Chapter 8 – At the Hospital

Felicity and Carrie were transported to Westover Doctors Hospital and examined by Doctor George Snell, who is the father of Carrie's classmate, Sue Snell. Doctor Snell told Alana and Phil that both of the girls are his miracle patients. He also told them that Felicity is undergoing surgery to close up the wound and afterwards she would have to stay for at least 2 weeks. It turns out that the knife did not hit any major arteries near her stomach, appendix, or her left kidney. As for Carrie, she had 10 stitches on both her right arm and left leg and should go home in about 5 days. He then went back to the operating room to tend to Felicity.

While Alana and Phil talked to Lois about Felicity's surgery, Nurse Amy Lucas wheeled Carrie out into the waiting room to meet with them. Carrie has her arm and leg in wrapped bandages, which covered her stitches. Alana and Phil gave Carrie a hug and told her that they are relieved that she is alright. One of the policemen who arrived at the scene, Frank Jones, made his way into the waiting room to meet with the three. He asked the Cartwrights how Felicity was doing. "Doctor Snell just told us that she is in surgery right now, Officer," Phil told him. Officer Frank then asked Carrie how she is doing. "I'm lucky to be alive, Officer," Carrie replied. "I'm glad you girls are okay," Officer Frank replied. "I assume that you want to press charges against Mrs. White?" Alana and Phil agreed. "Why don't you all start from the beginning and tell me what happened so I can put this in the police report?"

Alana went first. "My husband and my mother and I just arrived home from our walk when we heard my daughter screaming," she explained. "When we went outside, that was when we found them with Margaret. She was holding Carrie by the leg with one hand and the knife in the other..." Alana started crying and Phil took over while he held her. "The knife was already covered with blood and Carrie already had those gashes. I ran over to help my stepdaughter get Carrie to safety. We pulled her close to us and then Carrie managed to kick Margaret, which made her lose her grip and fell. Then..." "Hold on, Mr. Cartwright," Officer Frank said. He looked at Carrie and asked, "Ms. White. Was your mother abusive to you?"

Carrie was scared for a moment, but she knew that she must tell the policeman and the Cartwrights the truth. She took a deep breath and said, "Yes, she was abusive to me. She would hit me, push me, ridicule me, and throw me into the "praying" closet when I did something bad. Lyssie found out about it, too." "What?" Phil asked. "After my mother came home from work, I told her to stay in my room for a minute so I thought that I could get her safely home without my mother suspecting anything. That's when she heard us arguing and then she came downstairs and started arguing with my mother. After that, she tried to get me back to your house." Alana and Phil looked at each other. "Why didn't you girls come to us?" Alana asked. "We could have helped you." "I know, Mrs. Cartwright," Carrie replied. "But she wanted to find this out on her own first. Lyssie knew the whole time about my mother abusing me and...and...and she called Lyssie awful names." "What did your mother call my daughter?!" Alana asked, almost ready to shout. "She called Lyssie a slut and a Jezebel because..."

Before Carrie could continue, Doctor Snell came right back into the waiting room. "The surgery was successful. Felicity is going to be alright." Alana and Phil hugged each other and thanked Doctor Snell. "Can we go see her?" Carrie asked. "You may, but she will still feel drowsy from the medicine." Alana, Phil, Carrie, and Officer Frank followed him to Felicity's hospital room: Room 120.

In Room 120, Felicity was groaning in her sleep. She began moving her head from side to side and started whimpering, "No. No. No. No. Leave...leave...me and Carrie...alone. Somebody help me. Please!" There are tears forming in her eyes and then she slowly lifted her heavy eyelids as the strong smell of anti-bacterial cleaner filled her nose. It was just a dream. Felicity's mouth was dry and she smacked her lips a few times. Where am I? What happened to me? Why do I feel so thirsty and tired? She realized that she was lying in bed and the room was bright. The light from the window was reflecting off the white walls and it made her want to close her eyes again. Felicity heard the beeping of a machine and she slowly turned her head towards the source of the noise. It was an electrocardiograph machine. She looked down to her arm and found that she was hooked up to an IV.

As she tried to sit up in her bed, Felicity let out a strong gasp. "Lie back slowly, honey," said Doctor Snell. "Sorry, Doctor," Felicity apologized as Doctor Snell checked her heart and the stitches. "I didn't hear you come in." "It's quite alright, Felicity. Can I get you anything?" Felicity sniffled, "Just my mom and stepdad." Then she said, "Wait, where's Carrie? Is she alright?" "Everybody is outside and Carrie is alright." "Wait, um...could I have something cold to eat or drink? Maybe some ice cream?" Doctor Snell nodded. "I'll ask Nurse Amy to get you something," he said as he went to the door. Doctor Snell motioned Alana, Phil, Carrie, and Officer Frank to come in. Felicity began to burst into tears when she saw and gave her parents and Carrie a hug. "I'm so happy you're alright, Lyss," Alana said. "Do you feel okay, sweetie?," Phil asked. "Sort of, Phil. I feel sore, hungry, and thirsty, too," Felicity replied. "Well, that's exactly how everyone feels after their first surgery," Alana added.

"How long are you staying here, Lyssie?" asked Carrie. "She will be staying for at least 2 weeks," Alana told her. "Well, what about you, Carrie?" Felicity asked. "She will be here for about five or six days," Phil told her. "Oh, sweetie, this is Officer Frank Jones. He wants to ask you a few questions." "What does he want to know?" Felicity asked, scared. "Just only your side of what happened, Ms. Cartwright. We already have Ms. White's and your parents' side," said the officer. Felicity took a deep breath and told the officer and her parents what happened when she was at Carrie's house. While Felicity answered questions from the police officer, Nurse Amy brought Felicity and Carrie small bowls of ice cream. When she finished answering the questions, Felicity added, "I didn't even do anything to her after we moved in. I knew that Margaret had a disturbing side and I couldn't believe that she would call me and Carrie those awful names." "We know that you didn't, sweetheart," said Alana. "I can't believe that she would hurt Carrie like that," Phil agreed. "We are all proud of you, Lyss," Alana told her. "Yes, extremely proud," said Phil. Felicity smiled. "Will Carrie be staying with us?" she asked. "Well, as long as we can get everything settled with the judge, then yes," said Alana.

Both Felicity and Carrie smiled. But the smile from Felicity's face faded. "But what about my job at the church? I will be missing work this Sunday and next Sunday." "Your mom and I will talk to the pastor and tell him what happened," Phil assured her. "Don't worry. I'm sure that they will mail out your paychecks for this Sunday and next Sunday. Maybe the pastor and some people from church will come visit you." And Phil was right. Pastor Todd Harrison, his wife, Lacey, and along with a few of Felicity's coworkers came with Alana and Phil to visit that Sunday to meet Carrie and pray that the girls have a healthy recovery. Pastor Todd offered Carrie a position to help Felicity in the Nursery.

Two weeks later, Carrie and Felicity are released from the hospital.