THANKSGIVING 1991
The medical center where Wallace was taking his chemotherapy was in a primarily industrial part of the city. The apartment building where he was staying with his aunt was one of the few residential units in the area. It was very convenient for Wallace's purposes, as its close proximity allowed him to receive his treatments mostly as an outpatient. His aunt was in her late 50s, and had never married. She was prim, proper, and very set in her ways. She tolerated her nephew's presence, and considered helping him to be her 'Christian duty', but she did little more than provide him with a place to sleep and eat. When Thanksgiving rolled around, she announced she would spend it as she always did, with a group from her church. Wallace was too ill to spend the day in a group like that or to drive back to Angel Grove to spend it with his son. He figured he would spend the day alone, probably sleeping as that seemed to have become his favorite pastime in recent weeks. So he was startled when he heard a knock on his door just past noon.
He opened the door and was almost bowled over by an enthusiastic hug from his son. "Billy! Jack! Marjorie! What in the world are you all doing here? I thought we'd agreed that you'd spend the day in Angel Grove."
"Well, we changed our minds. It just wasn't right that you should spend the day alone. Besides, this gets me out of an entire day of cooking," Marjorie said with a chuckle.
"But I have nothing to offer you. Kate has no extra food in for Thanksgiving since she wasn't going to spend the day here. Otherwise, she keeps very little extra food around," Wallace was almost babbling in his embarrassment.
"We don't need anything. We planned to take you out to dinner. There are plenty of restaurants that offer special menus on Thanksgiving," Jack explained. He gave Wallace a meaningful look, with a glance toward Billy. Wallace knew the boy was having a hard time with his illness, and felt a lump in his throat as he considered his friends' kindness toward them both.
"That sounds wonderful," Wallace said at length. He was still holding on to Billy, who was returning the embrace enthusiastically. The Scotts drifted in to the kitchen area, giving Wallace and Billy a chance to speak to each other privately. A while later the Cranstons joined them in the tidy kitchen.
"Why don't we visit first for a while? Just be sure not to make a mess, boys. Kate doesn't like her stuff to be disturbed," Wallace suggested.
"Okay," they agreed, settling down quietly to play with a deck of cards they had found on the kitchen table. Soon they were engrossed in a spirited game of 'war', joking back and forth. Their parents retired to the living room.
"How is he doing?" Wallace asked quietly. "He isn't causing you any trouble, is he?"
"Oh, heavens, no. He's so well behaved it's almost frightening," Marjorie smiled. "But, I know he misses you, and worries a lot. I keep trying to get him to talk, but it usually doesn't work very well."
Wallace sighed. "He keeps his feelings pretty much inside. Maybe it would have been different if his mother was around, but maybe not. He's always been reserved."
"Well, I'll keep trying. How are you doing? What are the test results showing?" Marjorie continued. Soon they were engrossed in a discussion of Wallace's medical condition, using jargon Jack couldn't comprehend. He drifted out to check on the boys' card game.
"So, who's winning?" he asked, sitting down at the table to watch them.
"Jason. For now. I'll get him back, though," Billy said with a grin. The two of them didn't compete in any sort of athletic endeavor as Billy was at a severe disadvantage, nor did they in academic pursuits as Jason was clearly overmatched. But when it came to card games, they competed fiercely. Jack chuckled at them as they continued to slap the cards down.
"Well, don't get too wound up. We'll be heading out to dinner pretty soon," he told them, enjoying watching their antics. They played the game so fast it was hard to follow, and they muttered dire threats at each other with regularity. As he continued to watch them play, Jack considered how things had gone the previous month or so.
Billy had quickly settled in with the Scotts, adjusting to their routines with little trouble. He was still staying in Jason's room, and the two boys got along better than most brothers do. There were occasional squabbles-they were too different not to clash on some things-but the arguments were always short lived. Jason was too kind hearted and easy going, and Billy was too passive to maintain long term disagreements.
For their part, Jack and Marjorie strove to treat their guest like one of the family. He was given regular chores to do, and was subject to the same house rules as Jason was. They did allow for some leeway considering his situation. Generally they expected Jason to eat most of what he was served at each meal, but they had discovered Billy couldn't eat when upset, and he was often upset. At first Marjorie had tried to force the youngster to eat, but after he was sick to his stomach a couple of times she realized it was actually physically impossible for him to keep food down sometimes. So she relaxed her efforts to force him to eat, and when he wanted a snack because he had missed a meal she usually relented.
Jason's only complaint, which he kept to himself, was he sometimes lost sleep with his new roommate. He would awaken in the deepest part of the night to hear Billy quietly sobbing in the other bed. He would lie on his side of the room, listening to his friend's muted grief, puzzling over what he should do. He was afraid if he went to Billy the other boy would be embarrassed, or ashamed, and would reject Jason's comfort. Jason instinctively knew that under the shy, reserved exterior was an innate pride that might not have responded well to knowing his grief was heard. So Jason would lie there quietly in the dark, tears in his own eyes, until Billy drifted off to sleep again.
Jason, Zack, Trini, and Kimberly, remembering the lessons they had learned when Kim's parents separated, treated Billy much the same as they always had. If he seemed to be having a particularly bad day, they would make sure he knew they were available for him if he needed them, but didn't push it. They continued to include him in all their activities, sometimes forgetting that he was usually gone every other Sunday to visit his dad. After the first couple of weeks Jack and Marjorie began to trade off the trips, and Jason occasionally stayed home as well. It was a seven-hour round trip, and Billy usually only got to spend two to three hours with Wallace. But the Scotts knew how much they both needed the contact.
Jack pulled his thoughts back to the present as Marjorie and Wallace came in to see if everyone was ready to eat. They ended up in a small restaurant with a homey atmosphere. The food was good, and plentiful, and they had a leisurely meal punctuated by pleasant conversation. After a couple of hours though, it was obvious that Wallace would be glad to go home to rest. The Scotts dropped him off, then headed back to Angel Grove.
That night Billy cried for two hours during the night, while Jason listened with a heavy heart.
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Christmas Eve, 1991
"Come on, Jason! Hurry up!" Kimberly's exasperated voice carried down the hall to Jason's bedroom.
"We're coming, just a sec!" Jason shouted back, searching desperately for the red stocking cap he was supposed to wear. He caught sight of Billy standing by the door, hat in hand, grinning at him.
"Looking for this?" he asked with exaggerated innocence.
"You little poop!" he mock growled as Billy laughed and darted down the hall towards the other kids, still holding Jason's cap.
"Whoa! You know you aren't supposed to run in the house!" Marjorie stopped Billy and deftly removed Jason's hat from his possession, passing it to her son casually. "Let me get a picture of you all before you go." She snapped a couple of quick photos of the group of children, which included Jason, Billy, Kimberly, Trini and Zack, as well as about a half dozen others. All were wearing white pants, red shirts and red stocking caps, the casual uniform they had decided on to go caroling in. They would be wandering throughout a twelve-block area, including the rest home where they were planning to start. Marjorie had to smile as she looked at the fresh-faced youngsters, so excited to be going caroling, so excited about it being Christmas Eve, just so excited.
"You kids have fun. Jason, Billy, you two come right back here when you're done, okay?" Getting affirmative responses from both boys, she watched them troop out with the others. She was especially glad to see Billy looking so happy. Though his reason had less to do with singing and more to do with the fact his father would be home in a couple of hours to spend three days in Angel Grove. Wallace was too weak to take care of himself and his son, so Jack and Marjorie had insisted he would stay with them. They pointed out the most important thing he could do would be spend some time with Billy, not waste his energy trying to cook, clean, and shop. Wallace had agreed, reluctantly. Marjorie had moved Billy's bed into the spare bedroom Wallace would be using so they could be together.
Just before she expected the boys back, Jack arrived with Wallace. Marjorie greeted him with a warm hug. "I'm so glad you could come home for a while," she said softly. She backed away a bit and looked him over. Always slight, Wallace was slimmer than she had ever seen him. His clothes hung on his spare frame, and he wore a cap to hide his hair loss from the chemotherapy. But despite his obvious tiredness, he looked happier than they had seen him in a while. He looked around the festive home and smiled.
"Thank you again for letting us stay here. You were right, of course. I would be hard pressed to spend any quality time with Billy if I was trying to run a household. Where is he, by the way?"
"He's with a group of kids. They went out caroling. They should be back soon, they only expected to go for a couple of hours. Why don't you make yourself comfortable in the den?" Marjorie replied.
When Billy and Jason arrived back home a half-hour later Wallace was rested enough to greet his son enthusiastically. The two boys entertained the adults with stories of their adventures caroling, including their stop at a house where a loud and rambunctious party had been going on.
"They stood on the porch and sang along with us. They were really BAD!" Jason laughed. "And they were also very loud. We decided we should move on before they wanted to join us or something."
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The three days passed all too quickly. Christmas was a huge success by everyone's standards. Wallace had enlisted Jack and Marjorie's assistance in purchasing gifts for Billy and the others on his gift list. The morning when they exchanged gifts was filled with the laughter and joy of those who gave and received gifts chosen with love and care.
Though he had to rest frequently, and slept more than normal, Wallace enjoyed the visit immensely. A somewhat undemonstrative person by nature, he made an extra effort to ensure his son received all the affection he could give. It was sadly ironic that they seemed to spend more quality time together in those three days than they had in the previous three years.
It was a couple of hours before he was due to leave with Jack to return to the city when Wallace asked to speak to them privately.
"I apologize for waiting until the last minute, but I need to let you know what is going on. The chemo isn't working the way they want it to. The cancer is growing again, threatening to spread. They are going to start me on the more radical chemo regime day after tomorrow. As you know, that one is much more severe, and I'm going to be feeling worse than ever. I'm tempted to ask that you not bring Billy for a while, I'd like your opinion on that, actually. He's too darn bright not to notice when I start to really feel bad."
Marjorie and Jack thought it over carefully. Marjorie spoke first. "I think Billy needs to know what is going on, Wallace. In the long run it will probably be a mistake if we try to hide your condition from him. And not letting him see you, well, I think that would be even worse. God, I'm so sorry, Wallace. I was hoping this regime would work for you." She looked at their friend with tears shimmering in her eyes. "But, bad as this other chemo is, it usually gets great results. You will be fine, I just know it."
"Thank you, the doctors told me about the same thing. I guess I'd better talk to Billy," Wallace sighed heavily. "The worst thing isn't how I feel, it's how I'm making him feel. Seeing the hurt and fear in his eyes. You can't know what a comfort it is to me to know he is in such a stable, loving environment. Especially now. I can never repay you for all you have done."
"No repayment is necessary. We care about you both. Don't worry about Billy, you need to concentrate on getting yourself well. We'll take care of him, as best we can," Jack laid a comforting hand on the smaller man's shoulder.
"I know you will. Well, I'd better get this over with."
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February 22, 1992
Jack Scott was deep in thought as he drove over to pick up Jason and Billy at the Taylor's. The two boys, along with Zack, Kim and Trini had spent the day with Clayton Taylor up in the nearby mountains, sledding. Zack had gotten all A's and B's on his last report card and the day of fun in the snow was his reward for doing so well.
But Jack wasn't thinking about what the kids were doing this weekend. He was contemplating the week that had just passed. It had not been a good one for their houseguest. First, the visit with Wallace on the previous Sunday had gone very badly. Wallace was extremely ill. He had only been semi-conscious when Billy saw him, and the experience had shaken the boy badly. Then on Monday a couple of bullies had roughed him up a bit at lunch before Jason stepped in to help. Tuesday Billy got sick, apparently some sort of 48 hour bug that really hit him hard. Friday he was called up to the blackboard during math class, and one of the other students tripped him. In falling his pants ripped in the back, embarrassing him in front of the entire class. Jack was glad that Billy had been offered this chance to have fun with his friends. God knew the kid could use a break.
Marjorie was very worried about him. She knew Billy was keeping most of his feelings bottled up, and the stress was bound to get to him soon. Her repeated attempts to break through the boy's reserve had failed. She told Jack that he was like a powder keg, ready to blow at any time, for any reason.
When Jack reached the Taylor's, Kimberly's mother was just pulling away from the curb with the two girls in her car. The three boys were standing on the front lawn with Clayton.
"Here to pick up your boys, are you?" Clayton called out cheerfully.
"If you're through with them, sure," Jack replied with an easy smile. He noticed a sudden scowl on Billy's face.
"What's wrong, son?" he asked, laying a hand on the boys shoulder comfortingly.
"I'M NOT YOUR SON!" Billy shouted, slapping Jack's hand off his shoulder. "I don't belong to you!" He began to hit at Jack, who was stunned by the outburst. Realizing Billy was completely out of control Jack did the only thing he could think of under the circumstances. He grabbed the youngster's arm, turning him around and giving him a hard swat on the seat of his pants.
The result was unexpected. Giving a howl of pure despair, Billy collapsed in a boneless heap, crying hysterically.
"Ah, damn. Here it is," Jack murmured unhappily. He bent down and gently picked the distraught child up. "Shhhh, shhhh, it will be okay," he said softly, trying to comfort the boy as he walked toward the car. Seeing Clayton approach he spoke quietly. "Could you open the back door of my car please? I need to get him home." Clayton held back his questions, and opened the door. Jack quickly strapped Billy in the seatbelt, despite the fact he immediately curled up into a fetal position, still crying in huge, gulping sobs.
"Come on, Jason. Get in the front seat," Jack said. The drive home was as quick as he could make it. He and Jason didn't speak, both just listened to the sobbing coming from the back seat. Once home Jack efficiently got Billy out of the car and carried him into the house. Hearing the crying, Marjorie hurried to meet them.
"What happened?" she asked, already reaching out to take him from Jack.
"Darned if I know," Jack replied. He quickly filled Marjorie in on what had transpired at the Taylor's. Marjorie nodded tersely, then headed towards the boys' bedroom with her sobbing burden.
Jack and Jason shared a worried look. "Did something happen while you guys were playing today?" Jack asked his son. Jason shook his head in a negative gesture. "Guess we could go in the den and watch a movie or something, huh? Give Mom a chance to help Billy," Jack suggested.
"Sure," Jason replied, his gaze turning down the hall toward the room his mother had just entered. "Is Billy okay?"
"I think so. He's just really upset about his dad. And it just sort of piled up on him until it got to be too much. At least I think that is what happened. Your mom will find out for sure."
It was almost an hour later before Marjorie rejoined Jack and Jason in the den.
"How's Billy?" Jason asked when he saw her.
"He's okay. He's asleep," she reported.
"Did you find out what set him off?" Jack asked.
"Yes," Marjorie sighed. "It was Clayton's comment about you picking up 'your' boys, and you calling him 'son'. He got the idea that we don't think his father is coming back. That we don't want him to come back. That we are taking him over. God, the ideas kids get!" She shook her head sadly. "That was the trigger, but there is so much more involved. He loves being with us, and I think he's feeling guilty about enjoying being here as well. That, and of course, he is scared for his dad. Plus, I think it is stirring up feelings about his mom as well. I've always wondered if he really had a chance to grieve for her. Talk about a big burden for a youngster. He's been trying to be 'brave', and not 'bother us'. Those were his words! Can you imagine? It's really a good thing this happened, at least that is how I see it. But I've never seen anyone cry that hard or that long. He literally cried himself to sleep, and he was still sobbing a bit even then."
Jack looked unhappily at Marjorie. "And this is a good thing?"
"Yes. It is better than his keeping it bottled up inside. In the long run, he'll feel better."
"If you say so."
Jason had listened to his parent's conversation quietly. "Why does he bottle things up, Mom?"
"I don't know why, Jason. Some people just do that. I suspect Wallace is that way, and Billy learned from him. I sometimes wonder what Billy's mom was like, since he seems so much like his father. I should warn you, Jason, he is likely to be kind of 'weepy' for the next few days. So don't worry if he cries a lot. That would be expected."
"Okay," Jason replied, doubt evident in his voice and expression.
Marjorie gave Jason a considering look, but decided to leave it at that. "Should we order pizza for tonight? I don't feel like cooking."
The idea was met with enthusiastic agreement from Jack and Jason, so she went to order their dinner. When it arrived she sent Jason to check on Billy.
"If he's awake, see if he wants to join us. If he's asleep, just leave him be. I can always warm his dinner later."
Jason found Billy still sleeping on his side. As Jason watched, a tear formed in the corner of his sleeping boy's eye, then slid down his face. Young as he was, Jason felt a stab of pain in the face of his friend's sorrow, thinking of how much he must be hurting to cry in his sleep. He turned quietly, and went back to the den.
It was almost three hours later before Billy joined them. Marjorie happened to glance up and see the boy standing quietly in the doorway.
"There you are. Come on in, we're just watching 'Police Academy'. Some people seem to think this is a comedy, but I just don't see the attraction," she said cheerfully, as Jack and Jason both blew raspberries at her.
A faint smile ghosted around the corners of Billy's mouth as he entered the room.
"Come on, Billy, you can join me here. We haven't gotten to the good parts yet," Jason invited. He was lying on an oversized beanbag chair, plenty large enough for both boys. It was their favorite place to sprawl when watching TV.
Before joining Jason, Billy stopped by Jack's chair. "I'm sorry for hitting you and yelling," he said quietly.
Jack reached out and pulled Billy into a rough embrace. "That's okay. I know things have been tough for you recently," he gently pushed back Billy's hair and looked into his too-serious eyes. "Just don't do that again," he said with exaggerated sternness, earning another faint smile.
Billy then hurried over to join Jason, and soon his laughter (perhaps not as hearty as usual-but laughter nonetheless) joined his friend's as they enjoyed that particular movie as only eleven-year-old boys can.
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April 26, 1992
Wallace was coming home. Looking back, it was almost as if the outburst of grief Billy experienced in February was the harbinger of better times. The very next weekend saw a marked improvement in Wallace's condition. He had been thrilled to learn the cancer was retreating under the onslaught of chemotherapy. And now, only two months later, he had been declared cancer-free. If he remained so for five years, he would be considered cured.
So, Wallace was coming home, for good. The day before Marjorie, Jack, Jason, Billy, Zack, Trini, and Kimberly had cleaned the Cranston home from top to bottom. Food was purchased and now filled the once empty shelves. Windows were opened to allow crisp, spring air to fill the house with freshness. It was a merry swirl of activity-fun coupled with efficiency. Now all that remained was for Wallace and Billy to move back in.
When Wallace arrived with Jack the next day, he was moved almost to tears when he walked into his house, escorted by his excited son.
"I don't think this house has ever been this clean. You guys have performed a miracle," he declared, looking around with an astonished expression. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Thank us by continuing to get well. That is all any of us want," Marjorie told him, putting her arm across his shoulders.
"Believe me, that is what I want as well. No offense to your profession, but I would be just as happy if I never saw another hospital. I have had my fill of them."
Marjorie laughed at that. "I wish I had a dollar for every former patient I have heard say that. I could retire."
"And if they felt the way I do, they meant every word."
A while later the Scotts went home, leaving Wallace and Billy to begin the process of reestablishing their life together. Father and son quickly fell back into their comfortable routine, and as Wallace began to regain his strength the memories of that miserable period in their lives faded some, though they never disappeared.
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August 3, 1992
Zack and Billy waited impatiently at Zack's house for Jason to show up. He was supposed to be there a half-hour ago, and it wasn't like him to be late. Finally irritated, the two boys set out toward the Scott's house, figuring they would encounter their wayward friend en route.
The had only gone a few blocks when they saw the flashing lights of emergency vehicles and a lot of activity at an intersection ahead. The shared a conspiratorial grin, figuring Jason had stopped to watch the action. Little did they know, Jason WAS the action.
The two friends skidded to a stop just as the attendants were loading someone into the back of the ambulance. Zack saw Jason's twisted bicycle first, grabbing Billy's arm and pointing wordlessly. The crumpled mass of metal was wedged under the front bumper of a bright red Volkswagen Beetle that sported flashy bolts of lightening painted on its sides. It now also sported a broken windshield and dented front end. Zack and Billy looked at each other in horror, then dropping their bikes hurried toward the ambulance, needing to see how badly Jason was injured. They were stopped short of their goal by a young policeman, who grabbed both boys.
"Sorry, fellas, you can't come any closer. You need to get back there on the curb, better yet, you need to go on home," he said in a stern, yet not unkind, voice.
"But I think that is our friend, Jason. Please! We need to see him, he didn't meet us the way he was supposed to," Zack pleaded with him.
The policeman, Max Frost according to his name badge, looked at the two youngsters with some sympathy. He started to say something when another officer hailed him. "Will you two please wait over there, and I'll be right with you. The ambulance is leaving now for the hospital, but I'll tell you what I can in a minute, okay?"
Mutely the two nodded their heads, picking up their bikes and moving to the curb as had been requested. They watched the proceedings with little interest until Officer Max strode over to them.
"Thanks for your cooperation, boys. Now, who am I speaking to here?"
"I'm Zack Taylor, this is Billy Cranston."
Max looked closely at Billy. He had thought the boy looked familiar. Max had been one of the unlucky officers on duty the night the accident that took Mrs. Cranston's life had occurred. He sighed a bit-why did he always seem to be on duty when kids were hurt? And today it was the lieutenant's son, no less.
"Well, I guess you already knew it was Jason Scott that was hurt, right?" Both boys nodded. "He's hurt pretty bad, but he's alive. It's a good thing he was wearing his helmet, that's all I can say. He might have been killed without it. You two might be able to find out how he's doing if you go to the hospital, just try not to get in anyone's way, all right?" Both boys nodded again, solemnly.
They mounted their bikes and made the now familiar ride to the hospital. They entered the reception area and went to the window where the receptionist sat. Joann was on duty again.
"Hi, boys. What brings you here today?"
"Jason just got hurt, they brought him in the ambulance. Could you let us know how he's doing, please. We'll wait here," Billy asked politely.
Joann agreed to give them an update on Jason's condition as soon as she got one, and gave a sad sigh as she watched the two walk over and sit down quietly on the uncomfortable chairs.
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When Jason regained consciousness in the emergency room he found his mother hovering over him, holding his hand gently and reassuring him he would be okay. He looked into her eyes and saw another truth there. He figured he must be pretty badly hurt for her to look so upset.
Focusing all his energy, as he had learned in karate classes, he managed to speak. "I'm okay, Mom, really," he rasped out. "Don't worry, please."
Marjorie gently held his hand. "I know, sweetie, you are going to be just fine. They are going to look at your legs now, it might hurt a bit."
That was an understatement if ever there was one. The shock was rapidly wearing off, and when one of the doctors gently moved Jason's leg the boy screamed in pain. The doctor immediately stopped and barked out orders. Jason was aware of a pricking sensation on his arm, then the world went fuzzy as the pain receded.
The next time he regained consciousness he found himself on his back in a hospital bed looking at one of his legs suspended in a pulley type contraption. He could see his other leg was encased in a bulky cast, as was his right arm. It felt like his entire body hurt, his mouth was dry, and he was absolutely terrified to find he couldn't move. He let out a whimper of pain/despair that brought his mom and dad from the chairs where they had been sitting, Jack reading and Marjorie staring out the window.
"Welcome back, son," Jack said gently, reaching out to brush Jason's hair back from his pale face. "You're going to be just fine."
"I can't move," Jason said, his fear evident in his voice.
"Jason, you have a lot of plaster on your body, you have taped ribs, they have you pretty much immobilized to prevent you from moving and inadvertently causing yourself pain or additional injury. There is no paralysis," Marjorie reported, relieved to be able to give her son some good news.
"That's good, I guess. When can I go home?" he asked plaintively.
"Not for a while, son. Your leg is in traction, it will have to be for at least four weeks. You will have to stay here for that time. But we will do all we can to make that time as pleasant as possible," Jack said.
"A month? I have to stay here a month? School will be started before I get out. I'll miss the best month of summer! Can't I leave sooner than that? Please?" Jason was nearly in tears.
Marjorie willed back her own tears. Jason really didn't understand how badly he had been injured, but Marjorie certainly did. From what she had heard from the policemen and ambulance attendants at the scene, Jason was a very lucky young man. The fact he was wearing a helmet saved him from a potentially fatal head injury. The fact the car that hit him was quite compact had also helped. If the car had been bigger or going any faster, Jason would have become just another statistic. She knew the recovery from his injuries would be long and arduous, but he WOULD recover. She was not about to let him start feeling sorry for himself.
"Stop that whining this instant Jason Lee Scott! There is nothing we can do about you having to be here. So we will do all we can to make it better for you, but you have to do your part, too. You have a job to do here. You will do everything the doctors say, you will not bother the nurses unnecessarily, and you will remember that it could have been much worse, so you should count your blessings. A lot of boys hit by cars never walk again, but you will," Jason looked at his mother with wide eyes. He had not expected her outburst, and it shocked him out of his self-pity like a slap to the face.
"Okay," he agreed in a small voice, a little intimidated.
"Sorry, Honey, but you needed that. Now you need to rest. Your body has been through a lot and needs time to adjust. Just close your eyes and allow yourself to drift off. We will be here when you awaken."
A little reassured, Jason did as he was told. He was asleep in minutes, snoring quietly.
Jack indicated for Marjorie to join him just outside the room.
"What was that all about?" he asked, also a little surprised at her outburst.
"If we let him start feeling sorry for himself, he won't fight back. I didn't want to say anything to him, but there is some possible nerve damage in his leg, he will have to do rehabilitation after the bones heal. He must not be allowed to lose his will to work toward the goal of total recovery. I won't allow it."
Jack smiled at his wife, impressed as always by her determination and good sense. "I agree completely. You're the boss on this one."
"I've been concentrating on Jason so much I forgot to ask what the deal was with the guy who hit him. Was he drunk?"
"No, it was a kid driving, he swerved to miss another kid on a skateboard and Jason was in the way. It was an honest-to-goodness accident. The kid stopped, actually both kids stopped, and did what they could to give first aid. There most likely won't be any charges made. Actually, I really wish the kid was to blame-I'd like to blame someone."
Marjorie gave him a sad, understanding smile. "You and me both. I wonder if the other kids know what has happened? He was supposed to go over the Zack's to spend the day with him and Billy."
"I guess I could check the reception area and see if any of them are there. Why don't you go back in with Jason and I'll be right back."
"Okay."
Jack strode toward the reception area, reflecting that it seemed he had seen a lot of hospitals recently. He looked around the nearly deserted room and spied Zack and Billy still sitting quietly. He walked over to them, strangely heartened by the sight.
"Hi, boys. Guess you know Jason had an accident, huh?"
"We got there just as they were taking him away in the ambulance. Is he okay?" Billy asked anxiously.
Jack looked taken aback. The accident had happened hours ago. These two had been sitting there all that time? He was struck once again by the strength of the friendship these kids shared.
"Well, he will be okay, but he has some pretty bad injuries. Both his legs are broken, as are some ribs and his right arm. As well as a bunch of bruises and cuts."
"Can we go in and see him?" Zack asked.
"Not today, boys. But maybe tomorrow. Since you are both twelve I think you can visit without your parents now. Why don't you come by tomorrow. In fact, I'll tell Jason to expect you, okay?"
"Yeah, we will be here. Thanks," Zack replied.
To be continued...