Mark was hesitant to leave Erin alone for even a second…he placed a kiss on the back of her non-hurt hand…and said, "I'll be right out side if you need anything…" She nodded to him…and he turned and left with the doctor…
Mark ran out to his rental truck and grabbed the sweat shirt he remembered he had in there….when the nurses came out about 30 minutes later…Mark handed the sweat shirt to one and said, "Cause she doesn't have anything to wear other then her jeans." The nurse smiled warmly at his sweetness and turned back into the room…
The nurse walked over and said, "Here…that big fellow you came in with said for you to put this on, because we cut your top and bra off of you…" I said, "He's my bodyguard…he's been so good to me…" She said, "Well…I'm glad you have someone looking out for you…" I pulled the sweatshirt on and pulled my hair up into a ponytail and the nurse handed me a rubber band…I said, "Thanks."
She said, "I realize you've been through an ordeal…but can I ask you a small favor?" I said, "You want an autograph?" She said, "Well…no…well I mean…yes but it's not for me…there are a few girls over in pediatrics and they constantly have your music playing…I was just wondering if you could maybe pop in….just for a few seconds…it would really make their day…they heard about you being in town…"
I said, "Sure…I think I have some pictures in the car…" She said, "No need…they have magazines upon magazines…" I said, "Okay…lead the way."
We walked out and Mark was leaning against the wall…and stood up to his full 6'10" and said, "You okay?" I said, "Yea…Listen I'm going to be a couple of minutes…I'll be right back," Mark had one eyebrow lifted and said, "Huh?" I smiled and said, "Go sit down…I'll be right back, I'm not going anywhere without you." I winked at him and he leaned back against the wall and watched me walk down a few doors and into a room…Mark couldn't imagine what Erin was up too…when he heard her laughing…he walked down to the door where he'd seen her go in…
Mark looked in and saw Erin sitting on a bed in the middle of about 15 little girls, who were all patients at the hospital…she was signing autographs for them…and talking with them, like they were adults…none of them could have been more then 10 years old.
Mark watched her with all of them…she got down on her knees to their level and gave them all hugs and kisses on the cheeks…and then proceeded to walk around the room and tuck them all back into bed…while lulling them to sleep with her softest singing voice he'd heard her use. She'd seen him standing in the door way and winked and smiled at him…Mark smiled at her…Erin made her way to the door and as she turned the lights off she said, "Night girls." There was a chorus of 'Goodnight Erin's'…she closed the door and talked to the nurse…
I said, "God, they were the sweetest things…" The nurse said, "Yea…Thank you so much…they are going to have something fun to tell their parents tomorrow morning…" I said, "Here…it's my e-mail address…if any of them want to e-mail me…I'd be more then happy to e-mail them back…"
I handed the nurse a piece of paper and she gave me a hug…and said, "Thanks so much Erin…I really appreciate it…especially with everything that happened…" I said, "It was my pleasure…"
I turned to Mark and said, "Well, big guy you ready?" Mark looked down at me and said, "Yea…c'mon let's get you back to the hotel…I got your pain pills…you can take a couple and climb into bed and tell me what the hell happened." I said, "Okay." Mark put his hand on the middle of my back and walked me out of the hospital…we walked out and everything was still wet, but it had stopped raining…I was looking at the water glistening on the asphalt of the road while Mark helped me into the truck and took me to the hotel…