Chapter 5

"Millie, why are you calling me? You're on Air Force One aren't you? Heading to China?"

"That's right Abbey. But I need to tell you something. It's Jed."

Abbey's heart stopped and she was at a lost for words. 'Of course, why else would she calling me here in India. I hate to hear those words. It's Jed. What's happened now? I know he was having the signs of a relapse before I left but he was getting better. He told me that he was. LIAR!'

"Millie, tell me exactly what has happened. Let me talk to Jed."

"He's asleep right now."

"Millie! Quit stalling. You have to tell me what's wrong? Is it the MS? Are his symptoms worse?"

"Abbey, he's paralyzed."

Silence echoed across the phone line.

"Oh God! He's never been so sick before." Tears formed as she realized her greatest fear had come true.

"Millie," Abbey said quietly. "Tell me everything. And I mean every thing. Can he breathe okay?"

"For now. His legs started feeling numb and he lost all the feeling below his waist. Then a little while ago he couldn't raise his arms. I had to feed him. Oh, Abbey, if you could have seen his eyes. They were so full of fear, of embarrassment. Here was the most powerful man in the world having to be fed as if he was an infant. But at least it was just me in there with him."

"What treatment have you started?" Abbey smothered her emotions for a moment.

"I started an IV because he was getting dehydrated and put some steroids in there. I'll check on him in a few minutes but he was sleeping at my last check."

"Okay. I'll make plans to come back to Washington immediately."

"Abbey…"

"Oh God, Millie. Don't tell me he's going on to China. He has to be in the hospital and get the medical care he's going to need."

"Well, I won't tell you then. He was adamant that we go on to China and the summit."

"I'll kill him. I swear to God I'll kill him."

Taking a deep breath, she tried to maintain a sense of calm, even through the tears that were forming a lake in her eyes. "I'll see you when you land. And will you tell Jed something for me?"

"Sure. Anything."

"Tell the jackass that I love him. I love him very much. Will you tell him that please, Millie?"

"Of course, Abbey. See you in a few hours. Bye."

As Abbey hung up the phone, the tears finally fell. 'Jed, I always told you this job would kill you. I guess now you'll have to listen to me.'