Part XI
Johnny picked up the phone and dialed, hung up and dialed again, restless as a kid waiting outside of the principal's office. Giving Roy an apologetic look, Johnny hung the phone back up.
"Line's busy."
"I just hope she's not calling the police."
Spotting his daughter trying to hide a yawn, Roy reached over and laid the present down on the table, freeing his hand to toy with one of her pigtails.
"Are you going to open it, Daddy?"
"In a little while, honey. Johnny? Could you help me make a little room here? I think I'm not the only one that didn't sleep much last night."
Johnny wasn't about to tell Roy that it might not be a great idea. He knew that his partner needed some serious family time and if he could help him get it? No hesitation. That would be another one that he'd let Brackett yell at him over. He figured it would be worth it.
With his partner's help, Roy eased back on the bed while remaining on his side. He carefully rearranged his arm that still had the IV in it, then smiled at his young daughter as he gave the cleared space a pat. Kim immediately broke out into a large smile. She started forward but then stopped and looked to Johnny.
"Uncle Johnny? Will it hurt Daddy less if you lift me than if I climb?"
"I think so. Let me give you a hand there, Kimmy. Just be careful not to touch your Dad's side, okay?"
"I remember - just like I couldn't hug you when your ribs were cracked, right?"
"You got it."
Johnny instructed her to go ahead and remove her shoes, then lifted her and sat her down as softly as he could manage. She squiggled a little until her back was finally touching her father's chest, then gave a contented sigh.
Tilting his head slightly, Roy kissed the top of her head. Chris settled himself into the chair nearest the bed that Johnny had been using while Johnny pulled over another for himself. Roy had it right - Kim hadn't been able to sleep well since finding out about her father's injuries, so being snuggled next to his comfortable presense made her doze off in short order. Much to her brother's amusement. Her regular breathing had Roy about to doze off as well - which of course meant it was time for the nurse to come in.
As the young nurse entered again for the next set of vital readings, this time she found herself being stared down by both Roy and Johnny. She just gave a soft sigh of resignation, then started taking his blood pressure. When she had the reading, she frowned and started all over again.
A puzzled look formed on her face and Johnny suddenly grinned.
"Let me guess. Blood pressure's a lot closer to normal than it has been?"
At her nod, Johnny's grin got a bit smug.
"That's Kimmy's doing. Best high blood pressure remedy available."
Her eyes glanced down as the young girl and she looked perplexed as to what to do next.
"Mister DeSoto, the children need to leave now. It's time for your medication."
"I don't want anything for pain and I don't want anything to help me sleep. If you hadn't come in, I'd already be asleep."
"But -"
"If Dr. Brackett or Dr. Early tell me any different? Fine. Otherwise, don't want them. And right now, we're the only ones in this room, so we aren't bothering anyone. Now, how about you just shut the lights off on your way out and let me get some sleep?"
Completely flustered, the nurse did what he requested. Johnny chuckled once she was gone.
"Trying to take over my slot as the difficult patient around here, pally? I'm usually the one that kicks up the fuss about being medicated."
Roy let his eyes start to sink closed again as he answered.
"No. Not trying to be difficult. Just want my kids with me. That's all."
"I know, Roy. Just close those eyes all the way and match Kimmy's breathing. Get some rest. Chris and I will watch over both of you, right?"
"Right, Uncle Johnny. Hey, we can read the paper. The cabbie gave it to us. It has the story about the Medinas in it."
"Come on, Chris. We'll take this over to the other bed so we can read without disturbing Kim and your dad."
At the DeSoto home, Joanne was still speaking with Cathy.
"Listen, Jo - if you're asking me if Mom directly communicated with me about what she was planning? No she didn't. Did I suspect she was up to something? Yes, I had my suspicions. Especially when she started talking about an ex-boyfriend of yours. Remember Michael Zane?"
"Of course I do. Now there's a name from the distant past. He got married to Marion Walker the year after Roy and I got married. What about him?"
"He and Marion divorced last fall. Mom mentioned that. And that he's done very well for himself. And how you and he used to be a cute couple."
"You don't really think -"
"I think he's rich, available and that Mom definitely remembers that he proposed to you once."
"Did she forget that I told him no?"
"Just my personal opinion, but I think she's hoping that was a choice that you made because you were infatuated with Roy and that you've always regretted picking the wrong guy. So, I know how she's been annoying me. What's she been doing to you?"
"Wait. Why would Mom be annoying you? She loves your husband."
"No she doesn't. She loves his title and salary. As for me, I get envelopes full of articles on fertility treatments. But enough on me. Now, what has she been up to on your end?"
Joanne poured it all out then to her sister, who listened without any interruption. Once she finished, she heard Cathy sigh heavily.
"We have got to find that woman another hobby. I knew something was going on when I saw Roy napping in your car at Thanksgiving, poor guy. I really don't see how he stays so calm. Jack would have gotten into a screaming fit with Mom if she'd tried to forbid him from getting some rest."
The tone of admiration in her sister's voice toward Roy didn't escape Joanne's notice, but something else was bothering her.
"If you knew she was up to something, why didn't you say something to me?"
There was a long, pregnant pause before Cathy spoke again.
"Because quite frankly, Jo? Growing up, you were supposed to be the smart one and I was supposed to be the cute one. I thought you were too bright to fall for any of Mom's rubbish."