IX
When the day is long
And the night, the night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough
Of this life, well hang on
Don't let yourself go
'Cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
Sometimes everything is wrong
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (Hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (Hold on)
If you think you've had too much
Of this life, well hang on
'Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you are not alone
If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much of this life to hang on
Well, everybody hurts sometimes
Everybody cries
And everybody hurts sometimes
And everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on
Everybody hurts
No, no, no, no you are not alone
Everybody Hurts, R.E.M.
3 am, Peekskill
While Jo Polniaczek had spent some time asleep in the hospital in Peekskill, most of the time she was simply sick with worry, either pacing, sobbing, or wanting to strangle someone. Edna and Bailey tried to help, but Jo tried to keep her focus on the younger girl. It was almost an impossible task for all three of them.
Rose and Charlie Polniaczek had been in South Carolina on another trip when Mrs. Garrett called them with news of the accident. They had left immediately and were driving all night to Peekskill. They had called two hours ago and advised them they would be there by about 4:30am. If there was a time Joanna Marie Polniaczek needed her parents, now was the time.
It had been easier for Diane Ramsey, although she wished her late husband Anthony were still alive, to share some of the burden. She had gone into Dorothy's room around Midnight for the first time, and even knowing she would be okay, Diane silently broke down in tears, going over to her daughter, a cast on her left hand from her fingers to her elbow, with bruises and bandages visible, and a small host of IV's and monitors hooked up to Dorothy.
"My sweet girl", Diana said tenderly, something that hadn't come easy to her over the years. Yet Dorothy had made her so proud, her passion for the stage and acting making an impact on the serious, scholarly lady. "The doctor tells us you're gonna be fine. Mrs. Garrett is here, and Natalie is on her way. But we're all still hurting, Dorothy. We don't know what's going on with Blair or her baby, and Jo is about ready to fall apart. I'm praying for you, my girl, but we need to save some for the rest of your...our family. They need our strength."
Diane pulled up the reclining chair in the room, and after retrieving a blanket and pillow, she curled up just a few feet from Tootie, who was still sleeping.
Around 4:30am, Rose and Charlie finally arrived, bleary-eyed but full of nervous energy. When they were escorted to where Jo and the others were, and opened the door, their daughter ran to them, the uncontrollable sobs beginning again.
"Oh, Ma, Pa, I'm so glad you're both here", she said, not wanting to let them go. "We still don't have anything on Blair and CD. It's just killin' me!"
"We're here, baby", Rose said, not able to hold back her own tears. "Nothing would keep us away from being here for you."
Charlie took Rose's place, wrapping his daughter in a strong embrace. Jo was one of the strongest, most courageous people he knew, but right now, he knew she was at her breaking point, desperately needing her parents. "How come you can't get any information about Blair and DC?"
Mrs. Garrett answered that. "Policy on next of kin, Charlie", she answered sadly. "By law, Jo has no rights to get information on Blair or David."
Charlie turned red, wanting to curse loudly, but held it in. It was so goddamn unfair that Jo, who was so devoted to Blair and DC, couldn't get information about the most important people in her life. He hammered home, again, how difficult it could be for same-sex couples during a crisis.
"That means Monica", Rose said as a statement, none-too-happy.
"Yes, that's right. Warner International chartered a private jet for her, and she should be landing in Newburgh just about now. There's a limo waiting for her to get her here ASAP."
"Thank God", Rose breathed.
"Yeah", Jo said, even through her tears, "it'll be the first time I'll be glad to see her." Despite the desperate situation, everyone chuckled at that, the tension broken.
Rose realized that Bailey was sound asleep in a recliner. "She can sleep through this racket?"
Edna smiled softly. "She's absolutely exhausted with fear, Rose. Fortunately, unlike most of us adults, she's able to shut her mind down. I'll let her sleep until Monica arrives."
"Natalie's gonna be here a little later", Jo informed her parents. "Her mom is picking her up at Newark. I think her plane arrives around 5:30 this morning. I think we'll see her around seven."
"By then", Edna said hopefully, "we'll know what's going on with Blair."
Rose hadn't forgotten their friend. "How's Dorothy?"
Again, Edna gave a small smile. "She's banged up, but she's gonna be fine. She has a concussion, and a broken left wrist and forearm, and some bruises and cuts. Judge Ramsey is with her in her room."
"That's good", Rose said softly. "That's so very good."
Monica Warner's NetJets charter landed in the upstate airport that doubled as an U.S Air National Guard base. The aircraft rolled up to a private hangar, a limo already waiting for her. Two men were standing by each front door. When the stairs descended, Monica walked out, a ramp person grabbed her one bag out of the cargo hold and wheeled it to the aircraft.
The driver stepped up to Monica. "Mrs. Warner, I'm Richard Sennet, and this is my friend, Dwight Freeman. We're to take you to the hospital in Peekskill."
Despite her worry, she looked at the man with slit eyes. "Why do I recognize those names?"
Richard smiled. "Ma'am, we were assigned a few years ago to escort and protect both Blair and Jo, and they've become good friends with us. We consider them family. We also volunteered to take you to Peekskill."
Monica relaxed. "Those two", she said wryly. "They certainly get around, don't they?" The two men smiled. "Let's not waste any more time then, Richard, Dwight, let's go find out what's going on with my daughter and grandson."
5:30 am
The occupants in the room holding vigil for Dorothy, Blair, and DC, which was becoming quite crowded, heard a commotion outside their room. Jo jumped out of her chair, moving toward the door. When it opened, Monica Warner, looking dead-tired, came through the door. The two women stared at each other for the moment, but none of the long-standing animosity was visible in their eyes. The moment was beyond that.
"Mother!" Bailey had waken, and she broke the moment by running up to Monica, who wrapped her in a protective hug.
"Oh, my dear Bailey", Monica cried, "To think what you've been going through." Monica kissed her daughter on the cheek.
"I'm okay, Mother", Bailey said. "I've had Jo, Mrs. G, and the Polniaczek's helping me."
Monica next went to Edna. "Edna, my dear, thank you so much for keeping watch over Bailey. I know this affects your life and your business."
"Oh, Monica", Edna said with a sweet smile, "these girls have always been my life, since I first met them. They're my family. It's no burden."
Monica greeted Rose and Charlie somewhat stiffly, that being her way, but the Polniaczek's were gracious in their greeting toward the woman.
Finally Monica turned to face Jo again. Monica took a tentative, almost fearful step toward her adversary, still unsure about what she was doing. Slowly, she reached out to Jo, putting a hand on both shoulders, then suddenly pulled her into an embrace, again Jo breaking down into unabashed sobs.
"I'm so sorry, Joanna", Monica whispered. "Whatever our differences, for you to have to wait for me to arrive from Europe to find out about Blair and DC. It's appalling. I'm so sorry."
Jo didn't resist the embrace or the words. "It's killin' me, Monica. I don't know the first thing about them. I don't even know if they're alive or..."
Monica terminated the embrace, looking directly into Jo's eyes. "They're alive, Joanna. Call it a mother's instincts or whatever. I know they're alive. In fact", Monica continued, grabbing one of Jo's hands, "I want you to be there when we first see Blair and DC."
"But I..."
"No buts, young lady", Monica said seriously. "I insist. You should be there."
Jo looked back at her parents, then Mrs. Garrett, who all softly nodded.
"Mother, what about me?" Bailey didn't want Jo and her mother to go without her.
Jo turned toward Bailey. "Look, kid, what we might see may be..." Jo paused, trying to keep the image out of her mind. "Might not be pleasant. We don't know what shape they're in. If you go with us, you're gonna have to be strong, for your sister and for DC. Do ya think you can do that?"
Bailey nodded stoically, although she was still frightened beyond belief.
Jo smiled at her, enveloping Bailey into a hug, kissing her on the cheek. "I love you kiddo?"
"I love you too, Jo", Bailey said with a rare smile.
"Now, girls", Monica said with all the dignity she could muster, "let's go find out about our family."