Chapter 8

The truck sped through the quiet streets of Manchester, making its way to the little hospital next to the doctor's office. Being so small, Manchester had only three doctors but they had been able to staff the ten bed hospital the community was so proud of.

Paul pulled up to the loading dock and screamed for the night watchman to come help him. He ran to the back of the truck and grabbed Jed. "Come on Josiah. You need to be checked too."

By this time, a metal stretcher had been rolled out and Paul laid the still unconscious boy on it. "Take it. I'll get the other man." Paul turned back to Josiah who was still coughing. "Come on. Lean on me if you need to."

Marion watched as the younger man put his arm around her husband's shoulder and helped him into the hospital. Paul grabbed an empty wheelchair and pushed the older man into it. "Sit. I'm sure the doctor will see you in a few minutes." Paul guided Marion and Josiah into the small waiting room and sat down with them. He could see they were very anxious over their grandson and he could only hope that Jed would be okay.

"Paul, did you see the doctor?"

"Yeah. I saw him run into the room where they took Jed. I'm sure he'll come out and tell us something when he can."

"Mom! Dad!" Three heads turned to the sounds of the familiar voice.

John and Catherine Bartlet ran in through the back door and sat down in the chairs next to the older Bartlets. "What happened?"

"How did you find out about this?"

Catherine shook her head. "You know there's no secret in this town especially when Elizabeth Cook is the night operator. I guess she was on the phone within seconds. She called us and told us to come over here as soon as possible. How's Jed?"

Marion shook her head. "We don't know yet. The doctor is with him now."

Catherine rested her hand on her husband's arm. "He'll be okay, won't he?"

"Of course." John's voice echoed against the tile walls. "Of course he'll be fine. He's a Bartlet and Bartlets can survive anything. We're tough, aren't we Dad?"

Josiah gave a weak smile. "Yeah. Anything you say." He didn't want to get into any argument tonight with his son so he just agreed with his statement.

Paul changed the topic. He had heard all the gossip about John Bartlet and how tough he was on Jed but he didn't want to make a scene here tonight. "Josiah, you were in that barn a long time while you were looking for the boy. You should get yourself checked out."

Only then did John Bartlet realize that his father had also been in danger. "Dad, I heard you went into the barn while it was on fire. Wasn't that kind of stupid? I mean, you could have been killed."

Josiah looked at his wife and sighed. Their son would never change his attitude toward Jed. He looked back at Catherine, choosing to answer to her, rather than his son. "The boy was in danger and I couldn't let him die without at least trying. I would give my own life if it meant saving his."

Tears formed and ran down Catherine's face. She knew that Jed used the farm as an escape from the harshness of the house and the school. But John kept saying he was preparing Josiah for the tough world and by whatever means necessary he would make sure Josiah was going to be ready for it.

"When can we see…" Catherine's words stopped as the doctor made his way into the small room. Paul got up and motioned the doctor to his chair. "Mr. and Mrs. Bartlet," looking at the older couple "your grandson…"

"Hell, doc, look at me. I'm his damn father." John's booming voice echoed down the hall.

Doctor Watson turned his face over to the younger man. "Excuse me. I didn't know you were here. Your son is still unconscious but except for a few second degree burns on his hands and his ankles, he looked like he escaped serious harm. I have him on oxygen and once the smoke clears from his system, he should make a complete recovery."

"Oh thank God!" Marion burst into tears and dropped her face into her hands. Josiah brought his arm around his wife's shoulder and brought her closer, sending his own prayer of thanks heavenward.

Catherine cried a few tears of relief but she kept them silent. She didn't feel like putting up with any of John's comments tonight.

"When can I see him?" Catherine leaned forward toward this bearer of good news.

"Now, if you want too. Just sit by his side and be patient. He'll wake up soon."

"Okay. John, are you coming?" Catherine stood up, waiting on a response from her husband.

"No," John replied, shaking his head. "Mom, you go with Catherine. I'll stay here with Dad."

"Okay. Come on Marion."

Both women walked a few steps down the hall and pushed open the hospital room door. Jed was lying quietly on the white metal hospital bed with an oxygen mask over his face. A glass bottle of IV fluids was handing by the bedside and dripping clear fluid into him. His hands were wrapped in white gauze bandages and were lying by his side.

Catherine sat down by his side and Marion took the chair on the other side of the bed. ""He'll be fine, Catherine. He's strong."

Catherine nodded. "Of course he will. He's a Bartlet."

"Jed, wake up honey. Wake up."