Chapter 5 – One Month Later

Making a trip to the hospital has become a daily routine for Alex as she parked in the visitor's lot at Methodist. Before she got out of the car she grabbed a small box from the passenger seat then closed the door with her hip. Once inside she went to the elevator so she could take one to the neuro-step down unit.

As the elevator door opened Alex was greeted by Desiree and a few other nurses she has come to know due to her many visits to the unit. She chatted with them for a bit then continued on her way to Walker's room. Hopefully in a few weeks he will finally leave the hospital to be transported to a rehabilitation unit to began physical and occupational therapy.

After a few minutes of walking she finally reached Walker's room. As she stepped inside Alex saw that her husband was asleep. Quietly she placed the box down on a table then sat next to Walker's bed.

In the past month Walker has made a miraculous recovery surprising several doctors at the hospital. He still has problems with blurred vision out of his right eye which unfortunately seems to be permanent. But that was mild compared to the rest of the surgeries he has had in the past weeks.

Walker had three major surgeries on his jaw, cheekbones and nose with more planned in the future. He also had three procedures to remove small blood clots in his brain. But once those were removed the titanium plate was finally placed in his skull. It was because of all of this Walker was still very weak, hardly ever moving even though he's no longer in a coma.

Alex took hold of Walker's right hand, her fingers tracing the scars from the surgery to piece the bones back together. Thankfully it appeared there was no permanent damage done since he can move and feel his whole hand.

She gently gave his hand a squeeze before moving the stuffed wolf back to his side. Ever since Walker became more aware she would catch him with his hand resting upon it. Sure enough as he felt the wolf's fur his hand slowly went to it.

"You really like that wolf, don't you?" Slowly Walker rolled his head so he could face Alex then opened his eyes. "We need to give it a name." She took a deep breath and shook her head. "Due to the teenagers completely hiding their identity Trivette and Gage have hit a wall on your case. The only reason John knew they were young was because of their voices. Just wish you told someone what you were doing that night."

Walker tore his eyes away from Alex, his demeanor shifting. At first she thought he was going to have another seizure so she took hold of his hand but he pulled it away. When she peered at her husband's face her heart dropped at seeing tears slide down his cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, are you okay? You need me to get a nurse?" Walker shook his head as his attention went to the ceiling. "It's about that night, isn't it?" Alex wiped tears from her own eyes. "Has anyone come tl talk to you about it?"

Walker nodded, his face drawn in sadness. From the look on his face Alex quickly realized what the problem was and felt extreme guilt.

"I'm so sorry that I didn't ask sooner." Alex took hold of his hand, gave it a squeeze then laid her head on his right shoulder. "You don't remember anything, do you?" She felt Walker squeeze back, his strength weak but reassuring. "It's okay. It's not your fault. You suffered serious head trauma."

When he didn't respond she glanced up to see he had fallen asleep. Because of the tracheotomy tube in his neck he couldn't talk which Alex knew must frustrate him. Wonder if he had any more issues to do with memory?

As she was about to tuck the blanket tighter to Walker's body his physical strengthening nurse, Robert Morehouse came into the room.

"Well hello there Alex. How is my patient today?"

She shook her head. "Just found out he doesn't remember that night."

"Unfortunately, he may never remember. I'm amazed he has made it this far with the head trauma he suffered." Robert took hold of Walker's hand. "Walker, are you awake? If so, squeeze my hand." He got some light movement from Walker's fingers. "Okay, I'm going to start moving your legs to get some blood flowing into them."

Robert moved the blankets off of Walker's right leg then slowly started to bend it. Walker softly moaned as his eyes briefly opened before he once again drifted back to sleep.

Somewhere In Iraq

The night was rather cold as John made his way to the barracks after a hard day patrolling. He took off his helmet, threw it on his cot then made his way where a few guys were playing poker.

He sat down in an empty chair, his mind still on what happened today. Unfortunately while on patrol he had to help with one fatality and two gun shot victims.

One of the Marines, Sergeant David Smith dealt John in then leaned back in his chair. "Hear from your brother yet?"

"Nah but I'm hoping to get a call from him next month." John sighed as he put a card down. "Just wish he didn't have to be transferred to Germany."

Sergeant Mark Miller, another Marine at the table shook his head with a smile. "I've been meaning to ask you about that man you told us about that you and Mike help save back in Texas."

"Oh, Ranger Walker. He's doing pretty good. Why you ask?"

"Just that he sounds familiar." Sergeant Miller threw his cards down and got up while stretching his arms above his head. "I'm going to hit the sack."

John was about to do the same when Captain Hoover came walking in. Quickly everyone in the barracks stood at attention, their right hand at salute.

"At ease, gentlemen." Captain Hoover took a deep breath as he turned to John, a piece of paper in his hand. "Sergeant Norris, I'm afraid I'm here to tell you that your mother was involved in a serious car accident." He handed John the paper then patted the latter's shoulder. "I'm so sorry but they don't expect her to make it. You have permission for emergency leave, Marine."

John saluted Captain Hoover, his heart racing in his chest. "Thank you, sir."

Captain Hoover gave a salute back leaving John stunned at the news given to him. He thought it was his brother, but his mother? He didn't even know that his mother cared enough about him or his brother to ask for them on her death bed.

"You thought it was your brother, didn't you?" Asked Miller.

John gave his friend a nod as he went to his cot to start packing his rucksack. "Definitely gave me a scare. I don't understand why my mother would like to see my brother or I."

"So, not close to your mother, huh?"

"I was adopted, so no. Never knew her or my dad. Hell, what am I supposed to say to her?"

"Say, 'Why do you want to see me now?'" Miller said with a shrug. "I mean, what more can you say?"

"Your right. I'll let you know what happens."

Later that night John sat on his rucksack waiting for his plane to arrive. As he sat on the tarmac he blew into his hands trying to get some warmth back into them. From behind him he could hear footsteps approaching. When John turned he was surprised to see his brother Mike.

John quickly got up and ran to his brother. "Mike, what are you doing here?"

"I got a lift." Mike gave John a hug then pulled back to look at John, concern on his face. "Why do you think our mother wants to see us after twenty years?"

"She's on her deathbed." John sighed then glanced up as a C-10 cargo plane began to taxi down the runway. "We will soon know!" He shouted over the loud engines. "Let's get going!"

Twelve hours later both brothers got off the plane sore and stiff from the rather bumpy ride over to Tinker Airbase in Oklahoma. Once John got his rucksack he started to head out of the plane when he abruptly stopped. A smile spread across his face as he felt snow coming down. He turned to Mike to see his brother shivering.

"You know I was thinking about something. They stationed a Florida boy in Germany. How do you like it there?"

Mike pulled his fur lined hood tighter to his face. "I know I'm a Marine but I'm not cut out for the cold." He went to a beige sedan which was loaned to them by the military. "Are you nervous?"

"Honestly, it took us fourteen hours to get here. If she's still alive…." John paused mid-sentence when his mind went to Ranger Walker. "Let's just go and see what she wants."

At the hospital John sat in the waiting room staring at a window as a light snow fell outside. Wonder why he and Mike had to make a trip back to the states?

An older gentleman slowly approached them, a small wooden box in his hands. "Are you John Norris?"

John got up with a nod and shook the man's hand. "Yes sir. How is my mother?"

"Unfortunately she passed away. She was in a roll over accident and suffered life threatening injuries." The man handed John the box and shrugged. "She wanted you to have this."

"Thank you, sir." After the man left John shook his head as he studied the small box in his hand. He slowly lifted the lid open and what he saw inside almost made him drop the box. "This can't be right." He pulled the photo out so he can show Mike. "We need to get to Texas as soon as we can."