CHAPTER TWELVE
Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews and the words that you are enjoying this story. I was so happy that the messages from Andrea with the USO code was recognized. Yes, Andrea will get to see Paul again. Soon there may be more evidence why Della's family has not been coming to find her. However, this is Della and Perry's story. It is also a story of a love that grows stronger with time and learning what love really means. We see in the PM movies, more than anywhere, as focused as Perry could be doing things for Della was always in his mind. She was his rock, a safe place to land. Having someone in your life who is always there for you, as you are for them, is the greatest gift of all.
It had been such a special evening and birthday. Della couldn't wait to go over it again step by step. She knew she would especially enjoy remembering how special Perry made it without even being there. Her brain told her this was wrong, oh so wrong, but her heart told her it was right. What was so difficult to understand was why they had met and yet were like star crossed lovers.
She fell asleep thinking how handsome and caring this man was, and thoughtful too. If only things could be different, and they could get to know each other better. She had no idea that the universe had ideas about her future she could never imagine at the present time.
Somewhere a phone was ringing. Della rolled over and reached for the receiver and remembered she had been talking to Andrea yesterday and left it in the living room. Sliding into her slippers as it continued to ring and heading groggily to the front room she grabbed the receiver. She heard her Aunt's voice say, "Della there had been a terrible accident."
Her eyes her open immediately. "What happened?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Tim was hit by a drunk driver. He is in very bad shape and not expected to live." Aunt Mae informed her.
Della started to shake and dropped onto the sofa. "Oh No!" she exclaimed. "What can I do?"
"Do you think you could go and be at the hospital with Elise? I am at their house with the children."
Getting up and heading for her bedroom her niece assured Mae she would get ready and head for the hospital. Tears ran down her face as she quickly showered and said prayers for her boss' recovery.
She had driven in a fog to the hospital and hurried inside asking for directions to intensive care. Elise was pacing in the hallway. When she noticed Della walking toward her, she ran to her. Wrapping her arms around her friend she said, "Oh Elise I am so sorry. How is he doing?"
Shaking her head Elise sobbed, "They don't…Oh God Della…they…they are not giving….me..ah….much hope."
"Let's sit," Della suggested. "Aunt Mae called and wanted you to know the kids are fine and she can stay as long as you need her. I'm here for you, we all are."
"Oh Della, how can these things happen? Tim was taking the babysitter home. He was only going a few miles."
She put her arm around Elise. "I know it seems like a nightmare. Can I get you anything?"
Her friend told her if she could just sit with her it would be enough. It seemed like an eternity before the doctor came out with a report. Miraculously he was holding his own. They could only see him once an hour after he was stabilized.
In the meantime, doctors and nurses rushed in and out of his room. Della tried to get her to eat something, but she was afraid to leave the waiting room.
Mae had called the head of their firm and Justin Jacoby came to get an update on Tim. It was just at that time they gave Elise permission to go in and see him. Della informed the distinguished lawyer that it was touch and go, but there were so many injuries it would be a long, hard, road to recovery. If he survived the next 48 hours there was good chance he could make it.
Little did she know how prophetic her words would be. Tim did survive but he would have months in the hospital and many months of rehabilitation. There was the fear he would never walk again. It was going to be a long tough road for all of them.
The drunk driver had gotten only cuts and bruises. He was driving on an expired license, it wasn't his first violation, and he had no job or car insurance. The firm had good medical coverage but not for as long as it might take for Tim to recover. Of course, there was nothing to get from the man who caused the accident.
The bar association decided to have a fund raiser to help the family. Elise's work had collected money headed up by Mae and Della. Hopefully they would not have to sell their home. Della was excited about the law association event, but also very nervous. She had been offered a job in the office secretarial pool once Tim's office work had been completed. It wasn't what she wanted, but it was at least a place she was known.
Between trying to work, caring for the children, and trying to go see Tim at the rehab facility Elise was exhausted. He had been in the hospital for four weeks. Now he had been in at Parkland Rehabilitation and Recovery Center for six weeks. If it hadn't been for the help of neighbors, friends, family who came from Seattle, and colleagues they wouldn't have made it through this trying time.
Meyers, Meyers, and Jacoby were the main sponsors of the fundraiser. They set it for six months after the accident. Their staff, Mae, Liam, Elise and Tim's families set up the dinner, an auction of incredible items to bid on, and a 50/50 Raffle. A reception hall had donated its space and various area bands had offered to play during the day and evening. Della was especially impressed when the founder of their firm, 95-year-old Elias Meyer, said he planned to attend the event.
In between all the activity Della was adjusting to her new position working for several lawyers, helping to chauffer the Delaney kids, and trying to keep Tim's spirits up. When she had a quiet moment, she wondered if Perry Mason would attend the function. She knew his name was on the guest list. If he came with Laura Greer it would be best that they avoid each other.
It was another four weeks before Tim was ready to be out of the facility for any time. So, the date for the event was perfect. The day before was busy with volunteers setting up tables and chairs, food being delivered or prepared, decorations put up, auctions items being displayed, and any variety of last minutes details. The large group finally decided by eight o'clock they had done all they could do and to head back to their respective domiciles to get some rest for their very busy day starting early the next morning.
Della, Mae, and Liam took Elise and Tim's kids to dinner. As young as they were they had been an invaluable help and really wanted to do something for their dad. Della remembered to get some Chinese takeout for Elise who would be coming home from the rehab. She was so grateful but had kept apologizing because she couldn't help.
"You rest up for tomorrow," Della told her. "You have your hands full. It is going to be a busy and exciting day and you need to be there for Tim."
Hugging her Elise said, "I don't know what we would have done without you."
As she told her friend goodnight Della replied, "That's what friends are for."
The next morning as the alarm awakened her, Della could not have told you how she got into her bed. Showering quickly, pulling back her chestnut curls, swiping on some lipstick, and dressed in gray capris, with a red and white sleeveless blouse, and white sandals she was ready in half an hour. Walking out the door the brunette grabbed her dress and make-up bags for later. She jumped into her ragtop and drove to the reception hall.
Upon entering she headed for the kitchen, turned on lights and fixed an urn of coffee for the workers. She walked over to the items for the auctions making sure there was a description for each one while she waited for the coffee to perk. Aunt Mae was going to the bank for money to use to make change. Liam and some of his officers would make sure the Delaney family was there by noon. Getting out her to do list she began crossing off chores.
An hour later helpers started arriving. Della noticed the banner for Tim started to slip and she got a ladder and tape and climbed up to fix it. Suddenly she felt hands around her waist and a deep voice asked, "Can I help with that?"
Looking down she almost fell off the ladder as she looked into Perry Mason's deep blue eyes. "Steady there" he said. "Perhaps I should do that."
As he touched her palm the sensation ran all the way up her back. "What are you doing here?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"My friend Paul Drake and I came down to help out." He explained. "Paul is still in rehab for his injuries and we both know how it feels to be injured. So here we are."
He took hold of her hand and was about to lead her to a chair when Aunt Mae came in. "Della, sorry I'm late what do you want me to do?"
Perry and Della just looked at each as the older woman inquired, "am I interrupting anything?"
They both shook their heads and Perry asked, "say could I have some of that great smelling coffee while I fix that sign?"
"Me too," her Aunt Mae echoed as she hurried her niece toward the kitchen." She never noticed the fleeting glance the secretary and the lawyer exchanged.
