Phoenix looked around. Groaning softly, he massaged his head. Why he was alone? Where are Papa and Mama? Why Papa and Mama wasn't around beside his bed? He tried to sit up again, get rid of the blanket, trying to set foot on the floor, and feeling extremely dizzy. His vision became blurred. But he had to get off. He had to get off this bed. He must find Papa and Mama and ask them what was his dream meaning.
"Wright, what are you doing?" cried Edgeworth while approached Phoenix's bed and pushed him gently to lie back. "Why are you trying to get out of bed? Do you want to go to the bathroom?"
"Feenie wants to look for Papa and Mama. Papa and Mama left Feenie alone here. Feenie afraid Papa and Mama won't come back," said Phoenix.
"Papa and Mama ate only briefly, Feenie. How could Mama and Papa leave you alone?" Maya said softly.
Phoenix sank back into his pillows, then he watched Edgeworth from head to toe. His heart was filled again with tremendous confusion. Why the boy in his dream named Edgeworth? Why Papa's face looks very similar to the boy, and with the boy in the photo? Papa says, the photo is a photo of him with his friends at school. If indeed the photograph is a photograph of him with his school friends, why one of his friends had the same name with Papa? Papa never said he had another child, isn't it?
"What is it, Wright? Do you want something? You want to eat? You sweat a lot..." said Edgeworth.
"Papa, Mama, Feenie had a strange dream."
Edgeworth and Maya's eyebrows furrowed. "What dream, Feenie?"
"Feenie dream Feenie was standing in a classroom. And then, there are children standing around Feenie. They accused Feenie is a thief. They say Feenie steal Feenie's friend money. They also say Feenie is a naughty boy and a liar."
Maya nudged Edgeworth's elbow. "The class trial!" Maya whispered happily to Edgeworth. "Mr. Edgeworth, I think his memory is coming back!"
Edgeworth nodded, and asked to Phoenix, "So, what happens next in your dream, Wright?"
"Feenie cries. Feenie stood in the corner, shaking. Then there are women who wear large glasses told Feenie if Feenie must apologize to the class. After she told Feenie to apologize, a boy suddenly stood up on the table, and said, 'Objection!' He says all of them should be ashamed because accused Feenie stealing money without proof. But, other children still accuse Feenie. They yelled to Feenie. They said they want Feenie to out of the classroom and out of school."
Phoenix breathed for a moment, then continued. "The boy who defended Feenie in the dream ... His name is Miles Edgeworth. Feenie confused, Papa."
"And what makes you confused, Wright?"
"Why are the boy in Feenie's dream have the same name as Papa? His face is also very similar to Papa, also very similar to the boy in the photo that Papa shown to Feenie. Papa, is Papa had another child who become friends with Feenie in school?"
Maya and Edgeworth exchanged glances with confusion.
"No, Wright, Papa did not have other children. Okay, it's time to explain everything to you."
Phoenix frowned. His head felt much more pain than before.
"I'm not your father, Wright. I'm not your Papa. And Maya is not your Mama. Your Papa and Mama as we say when in the apartment, named Leo and Rowenda Wright. And both of them had died in a plane crash. And, Wright, you and I are good friends since elementary school. Your dream, was a real incident. When you were in grade four, you're accused of stealing my lunch money because only you who absent in PE class. I defended you, because there was no strong evidence that you who stealing my money. Because of the incident, you were inspired to become a lawyer."
Lawyer? Phoenix tried to digest Edgeworth's words, feeling increasingly confused. Then, suddenly, a word echoed in his ears.
A lawyer is someone who always smiles no matter how bad it goes ... He felt someone told to him that words. But he did not understand at all what is 'lawyer' means. So, the person that he thought all this time was his father, actually his best friend since elementary school? But this doesn't make sense at all! He's still a child, right? While the man standing in front of him now probably almost reach his 30s!
"And you ended up becoming a lawyer. You are the most famous defense attorney and the best in the country. Those who come to your birthday party, was your former client that you saved from death penalty. And Maya, who you thought was your mother, was actually your assistant."
More wrinkles appeared on Phoenix's forehead. The most famous defense attorney and the best in the country? He? He saved a lot of people? How could it be? While he even can't read! Papa definitely lies! Papa must had lied to soothe him. Mama, his assistant? How could it be?
"Papa lied," said Phoenix. "It doesn't make sense. Feenie still a child. How could Feenie save a lot of people? Feenie always plays at home."
"Wright, but ..." said Edgeworth disappointed. Maya shook her head, and whispered, "Just let him, Mr. Edgeworth. The important thing is he had begun to remember his past bit by bit. Later we show photographs of him when he was in college and photographs when he was in the courtroom. We can't make him stress and become more ill."
"I, er ... yeah, you're right, Maya."
"Angh!" Phoenix exclaimed suddenly, and wrinkling his face.
"What's the matter, Feenie? Your head hurts again?" Maya asked anxiously. Phoenix nodded weakly.
"Angh! Feenie's head hurts! Feenie feel dizzy, Mama! Papa, Feenie want Papa massage Feenie's head again," pleaded Phoenix with spoiled.
"All right, come here, Papa massage your head again," murmured Edgeworth. He sat beside Phoenix's bed and massaging Phoenix's head again.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Come in," said Edgeworth.
Doctor Canizares stepped in. When saw Doctor Canizares, Phoenix's eyes widen in fear. He gripped Edgeworth's arms tightly.
"Hello, Senor Wright. How are you today?" asked Dr. Canizares friendly as he approached Phoenix's bed. Phoenix shifted a little, trying to hide behind Edgeworth's arms. Doctor Canizares chuckled.
"No need to be scared like that, Senor Wright. I just wanted to borrow Senor Edgeworth briefly. It's okay, right?" He said again in a tone like talking to a 3 years old child. Edgeworth nodded, then stopped massaging Phoenix's head.
"Maya, can you continue massaging Wright's head? I probably won't be long."
"Of course, Mr. Edgeworth."
Edgeworth followed Doctor Canizares walked into his office, then both of them sat down.
"Senor Edgeworth, I've talked to my team. And we decided that the most appropriate time to operate Senor Wright is Thursday. But, of course, we have to ask permission from you first. Would you agree if Senor Wright operated on Thursday?"
Edgeworth didn't know what else to say, other than to answer, "Yes."
"And you agree with all the risks and any possibility after Senor Wright's surgery? As I have told you, that Senor Wright will most likely suffer total paralysis from neck to toe, and you will not sue anything to us if that possibility becoming a reality?"
Edgeworth swallowed. "Yes, Doctor."
"And are you willing to cover for Senor Wright's blood clots in brain surgery cost, and you understand that this surgery cost is quite expensive, and you must spend approximately US $ 26,000 minimum?"
Edgeworth sighs of relief. That amount is certainly not a problem for him.
"Yes, Doctor."
"Ok. If so, we need you to sign this medical/ surgery letter of agreement, Senor Edgeworth." Doctor Canizares handed a letter of agreement to Edgeworth's hands. Edgeworth read it carefully, and after he's done, he signed the letter.
"Here, Doctor. Done."
"Thank you very much, Senor Edgeworth. So, now we just wait for the day of Senor Wright's surgery will implemented. Anything else you want to discuss with me?"
Edgeworth thought for a moment before answering, "Yes, Doctor. Wright's memory seems come back. He told me that he was dreaming in a class trial, which indeed happened when he was in 4th grade. And he felt confused about the dream. He asked me, what is the meaning of his dream. I explained everything to him ... That I am not his father, that he is a lawyer, and so on. But he didn't believe it and he said that my words don't make sense at all. How to make him believe, Doctor? Maya said later we show him photos when he was in college and when he was in the courtroom slowly. She's afraid to make Wright stress."
"That's great, Senor Wright. But Miss Fey was right. We have to show who he is slowly. If he doesn't believe it and still think you and Miss Fey are his parents, you can't force him. You also may not tell him about the time when you hit him with your car. With Senor Wright's condition like now, it would be very dangerous if you make him shock or stress with bad memories. Stay patient and keep spirit, Senor Edgeworth."
"All right, Doctor. I understand. Do your best for Wright surgery, Doctor."
"Of course, Senor Edgeworth. I never forget that Senor Wright saved my dad. Now it's my turn to return the favor to him."
Edgeworth returned to Phoenix's room. When he entered, Phoenix had fallen asleep with a compress on his head, while Maya read a book.
"Hi, Mr. Edgeworth. What did you talk with Doctor Canizares?"
"He said he and his team will operate Wright on Thursday. And I've signed the surgery's letter of agreement. Wright will carry out blood clots in brain surgery this Thursday."
Maya smiled, a very forced smile. With trembling voice, she said, "So, we must be prepared, right?"
"What do you mean, Maya?!" shouted Edgeworth. "You talk as if Wright will going to die!"
"That's not what I mean, Mr. Edgeworth. We must be ready if…yeah… er… you know. If Nick completely paralyzed and must rely on a breathing hose." A tear fell from Maya's eyelids, then she hastily wipes it.
Edgeworth paused, and stared at Phoenix who were still asleep like a child. He himself knows, he won't be ready. Just imagine Phoenix sit on a wheelchair, wearing a breathing hose and can only move his head, he can't bear.
But it's just a possibility. Possibility. Possibility. Wright is a strong man. Wright like the Phoenix rising from the ashes. If Wright can survive after falling from a burning bridge and nearly drowned in the most dangerous river in the country, of course he won't defeated easily with just a scalpel! I am sure of it!
Edgeworth clenches his hands. "I'm sure Wright won't defeated easily by a scalpel. He's too strong. And he will remain strong after the surgery. I'm sure he'll be fine. I'm sure all the possibilities that Doctor Canizares says, in the end only remain a possibility. I believe in Wright, Maya. Do you believe him too?"
Maya nodded weakly. "Y-yeah, Mr. Edgeworth. I also believe in Nick."
"Water ...Feenie thirsty…. Feenie want water ..." Phoenix finally awake.
"Wait a minute, Wright, Papa will get it for you."
Edgeworth walked toward the dispenser, take a glass of water and a straw. Maya helped Phoenix sat on his bed, and Edgeworth thrust the straw into Phoenix's mouth. Phoenix drink very quickly until the water in the glass were empty.
"Enough? Do you want some more?" asked Edgeworth.
"No, Papa, it's enough."
"How's your head, Feenie? Still hurt?"
Phoenix shook his head. "It doesn't hurt as much as before, Mama. Papa, when Feenie can go home? Feenie wants to go home. Feenie don't like stay here. Feenie want to play and watch My Little Pony Tail at home. This IV also very hurt."
"Later, after you carry out surgery, you can go home and play as long as you want, Wright." Edgeworth replied in a trembling voice.
Phoenix frowned again. "What is the meaning of 'surgery', Papa?"
"Eh ... it's a kind of ... The doctor will do something on your head so you will fully recover and your head won't hurt anymore."
Phoenix's eyes widened in fear. "Papa means, Feenie's head will be injected?"
Maya smiled sadly and shook her head. "No, Feenie. Your head will not be injected. The doctor will do something for your head, but clearly, it won't hurt. Because the doctor will make you sleep during the surgery. So, you don't need to be afraid. You will be operated on Thursday. After that, you can go home and play again. How, Feenie? You want it, to be operated? So you can get better soon."
Although Phoenix only understands a few of Maya's words, he finally nodded firmly.
"But, Papa and Mama will accompany Feenie, right?"
"Yes, Wright. Of course. Papa and Mama won't leave you. We will accompany you during the surgery."
Thursday finally come. Doctor Canizares came early to Phoenix's room, and greeted the three of them.
"Hello, Buenos dias, Senor Edgeworth, Senor Wright, Miss Fey! Senor Wright's surgery will be held at 12 pm after the lunch hour. Make sure that Senor Wright have eaten first, if possible, give him vegetables and fruit as much as possible. Senor Wright, let me check your blood pressure, okay?"
"Feenie don't want an injection! Feenie afraid of injection!" shouted Phoenix with frightened as he clutching his blanket tightly. Doctor Canizares chuckled.
"Relax, Senor Wright! I'm not going to inject you. I just want to measure your blood pressure with this tool," said Dr. Canizares. He pulled out a sphygmomanometer from his medical bag. "To know are your condition stable for surgery. Come on, Senor Wright, stretch your right hand."
"Come on, Wright, stretch your right hand. Come, this doctor is nice, he won't hurt you," Edgeworth said soothingly. After a brief hesitation, Phoenix finally stretched out his right hand. Doctor Canizares then draping the sphygmomanometer around Phoenix's shoulder, and pumping slowly. While Phoenix watched with interest.
"Okay. Your blood pressure is very good, Senor Wright. Your condition is stable for surgery. Miss Fey, Senor Edgeworth, at half-past 12, call nurse Perfecta with buzzer. Before surgery, Senor Wright must replace pajamas with scrubs. Don't forget, Senor Edgeworth."
"Alright, Doctor. Doctor, may we bring Wright to eat in the cafeteria? He was tired of being in bed continuously."
"Sure, sure, Senor Edgeworth! Well, enjoy your lunch time. See you in the operating room later." Then Doctor Canizares left the room.
"Wright, do you want to eat outside or Papa brings food for you and you eat here?"
"Feenie wants to eat outside! Feenie bored always in this room!" said Phoenix.
"Okay. Maya, can I ask for a favor? Can you ask for a wheelchair to the nurse?"
"Of course, Mr. Edgeworth. Wait a minute." Maya stepped out and returned 10 minutes later with a wheelchair.
"Come on, Wright, we eat outside."
Maya and Edgeworth helped Phoenix get out of bed and sat Phoenix on the wheelchair. Then they pushed Phoenix to the cafeteria. Arriving at the cafeteria, Edgeworth leaned Phoenix against the wall.
"What do you want to eat?" asked Edgeworth.
"Feenie wants to eat noodles, Papa!"
"All right, wait here with Mama. Papa will order the noodles."
Now all the cafeteria's visitors look towards the three of them. When Edgeworth was queue up to order three bowls of noodles, the cafeteria visitors whispering very loudly, like deliberately in order to make Edgeworth hear them.
"Heh. Look at that disgusting Demon Prosecutor."
"He must be very satisfied after making Mr. Wright very ill like that."
"He pretends like a nice guy and pretending take care of Mr. Wright. He's really a good actor!"
"It's disgusting he pretended to become Mr. Wright's father! He didn't even deserve to touch Mr. Wright with his filthy hands!"
"Let's bet! After he satisfied hit Mr. Wright with his car, what else will he do to the poor man?"
"Slip something into Mr. Wright's food!"
The cafeteria's visitors laughed, and looked at Edgeworth with disgusted look as before. Edgeworth drew a deep breath, closed his eyes, trying to ignore all of their insults. He wanted to scream as loud as possible. Why those people judge him so harshly? He didn't want this to happen! If he could, he wanted to turn back the time, change everything that had happened. Why can't they understand that it was an accident? How dare they think I will poison Wright?
With silent Edgeworth take the order, and bring the noodles to the table where Phoenix and Maya sit. He started feeding Phoenix, when he feeding Phoenix, the visitors didn't stop looking at him and whispering more insulting words. Edgeworth's hands shaking as he holds the spoon. Maya repeatedly says to him, "Don't listen to them, don't listen to them…"
Edgeworth finally ignores all the visitor's whispers. After the three of them finished eating, they get ready for back to Phoenix's room. When about to leave the cafeteria, Edgeworth could heard one from the visitor's cafeteria shouting, "You're really a great actor, Mr. Edgeworth! Hands down to you! You should earn an Oscar!"
Maya can't take it anymore. She turned around and shouted to all the cafeteria's visitors.
"Will you shut your big mouth just a minute? Mind your own business! You don't know how suffer Mr. Edgeworth now, like Nick! You don't understand what an accident is?! You should be ashamed! All of you even don't know Mr. Edgeworth well, but all of you judge him so harshly! Just for your information, and knowledge for your empty brain, Mr. Edgeworth is one of the nicest men I've ever known! He paid all of Nick's needs and Nick's treatment! He also takes care of Nick tirelessly! All of you are very stupid! Just because media call him 'Demon Prosecutor' then all of you believe that he's a mean person? What a fool!"
Snorted angrily, Maya left the cafeteria while the visitors stunned.
"Don't listen to them. Ignore it, Mr. Edgeworth! They're just nosy people who love to judge. Don't let them make you down!"
"But Maya, they're right. I made Wright seriously ill. I am the cause of all of this." Edgeworth murmured softly. Maya puts her hands on her waist and patted Edgeworth's back.
"Mr. Edgeworth. How many million times I have to say, it was an accident. ACCIDENT. No one can avoid accidents and disaster! Let it go, Mr. Edgeworth, don't think of those nosy people's words! Next time, if they insult you again, I swear I will punch them and I will make them scared to death with channeling my sis!"
Edgeworth chuckled dryly. "Thank you very much, Maya."
After they returned to room No. 290, Maya called Nurse Perfecta with the buzzer. Shortly afterwards, Nurse Perfecta comes with bring a pale-blue scrubs and a gurney.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth, and Miss Fey! You've finished eating, Mr. Wright? Very good, very good! Now it's time to change your clothes! Come on, Mr. Wright, can you sit for a while?" asked Nurse Perfecta friendly.
"Come on, Wright," Edgeworth lifted Phoenix's head from the pillow, and straighten Phoenix's body. "Done, Nurse Perfecta."
"Very good! Now, raise your hands, Mr. Wright, come on."
Phoenix awkwardly raised his hands. Nurse Perfecta and Edgeworth then unbuttoned Phoenix's pajama slowly, after done, nurse Perfecta enrobe the scrubs to Phoenix's body. Phoenix's eyes glittered with pleasure when he saw the scrubs color that he wear.
"Feenie like! Feenie love this color! Feenie love the blue color!"
"All right, Mr. Wright, now lay back. I'm going to move you to this gurney and wheel you into the operating room."
"What is a gurney, Papa?" asked Phoenix to Edgeworth.
"Gurney is kind of bed that can be push and have a wheel. Come on, lie back, Wright. Don't let this nice and friendly nurse wait too long." Edgeworth along with Maya then helped Phoenix to lie back, and simultaneously, the three of them moved Phoenix from the hospital bed to the gurney.
Maya, Edgeworth, and Nurse Perfecta then wheeled Phoenix to the operating room. Phoenix looked around, he felt very enjoyed lying on a gurney and being pushed like that. He started thinking to ask Papa to buy him a gurney like this.
"Here we are." said Nurse Perfecta after they reached in front of the operating room. "Let's go inside, Mr. Wright. Doctor Canizares and his team had waiting inside. Mr. Edgeworth, Miss Fey, both of you can wait in the waiting room. But, if both of you tired, you can go to the cafeteria or take a walk first. This surgery will take a very long time. Probably about 10-12 hours."
"Okay, we understand, Nurse Perfecta. Good luck. Do the best. I believe with all of you."
Edgeworth step forward, held Phoenix's hands, and gently stroke Phoenix's hair.
"Good luck, Wright. Papa and Mama will pray for you here."
"Papa and Mama won't accompany Feenie?!" shouted Phoenix. "But Feenie afraid! Feenie want Papa and Mama to accompany Feenie! Feenie don't want to go inside alone! Feenie don't want to be left alone! Come on, Papa, come in with Feenie! If Papa and Mama won't accompany Feenie, Feenie won't to be operated!" exclaimed Phoenix. He began to whine and cry again.
"No, Wright, Papa and Mama can't go inside. What did Papa say? If you want to recover, you must be a good boy and obey all the nurses and doctor's words here. Do you want to break your promise to Papa?"
Phoenix paused, then shook his head.
"No, Papa. Feenie wants to be a good boy!"
"Good." Edgeworth pull out a chess pawn from his pocket and thrust it into Phoenix's hands. "This is Papa's chess pawn. This pawn will give you strength to carry out the surgery. This pawn will make you won't feel hurt. Now go."
Nurse Perfecta then pushed Phoenix into the operating room, while Edgeworth and Maya walked into the waiting room. They both sat down and awkwardly silent for a few seconds, until finally exchanged glances, and said simultaneously,
"He'll be fine."
In the operating room of Canizares Hospital...
"Okay, Senor Wright. We will anesthetize you now. Just take it easy, this won't hurt, you're going to fall asleep, and after you wake up, the surgery is done."
Phoenix remained silent. He observed four doctors around him, all wearing the same clothes, a shirt with his favorite color, blue. The four of them also wear blue face mask, so their faces were not visible. The operating room was quite dark. Phoenix's eyes wide in horror when he saw scalpel and scissors lie on the table.
Doctor Canizares then pull out injectable drugs from his doctor coat pocket. Phoenix getting scared. The doctor will inject him! Inject! Papa and Mama lie to him! Papa and Mama said the doctor won't inject him!
"Feenie don't want an injection! Feenie don't want to! PAPA ! FEENIE WANT PAPA ! FEENIE WANT PAPA! PAPA ! FEENIE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE!" shouted Phoenix. Hastily, he rolled his body to the right. The gurney where he lay became tilted, and he fell to the floor. His IV befall his foot and scattered on the floor. Phoenix roared in pain and crying very loud.
"Oh, my God!" exclaimed Doctor Canizares. "Calm down Senor Wright, calm down! You'll be fine!"
"FEENIE WANT PAPA! FEENIE WANT PAPA AND MAMA! LET FEENIE GET OUT OF HERE! LET FEENIE OUT! OUT! OUT!" shouted Phoenix while thrashing on the floor. Then suddenly, Phoenix seizes. His hands, legs, and head move very fast uncontrollably. Frantically, Doctor Canizares and his team gripped Phoenix's hands, legs, and head very tightly, to keep his head from cracking with the floor.
"Let's lift him back onto the gurney! And Perfecta, I need a rope! Take it in my office! Quickly!" cried Doctor Canizares, sweat dripping on his forehead. Simultaneously, Dr. Canizares and his team lifted Phoenix who still seizing back to the gurney. Nurse Perfecta then hurriedly run out of the operating room to take the rope.
"Nurse Perfecta?! What's wrong?! Why are there noises from inside the operating room? Is Wright okay?!" shouted Edgeworth. Nurse Perfecta passed Edgeworth and Maya without saying a word, took a rope in Doctor Canizares office, then ran again to go back to the operating room.
"Nurse Perfecta, what's the matter? Explain to us! What's wrong with Nick?!" shouted Maya as she clutching Nurse Perfecta's shoulder.
"No time to explain! Just wait here, Mr. Edgeworth, Miss Fey!" said Nurse Perfecta. Edgeworth felt his patience was completely gone now. He then clutching Nurse Perfecta's shoulder as well.
"Nurse Perfecta. Need I remind you that it's me who paid for this surgery? And the cost of this surgery isn't cheap? The surgery lasted no more than 10 minutes, and there was commotion noises from inside the operating room already. Now, let me go inside to see Wright's condition, if you forbid me, I'll sue you!"
"I, oh, all right, Mr. Edgeworth! Okay! You can go inside with me. But sorry, Miss Fey, you still must wait outside. You can't go inside. I allow Mr. Edgeworth to come in because he is the one who paid for Mr. Wright's surgery."
"Okay, I understand, Nurse."
Edgeworth then follows Nurse Perfecta into the operating room. In the operating room, Phoenix still seizing uncontrollably, his entire hair and face very wet covered with sweat. The doctors still trying hard to calm him down. Edgeworth gasped.
"What's the meaning of this, Doctor Canizares?! Why Wright suddenly seizes like that? He was fine when he still outside the operating room!"
"Mr. Edgeworth? What are you doing here? Please wait outside, Mr. Edgeworth!" exclaimed Doctor Canizares, still holding Phoenix's head vigorously. "Perfecta, the rope!"
"I don't want to go out before Wright stopped seizing!" shouted Edgeworth.
Doctor Canizares didn't answer. Nurse Perfecta handed the rope, then he binding Phoenix firmly above the gurney. After he was done, he anesthetized Phoenix. Phoenix's body finally relaxed, and he fell asleep.
"Come on, we began the operation," Doctor Canizares sighed in relief. "Senor Edgeworth, you can go out now."
Edgeworth glued in his place. He gritted his teeth in anger.
"Doctor Canizares, I understand with all the risks that you mentioned after Wright finish the surgery. I can accept if Wright becomes total paralyzed after the surgery is done. But, if he dies because this surgery," Edgeworth gritted his teeth harder, - "We'll see in court." Then he stepped out grimly.
Doctor Canizares wipes his sweat. "All right, guys. Let's begin the operation."
To be continued ...