AND LOVE CHAP 145
Waiting
STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
ICU WAITING ROOM
This room was aptly named. The families of patients waited for an update, or a turn to go in and see their loved one. Not many had the mixed emotions that Josh Allen had. At a time like this, he really needed the support that he had around himself.
Kelly had remained in the ER, hoping to catch the officers who were at the scene; to ask them some questions. She finally got her chance.
She cornered them; "Officers, Kelly O'Shea of NY-1. May I ask you a few questions, please? About the accident the Allens were involved in?"
Her easy-going manner and genuine smile disarmed most people. Most. Not many police officers though.
They turned and frowned. "What," the female – Ruiz – asked.
"Did the car driven by the man who died appear to have accelerated?"
"Why do you ask that?" Officer Ruiz huffed out.
"I have information that the surviving couple may have been involved in the drug trade on Long Island. Making them possible targets for a hit."
"What is your source ma'am?"
"Someone knowledgeable. A CI, shall we say."
"CI?" The young officer frowns.
Kelly and the lady officer smirk.
"Confidential informant," Kelly fills in the knowledge gap.
"Oh . . . I knew that," the young 'un boasted.
"Sure," Kelly smiled. "So, we don't know?"
"Nope. But we have a name, if it matters," the young buck does know something.
"I'm listening." Kelly poises.
"Bill Hickock," the kid snickers.
Kelly grimaces.
"Nickname," he laughs.
Kelly wants to flip him off. She refrains, gracefully. She mutters a thanks, and heads to the elevators.
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ON THE ISLAND
"Mom, what's gonna happen?" AJ asks. "I like Josh, he likes sissy."
"I don't know, baby. It sounds like his mom and dad are hurt badly."
Eddie TXT from KO: Bill Hickock, real name? Supposedly other driver, died.
Eddie goes to the office and logs into the NY DMV database. Wow! There is a William Hickok; living on Long Island. Edit downloads the physical description and texts Kelly.
"Frank, can you or I get into the morgue?"
"Why," he cocks his head.
"The younger officer gave me a name for the dead, other driver. I think he was pulling my chain, but the name checks out."
"The name?"
"Bill Hickok. Checks out; Eddie sent me a physical description."
"So, we check the body?"
"Yup."
"Let's go, my lady!"
They bamboozle a harried orderly, and get into the morgue. They start checking white sheet covered bodies.
"Here, Frank," Kelly whispers.
"What ya got, Nancy?"
"Who?"
"Nancy Drew, never mind." He smirks. "Here is the description."
She takes the paper, and pulls down the sheet. While she compares the body and the description, Frank pulls out his phone and begins snapping pictures. Then they hear footsteps in the hall, coming closer. Frank looks around, and sees a closet door; he hopes. He points, she opens the door and scoots in. It's small! Quickly, Frank pulls the sheet up over the body, turns the lights off and his phone flashlight on and squeezes in behind Kelly. TIGHT INDEED!
Her back is to his chest. Frank wraps one arm around her waist, holding tight. He puts the other hand over her mouth to stop a surprised noise. They've been close before; this is downright cozy!
Frank is dying – too late now. They fit perfectly; her perfume is intoxicating. Her shampoo is dangerous. They are both vibrating, gently. They listen; Kelly turns on voice recording. They hear:
"Here he is. Why's he out in the middle like this?"
Frank and Kelly tense.
"Who cares. Is the hall clear?"
A door opens, "Yes, let's go Bill!"
The cart moves, the door closes.
Kelly peeks, the coast is clear. Frank calls Jamie, "Hi, dad. What's up?"
"In the SUV, there should be a kit with dust. I need it at the morgue. Outside door, from hallway to inside. Forthwith."
"On it."
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They get a print off the door knob.
So they have a print, a voice recording and a missing body. Frank interfaces with the FBI, calling a trusted agent – William Holden. Bill promises to stop by 1-PP in the morning, pick up the evidence and take statements from Frank and Kelly.
"Kell and I will stop by 1-PP on our way home and drop things off," Frank promises Jamie. "Then we will be there in the morning to meet with agent Holden."
"Thanks dad, and Kelly."
"No problem."
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STONY BROOK MEDICAL CENTER
ICU WAITING ROOM
Josh and Cassie stayed the night. A nurse came and gave them periodic updates – no changes were noted. Sleep was fitful, but helped by being in each other's arms.
At 8:30 AM they slipped down for a quick bite of breakfast and cup of coffee. Josh took a sip of the coffee and tossed the rest. "Does anyone know how to make a decent cup of coffee?"
"Mal, my sister does." Cassie smirks.
"And where is Mal?"
"Home."
"Maybe there's a coffee cart around outside?" Josh wonders.
"I'll go look while you go back up and keep watch," Cass suggests.
"Ah, no. I don't want you wandering the streets alone!"
"Don't be silly. There probably is a coffee cart right outside the front door." She smiles.
"I'm taking no chances. You go back upstairs; I'll chase down coffee."
"Over protective, maybe?" (She loves it)
"Think of me as your left tackle." He grins.
"Tackle?"
"No, no. Football, my dear." LOL
He sees her to the elevator, then slips outside. Sure enough, there is a coffee cart right outside. And the lady is doing a brisk business. He buys 2 large coffees; prepares Cassie's with 2-cream and 2-sugars, his with 2-sugars.
Entering the waiting room, he hands over her cup. "Can you even taste the coffee?"
"Don't want to. I drink a caffeine solution, dressed up." She blows him a kiss.
"Cassandra, that is weird."
"Word is that you like me anyway."
"Word is correct," he blows the kiss right back.
20" later the doctor appears. "Josh Allen?"
"Yes, sir?"
"There has been no change in your parents' condition, as far as brain function. Still no brain activity. The CT-scan this morning showed some swelling of your mother's brain. If this worsens, we should drill 1 or 2 burr holes in the skull. This will relieve the pressure. We will need your consent to do that."
"And if you don't drill those holes?" Josh squeezes Cassie's hand. He avoids looking at her.
"Well, if the pressure increases and we don't relieve it, the brain will be squeezed down into the opening in the skull where the spinal cord exits. Your mother will die." The doctor gets a funny look on his face.
"Will you do another scan sometime?"
"Yes, in 12 hours. At 8 PM. Is there a problem here?" The doctor is puzzled.
"Ah . . . no. Can I wait for that scan result, then sign the form?" (There is a huge battle going on inside the young man)
"Yes, I will return after lunch. And we will talk." He shakes Josh's hand and leaves.
Josh leans over and curls up into Cassie's lap. He starts to softly weep.
She gently rubs circles on his back; and bends low, kissing his head.
"Josh, sweetheart. Don't try to play God, please."
"Cassie, you remember what I said in the car?"
"Yes, I do. I know this is a struggle, I really do. While you were gone on your coffee run, I looked some stuff up. I saw burr holes mentioned. That is a relatively simple thing to do. It didn't sound like some elaborate, experimental procedure. It's your decision, but I think you should give your consent."
"You met them-
"I did, and I can understand the conflict. I will support your decision, Josh. Always."
"Thank you, babe. I'll call the nurse." He steps to the intercom phone, "this is Josh Allen. May I speak with my parents' nurse, please."
"She will be right out." He sits back down.
He signs the consent.
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Cassie and Josh stay one more night. 2 burr holes are drilled in his mother's skull Saturday morning; the pressure increase is relieved. However, neither parent improves clinically. Still no brain activity.
SUNDAY NOON
Jamie and Eddie and kids all come to visit. Malina,
Mary Rose and boys would not be left at home. They rush into the waiting room and into Josh and Cassie's arms.
"We missed you!"
"Are your mommy and daddy ok?"
"We love you, Josh!"
Josh breaks down, again. The outpouring of support and affection is something he has never before experienced. But he's becoming used to it.
"What's the latest," Eddie asks.
Then the doctor walks in. He stops short at the crowd.
Josh proudly introduces his 'new' family.
The doc starts. "There has been no improvement in brain activity."
"What is your prognosis, doctor?" Jamie asks. He sees that Josh is quite overwhelmed, and needs his support.
"There is no way to predict the outcome in cases like this. However, as time goes by the chances of either of them 'waking up' decrease with time. I'll say this, there is no reason for you to stay here day after day. You are certainly welcome to stay. Our nurses will do all they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Are there any questions I can answer?"
"I have none," Josh rises and shakes the doctor's hand.
The clinician bids them all good-bye and exits.
Josh sits back down and leans on Cassie.
AJ comes and climbs into his big brother's lap. Josh hugs him tightly.
"Cass, I think that I'll come home."
"Here is a thought," Eddie suggests. "Would this be a good time to get some more things to have at our place?"
Josh looks at Cass. "Can we stop by?"
"Yes. Should mom or dad come along?"
Jamie and Eddie look at each other. "I'll go along," Jamie says. Eddie nods.
Josh tells the nurses that he is leaving, and makes sure they know how to contact him.
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2 WEEKS LATER
FAMILY ROOM – ON THE ISLAND
Cassie, Josh and Nicky are talking after all the others have retired to their rooms. The prayer circle has moved from the upstairs bedroom down to the FR. All family members are welcome to attend. Josh's parents are regularly prayed for. Now the 3 remain and talk.
"Can you believe it; Jimmy didn't have a ring ready the evening he proposed!" Nicky informed them. She has harped on this before.
"The way I heard it, you proposed," Cassie laughs.
"NO! I just kicked his ass!"
"Into Long Island Sound!" Josh huffs.
"Anyway, we need to go shopping."
Cassie and Josh look at each other. "We do too," Cassie adds.
"What about doing it together," Josh puts out there.
The girls look at each other, and shrug. Why not?
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SUNDAY – LONG ISLAND MALL
"Hey, there is Dick's Sporting Goods!" Josh tries to take a right turn.
Cassie hooks his arm, "Arm tackle. QB down!"
"Hey I need-
"You need nothing there, jocko!"
Nicky and Jimmy can barely contain themselves. "Were we ever like that?" He whispers.
"Don't ask. I won't tell."
Cassie's eyes light up. "There, I see Crown Jewelers! Let's go," she is off like a WR after a TD. Josh trying to keep up. Jim & Nick too.
CROWN JEWLERS
An older couple meet the foursome just inside the entrance. "What may we do for you kids today?" The gentleman asks.
SIMULTANEOUSLY
"Engagement ring!" Jimmy.
"Promise rings!" Josh.
"Ah, different stages I see," the lady says. "Who would like to come with me?" She holds out her hands. Nicky grasps one, and she and Jimmy follow the lady to the back of the store.
Josh and Cassie stay with Vern; he leads them to a close by display case. They sit on comfy chairs and he talks with them.
"I'm Vern, my wife Robin and I own the store. And you are?"
"I'm Josh, and my girlfriend is Cassandra."
"Good. You are going to exchange pro\mise rings, yes?"
"Yes. I am a HS senior, going to Rutgers University next fall."
"And you, my dear?"
"I am a HS junior at St Bridget. We want something to remember each other by. Well, we won't forget, but you know-
"I know. You want to make that 1st commitment, as he goes away."
They both nod, and squeeze hands.
"Have you settled on university, dear?"
"Yes, Rutgers SAS. That's their School of Arts & Sciences. I'm entering their video production degree program."
"Very nice! So, you two will be closer then?"
"Yes!"
"Josh, what are you looking at as far as your future?"
"I play QB at St Bridget. I will have a full-ride scholarship at Rutgers."
"That's very good. It's nice to see young people with well thought out plans! Now, have you thought about metals, designs and so forth-
As Cassie and Josh are finalizing their purchase, Nicky and Jimmy come up front. ALL SMILES!
"Let me see!" Cassie exclaims.
Nicky holds up her left hand, something sparkles on her 4th finger. Cass ogles, and looks coyly at Josh.
"One step at a time," he whispers in her ear.
"I know, and agree," she whispers in return. Lightly kissing his ear.
He squeezes with his arm around her waist.
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BAY RIDGE – SUNDAY DINNER
Nicky and Jimmy gave grandpa Frank some warning that they were coming to mass and then dinner. As it was early December, it wasn't hard to conceal her hand with light cloth gloves. At the house it was trickier. They managed to time their arrival to sitting down time.
Nicky sat on Jimmy's right, so her left hand was enclosed in his right one. After she offered grace, she said "Jimmy and I have some news!" She slipped her glove off and held up her left hand. The ring sparkling in the light.
Nobody said anything.
"Well, nothing?" Nicky snorted.
"Finally," her dad said.
"Old news," Kelly huffed.
"Are you sure?" Erin muttered.
"Kinda small," uncle Danny retorted.
Linda covered her mouth.
Jimmy just sat there, holding back a laugh.
Nicky looked at him . . . "YOU WERE IN ON THIS?"
"Nicky, baby, I-
"Was this your idea Mister Collins?" She has hands on hips. "Don't Nicky baby me!"
"Well . . . ah-
"I cautioned against it-
"Dad-
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
Breaks out all around!
"My BIG day . . . well my 2nd biggest day," she glares at Jimmy. "If you try anything on THAT day – I will kill you!"
"Nicky, sweetheart, I'm not that stupid!"
"We'll see."
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TBC
A/N: This is a big, complex family. If your fav character(s) haven't appeared in a while, don't lose heart. S/he will be back. Even after nuptials they will not disappear. Not completely. Reviews, with ideas, are always appreciated.
So, we have an engagement ring – on the finger. Promise rings in the box. Just about ready for Christmas – then sliding downhill to a Josh Allen HS graduation. Will his parents be there? Does anybody want them there? What a question to ask! We'll figure it out. Trust me.