I do not own Molly of Denali, or any of the characters contained within this story. Molly of Denali is the property of Kathy Waugh and Dorothea Gillim.
Please review all my stories. Feedback would give me ideas I can use for not only this story but for future ones. Thank you for your time and happy reading.
Author's Note: First. I want to thank those that like the progression of the first part of the story "The Snowstorm". I have read a couple of positive reviews and have been inspired to continue the story here in "The Aftermath".
Kikyotheshintoppriestess5555 – Short and sweet, thank you for the vote of confidence.
Leafwing2 – You seem to have been the most admiring of my first story of Molly of Denali. For that, I am grateful for your following, liking and advice given to me to continue the story. I hope you the next few installments. Nothing major happening, just usual hijinks involving kids growing older.
Personal Update: As I have mentioned before, I broke my left arm (left-handed) as well as tore my left biceps from the bone. I have been doing physical therapy and other exercises to strengthen my arm. The process has been very slow, and my typing has suffered because I can't hold my arm up to type for very long since it fatigues quickly. I just finished this and will begin work on the next part. I am sorry the updates won't be quick, but I will currently be in this shape until about March 13th, when I see my Orthopedic surgeon. He'll determine if I can return to using my arm or extending my recuperation and therapy. We'll see what the future holds. Hopefully, what I have written is good enough despite the pain I had writing it. Please review and give me more ideas and suggestions. Have a good rest of February.
Chapter Three – Separation Anxiety
The phone ringing woke Nat and Walter as they were resting in the family room upstairs of the Denali Trading Post. Rubbing his eyes Walter picked up the phone. "Hello."
"Hi honey, I have a slight problem and I may need your help in dealing with it." Layla started.
"I have no idea how I can help but tell me what's going on." Walter answered.
"Your daughter is being stubborn and doesn't want to come home tonight because Trini is being held here for observation for the next few days." Layla mentioned sighing,
"Oh, I can see how that'll be a problem. Put her on the phone and I'll see if I can talk some sense into her." Walter offered.
"Hi Ti'yaa, I know you're not happy about this, but I feel that since we all got hurt at the same time, we should support each other until we can all return to Qyah." Molly began not giving him a chance to get a word in.
"Hello Molly Doodle. Are you doing, okay? I would like to know how my daughter is doing in the hospital where I cannot be there to look after her." Walter said side-stepping her earlier rant.
Taking a cleansing breath, she slowed her heart and talked calmly again. "I am doing okay, dad. Atsaq gave me some pills for the concussion I suffered during the fall into the hole. Tooey broke both his legs and needs to wear a brace and Trini must remain here for further observation."
"Good now that we got that out of the way. It's good to hear that you and your friends are doing okay despite the ordeal you've all been through. Now the reason I am on the phone."
"Like I said before Ti'yaa—" Molly started and stopped abruptly.
"Molly, I would like to be able to talk without interruption. Is that okay?" Walter interjected.
"Yes sir." Molly said meekly looking from Tooey, to Trini, to Layla and then back to the floor as she listened.
Layla sympathized with her daughter, but she needed to understand some things and her father would be the one to set her straight.
"Receiving care in a hospital costs money. We are not rich, you know that. That is why you and Tooey need to return to Qyah. In case you are wondering why Tooey also must come back since his mother is the doctor. They don't want him to be there doing nothing but waiting for Trini. There may be others that need care and taking a bed would prevent them from being able to get the care they need. Do you understand Molly Doodle?" Walter finished.
"Yes sir, I understand. You do understand my feelings about this, right?" Molly asked.
"Yes ma'am, I understand, but there's nothing we can do about it right now. Just bear in mind, you'll all be back together back here in Qyah in a few days when Trini returns."
"I love you Molly doodle. I'll see you tonight, give the phone to your mother," Walter told her.
"I love you too dad. Here mom." Molly said, handing the phone to Layla.
"Based on her reaction, I believe we're going home in a bit once she and Tooey are discharged?" She asked.
"Yes, dear. I'll let Kenji know. We'll be ready to help with the kids when you get here. See you in a bit. I love you, honey."
Layla smiled, "I love you too."
********** Near Qyah, Alaska, earlier in the Evening **********
Molly and Tooey looked out of the window at the blanket of snow that covered the landscape. The beauty of the scene was lost to them since they were both deep in thought. Molly was upset because she was ordered to get onto the plane and leave Trini behind. This was something she never thought to do in a million years. "I wish I could have stayed there with her, but dad was right. I could not just stay there just to visit Trini. Other people would be needing the space if there were other injuries because of the weather." She thought as she looked at the scenery passing by.
Tooey was concerned about something else. "How am I going to use a wheelchair, when there was a lot of snow on the ground, and more was on the way." He thought to himself looking from the window to the wheelchair strapped at the back of the plane.
Atsaq and Layla spoke briefly during the flight. Mostly about what the kids would need once they landed and were back at home convalescing. Each stole glances back at the kids and saw their melancholy expressions.
Reaching forward Layla deactivated the kid's headphones and continued conversing with Atsaq privately. "Atsaq, do you think the kids are angry with us for separating them when they were in this together?
Atsaq admired the scenery as well as she was thinking. "I am concerned that the kids may be resenting us right now. I can understand they are upset because Trini is their best friend." Layla glanced to the right side of the plane and saw Molly just sitting there with her head in her hands.
Atsaq continued, "They need to be aware that financially staying there would have been expensive. I am a doctor and I make quite a bit of money, but I am not rich. Kenji and I live comfortably. He needs to understand that."
"Molly too, Walter and I do well with the Trading Post, but the burden of the hospital would have affected that as well had they remained there too long." Layla admitted herself.
"By the way" Layla began looking at Atsaq.
"Thank you for taking care of them. I know it pains you when the patients are people you know and see them at their lowest."
Atsaq waved it off. "I would guess we have each other to thank because we both did all that we could to ensure that the kids received the best care, and quickly too." Atsaq said patting Layla on the thigh.
Layla smiled at her best friend. Atsaq beamed letting her know that the feelings were mutual."
"Niner-Niner-Victor-Alpha, you have smooth sailing. Storms from this morning and early afternoon have moved to the east." Traffic control relayed.
"Quyana Nenana, currently on final approach to Qyah, Niner-Niner-Victor-Alpha out" Layla adjusted the ailerons and made a smooth landing on a recently plowed runway.
"We really need to thank Mr. Patak and Mr. Rowley. If it weren't for them, we would not have been able to take the kids to the hospital yesterday." Layla mentioned.
"I agree, I'll call them in a bit, once we get the kids situated." Atsaq said.
Daniel walked alongside Layla as they entered the hospital. "Where is Trini?" Daniel asked looking around the hospital.
"When I left with Tooey and Molly earlier, they had mentioned that she would be moved to her own room to free up space in the emergency room."
He nodded, and they walked up to the information desk and asked the person behind the desk. "Could you tell me what room Trini Mumford is in?" He asked the young lady.
"Who are you sir." She asked, looking at him.
"My name is Daniel Mumford, her father." He said pulling out his ID and showing it to her. As well as a picture of him and Trini from the State fair when she placed second in the giant cabbage competition.
"Cute, and congratulations." She said typing on her computer.
A moment later she looked from the computer. "She was moved from the emergency room to the fourth floor, room 406. Take the main elevator up and turn right, the fourth room on the right. Visiting hours end at 10pm. She mentioned looking at Layla.
"Are the hours extended for family members that come in from far away villages?" He asked.
The desk clerk briefly consulted her computer. "Yes sir, we have many people that travel from faraway villages. We can put a cot or recliner in the room if you want to stay for the evening, or however long your daughter will be here. Is that okay?"
"Yes ma'am, that'll be fine." Daniel answered.
He turned to Layla, "Can you have Molly help with the chickens, and Four Spots?"
"Sure thing, I'll let her know when I get back to Qyah. Have an enjoyable time with Trini. I have already spent time with her, this is your time. Call me when you're ready to return and I'll fire up the plane and come pick you folks up." She then reached over and hugged him.
"Bye Daniel." Layla said, turning and walking away waving.
********** Ookami Home, Qyah, Alaska **********
"Mom, how am I going to be able to take care of the dogs when I can't maneuver around except from this wheelchair?"
"Your father said he'd help with the dogs, since he'll be home since travel is very hard due to the storms." Atsaq reassured him.
"How am I going to be able to take a shower or bath, when I can't walk?" he asked exasperatedly.
"You worry too much Tokone. I would not have put you in that chair if I didn't have a plan for what needed to be done while you were in it." Atsaq told him.
"Okay. Dr. Ookami, could you please tell me what the plan is now that I am in this mobility assisting chair?" Tooey smiled at his doctor.
Her surprise only lasted a second before it was replaced by a smile. "Sure, Mr. Ookami. The plan is to take you to the top of Chitlak Dome and leave you there for being such a smartass."
The look he gave his doctor/mother was priceless. His mouth hung open. Atsaq walked over and tapped his chin. He closed his mouth.
"There now that I have your attention young man. I am aware that maneuvering with the chair will be difficult. I think Molly might help you with that and so would Trini, but in her current state, not yet." Atsaq mentioned.
Tooey, not realizing he had been holding his breath took a deep one. "I am glad you're not taking me there and leaving me. It's very cold out there right now. I might freeze."
Tokone, you would freeze, and then I would have a popsicle stick for a son. At least he won't talk back like you do." Atsaq smiled placing a warm blanket into his lap as she was folding some laundry.
As she was leaning over him and placing the blanket, he quickly reached over and gave her a hug. Being pulled off her feet, she returned the hug. "I am just glad you were all brought back home to Qyah little wolf." She mentioned with tears in her eyes,
********** Qyah Trading Post **********
Walter walked up the stairs holding a bottle of medicine Molly had been prescribed. He reached the bedroom and found the door open. He knocked on the door jamb. "How's your head Molly doodle?" Walter asked, entering the bedroom.
Molly was sitting in front of her computer, "I wish it wasn't pounding so much, I can hardly hear myself think." Molly relayed holding the bridge of her nose and pressing on it.
Walter handed her the medicine bottle. She opened the bottle and took out a couple of pills. She then walked out of the room and returned with a glass of water. Taking the medication, she placed the empty glass on her nightstand.
"Get some rest. Your head should feel better in a day or so. Just take it easy." Walter suggested.
"I know dad, I just wanted to do a vlog letting everyone know Tooey, Trini and I are all safe and sound back home in Qyah."
"Ok, then why haven't you told them?" He asked figuring out the answer.
"We're not all back yet, Trini is still in the hospital and Tooey is at home in a wheelchair. I have this concussion and I am still sorry Trini got hurt because of me." Molly whispered through her tears.
"Molly." He called her.
"Yes dad." She answered wiping her eyes.
"Did Trini say it wasn't your fault.?" He asked,
"Yes sir."
"Did mom say it wasn't your fault?" He asked again.
"Yes sir."
"Noticing a trend here Molly?"
"Yes sir. I know everyone is not faulting me, but I can't help but feel in my heart that I put her in the hospital." Molly cried holding her stomach as her tears flowed.
"I'll say it once and never again. Understand young lady." Walter asked her.
She nodded her head keeping her eyes closed. "My daughter never hurt anyone intentionally. She hasn't before and she hasn't now, nor will she ever. Do you understand Molly doodle?" he asked, taking a knee in front of her and looking at her closed eyes.
Opening her eyes and seeing his feet she did everything she could not to look up, since she was now holding in her laughter. She didn't want to laugh during such a serious time. "Yes, I understand Ti'yaa."
"That's my Molly. Get to bed, you have some chores in the morning."
"What chores? The trading post is clean." she asked, perplexed.
"Oh, I never told you. Daniel would like to know if you can help with the chickens and Four Spots while he is in the hospital with Trini?" Walter told her smiling.
"I would love to. I'll call and let her know, I've got this."
"Thanks, when you're done, get some rest."
"Yes sir." She answered, reaching for her newly charged phone.
********** Alaska Native Medical Center, Anchorage, Alaska **********
"Hey Trini bear. How are you doing baby girl?" Daniel asked, entering the room, and placing a teddy bear on the nightstand next to her bed. She watched him placing the bear next to her. She reached her hands out for the bear.
Smiling, he handed the bear to her and sat in the chair that was next to the bed. Smiling, she accepted the bear and placed it behind her on the bed. She then reached her hands out. Daniel, seeing her motion stood and sat on the bed.
Scooting over and hugging her father, he kissed her head twice. Feeling her head being touched twice, she turned her head upward and smiled at her father.
She then reached forward and fidgeted in his jacket and found his phone. She looked at his history and pressed the button on the entry named "Honey." A moment later, Joy Mumford appeared on the screen.
"Trini Bear! How are you doing? Where's your father? How are you feeling baby girl?" she asked in succession.
Trini smiled and turned the camera of the phone towards her father. "He's right here mom. He just got here a few minutes ago. I called because he kissed me twice, so I wanted to talk to you too since you kissed me too." Trini smiled.
"Yes, Trini bear. Whenever we kiss you twice, it comes from both of us. Did you need to ask me something or just wanted me to be in the conversation?" Trini looked at the ceiling for a moment, "Both, I like having both of you here with me. I love it, and I love you and dad too." She smiled propping the phone up on the table beside the bed.
"We love you too." Joy said.
"We love you too." Daniel said.
Trini burst out laughing as her parents parroted each other. "You guys know that has been happening many times in the last few days. Tooey, Molly and I have been parroting each other like that for days."
"Well, Trini even parents do that sometimes. Best friends do it a lot since they know each other so well. It just shows that you are all good friends." Joy told her.
"Speaking of friends, I wish they could've stayed, and we could have all kept each other company." Daniel noticed she was dejected as she thought about her friends.
"I know you are now missing them Texas, but you'll be seeing them once the other doctors and Atsaq say that it is okay for you to go back home. I promise you, once we get there, Molly and Tooey will be waiting for you."
"He's right Trini bear, your friends will be there for you just like we're always there for you. Trust me on this one."
"Okay, but it still makes me sad." She indicated as she pulled the bear from behind her, placing him in front and hugging him hard.
Joy looked from Trini to Daniel and made a motion with her hands. Seeing the motion Daniel picked up the phone and walked out of the room. "Mom and I are going to talk for a moment. I'll be right back Texas." Trini continued hugging the bear and just nodded her head not looking up.
Once outside of hearing range of Trini. Daniel looked at the phone. "Daniel, can you set up a conference call with her friends so they can all talk. She needs this; it may help her." Joy pleaded.
"I'll do what I can. The hospital might have a laptop available I can use for that. I'll ask around when we're done talking." He smiled.
Joy smiled weakly, "Thanks honey. I need to get back to work. Call me if anything changes. I love and miss you both." Joy smiled as she ended the call.
Daniel turned the phone off. He walked back into the room where Trini was still hugging her bear and looking out of the window. He placed the phone onto the table and walked out of the room.
Looking around he walked over to the nurse's station and asked if there was a laptop available for calls back to Qyah. "Yes sir, we have laptop available for that purpose, it won't be available until the morning since there is a waiting list for others that would also like to use it themselves." She relayed.
Daniel nodded and turned around, "Would you like me to put you on the waiting list? Turning slightly, "Yes please. Thank you."
"No problem, sir. The on-call nurse will let you know when it's your turn with the laptop. I am sorry about the wait, but we only have one for this purpose." She apologized.
Daniel turned back towards her, "I totally understand, we'll be waiting. Thank you again."
********** Denali Trading Post, Qyah, Alaska Later that Evening **********
Molly looked at her phone and found the number for Daniel Mumford. She looked at the window and saw more snow falling and sighed deeply. A moment later, she heard the phone ringing twice before someone picked it up. 'Hello mom, I wasn't expecting you to call back so soon." Trini began.
"Trini it's me, I'm not Joy." Molly interjected.
Hearing her friend, she stopped and then changed gears. "Molly, I wasn't expecting your call until tomorrow morning when you asked about what you need to do for the chickens, and Four-spots."
"I know what to do for the chickens and Four-spots. I have Suki and Auntie Midge has some chickens I took care of when she was having her hip replaced. Mrs. Marsh was not available, so I pitched in."
'Oh, then what's up? Is Tooey there? I wish you didn't have to leave. I mean I am glad you got to go back home, but I am still here." Trini said to her with a quavering voice.
"Tooey nor I are happy about leaving you there. We argued about why we should stay. Our parents told us it was not financially responsible of us staying there for no reason, so we came back without you." Molly almost whispered.
Trini heard every word. As Molly was talking Daniel entered the room and found Trini on the phone. "Who are you talking to." He mouthed.
"Molly" Trini mouthed back smiling. Daniel smiled and walked towards the recliner, picked up a magazine, and sat down.
"Were you told how long you'd be there until you could return home?"
"No, I never asked. I woke just a bit ago and everyone was gone, and the doctors haven't been back. I haven't even seen Atsaq." She relayed.
"Oh, Atsaq came back with us earlier. She said she'll be returning to check on you in the morning. Mom is going to fly her back to the hospital in the morning,"
"Would you and Tooey be joining then and coming back?" Trini excitedly asked.
"No, I'll be here taking care of the animals and Tooey will be getting used to using his chair. I am going over to help him if he needs it. If the snow lets up that is."
"I can't see out of the window, it looks white from here, so that means that it is still snowing badly out there." Trini surmised by Molly's statement.
"Yep, still snowing, Mr. Patak and Mr. Rowley will be plowing the runway again in the morning so mom can fly out again. They'll plow again when she is due to come back again."
Molly looked around the room and saw that the computer was charged. "I can't wait until you're able to come back home so we can all heal and be together." She smiled.
"Me too. I can't wait but I have no idea when I'll be allowed to come back home. I'll ask dad if they told him. When I get a chance, I'll text you when I find out, okay?" She asked.
"Sure thing, I'll text if I have any problems with Four-spots, or Dolores or any of the other chickens."
"I'm tired, I need to get some sleep. We can talk again in the morning, okay Molly?"
"You got it Trini, we'll talk more then, have a good rest. Night." Molly bade her.
"You, too." Trini yawned hearing the phone cut off.
Chapter Four – Keeping the House in Order
Molly woke up and looked around the room, "I wonder what time it is?" She reached around the nightstand for her computer. When she couldn't feel it, she realized she had left it on her table instead of the nightstand. She kicked the covers off herself and moved her legs to the side and put on her Suki slippers before heading for the table.
Opening the computer, she saw that it was 7:30 a.m., she looked at the window and saw that it was still dark. "I know winters' in Alaska stay dark, but a little light would be nice." She thought as she walked over to the dresser and pulled out some clothes to put on. As she was taking off her pajamas, she remembered that she had to take care of Trini's chickens and little puppy.
She smiled thinking about Four-spots, Trini and Tooey. She thought of them for different reasons. She put on her pants and smiled. "I am glad I was able to name Four-Spots, in the end Trini came up with a better name." When it came to Tooey she was hoping he was doing okay and was dealing with the wheelchair. "Now Trini, she had a major surgery yesterday, and it was thanks to me she needed it." She continued thinking as she tied her sneakers.
An hour later she had finished taking care of the chicken, cleaned their nesting boxes, and just fed Four-spots. "Whoo, that's done. Now to go check and see how Tooey is handling being in the wheelchair." She thought to herself as he walked towards the Ookami house through the thick snow.
********** Ookami Residence Ten Minutes Later **********
Sitting in the wheelchair, Tooey reached forward and turned on the hot water for the tub. He noticed that he couldn't reach the cold-water tap. Looking down at his legs, he sighed quietly. All he saw was the sleeves that were wrapped around his legs preventing him from using them.
He reached forward again, and again received pain as he stretched his legs. "nnnngggghhh" escaped his throat as he reached the end of his strength.
"Mom, I need some help!" Tooey yelled out as he slumped back. "Yes Tokone, what can I do to help you?" Atsaq asked as she entered the bathroom.
Entering she noticed the room was filling with steam. She looked from the tub to Tooey. Putting two and two together she reached forward and turned on the cold water. She felt the water and when it was a good temperature, she turned towards her dejected son. "If you need anything else, just give me a call again."
Kissing him on the forehead, she walked back out to the living room. "Thanks mom." He reached down and began unlatching the bands that secured the braces around his legs. He tried to move the sleeve of his left leg down. A very sharp pain radiated from his thighs down to his toes. He held back the tears as the pain reached a peak before he slumped back down, allowing the pain to subside.
"Mom." He quietly called out. Not hearing a response. He was about to call again when he heard the doorbell. A few moments later Molly and his mother walked into the bathroom. "Hey Tooey," Molly called when she saw him sitting in the chair.
"Hey Molly," he said in a dejected tone. Atsaq heard the tone, and noticed the straps were loosened from his left leg. "Need help removing the braces, Tooey?" She asked.
"Yes Mom, they are a little hard to remove when reaching forward causes quite a bit of pain." Tooey explained looking down at his legs.
"Okay, I can show you a short cut for removing them that might make this a little easier for you. Would that help?" Atsaq asked kneeling in front of his legs. "Yes please." Tooey mentioned watching her. "Is there anyway I can help?" Molly asked.
"Let me show him how to do one leg and then you can help him with the other leg. Is that okay Little Wolf?" Tooey nodded as he braced himself for more pain.
Kneeling in front of the wheelchair, Atsaq reached up and began to roll the neoprene leg sleeve down until it reached down to just below the knee. She then reached down and pulled from the bottom of his leg and removed the sleeve with just a little bit of tugging. Molly observed Atsaq.
Atsaq inclined her head and Molly taking the hint came to the front of the chair, she then reached forward and began to roll the other sleeve until it reached Tooey's knee as well. She placed her hand on his thigh and reached down and pulled the sleeve from his leg just like Atsaq had done with his left leg. Before pulling the sleeve, she saw that Tooey was watching her, and he was blushing.
A moment later, after a little tugging, she showed them both that she had removed the sleeve safely. That was when she noticed that Tooey had stiffened.
Frowning, "Did I do something wrong. I followed your instructions exactly Atsaq. I have no-" She began
"Molly, you have nothing to worry about, I was watching the whole time. Tooey is just embarrassed and in a little pain."
"Why?" she quickly asked placing the sleeve on the edge of the tub.
"In reference to the pain, you placed your hand on top of his thigh to pull the sleeve downward. That is close to where the fractures in his legs are." Atsaq paused, looking from Tooey back to Molly. "His embarrassment is because he is currently in his underwear."
Molly blushed, she quickly looked down and then up at him. "I am sorry Tooey, I was just trying to help. I meant nothing by it." She stammered, removing her hand, and quickly standing back up.
Before Tooey could say anything, Molly stepped back, she immediately started flailing her arms before falling into the tub of thankfully warmed water. Splashing both Atsaq and Tooey.
Atsaq and Tooey both had their mouths agape when she fell into the bathtub and was now completely soaked to the skin. Molly had a shocked expression on her face as she stood up in the water. She was still in her sneakers and her clothes clung to her as they were dripping.
Recovering first, Atsaq reached up for a towel and held it in her hands. Molly just stood there not sure what to say or do. Atsaq shook her head and tapped Tooey on the shoulder. Turning towards her, "Did you want company for your bath, or should we give Molly this one, and you can take one afterwards?"
Looking from Tooey to Molly, she couldn't tell who was more embarrassed. A second later they all laughed as Atsaq handed her the towel and then rolled Tooey out of the bathroom. Before closing the door, she said, "I'll bring you some dry clothes when you are finished bathing." Molly could only smile as she began pulling her Kuspuk¹ over her head.
¹ - Kuspuk – Tunic length, (falling between hip and knee length) hooded overshirt with a large front pocket