by De Freitas
“I’ll be there right away.”
Not long after, Martha heard a knock on the door. Thinking it was Annamae, she shouted out from Simon’s bedroom, “Come on in.” But Martha looked up from Simon’s bedside to see a man in a white coat standing in the doorway.
“We got an emergency radio call to come here. What’s wrong with him?”
“It’s his stomach. The pain started yesterday and it just got worse.”
“The medic turned to Simon. “Can you put my hand on the spot where the pain is worst?”
Simon moved the medic’s hand to the left side of his abdomen. The medic turned Simon onto his left side and hyperextended his right thigh. Simon cried out in pain and the medic looked at Martha.
“I suspect its appendicitis. We need to get him straight to the hospital.”
Within minutes, Martha was in the back of the ambulance with Simon. The screaming siren shattered the still of the morning as it sped towards the town.
*
Martha and Annamae were seated in the waiting room when the door opened and the doctor came out of the operating theatre. They both stood up together as soon as they saw him.
“He’s going to be okay. You got him here just in time – it was acute appendicitis and it was about to burst.”
As he was speaking, Martha observed over his shoulder another doctor coming out of the operating theatre. She made the briefest of eye contact with him and, despite the green surgical mask and head cap, she knew she had seen him before.
“Simon will have to spend two to three days here under observation. I doubt you got much sleep last night, Mrs Holman. Why don’t you go home and get some rest? You can come back in the morning. Would you like me to arrange a lift for you?”
“No, thanks, doctor. Annamae has her car outside.”
“Well, you may as well head home now; it will be a while before Simon wakes up. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The sisters got in the car and left the hospital. It had been a long day. They were both tired and neither of them felt like talking much. Thinking about Simon, Martha said a silent prayer of thanks that he was going to be okay. Still, she could not get the image of that doctor out of her head. Suddenly the silence in the car was broken.
“I know who he was,” said Martha.
Annamae took her eyes off the road and looked at Martha. “Who are your speaking about?”
“The doctor that delivered Simon – I saw him today at the hospital, coming out of the operating room. What was his name?”
“Oh, I don’t remember, that was so long ago, Martha.”
“Don’t you remember? He gave Simon that Bible…”
“Yes, of course, I remember that, but I don’t remember his name and, besides, I doubt it was him you saw today. I think you’re just tired.”
The following morning, Martha woke early. She took a shower, changed the sheets on Simon’s bed and tidied his room. Looking out his window, she saw Annamae’s car approaching.
“So, Martha, did you get some sleep last night?”
“Actually, yes I did. I must have been really tired, but I feel great today. I can’t wait to see Simon.”
“Do you mind if I just drop you off, Martha? I’ve a few things to do in town and then I will see you back here in a couple of hours.”
“No problem and thanks once again for the lift. The mechanic says my car will be ready soon so you won’t have to drive me everywhere.”
“Not a problem, sis’. Give Simon my love.”
*
“Good morning, Ma’am.”
“My name is Martha Holman. I’m here to visit my son, Simon.”
“Sure,” said the receptionist, “let me see… it shows he is out of the operating room and in Ward D. In fact, you can have a seat over there and I’ll let the nurse know you’re here. She will come and take you through.”
Martha walked towards the seating area, passing the staff photos displayed on the wall. They reminded her about that doctor but she still could not remember his name. Martha sat down and picked up a magazine from the table, when suddenly it came to her. She got up and walked back over to reception.
“Sorry to trouble you again, but does a Dr Brockman work here?”
“The name is not familiar – let me have a look… no, definitely. His name does not appear on our records.”
“That’s strange. Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure, perhaps he has his own practice. Why do you ask?”
“I thought I saw him working here yesterday.”
“Excuse me for interrupting, but are you Martha Holman?”
“Yes I am.”
“My name is Lindsey, I’m the head nurse. Simon is looking forward to seeing you. Would you like to follow me?”
“Sure,” said Martha.” Turning to the receptionist, she said, “Thanks anyway for your help.”
*
Martha approached the hospital bed. My baby, she thought. She closed her eyes and kissed him on his forehead. “How are you feeling?” she whispered.
Simon did not reply but just stared at her without expression.
“The doctor told me yesterday you will have to stay here for a few days until you heal. I put a few things in this bag for you: a tooth brush, some clothes, underwear and, oh, I stopped off and bought you a new book as I know—”
Before Martha could complete the sentence Simon interrupted her. “It’s good to be back with you, Mom.”
Martha took her eyes off the book she was holding and looked at him. “What do you mean it’s good to be back?”
“When I woke up this morning, I realised I had been taken away – away to somewhere I’d not been before. I was alone, drifting in space. The loneliness was frightening and I knew I was going to be there for a very long time. It was cold. I wanted to come back; I wanted a hug to feel human contact. I could see you. I called out but you were so far away, it felt like I would stay there forever, but I was given this chance to return.”
“They would have given you an anaesthetic son. You would have been completely out of it. I’m sure it was just a bad dream you had.” Martha tried to change the subject. “Annamae sends her love. She had a few things to do in town but she should be here in about—”
“You saw him, didn’t you, Mom?”
“Saw who?”
“The doctor that came out the operating theatre.”
“Yes… I spoke to him after the operation. He said you were going to be okay.”
“No, Mom, the other doctor. You looked at him. You know the one I mean.”
A chill ran down Martha’s spine.
“You know him, don’t you, Mom?”
“Ah yes, I thought I recognised one of the doctors coming out of the theatre.”
“You do know he’s not a doctor, Mom. Don’t you?”
“You’re scaring me, Simon. Why do you say he is not a doctor? And how do you know any of this?”
Simon did not reply. Martha leaned over the bed and hugged her son; she felt her whole body shaking. “I love you, son.”
“Can I come in?”
She looked up from the bed to see a nurse standing at the door. “Sure,” said Martha.
“The doctor will be here in a couple of minutes. He wants to see how Simon is doing.”
Martha’s heart started racing. She looked at Simon and knew what he was thinking.
“Is everything alright?” asked the nurse.
“Yes, everything’s fine. It’s okay if I stay, isn’t it? I’d like to see the doctor when he arrives.”
“I’m sure that will be fine.”
Martha sat in the chair next to the bed. She held Simon’s hand, her heart still racing as she waited to see the doctor come in.
“Go
od morning, Martha. I take it you got some rest last night?” The doctor observed a clearly shaken Martha. “Sorry, I did not mean to startle you, Mrs Holman. I told the nurse to let you know I was on my way.”
“Ah yes, she did tell us. Sorry, I was just in a different world when you walked in.”
“So, how’s our patient doing?”
Simon looked at the doctor and smiled. The doctor picked up the clipboard next to his bed and reviewed it. “Well, everything looks good here; you are on your way to a full recovery. I’ll ask the nurse to come in after lunch to put on a fresh bandage and then I’ll come back and see you before I finish today. Mrs Holman, I’ll need you to fill out a few forms for us – just formalities, nothing really. With it being an emergency, we did not get the chance to do it yesterday. If you follow me, I’ll take you to reception – the nurse will assist you.”
“Simon, I’ll be back in a few minutes, okay?”
As they walked down the corridor, Martha turned to the doctor.
“May I speak with you for a minute?”
“Sure, my office is just coming up on the left. We can chat in there.”
“Can I ask you, doctor, who assisted you with Simon’s operation?”
“I had a couple of nurses with me; Miss Thompson and one or our most experienced nurses, Mrs Stevens. I assure you your son was in the best of hands.”
“Were there any complications during the operation?”
“Why do you ask, Mrs Holman?”
“I’m just curious to understand how it went. So, were there any complications?”
“Simon had a bad reaction to the anaesthetic; his blood pressure became elevated and his heart rhythm erratic. However, his condition stabilised. It’s rare, but it happens with some patients from time to time. However, there are no lasting effects.”
“How exactly did you stabilise his condition?”
“Honestly speaking, we did not do anything. It seemed to just stabilise on its own. A bit unusual, I might add, but the human body is an amazing thing.”
“Doctor, do you know a Dr Brockman by any chance?”
“No, can’t say that I do.”
“I’d really like to see him again. Is there a list of registered doctors in the area I can look up?”
“You can always call the AMA.”
“Sorry, but what’s the AMA?”
The doctor smiled. “American Medical Association. They will help you find him.”
“Thank you, doctor. You have been really helpful, and don’t worry; I’ll go by reception on my way out and fill out those forms before I leave today.”
*
“It was great to see Simon today,” said Annamae. “I wish I could have stayed longer with him. I was not expecting to be so late getting back to the hospital. Half the problem is the traffic; I mean, just look at the number of cars in front of us, it is just getting worse and worse.”
“You know, Annamae, I remembered his name but the hospital has no record of a Dr Brockman working there.”
Annamae was caught out by the sudden change in the conversation but she recovered quickly. “Well exactly, that proves my point: it was not him you saw. Now, I really think you should just forget it, you’re becoming obsessed.”
Martha wanted to discuss it more. However, she sensed Annamae was going to dismiss everything she said so she decided to leave it at that. “You’re probably right, Annamae. I should forget him. I really need to just get home, take a shower and have an early night.”
Martha got home, dropped her handbag on the kitchen table, and picked up the phone. “Good afternoon, operator, do you have a number for the American Medical Association?”
“Sure, would you like me to connect you?”
“Yes, please.”
“AMA, how can I direct your call?”
“Good afternoon, I’m trying to find out where my previous doctor is now working, I’ve lost touch with him over the years. His name was Dr Brockman, he definitely worked in Sidon up to ten years ago, however I can’t remember his first name.”
“Is this all the information you have, Ma’am?”
“Sorry, but yes.”
“Can I call you back on this tomorrow? It will take me a while to look into it thoroughly and we are about to close for the day.”
“Sure. That would be great, thank you.”
Martha was awakened by the sound of the phone. She jumped out of bed and ran to answer it.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, but I’ve gone back over ten years and we have no record of a Dr Brockman registered in Sidon. I even expanded the search to cover your entire state and nothing is showing up.”
“Are you sure?”
“Oh, I’m very sure, Ma’am. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, that is all, but thanks again for your help.”
The days passed slowly, but finally the day neared when Martha would bring Simon home from the hospital. She could hardly contain her excitement. She spent most of the day cleaning the house from top to bottom. She went into Simon’s bedroom determined to finally clear out all the clothes he had outgrown.
At the back of the drawer, in the side table next to his bed, the title caught her eye; My First Bible. Martha paused briefly. She picked it up and the memories of those years came flooding back, those special nights lying in bed reading the stories to Simon, and Martha was filled with nostalgia. She looked further into the drawer and saw the brown cloth it came wrapped in. She took it out and unfolded it. Suddenly she realised there was something written on it. She held it up to the light. It certainly looked like writing but not writing that she had ever seen.
CHAPTER 3
“Make a wish, ” said Martha.
Simon blew out the sixteen candles. Martha thought to herself, what a handsome young man, and she knew she was not just seeing him through a mother’s eyes.
“Happy Birthday, Simon,” said Julia.
And with that she kissed him on the lips.
Martha looked at Annamae and both women felt their blood pressure rise. From the first time Simon brought Julia home, neither of the sisters had taken to her. Martha had tried her best to like Julia. She did not even know why she disliked her. She just knew how she felt and, as the weeks passed, Simon spent less time with her and more time with Julia. He’s getting older, she told herself. I have to accept he does not need me like before. I must learn to let go. It did not help that Annamae took every opportunity to criticise Julia.
It was an overcast day but the rain was holding off. Martha and Annamae were sitting out enjoying a glass of iced tea.
“You know she is no good for him,” said Annamae. “You need to stop making excuses for her and put an end to it.”
“I’m not making excuses. I feel exactly the same as you do. They are both young and I just think if we gave it time it would just come to an end and we won’t have to do anything.”
“I don’t agree, Martha. Either you have a talk with him or I will and, believe me, I’ll put an end to it.”
“Annamae, think about what you are saying. We can’t let Simon know how we feel and I’m certainly not going to make him choose between me and her; there are other ways.”
Annamae took a sip of her drink. “Oh believe me, Martha, I know there are other ways, lots of other ways…”
*
I must do it, he told himself. I have no choice. And, with that, he held her down on the bed. She reached up and grabbed his hair. Placing one hand over her mouth he plunged the knife deep into her heart. He kept his hand over her mouth as her head moved violently from side to side, her eyes filled with terror. It did not take long. He watched as the life quickly drained from her. There was no more movement – it is done.
“No!” he screamed.
With that
, Simon awoke, shaking. He looked at his right hand; he could feel the knife. He held the side of his head; the pain was real from where his hair was pulled. Turning on the bedside light, he looked at the clock 3:05am. He took another look at his hand: he could still feel the knife; he could see the black handle but there was nothing there.
*
Summer was coming to an end and the following morning was chilly. Pulling up his collar, Simon kissed Martha and said goodbye.
“You really should be wearing a scarf!” she shouted out.
“I’ll be fine, Mom.”
Simon walked to the top of the road and waited on the school bus; it felt like time stood still. In the distance he saw the dust rising and his heart started pounding. As the yellow bus approached, he strained his eyes looking for Julia. She always sat in the same place but today her seat was empty.
“You getting in or not?” shouted the bus driver.
Simon composed himself and stepped into the bus. He stared at the empty seat as he walked down the aisle. Someone said, “good morning, Simon”, but he did not respond.
*
Sherriff Joe immediately jumped in his car and raced from the police station. With a couple of miles to go before he got to the house, he slowed down, his eyes scanning the fields to the left and right. As he got out of his car, a senior officer approached him.
“What have we got?” asked the sherriff.
The officer took the black book out of his top pocket. “Victim’s name is Julia Marie Osbourne, sixteen years old, daughter of Robert and Beth Osbourne. Her mother is too distraught to speak but her father told me they said good night to her and she went to her room about 8:30pm She never showed for breakfast this morning. Her mother found her in bed about 6:45am covered in blood. Her bedroom window was open.”
“Your initial impression of the parents?” asked the sherriff.
“I don’t think so, sir. I think we are looking for someone else.”