Vicky didn’t take a moment to look around atall the gifts the Rutherford’s had purchased. She just sat holdingher little girl’s hand and watching her closely.
“Thanks mom and dad. This is wonderful. I’msure when Angel wakes up she’ll love it.”
Mrs. Rutherford sat down on the opposite sideof Vicky and put her arms around her shoulders. “Sweetheart haveyou eaten anything today?”
Vicky sat stoically; holding on to Angel’slittle hand. “I’m not very hungry but thank you.” Her eyes neverleft Angel.
“I know I’m not very hungry either. But, thedifference between us is you’ve got a little baby growing inside ofyou that needs you to take care of yourself. Can I at least get youa little bit of soup?”
Vicky would have said or done anything to bealone with Angel. She gave Mrs. Rutherford a nod.
Mr. Rutherford chimed in “How about mom and Igo and order a late lunch for everyone? I’m sure none of us arehungry but we need to keep our strength up for when Angel wakesup.”
Jason’s focus had returned to Vicky andAngel. He barely heard his father. He would give anything to endthis nightmare for all of them. There was a quiet knock on thedoor.
Franklin and Sandra had arrived and werequietly entering the room just as the Rutherford’s were leaving.Vicky and Jason’s backs were to them so they hadn’t even noticedthey had arrived. Mr. Rutherford motioned for them to step backoutside before they could walk inside “Franklin, I’m glad you couldfly out.”
“How are they holding up?”
Mr. Rutherford shook his head “as well as canbe expected given the circumstances. They could use all the supportwe can give them.”
The Rutherford’s hadn’t really had theopportunity to acknowledge the young woman standing next toFranklin “We’re sorry, Franklin never introduced us to his fiancé,we’ll forgive him this time, April right?”
Franklin looked incredibly uncomfortable andSandra was slightly amused at his embarrassment. “I’m sorry no. I’mSandra Catchings, a very close friend of Vicky’s. Jason thought shemight want my support and Mr. Roth was gracious enough to allow meto fly down with him.”
Miriam being ever the master of smoothing outuncomfortable situations took over the conversation “Well, I’m gladyou’re here. It’s nice to meet you. Vicky could use all the supportwe can give her. Anyway, John and I were just on our way to order alate lunch. If you two haven’t eaten we’ll order for six instead offour?”
“That sounds lovely Mrs. Rutherford.” Sandraadmired the way she handled that situation. It was obvious she gotplenty of practice in taking care of things.
A few more pleasantries were exchanged andthe Rutherford’s finally left to grab a late lunch.
Sandra watched them go. She hoped one dayshe’d find someone that she was so in sync with just like theRutherford’s seemed to be with each other. Franklin interrupted herthoughts “You ready to go inside?”
“As ready as one can be I guess.”
“Well, just remember we are here to besupport for Jason and Vicky. No matter what it looks like inthere...no tears.”
“Are you kidding me? No tears? How doessomeone in your position be so sexist?” Sandra pushed passed himand walked inside.
Chapter 16
After Sandy pushed passed Franklin and walkedinto Angel’s hospital room, she stopped dead in her tracks. Shetruly wasn’t prepared for what she saw. She couldn’t even recognizelittle Angel. She was lying on her back with nothing on but herlittle panties. Half of her head was shaved and it looked liked itwas exposed. There were bandages and tubes coming from her side.Not just her side but everywhere. All Jason had time to tell herwas that Angel had been in a very serious car accident and that shewas in surgery. The sight before her took her breath away. Franklinstood right behind her. He was so close she could feel his breathon the back of her neck. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
“Jason? Vicky? We’re here.” They both turnedat the same time. Vicky and Jason exchanged hugs and kisses withSandra and Franklin. Vicky held onto Sandra for just a bit longerthan necessary. Sandra whispered into her ear “How are you holdingup?”
“I honestly don’t know.”
“That is to be expected. Why don’t you get upfor just a minute and walk with me if for no other reason than justto stretch your legs? I’m sure you’ve been sitting in this sameposition for hours.”
Jason was surprised when Vicky paused for aminute before she nodded and made an effort to get up and out ofher chair. Sandra grabbed her hand and they walked out of thedoor.
They made their way to a private waiting roombefore finding a couple of chairs to sit down.
“Now…how are you really doing? I see you havean admittance bracelet on your wrist and…oh my goodness a rock onyour finger!”
“With the stress of everything, my bloodpressure went through the roof and…..the baby caused me to passout.”
“So, it’s finally official.”
“Yes, it’s official. I want to be happy forthe baby but it just feels so wrong to feel anything other thanworry for Angel right now. I can’t even think about anything else.And, I swear if one more person tells me to eat, or rest, or you’vegot to take care of the baby, I swear I’m going to snap!”
Sandra just sat and listened to Vicky releaseall her pent up emotions before she whispered, “Sandy, Angel couldreally die. I don’t know if I could survive that.”
“Vicky, I know things look badly right nowbut Angel is a strong and a healthy little girl. She is going tofight. She just needs you to…”
Vicky cut her off. “Sandy, they need toperform another surgery! Before they can operate, Angel will needblood for the procedure. She has a very rare blood type. Everyonehas been tested but we don’t have all the results back at thistime. So far, we haven’t been able to find a match. The doctorshave told me that without the surgery, she may only have 24-48hours to live!” Vicky broke down and started to cry. “I’ve calledeveryone, my aunt and even her father.”
“Are they coming?”
“Shirley should be here at any time andRyan...I don’t know if
