrist.
"Oh, yeah, sure," The man replied with that New Yorker accent, "It's 8:45 AM. Say, shouldn't you be school?" He inquired as a car whizzed past him.
Arianna glanced down at the Paper. The story was gone and she sighed with relief. "Um, I'm here w-with a class t-trip."
"Oh," The man nodded.
"Well, thanks, and uh, um, good bye, mister!" She waved and walked back over to a stunned Clint Cassidy.
"Arianna Hobson…" He started.
"What?" She asked him, sticking the Paper in her back pocket.
"Do you realize that if you hadn't stopped to talk to that man, he would have probably ended up in the Westbury ER?" Clint asked amazed.
"Really?" Arianna feigned surprise, "Oh, well, I'm glad he wasn't hurt. Now, didn't you have someplace you wanted to go?"
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Arianna was sitting in the chair next to Gary's bed. It was later that day and Arianna had managed to make two more saves. Each time, Clint had grown more and more amazed. And Arianna was perfectly aware of the situation. She just didn't know what to do about it. How could she keep Dr. Cassidy from noticing every time she made a save?
"You would know exactly what to do, wouldn't you, daddy?" She said, looking at her father's face, "You always do." She added softly.
"Oh, daddy, I'm so lonely without you here." Arianna sighed, "I mean, you're here and all, but it doesn't seem like it. I want to see you smile, laugh, or even grumble about the Paper!" she added a small laugh at the thought, "Its terrible living without you, daddy. I, I hate it. I can't do it. I, I try to be brave, daddy; I try so hard, but it's not easy. Everybody's been so kind to me, but… but they're not you, daddy. I need you. You've got to wake up soon."
"Arianna."
Arianna turned around to see who had said her name. Chuck was standing in the doorway.
"Hi, Chuck," Arianna greeted him softly, "You, you came."
"Of course I came," He replied, walking over to the bed, "I couldn't go back to LA without seeing you two. How is he?"
"He's, he's about the same, Chuck," Arianna answered the man with a sigh, "I know he's going to wake up and get better, b-but when? When's he going to wake up? It's been so long already."
"I know, sweetheart," Chuck patted her shoulder, "But, your dad's strong. Man, you should've seen Gar this one time. He'd only been getting the Paper a little while and he got hit by a car in the middle of the night. Darn, was it cold out there. I told him we should go home 'stead of freezin' our butts off, but no… You know, Gary; don't matter whether it's a kitty up a tree or a warehouse fire, he's gonna fix it."
Arianna smiled. She knew exactly what Chuck was talking about. Her father would risk his own life to save another. He was very special; it's hard to find someone like that.
"Anyway," Chuck continued, "He gets hit by this car and the stupid driver, some kid, he doesn't stop. Just keeps a-goin'. I try to get Gar up, but he's out of it. Couldn't wake him worth anything. So, we get 'im to the hospital and he wakes up… hours later. And you know how your dad is… as soon as he wakes up its not "I'm gonna kill that stupid kid who nearly killed me". No, that's what I would've said. Instead, it's, "The Paper? Where's the Paper?". He wanted the Paper. He could've asked for anything; a pretty nurse, jell-o, anything! But, no, he wanted the Paper. So Marissa goes to get the Paper for him. The doctor tells him he can't leave 'cause he was out for hours. When he sees the Paper, it really got him going. He's hurt and he wanted to go out and save the world… again."
Arianna giggled at the man's constant chatter. She knew he was right, but it was still so funny…
"Anyways, I said all o' that to say this;" Chuck inhaled deeply, then let his breath out, "Your dad's strong as an ox. He's gonna pull through whether it's today, tomorrow, or next week. He'll be okay."
Arianna smiled up at the man standing beside her chair. "Thanks, Chuck… you made me feel a whole lot better."
"And I meant every word I said." Chuck said, sitting down in a chair beside Arianna, "Gary… he's not done here. He's got so many things left to do; like raising you, running McGinty's; handling the Paper. Naw, he ain't done yet. He'll wake up soon and things will get back to, eh, 'normal'."
Arianna smiled. "Normal, huh? We'll see about that. What you call normal and what I call normal can be defined very differently. There was a time for you before the Paper. Me; I've known about it since I was eight. And before that," Arianna shrugged, "I thought everybody's dad got a Paper and a cat delivered to their door!"
Chuck laughed. "Yeah, I remember when Gar was frettin' over telling you about the Paper. He knew he had to tell ya, but he didn't know if you were old enough yet. He almost waited 'till you were ten."
"Really?" Arianna asked, surprised.
"Yeah," Chuck nodded, "He wanted you to have a normal life as long as possible, but Marissa and I talked him into tellin' ya when you were eight instead. He was worried how ya might take it. Ya see, eight was perfect. You were still young enough to believe such a thing could be true."
Arianna glanced at her father, his eyes lightly closed as if he was sleeping. "I believe anything daddy tells me. It wouldn't matter how old I am."
"Now why is it that Ben doesn't feel the same way?" Chuck asked, scratching his head. Ben, or Benjamin, is Chuck's oldest son, age 13, "He never takes me seriously."
Arianna just shook her head. Chuck had three kids; Ben; age 13, Elizabeth; age 11, and Charles; age 9. For some reason, she had a feeling why his kids didn't often take him seriously. But, she didn't tell that to Chuck.
"I wonder why..." She, too, scratched head, pretending to be perplexed.
"Oh, well," Chuck said, "One day they'll take me seriously. I'll show 'em. Well, kiddo, I'd love to stay longer, but I've got a plane to catch."
"Alright, thanks for coming." She stood up and gave the man a hug, "Tell Jade and the kids I said 'hi'."
"Will do," He promised, then to Gary, "Listen, man, you'd better not be in the hospital next time I come to Chicago. We're gonna go to a Cubs game. Take care."
And with that, he left her alone.
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"Is there any change, Clint?" Arianna asked, as the doctor checked Gary over. It had only been about twenty minutes since Chuck left.
"Can't see much of a change, Arianna," Clint shook his head, "He seems about the same. Don't lose hope though. He'll be alright."
"I just wish he'd wake up," Arianna sighed, "It worries me to seem him this way."
"I know what ya mean." Clint nodded, "But I truly think he'll be fine."
Arianna didn't say anything. She just hoped he was right.
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"How is he?" Nancy found Clint in the hallway and asked him.
"Gary Hobson?"
Nancy nodded.
"He's pretty much the same," Clint filled her in, "But, I think he'll pull through and so does his daughter."
"She hasn't given up?" Nancy asked.
"No, she hasn't. She insists that he'll be fine. And she believes it," He added, "But, she hates seein' him this way. It's got her awful scared. And there's another thing."
"Mmm?"
"She and that Chuck Fishman," He explained the best he could, "They're a strange pair. They both seem to be hiding something."
"What do you mean?" Nancy asked him, pushing a strand of blonde hair from her face.
"I don't know exactly," The doctor admitted, "But you should've seen her today. She saved three people today from serious injury or even possibly death. The funny part is; she didn't even give it a second thought. Trust me; I was with her the entire time."
"Wow; that is strange." Nancy said quietly, "What do you think it means?"
"I don't know, but I'm gonna find out."
"How?" She questioned him.
"Maybe I'll ask her about it tonight." Clint shrugged.
"She might not say anything. And be careful, Clint," Nancy added softly, "She's been through a lot already."
The doctor nodded slowly. Nancy was right. He'd better be careful.
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