“Yes Joyce, I promise I will have them send my records, so you can see for yourself, that I’m okay,” she felt like she was talking to her mother, “Yes ma’am, I’ll call if I need anything, but only if you promise not to believe everything you see on the news. The hospital is still here, and I’m still alive, so don’t worry, okay? Good. I love you too.”
She hung up the phone, and took a sip of water, “Thanks for this honey, I didn’t realize I’d be doing so much talking. Joyce called, she’d seen the news, all the way up in New York. I guess we’re national news now. Too bad it’s for something as horrible as this.”
Aidan could tell that Joyce hadn’t mention about the baby, and she didn’t know whether to be thankful or not. “Uh, Vick, we need to talk.” Aidan looked pale and pensive. Of all the things she had seen and done in her young life, this was by far, the hardest thing she’d ever had to face.
“Sure honey, what’s up?”
Aidan went to her side, pushed away the bedside table, and lowered the bedrail. Then she sat lightly on the side of the bed, took Vicky’s hand and held it between her own, rubbing it softly.
“What…, what’s wrong, Aidan? I can see it in your eyes.” By that time, Aidan’s eyes were red, from the strain of not allowing herself to cry. Terrible thoughts raced through Vicky’s head, until the worst idea imaginable surfaced, and she felt her stomach. She looked up at Aidan, and saw the truth in her eyes.
“No! Oh God, Aidan, no!”
Aidan pulled her unsteady body close to her own, and held her tight.
“Oh God, not my baby!”
She screamed, fighting Aidan’s hold on her, but Aidan held her tighter. She knew it was the only safe way for Vicky to grieve, without ripping her sutures open.
“My baby…” Vicky sobbed in Aidan’s arms.
When she thought it was safe, Aidan relaxed her hold, and Vicky buried her head in her shoulder. She let out one last, gut wrenching, guttural sob, that reverberated against the walls, and shattered Aidan’s heart. All she could do was kiss her head, rubbed her back, and whisper reassuring words to her. She knew there was nothing that could truly soothe this kind of pain.
Only after Vicky accepted the reality that her baby was gone, did she begin to explain to Aidan about her decision for artificial insemination.
“I have all this love to give, and there was no one to give it to. I didn’t know if you were still alive or not, Aidan. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted children. And though I’d had a few relationships before, the love just wasn’t there. So, if I wanted to start a family, the only way to do it, for me, was by artificial insemination.”
Aidan was not surprised that she would go to these lengths. She just regretted that her lover had to go through it alone. “But you’re Catholic, Vicky, wouldn’t you be excommunicated, or something, and fired from this job?”
“Oh yes, were I going to stay here. My plan was to accept one of the offers I’d had, like the one in Boston.”
“And?” Aidan knew there had to be more.
“And…,” she exhaled, “and I would have had to leave the church.”
“Damn, Vicky,” she was stunned, Vicky loved her religion, her church, “you wanted a baby that bad?”
She started to cry softly, “Yes, I did, and I still do, Aidan. With you.”
Aidan smiled, in spite of herself, because the idea was reassuring, “So why didn’t you leave, Vick?”
“Well, because of you. Because I had found you again, and you needed my help, and I needed you to remember me, and I was going to tell you, and then this happened, and‒‒”
“Oh kid, I am so glad you found me again,” Aidan gushed, something she rarely did, and then only in front of Vicky, “We’re gonna be okay, we’re both going to be okay,” she wiped away Vicky’s tears and stroked her cheek, then added, “But I need you to do me a favor.”
“Of course, honey, what is it?”
She held Vicky’s hands, “I need you to just give yourself some time, okay? I know you. You’ll work yourself into a stupor, trying to keep this hospital going, and you’ll forget to grieve.”
She did indeed, know her lover well, because that’s exactly what Vicky wanted to do. Distract herself from the loss of her baby, by concentrating on the recovery of her hospital.
She slowly nodded her head, and looked wearily at Aidan, “I was going to name her Aidan, and if it was a boy, I was going to name him Aidan, Jr.”
Aidan laughed, “I would have loved that. I love you, kid. Now lay back and get some rest, okay?”
“Yes ma’am,” she leaned back, and exhaled somberly.
“Good girl. I’m going to go check in with Paul. I’ll be right back, okay?”
Gently, she comb back the hair from Vicky’s forehead and kissed her. She pulled up the bed rail, and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Vicky lay there, staring at the ceiling. She felt her stomach, “my baby…,” and let the tears flow freely again, not bothering to wipe them away. As she grieved, she was unaware of Aidan, standing just outside her room, leaning against the wall, listening to her cry, as she cried herself.
I’m so sorry, kid. God, I’m so sorry.
Chapter 16
The sun rose early, that morning, a new day had dawned. And as it beamed through the cracks and crevices of a once solid wall, the brightest star in the sky seemed to shine more intensely, than usual. Perhaps that was because, as its beam made its way through the swirling dust, and ashes of death, it came to rest on the most sacred symbol of hope there is, a crucifix.
It had only been two days. Yet, Vicky stood outside the main entrance way to the hospital, leaning on a cane. Aidan, Yvonne, Paul, Jack, the Executive team, Fred Patch from Homeland Security, and Leonard Greene, from the FBI, all stood off to the side, and behind her. They were facing away from the entrance, towards the twelve‒hundred employees, who had reported back for duty. To either side of her, were hordes of news media, local, national and international.
Vicky stepped up to the microphone, and addressed the employees first. “Two days ago, we had to close our doors, because we were attacked by terrorists. But tomorrow, our doors will once again, be open for business. St. Frances is a safe and caring facility, with loyal employees. Your presence here today, is testament to that fact. Tomorrow, our patients will be transported back to our hospital. We extend our gratitude to our fellow hospitals, for taking such great care of our patients. And I personally, extend my gratitude to each and every one of you, for your expert care, in the face of disaster. It is that compassionate care for others, that our hospital is famous for. I know, first‒hand, as a recent patient here, that nurses like Mary Wedding, stayed and cared for their patients, when all around them was chaos. You are a tribute to our mission, and our resolve, that the patient always comes first.”
With her cane in hand, Vicky walked over to Mary, who stood to the side with some friends, and shook her hand. “Thank you so much, Mary,” she hugged her tight, then returned to the microphone, “We also want to honor those employees who were killed, in this horrendous tragedy.” She pointed to her left, at the gaping hole where once there had been a solid brick wall, “They will forever be in our thoughts and prayers. We honor them with a moment of silence.”
Everyone grew quiet and still, as Vicky read the names of those killed, choking on her own tears, when she came to Julie’s name, then silently, read her own baby’s name. Aidan moved closer to comfort her, and as they held hands, she finished reading the list. Then she bowed her head in silent prayer. Finally she continued, “Today, you will return to your jobs, prepare your stations for tomorrow, and stand ready to help the citizens of Arkansas, again. Be prepared for a lot of questions,” Vicky pointed to the news media and their cameras, “and if you don’t know the answer, ask one of us.” She then pointed to those standing beside her.
“In fact, if you have a question now, please ask me,” she looked at the media like a school teacher to her
class, “If an employee has a question, I will be happy to speak with the media afterwards,” then turning back to her employees she asked, “Any questions?”
They looked at her, most shaking their heads, some looking at the others, until the nurse from PACU, Becky Phillips, stepped forward.
“Ms. Montgomery, I heard that you and Ms. Cassidy just pretended to be mad at each other, and uh, well, Aidan pretended to die, so you could find the terrorist?”
“Yes, that’s correct, Becky, and I apologize to anyone who may have been hurt by our subterfuge.”
“I think perhaps it is us, who should apologize to you, for the rude rumors some of us spread,” Becky looked over at Barbara Cox, though she’d never call her out by name. Turning back to Vicky, she continued, “Both of you were hurt, defending our President, and our hospital. That took great courage, and I for one, applaud you both for it,” she took a step forward and started clapping, quickly joined by cheers and whistles from her co-workers, until even the media joined in. They applauded for such a long time, that Vicky began to choke up again, releasing the pressure she had put herself under. Aidan put her arm around her shoulder, bolstering her up.
“On behalf of Ms. Montgomery and myself, we thank you.” Aidan praised, “You guys are the best, and this hospital is the best!” She raised her armhigh, stabbing at the sky with her index finger, the sign for number one. The employees followed suit, shouting ‘we’re still here and we’re still number one’. Vicky joined in, laughing and crying at the same time.
Finally, she took control back, “Now, you are welcome to stay for the news conference, or you can get back to your jobs,” No one moved, which again, tugged at her heart, “Thank you…, I…, thank you.” Reinvigorated by the support of her employees, she turned to the media, “I’ll be happy to entertain your questions, now.”
The media quickly scrambled for the prime position in front of Vicky, as the employees moved back, to make room for them.
She covered the microphone with her hand, and turned to Aidan, who had moved back to her place beside the rest. “Will you please time this, and let me know when it’s been fifteen minutes? I don’t want to keep the employees out here, longer than necessary.”
Aidan replied, “Sure, but can I be obnoxious, when they don’t stop asking questions?”
She laughed, and replied, “I was counting on it.”
Returning her attention to the media, Vicky waited for them to settle down enough for her to be heard, then she stated, “I only have a few minutes to answer questions, so let’s begin,” She pointed to a local reporter first, “Ted, you have a question for me?”
“Ms. Montgomery, first let me say, I’m glad you survived being shot. Can you please tell me how you came to be shot, in the first place?”
“Well, I’ll give you the quick version. The terrorist was holding me hostage, and waving a gun around in front of the employees, as they were trying to evacuate their patients. When Aidan Cassidy,” she looked at Aidan and smiled, “When Aidan came in, the terrorist remembered her from his first attempt. As you probably know, Aidan single handily, stopped him from an assassination attempt on former President Trenton.” She beamed with pride at Aidan, as the employees applauded loudly, and Aidan shifted her feet, nervously. “Anyway, the gunman just lost it, and started screaming. I knew he was going to start shooting, so I elbowed him in the ribs. Thinking I was free, I stepped away, and he…, well his gun went off and hit me. I’ve been told that Aidan stopped him from shooting anyone else, this time for good.”
Most of the employees were hearing the details for the first time, and they let out a collective gasp. But several people, Aidan included, shook their heads, because they knew the truth. Aidan started to step forward, but Paul was closer to Vicky.
“With all due respect, Ms. Montgomery,” Paul walked up to the microphone, “You deliberately jumped in front of Aidan, and took the bullet meant for her. You saved her life.” Paul didn’t actually see it happen, but he had been told by several people, and he knew it had to be true, because of the kind of person Vicky was.
The employees went wild with their applause. Aidan watched her lover blush, knowing that she was good at giving out compliments, but tended to shy away from hearing, or accepting them, for herself. She thought, that’s my baby! My God, isn’t she magnificent.
“Thank you, Paul,” Vicky smiled warmly at him, then returned her attention back to the media. She again pointed to a local news reporter, “Debbie, you have a question?”
“Yes, thank you. Will St. Frances be able to come back from this?”
Vicky was prepared for this question, and looked at her employees, “Ask them, if we will?”
Their thunderous response was a unanimous “YES!” Vicky smiled proudly, and looked at Aidan, who winked at her.
“Debbie, St. Frances has a rich heritage of caring for the sick and infirm, and no unholy terrorist is going to change that. Not with employees like these, who uphold the mission and values of the Sisters who came before us. Next question please, um, you in the back,” she pointed to a ZNN reporter.
“Ma’am, did you know the shooter was from Little Rock?”
“Yes, actually, I did, and am very saddened by it. But perhaps Mr. Patch, with Homeland Security, can better speak to that than I can.”
Patch stepped up to the microphone, “We are aware, and are investigating it thoroughly.”
“Mr. Patch, is there any connection to the drive by shooter at the recruiting station, a few years ago?”
“As I said, we are still investigating all possibilities, and we will let you know, as soon as we have something concrete to report.” Patch moved back to the side, indicating that he was done talking.
Aidan walked up beside Vicky, put her hand on the small of her back, and unobtrusively whispered, “You have time for one more question.”
She nodded her head, “Last question, please.”
All the reporters yelled their question at once, desperate to be the one she picked.
“Yes, the gentleman in the back.”
“NBC ma’am. Is it true that some of your own employees were helping the terrorist?”
Her employees booed the newsman, and Vicky’s face reddened, as anger fired up in her belly, “Let me be very clear about this.”
Aidan thought to herself, oh yeah, I’ve seen that look recently, she’s pissed.
But before Vicky could answer, she was interrupted by FBI Agent Greene, who whispered in her ear, “Don’t give any details, just keep it generic.” She nodded at him, and returned to the microphone.
“As I was saying, that person, is obviously not a true St. Frances employee.” The employees agreed, and she heard Aidan say, ‘Damn straight’. That helped calm her anger enough to finished her statement. “This person was planted here for one reason, and one reason only, to terrorize the public. But we are not afraid. We will not be intimidated or coerced. That is not what this country was built on. That is not what St. Frances was built on either.” Vicky looked past the media at the employees, “And toward that end, the authorities will be investigating every employee here, so I encourage you all to continue to cooperate with them.” Then she turned back to the media, “I assure you, the capture of this person is imminent.”
Aidan, Patch and Greene, instinctively watched the employees, looking for any indication of flight. Aidan hoped that someone would run, so they could end this right now. She had already lost to many years, wondering, worrying, wishing she was with Vicky again. Now that they were together, it seemed as though they hadn't had more than two minutes to themselves. Even though she was standing right beside her, she still wished that she could hold her, kiss her, love her, just be alone with her. She knew that wasn’t likely to happen, until the terrorist was captured and locked away.
“Thank you, no more questions, please. St. Frances team, let’s get back to work!” Vicky cheered, and walked inside the building.
The reporters yelled, “Ms. Montgom
ery, one more question, please! Ms. Montgomery!”
Aidan walked up to the microphone, “That’s it, thank you for coming.”
One reporter pushed his way to the front, intending to follow Vicky into the building, “Ms. Montgomery!”
Aidan stepped in front of him, and said tersely, “What don’t you understand about that’s it? No more questions. Buh‒bye.” With that Aidan turned around grinning, I love doing that! and hurried after Vicky, closely followed by twelve‒hundred employees, pushing the media to the side, as they filed through the doors.
*
Aidan escorted Vicky to her office, making sure she was all right, then she went to find Paul. She wanted to see the list that he had prepared for the FBI. Someone on that list was the mole. To her way of thinking, you find the mole, and you find the terrorists. Paul and Aidan poured over the list, comparing and speculating, until they both agreed it was most likely someone who hadn’t been with St. Frances very long. Three people topped the list, or four, if they counted Aidan.
Of the three names, two jumped out at them. Aidan was most interested in Jack Owens, Administrator of St. Frances. Paul focused in on Ken Hobbs, Director of Environmental Services.
Paul explained his concerns, “Ken came to me last month, and asked for a master key. Said he was asked to clean out the old convent, and a couple of other places. I didn’t think anything about it, because I give master keys to directors all the time, when they have special projects like that.”
“We need to find out who told him to clean up there.” Aidan stated.
“Agreed. I’ve also heard from some coworkers that he’s pretty much a homophobic and a woman‒hater.”
Aidan grinned, “Oh well, it’s him then, he did it.”
Paul laughed, and nodded his head, “So why do you think it could be Jack?”
“I don’t know, it’s just this feeling I get, when he’s around. He was so uninterested in the aftermath of the explosion, and that seems really out of character, for a man in his position. That gave me a very uneasy feeling. Know what I mean?”
I Remember You Page 26