High Hurdles Collection Two

by Lauraine Snelling

“Great. I’ll go tell the nurse. They put your dinner in the fridge to save for when you woke up.” He rose and stood looking down at DJ. “I am mighty glad you’re still with us. I mean, I know heaven is a wonderful place, but this one would be a lot less happy if you were gone.”

  “Thanks.” DJ’s eyes burned and her nose started to run. “Now you have to wipe my nose, please.”

  Robert pulled out two tissues. “Mine too.” He held the tissue to her nose. “Now blow. See? I can do this. I just got the twins to blow their own noses, and now I can help you. Keeps me in practice for the baby.”

  “How’s Mom?”

  “How about we talk when I get back?” He tapped the end of her nose and headed for the door.

  “Hi, sugar, welcome back to the land of the livin’.” Thela wore a smile that crinkled her black eyes nearly shut. “You sure are our celebrity after today.” She leaned closer. “You didn’t really get kissed by a horse, did you?”

  “Not just any horse, but Major, the sweetest horse to gallop this earth.” DJ dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But Karen made sure all the horsehairs were brushed away before any doctors saw them.”

  “That Karen’s one smart girl. I’m surprised they didn’t bring the horse clear up here.”

  “Really? Would they?”

  “Well, there’ve been dogs, cats, rabbits, a boa once. …” Thela squinted her eyes. “Oh yeah, monkeys, a pot-bellied pig, ferrets—one got loose, and if that wasn’t a circus in itself—and miniature horses. You know, nothing helps sick folks get better faster than a warm, furry critter to hug on. Not all the doctors agree with that, but we nurses know the real skinny.”

  “Wow, I never thought hospitals did such things.” DJ thought of Queenie. “Our dog would be good for something like that. She’s so smart and well behaved.”

  “Mostly we do things like that up on the oncology ward where kids have to be here a long time. Clowns and music groups come to visit. Even movie stars and sports heroes sometimes. Lots of people give their time to help patients get well again.”

  “Like the firemen who came to see me.”

  “True, but they came because they had a vested interest in you, like the one who saved your life.” Thela stepped back. “I think your dinner must be warm by now. You want me to help you?”

  “No, I will,” Robert answered before DJ could.

  “Thela, this is my dad Robert Crowder.”

  “Oh, we’ve met.” The nurse got a puzzled look and shook her head. “But the voice doesn’t match. A man who said he was your dad called here a while ago when you were still sleeping to inquire about how you were doin’, and his voice was different.”

  “Oh, that’s my other dad, Brad Atwood.”

  “Yeah, that’s the name.”

  “And Joe Crowder is my grandfather. You’ve probably heard from him, too. He brought Major and some of the Briones kids over this morning.”

  Thela shook her head again. “Girl, you sure got lots of good-lookin’ men in your life. Nice too.”

  You don’t know the half of it. Two years ago I didn’t have any men in my life—and had no idea how much I was missing. “You haven’t met my twin brothers yet, either. Six-year-old dynamos, Bobby and Billy. I sure miss them.”

  “They’ve been missing you, too,” Robert said. “In fact, I got an extra kiss on each cheek to pass along to you from them.”

  “I’d say, young lady, God’s been blessin’ your socks off.” Thela headed for the door. “Guess I better go take care of my other patients.”

  “You’re right, Thela. I haven’t worn socks for over two weeks now.” DJ giggled at the snort of laughter she heard from the hall.

  “Ah, daughter, I sure am glad you can still joke.” Robert cut the chicken breast and held a bite up to DJ’s mouth. “Now, open wide and the little train will chug right in.”

  DJ looked from the fork to Robert’s laughing blue eyes, so like those of the twins. She nearly choked on the laughter that grabbed her throat. “A … a train?” The laughter made her cough. “Water, I need water.”

  Robert dropped the fork on her lap and, reaching for the water glass, hit the open milk carton, which spilled over the edge of the tray and dripped on DJ’s legs.

  “Good grief! I’ve lost my touch.”

  As soon as DJ’s throat cleared, she let out a hoot that could be heard all the way to the nurses’ station, even if the intercom hadn’t been on. Several pairs of squeaky shoes beat a path to the doorway. Thela rushed into the room while the others blocked the door.

  “What in the world?” Hands on her hips, dark brown arms akimbo, Thela shook her head, then began mopping up the mess, her hands bumping into Robert’s as he tried to help. “My land, I’ll bet those boys of yours don’t need any help at the table, not if they have any sense.” She pushed his hands away. “You sit!” She pointed at the chair, and Robert obeyed.

  DJ laughed so hard, tears streaked down her face.

  Robert gave her a kicked-puppy look that made both DJ and Thela laugh even harder. The other nurses could be heard giggling down the hall.

  “Well, I’m happy to be the object of everyone’s amusement.” Robert sat back and locked his arms over his chest. “See if I try to help you eat again.”

  “See if we let you.” Thela wiped DJ’s eyes and cheeks, then gave her a bite of baked potato. “Best thing that could happen is to get you laughin’ like this, but he sure gives me a mess to clean up, that man.” She sent him what was meant to be a withering look, but the way her eyes danced made DJ laugh again.

  Robert attempted a wounded look. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”

  “That sounds like one of the Bs.” DJ nodded to the milk carton to indicate she wanted a drink. “If there is any left, that is.”

  “I can always get you another.” Thela shook the container. “After this.”

  When DJ refused any more food and the nurse took the tray out, Robert pointed toward the stack of school books. “Which shall we start with?”

  “History.” DJ sighed. “If I can stay awake long enough.”

  “You want me to run you up and down the hall?”

  “No, I want you to take me home.”

  “Ah, if only I could, it would be the greatest honor in the world. But in the meantime, here we go.” Robert pulled out the history book and studied the sheet of assignments tucked in the front. “You should be through chapter two by now.”

  “But Mom just brought them yesterday.”

  Robert gave her a beats-me shrug and flipped the pages.

  DJ tried to concentrate on what he was saying, but her eyes insisted that remaining open was beyond their strength.

  “Are you listening?”

  “Sure.”

  “So what did I just read?”

  “About Eric the Red finding the coast of Greenland.”

  “Oh.” He kept on reading.

  “No! No!” DJ thrashed from side to side. “No!” She banged her hand against the bed rails, screaming from the pain.

  “DJ, what is it? What’s wrong?” A nurse flew through the door and up to the bed.

  “I … I think I had a nightmare.” DJ could hardly draw a breath. Her jaw ached. Her hand kept on screaming with pain.

  “Easy, now. Breathe slowly. Here, how about a drink?” The lights had been dimmed for the night, leaving shadows in the corners of the room. The balloons bobbed in the draft, catching DJ’s attention. One glinted as it bobbed, as if alive and coming after her.

  She stifled a groan. All this because of a bad dream? Get a grip, girl. The voice in her head mocked the sweat beading on her upper lip. “When did my dad go home?”

  “Quite some time ago. It’s nearly 1:00 A.M.” The nurse mopped DJ’s face with a warm washcloth. “You better now? Sure would hate to take your blood pressure and have it through the ceiling.”

  DJ leaned back against her pillows. “Yes, thank you. I dreamed someone had a pillow over my face and wouldn’t let up. I cou
ldn’t breathe.” She sucked on the straw like she might never drink again.

  “Not surprising since your lungs were damaged by the smoke.”

  “But it was so real.”

  “I know.” The nurse grasped DJ’s wrist to check her pulse. “Some of the meds you’re on could induce that kind of thing, too. Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”

  DJ stared up at the ceiling. “Sorry to be such a bother.” She waited as the nurse applied the blood pressure cuff. When that was done, she asked, “You think we could get me to the bathroom before you leave again?”

  “Sure, unless you want to use a bedpan.”

  “Ugh.” DJ shuddered. “I’ll walk.”

  The next morning Dr. Niguri entered the room just as DJ finished her breakfast. He finished jotting something on the clipboard, then studied her over the top of his glasses.

  “Looks like you had a rather restless night.”

  “I guess.”

  “And here I hoped you would be all rested and cheerful to hear some good news.”

  “I’m rested. I’m cheerful.” DJ opened her eyes and smiled as wide as she could. A yawn caught her, forcing her mouth wide open.

  “Ah, I see you still have your tonsils.”

  “Sorry.”

  “I can tell you are too sleepy. I’ll come back later.” He spun on his heel and headed for the door.

  “Wait. Please? Don’t go.”

  Chapter • 6

  Dr. Niguri stopped at the door. “How would you like to go home in a week or two?”

  “How about tomorrow?” DJ wished she could reach out and grab the words back. Whatever had gotten into her?

  Dr. Niguri shook his head, smiling at the same time. “I can tell you are feeling better when you try to bargain. I’d love to send you home tomorrow, today even, but I can’t take a chance on that. I’ve set you up for skin grafts tomorrow, and if they take like I think they will, we’ll be seeing you as an outpatient. Or perhaps we can shift your care over to a hospital nearer to your home for rehab therapy. How does all that sound to you?”

  “Like good news.” DJ studied her bandaged hands. “How long until I can use my hands?”

  “I can’t give you a good answer on that. I know ‘it all depends’ sounds lame, but there are so many variables yet.”

  Will I be able to ride again? Even the thought made DJ’s gut clench. Come on, ask. Don’t be such a chicken. “But … but …” She sucked in a deep breath that started her coughing. He waited patiently until she caught her breath and could speak again. “Will … will I be able to …” She stopped, unable to force the words past the lump swelling in her throat.

  Dr. Niguri sat down on the edge of the bed. “To ride again?”

  DJ nodded, unable to look him in the face. What if he says no? God, I can’t stand the thought of never riding again.

  “I don’t see why not. It will take time and a lot of hard work to regain your small-muscle control, but I believe it will come back. Damaged nerves grow back, as does muscle. You’ll never have your original fingerprints, and there may be more surgeries ahead, but I believe with lots of work, this will happen. The most important thing you can do is keep from getting discouraged.”

  “Sometimes I’m so scared,” the whispered words finally came out.

  “Perfectly normal. Who wouldn’t be? The pain of burns is like no other. Think how people even groan about a sunburn. Burns are painful beyond words, as I know you’ve figured out. But we can do amazing things these days to restore the burned area to its former beauty and usefulness. You’ve just got to be patient.”

  “It’s so hard.”

  “I know. Patience has never been my main strength, either.” He leaned back and crossed one ankle over the other knee. “Any other questions?”

  “My mom brought in my homework. How can I do that when I keep falling asleep?”

  “In bits and pieces. Concentration is difficult when you are still on so much pain medication, but we have to control the pain as much as possible so your body can put its energy into healing. Down the road we can give you some other things that won’t mess with your mind so much.”

  DJ made a face. “Karen talked with you, huh?”

  “Yep. We might have some volunteers here who could read to you. I’ll get the nurses to check on that. If this were to be a long-term disability, we could get you set up with a talking computer if someone scanned the pages of your textbooks into it.”

  He got to his feet. “I know this gives you a lot to think about, so I’ll get these orders written.” He waved the clipboard at her. “Just go easy on the horse kisses, okay?” He winked, patted her foot, and left the room.

  “Home … I get to go home.” DJ closed her eyes and pictured her room with all her art supplies and private bath with the Jacuzzi tub. Surely they could put a talking program on her own computer. The boys and Queenie would go crazy when she got there. She could probably get a speaker phone, too. She opened her eyes and looked at her hands. Would she be able to draw again? Not if but when. “I have to quit thinking about if. Bridget would have my head if she heard me talking about if”

  “Talking to yourself, huh?” Karen came into the room to check on the beeping machines. “Hey, I got news for you.”

  “What?”

  “Guess who I’m going out with tonight?”

  “Allen White?”

  “Cool, huh?”

  “Really cool. Where you going?”

  “Dinner and a movie.” Karen reopened a valve on the IV and checked around the needle in DJ’s arm. “Lookin’ good, kid. You have strong veins and good nurses.”

  “I feel like a pincushion. They come for blood, more blood, then give me a shot for this, then another shot for that.”

  “I know. Sorry. I’ll see if I can find a needle to stick you with now so you don’t get too comfortable.”

  “Don’t bother. But a Popsicle would be good, or ice cream.”

  “Coming right up. I’ll find someone to feed it to you, too.”

  “Never mind, that’s what I’m here for.” Gran strolled into the room, followed by GJ.

  “We’re here.”

  “Karen, this is my grandpa. I call him GJ for Grandpa Joe.”

  “I met him yesterday, remember? He brought the horse. And thanks to you and all your helpful friends yesterday, they’re calling me the horse lady. And I’m not even the one who got kissed.”

  “Karen’s going on a date with Allen White, the fireman who saved my life.” Funny how it was getting easier and easier to say that. In fact, since DJ’s throat was so much better, talking about anything was easier now.

  “Well, isn’t that a fine idea?” Gran set down her satchel and leaned over to kiss DJ. “I hear Major didn’t think you smelled too good.”

  “I know. He did the rolled-back-lips thing. So funny.” DJ lifted a hand to what would have been her hair. “Maybe he didn’t like my new hairstyle. I shoulda worn my fireman’s hat.”

  Between Gran and Joe taking turns reading to her and poking her to stay awake, the morning passed quickly. Treatment time arrived before DJ had time to work up a good dread.

  “You’ll still be here when I get back?”

  “Better than that. We’ll go with you as far as they let us.”

  Joe kept them laughing down the halls as he told about the boys and

  Shawna teaching the horses tricks and how Queenie learned one from watching Shawna and Major.

  “We’ll sit right out here prayin’ for you, darlin’. So don’t you fret.” DJ blinked away the tears that even the sight of the door to the treatment room brought. “Let’s get it over with.” Please, God, let me faint again.

  When DJ got back to her room, already groggy from the pain meds, the phone rang. Karen answered it. “Just a minute, okay? Let me get her comfortable and then she’d love to chat.”

  “Who?” DJ mouthed.

  Karen nodded and smiled, all the while settling DJ back in bed, adjusting the nose pr
ongs for oxygen, and tucking the phone between DJ’s ear and shoulder.

  “Hi, DJ, did you think we’d forgotten you?” Brad Atwood, her biological father, sounded as if he were in the room.

  “Hi, Dad. I haven’t had much time to think, if you want to know the truth.”

  “They say you are doing well.”

  “I guess. How are Jackie and Stormy and Herndon?”

  “All missing you, like me.” His voice choked. “I’m still having a hard time believing all this happened.” He cleared his throat again. “You up for more visitors?”

  “Always. Did you hear who came to see me?” She told him about Major and the Briones bunch and then the firemen.

  “Red noses, huh? And Major doesn’t think you smell nice. DJ, leave it to you. I bet that turned some of the hospital staff right upside down.”

  “I guess. I’ll ask Karen, my nurse.” DJ fought to keep her eyes open. “Dad, if you come, come in the evening when I am more awake. This pain stuff makes me so sleepy.” A yawn caught her by surprise. “Give Stormy and Herndon each a horse cookie for me, okay?” Another yawn.

  “Should I give Jackie one, too?”

  “D-a-d.”

  When she hung up, DJ let her eyes shut.

  “He sounds mighty nice, like the rest of your family.”

  “He is. Stormy is my Arab filly. I helped get her eating after …” She couldn’t find words to finish the sentence.

  “So you’re going out with Allen White?” DJ nodded and grinned at the same time. It was several hours since the treatment, and DJ had returned to the world of the awake.

  Karen sucked in a deep breath. “I guess. He’s called twice. Seems like a really nice guy.”

  “Cute too.” DJ giggled. “Your face is all red.”

  “Oh, I got something for you.” Karen dumped several envelopes on the bed. “Mail came. You want me to open them for you?”

  “Please.”

  “Ah, look at this one.” Karen held up a hand-painted horse’s head with a big tear coming from its eye. When she opened the card, DJ read, I’m not very good with horses yet, but then, you haven’t given me much instruction. Get well soon so we can go drawing together. Call me when you can. Sean.