Chapter 6
A short time later, Dr. Smith entered the med bay. The tray was still on Don's lap with the food barely touched.
"Good morning, Major West. And how are you this fine and beautiful day."
Don gagged at his cheerfulness. "How do you think I am, Smith?"
Dr. Smith crossed his arms and gazed down his nose at him. "My, my, grumpy aren't we?"
"When did it become 'we'? The last time I looked I was the only one stuck in this bed."
"Now, Major, a few days of therapy and you'll be back to your old irascible self."
"Sure, Zach, I'll be good as new." He made no attempt to keep the sarcasm out of his voice.
John was standing in the doorway and was not happy with their exchange. "Calm down, Don. He's only trying to help."
Don barked, "Since when does Smith help? He just wants to be sure your only pilot can still do his job."
John took a stern stance. "Alright, Don. That's enough."
"Enough! You know, I've had it with your 'holier than thou' attitude. You lie here in my place for a few days. Then you can tell me what's enough!"
John's anger got the better of him. He raised his voice in response. "I would trade places with you in a heartbeat! Then maybe my daughter wouldn't be crying her eyes out while you spend all your time feeling sorry for yourself!"
John turned to be faced with a grim Maureen. "John! What is going on in here?"
"He deserved it Maureen. I'm sick of his self pity and I'm sick of seeing Judy in so much pain." He looked past his wife to see an ashen faced Judy standing there, and he immediately regretted those words.
Judy quietly stated, "I'm not the only one in pain, Dad."
Don laid his head back and hid his eyes with his forearm. Judy's quiet reply to her father stung his heart to the core as she turned to leave. 'Come back, Judy…'
"Elizabeth Kubler-Ross." Dr. Smith pronounced to John and Maureen as they stood outside of the med bay door after Judy had abruptly left.
"Who?" Maureen quizzically asked.
"The five stages of grief as explained by Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I can see what is happening here. Major West is still mourning the loss of his legs. The first step is denial, which we clearly heard from him when he put no credence in my diagnosis. The second is anger, which is what we obviously are now experiencing. In time he will engage in bargaining, and then fall into depression before he finally accepts his disability. I believe we should all have some patience and understanding for the young man until he can fully process what has happened to him."
"And where does self-pity fit into all that, Dr. Smith?" complained John. "He should be glad he's alive rather than lashing out at everyone who tries to help him. Besides, his paralysis probably isn't permanent."
Maureen was surprised and disappointed in her husband. "John, what has gotten into you? Why are you so angry with Don?"
"He's not taking this the way he should."
"He's a strong, physical young man who has lost the use of his legs, among other things. Getting angry at him won't help matters."
Dr. Smith couldn't resist adding his analysis. "Perhaps, Professor Robinson, you feel guilty that he was the one who saved your daughters' lives instead of you?"
John glared at him and then strode down the hall.
