Chapter 3
"Yes, thank you for letting me know." Jack ends the call and returns the cell phone to his jacket pocket.
"Who was that?" Lou asks.
"Detective Brown. He told me that they haven't yet been able to notify Ty's parents. Lilly's phone number is no longer in service and they're still trying to track down Wade.
"Have you heard back from Lisa?
"I did. She booked the first available flight, so she should be here sometime this evening."
Having just returned to the waiting room and hearing the exchange between Lou and a Jack, Scott offers to pick Lisa up at the airport. "Thanks for the offer Scott. Lisa's pretty independent so I'll have to check with her first and then let you know."
"No problem Jack...I don't mind doing it at all."
...
With a look of bewilderment, Amy asks Caleb, "What could they have said? What would have given Ty the idea to leave? I wish he had talked to me...said something before he left."
Irked by Amy's response, Caleb decides to bring up the issue he had earlier chose to avoid. "I guess that's not how you felt when you declined his call."
Amy's caught off guard by Caleb's comment and shocked by the sudden inference that she was being less than honest about how she felt. No one likes having their faults exposed and Amy was no different. She hated being caught in her inconsistencies, the difference between her words and actions. There were times when Ty would point it out and it caused some friction between them. It wasn't unusual for her to react with disdain and even scorn.
Before she can think of a response, Caleb gets up and walks back into the hospital. Her shock morphs to frustration and then anger. She returns to the waiting room looking to lash out at the two, in her mind, most deserving of her ire. She ignores Caleb as she makes a beeline, which doesn't go unnoticed, to where Jack and Tim are seated. "What did you two say that made Ty leave Pike River?"
In an attempt to provide a little privacy, Caleb suggests to Lou and Scott that they join him in the cafeteria, leaving Amy alone with her grandfather and dad.
Caught by surprise, Tim replies, "Ty heard us? We weren't sure if he had or not."
Jack looks briefly at Tim and shakes his head, thinking, "You're an idiot. Why did you say that?"
"We? So, both of you knew Ty might have heard you and you didn't think it might be important to tell me? What were you two talking about? What did you say?"
Although seeing that they're now alone in the waiting room, Jack suggests that they continue the conversation outside. Amy refuses, "No! I deserve an answer right now!"
Not to argue, Jack replies, "Okay, but you're not going to like it. You're dad and I...well, we're sorry Ty heard us. It's unfortunate he did. The truth is, we were talking about you, but what Ty may have heard were your words not ours. Your words about moving on, questioning why he was there at Pike River, complaining that it was awkward, and you asking me to help you keep a distance from him. That's what he must have heard. Yes, we should have told you when we thought he may have overheard us, it was wrong of us not to but we...I was the one who suggested not telling you. I was worried about making the situation worse."
Tim adds, "Amy, this is my fault. I should never have brought Ty. Jack warned me not to, but I was tired of seeing you look miserable and I thought it was a good way to get you two together to talk. When Ty heard us, Jack and I were outside getting firewood. We didn't know Ty was close by. Jack was chewing me out for bringing him and telling me why it had turned into a bad idea to bring him. Honey, I honestly didn't think you would react the way you did. I'm sorry."
"So, Ty was eavesdropped on your conversation?"
Jack immediately explains, "No,that's not...remember what Joanna said about seeing Ty?...That he was back where Tim's truck was parked behind the cabin, where he was going to spend the night?"
"Yeah and Jack was pretty angry at me so Ty probably couldn't help hearing."
Jack pointedly asks Amy, "Why is this so important right now? Did you forget why we're here?"
Amy feels embarrassed by the questions suggesting that confronting Jack and Tim was inappropriate and insensitive to the reason they were there. The feeling of embarrassment quickly turns to remorse as she takes a seat next to Jack and buries her face in her hands.
Jack shifts in his seat and places his hand gently on his granddaughter's shoulder. In an attempt to console her, he says, "I know there's a lot going on in that mind of yours. A lot of emotion tied to the unanswered questions you have. There'll be time to address them but for now we need to stay focused only on Ty pulling through."
Amy lifts her face from her hands, wipes the tears from her eyes, and replies, "Yes...I know. You're right."
"Listen, you barely got any rest last night. You have to be exhausted. It'll be hours before we hear anything about Ty, so please go to the room and get some rest. I'll have Lou go too if you want and we'll wait here in case there's any word. I promise we'll let you know the instant we hear anything."
Reluctantly she agrees. "Okay, but only for a little while."
...
Jack's surprised seeing Lou turn the corner as she walks into the waiting room. "Back already?"
"I wasn't tired and Amy fell asleep almost the moment her head hit the pillow after we talked a little bit. I had her turned her cell phone off so she wouldn't be disturbed. She knows someone will call the room directly if we need to get a hold of her. Where's everyone else? Did they leave?
"Well, your dad had his fill of just sitting around and waiting. He couldn't sit still so he decided to head back to Big River. He said he'd be back later and Scott had to go to the clinic. Caleb hitched a ride with him so he could pick up his truck."
"You should have called and I would have come back."
"I was fine, anyway they only left a little while ago."
"Amy started to tell me about the conversation she had with you and dad. She felt bad about bringing it up when she did. From the brief conversation we had it's pretty clear that mentally she's all over the place. She's confused and to the point..."
Jack interrupts, "I know and I can't say I blame her. This, on top of everything else, it's a lot to handle."
"Something else was on her mind. She wouldn't say what it was but she did allude to a conversation you two had at up at Pike River. Any idea what that may be?"
"I think I do...it's nothing you need to be concerned about."
...
Amy suddenly wakes herself out of a nightmare with a scream. Tears begin to flow. Confused, her mind in a fog, she tries to decipher whether it was a dream or what she feared the most. Her mind clears and she realizes that it was only a dream, that she had not been told that Ty had died. She looks at the clock on the night stand. Surprised by how much time has passed and wondering why no one came to wake her up, she turns on her cell phone to check for missed calls and messages. She sees several but none from whom she would expect and know to call her if there was any news of Ty's condition. Ignoring those calls and messages, she quickly pulls on her boots and, looking a little disheveled, heads out the door in a hurry back to the hospital.
No sooner out the door, sees runs into Lou. "Amy, good!...you're already up. I was coming to get you. A nurse told us that Doctor Levinson will be giving us an update soon about Ty."
"I wish someone had woke me up earlier." She tells Lou with displeasure as they walk hurriedly.
"Amy, You were exhausted and sleeping so soundly that, well...we thought you needed the extra sleep."
"Did the nurse give any clue how the surgery went?"
"No, she didn't. By the way, dad said that there was an article in this morning's Hudson Times about what happen to Ty. I guess it was a last minute addition because it didn't say much, just the basics...that the police were investigating the shooting and that Ty had been transported to the hospital."
"That probably explains all the missed calls and messages on my phone."
"Yeah, suddenly we've all been getting them. You probably have one from the police. Grandpa said that they called him when they couldn't get a hold of you. They need to finish that interview with you."
"Alright, but if they want to talk to me then they're going to have to do it here. I'm not going anywhere until I know Ty is going to be okay."
Lou didn't share with Amy something more. Something that she might find worrisome. Lou and Jack had agreed that for the time being they wouldn't mention to her that the detective also told him that a reporter made inquires about the investigation and possible link to Ahmed. Jack insisted that, before telling her, they first needed to find out who leaked to the press the possibility of Ahmed's involvement. He suspected it came from within the small circle of people aware of the confrontation between the two. One name immediately came to mind but Tim adamantly denied his responsibility.
...
Waiting nervously with the others as Doctor Levinson enters the room, Amy's heart begins pounding hard in anticipation. Without delay he immediately announces to the group, "Ty is a very lucky young man."
After the group sighs in relief, expecting good news, he continues, "Fortunately there weren't any unanticipated complications and the surgery went better than I had hoped. He'll be in recovery for at least a couple of hours before being moved to the surgical ICU unit. Now, before you get too excited, it isn't all good news. As I mentioned before, I had concern about his EEG so I had a CT scan performed. There was indication of some swelling of the brain, so as a precaution he'll be in a medically induced coma. It's not uncommon to see this in the event of trauma to the head, which is the case here. A bullet grazed Ty's head which caused the injury to his brain. Being in a coma will allow the brain time to heal itself."
Jack asks, "How long will he be in a coma?"
"It's hard to say. Typically from a couple of days to two weeks. It's rare for it to be necessary beyond that. During that time his brain activity will be continually monitored. Once decide it's safe to do so, an anesthesiologist will reverse the process and bring Ty out of the coma."
Amy inquires in a concerned tone, "We'll still be able to see him though won't we?"
"Yes, you will. The nurses will prep you before you go in to see him. I'll leave instructions with the staff in ICU to have someone come down and let you know when it's okay to see Ty."
"Unfortunately we're aware of the routine. We're grateful for everything you've done." Jack acknowledges as he shakes the doctor's hand.
Amy then steps over and shakes Doctor Levinson's hand as well. While doing so and with a smile she adds, "Yes, thank you for everything."
He smiles back. "You're not done with me yet. I'm sure we'll being seeing each other again when I check in on Ty during my normal rounds."
Lou, Tim, and Caleb each express their appreciation and thanks before Doctor Levinson leaves.
Lou turns to Amy, "That's great news isn't it?"
"It is, but I would feel a lot better if..."
Lou interrupts, "You heard the doctor though right?...they just need to allow some time for his brain to heal itself."
Jack reminds Amy. "Remember what happened to me? If I can recover from something like that then there's no doubt in my mind Ty can."
"Thank you for reminding me. I guess won't stop worrying though until I see Ty walk out of here."
"Speaking of walking out of here, I'm going to call Peter and give him the good news and then head home. I'll be back bright and early tomorrow. Okay Amy?"
"Yes...of course Lou. Give everyone a hug for me."
Caleb adds, "I'll call Scott and let him know about Ty. I think I'll stick around though until Ty is out of recovery."
"I'm going to call Casey. Caleb, when you talk to Scott, tell him that I'll pick up Lisa at the airport."
"No need to Tim, I spoke to her between her connecting flights and she insisted on taking a cab here from the airport.
...
About an hour later, two men dressed in business suits approach Amy in the waiting room.
"Miss Fleming, I'm Detective Brady and this is Detective Brown we're with the Hudson County Police."
"Yes, I remember you."
"I understand you received some good news. We're glad to see that you seem to be feeling much better. If you feel up to it now, we would like to speak to you about the attempted murder of Ty Borden."
Amy suddenly feels a cold chill. She hadn't until just then heard the word 'murder' used in reference to Ty. It hadn't sunk in until that moment. She quickly composes herself, and replies, "Call me Amy. How can I help?"
"Okay, Amy...We've already spoken with most everyone else. We have some questions for you but we need to ask them in private. There's a room just down the hall we can use if you don't mind?"
"I don't mind at all."
...
"...Well, I think we're done here." Detective Brady announces as he closes his file folder. Amy is about to standup but stops herself when he asks, "Before you go I have just one more question for you..."
To be continued...